Natural Awakenings Columbia Edition 0121

E R F

E

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

THE SHAPE OF

FITNESS IN

2021

SENSIBLE WEIGHT LOSS

EAT RIGHT FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS

HOSPITALS GO HOLISTIC

THE CHANGING APPROACH OF MEDICINE

HEALING THE WHOLE CHILD

HOLISTIC PEDIATRICIANS GO BEYOND MEDS

January 2021 | Columbia Edition | ColumbiaNaturalAwakenings.com

January 2021

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Columbia Edition

ColumbiaNaturalAwakenings.com

January 2021

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Contents 15 KICKSTART THE

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NEW YEAR WITH ASHWAGANDHA!

16 STAYING FIT IN 2021

Workout Trends Bend to the Times

18 INTEGRATIVE HOSPITAL CARE

Medicine Embraces Holistic Modalities

21 LOSE WEIGHT

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WITHOUT DIETING

How to Eat to Feel and Look Your Best

22 HEALING THE WHOLE CHILD

Holistic Pediatricians Go Beyond Meds

24 FRUGAL WELLNESS Healthy Living on a Tight Budget

26 HOUSE BLESSINGS

for Clearing and Protecting Spaces

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27 CLIMATE ANXIETY Navigating Our Emotions as the Planet Changes

28 TERRY WAHLS

on Taking Control of Chronic Conditions

DEPARTMENTS 7 community news 12 health briefs 13 global briefs 16 fit body 21 conscious

eating 22 healthy kids 24 healing ways 4

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26 inspiration 27 green living 28 wise words 32 calendar 33 natural

directory 34 classifieds 35 eco tip

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings, please contact us at 803-309-2101 or email ColaPublisher@ NaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month.

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January 2021

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

COLUMBIA EDITION

letter from publisher

Ants and Adversity …

Happy New Year loyal readers! I think we would all agree that last PUBLISHER Annette Carter Briggs year was a seemingly impossible obstacle course of adversity and life-changing challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic reaped havoc EDITOR Sara Gurgen in every way in the lives of many—not only here in South Caroli DESIGN & PRODUCTION Kristina Parella na, but across the nation and globe. And even though promising

Billy Briggs treatment options are surfacing as I pen this letter, the battle for CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Odell Williams ultimate victory continues.

Kristi Antley

Now, for the record, I am not a pessimist by any stretch of SALES & MARKETING Annette Carter Briggs the imagination.

I fully understand and believe that what you think about and meditate

and dwell on (good or bad) shape your thinking and undergird your understanding—ulWEBSITE Kristina Parella timately guiding your decisions and actions. And for this very reason, it is important to Billy Briggs guard your mind and heart, for they truly are the wellspring of life.

I’m not into wrestling, but I love these words of wisdom from professional wrestler CONTACT US Diamond Dallas Page: “In our personal and professional lives, we are constantly hit with PO Box # 2812 one adversity after the other, most of which we have no control over. But the four things Columbia, SC 29202 we have total control over is how we react, how we adapt, how we breathe, and how we Email take action.” Yep … nailed it, as does the ant!

ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakenings.com

Ants? What about them, you might ask. The amazing thing about ants is that they are Annette Briggs Ph: 803-309-2101 experts at adapting? We can learn the value of hard work, diligence and dedication from Website ColumbiaNaturalAwakenings.com our tiny, super-productive friends. And they are strong! Did you know that the average ant can carry between 10 to 50 times its own body weight? Humans are wimps by comparison!

Now, I agree that they are often unwanted pests in need of a new home somewhere else SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $24 other than my and your yard. And to that point, when a person tries to “help” them find (for 12 issues) to the above address. a new home by destroying their current one, ants showcase their amazing resilience and adaptive skills right away. Yep … a new ant pile! It’s incredible how they have very short NATIONAL TEAM memories when it comes to life’s gut punches of reality. Ants are excellent strategic plan CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman ners, organizers, goal-setters and goal-getters.

COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

Can we model the ant in 2021? One thing is for certain, you will be tested this year at

National Art Director Stephen Blancett some point—maybe even often. Yes, be positive and optimistic. Learn to make lemonade

Art Director Josh Pope out of the lemons of life. Good things will happen for sure, but it’s never the “good” things

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert that need this kind of approach to life—it’s adversity. You would be wise to take a trip to Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs the backyard and spend some time considering the ant.

Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell dministrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan A Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation

4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103

Embracing adaptability, Annette Briggs, Publisher

Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com © 2021 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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community news Learn to Address Your ‘Terrain’

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ancer is an opportunistic disease that takes advantage of a person’s body that has become dysfunctional and has lost the ability to protect itself from harm.

Everyone has cancer cells that develop in the body daily, but the body, when healthy and working properly, seeks out and destroys them before they develop and reach harmful levels. Oncologists focus on tumors but often ignore the other important part of the equation: the “terrain” that the tumor grows in.

Dr. Michele Rojas, of Grace Medical Group LLC, has studied and continues to expand her knowledge and expertise under the guidance of Dr. Nasha Winters, a physician who is internationally known for her metabolic approach to cancer. Rojas believes in testing and assessing the terrain that cancer cells inhabit—leading to finally addressing the abnormalities of the terrain, thus aiding individuals battling with cancer. Those interested in learning more about this unique and innovative approach are invited to attend the next scheduled information session on Tuesday, January 12.

Individual consultations are also available; however, it is advised that participants first learn more about the importance of addressing the terrain in the battle with cancer. “We want you to be empowered and believe as we do—fully committed to the sacrifice and personal commitment required for successful outcomes,” says Rojas.

KMB Grinding of the Greens Tree Drop-Off and Mulch Giveaway

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et’s keep on grinding the greens! Keep the Midlands Beautiful will continue its Grinding of the Greens Christmas tree drop-off campaign through Thursday, January 7, at various process and mulch sites located across the Midlands. Participants are asked to honor the following guidelines: Remove all lights, tinsel and ornaments from the tree; remove the tree from the stand; drop off trees only—no wreaths, garlands or other greenery; and remove any string, wire or ties on the tree.

Tree grinding services are provided by Alpine Tree Service.

The free mulch produced will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday, January 9, from 8:30 a.m. until the mulch runs out, at Seven Oaks Park, located at 200 Leisure Lane, in Columbia (near the intersection of St. Andrews and Piney Grove roads) and the Richland County Tennis Center, located at 7500 Parklane Road, in Columbia.

For more information, including a complete list of drop-off site locations, call 803-733-1139 or visit KeepTheMidlandsBeautiful.org.

Cost: Free. Location: Grace Medical Group, 3025 Farrow Rd., Columbia. For more information, call 803-933-0288. See ad, page 5.

EEASC Hosts Virtual Zoom Meetup in January

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t’s time to Zoom meet …again! On Tuesday, January 12, from 8 to 9 a.m., the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) is hosting a green networking “meetup” informal Zoom session for environmental educators in the Midlands. Typically, meetings begin with a facilitated round-robin session where participants share updates and announcements.

EEASC meetups provide opportunities for environmental educators and communicators from both formal and non-formal education settings to build relationships, strengthen partnerships, share resources and program updates, and cross-pollinate their program ideas with colleagues.

Cost: Free. To register for the Zoom session, visit eeasc.org/event-4082633.

After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For more information, contact Jane Hiller at 803-779-0608 or Jane.Hiller@Sonoco.com.

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community news PalmettoPride Hosts Do More for Highway Four Campaign

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oin PalmettoPride, Keep Aiken County Beautiful, Keep Orangeburg County Beautiful, and other local community organizers in the Do More for Highway Four litter campaign, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Monday, January 18. The cleanup event spans nearly 40 miles of roadway along Highway Four, with more than 20 service project sites across two counties. Volunteers must be 12 years and older to participate. Local law enforcement officials will provide traffic control. Volunteer check-in starts at 8 a.m. and cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided following the cleanup.

For more information, email Info@PalmettoPride.org or visit PalmettoPride.org/Event/DoMore-For-Highway-Four.

The Palmetto Environmental Education Certification Program

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he Palmetto Environmental Education Certification (PEEC) program is hosting a workshop series from Friday, January 15, through Sunday, January 17. The PEEC program is South Carolina’s first environmental education professional certification designed for both formal and non-formal educators.

The program’s mission is to foster and empower a professional environmental education network to promote environmental literacy in South Carolina, and by achieving this certification, educators will be equipped with the skills and knowledge for effective work throughout the state. PEEC program benefits include improved skills, increased understanding of environmental education, and network opportunities with professionals across the state.

For more information, including cost and location, visit peecsc.org.

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ICRC Hosts Drive-in Movie Night at Saluda Shoals Park

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n Saturday, January 23, the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) is hosting a drive-in movie night on the fields of Saluda Shoals Park, located at 6071 St. Andrews Road, in Columbia.

The featured movie (Aladdin, 2019) will begin around 6 p.m. Gates will open before 6 p.m. for meal and snack purchases made from onsite food trucks and vendors. As a note, movie guests are asked to remain in their vehicles during the movie.

Cost: $15 admission per vehicle. For more information, call 803-772-1228 or visit icrc.net.

Sonoco Recycling: Supporting Education and Providing Resources

A Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

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latelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy utilizes concentrated injections of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. Through this process, PRP injection therapy harnesses one’s own healing system to improve musculoskeletal problems.

PRP injections are prepared by collecting anywhere from one to a few tubes of blood, and then processing it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets.

These activated platelets are then injected directly into injured or diseased body tissue. The innovative treatment therapy releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells produced by the body. Ultrasound imaging is sometimes used to guide the injection process.

PRP therapy is one of the many great health and wellness services offered at Forest Acres Well Care (FAWC), located at 5101 Forest Drive, in Columbia.

For more information about PRP therapy, or to make an appointment at FAWC, call 803-3182811. Also visit ForestAcresWellCare.com. See ad, page 2.

s part of its mission to change the way people, companies and communities think about recycling, Sonoco Recycling, in Columbia, actively shares its ever-expanding knowledge and resources with teachers, students, homeowners, businesses and municipalities.

This ongoing dialogue is vital to its work and provides inspiration to continually craft recycling solutions that meet the Earth’s changing needs.

Sonoco supports Columbia-area schools and community recycling programs by offering free field studies, school presentations and teacher workshops. Schools statewide can apply for mentors, resources and sustainability awards at GreenStepSchools.com. Each year, S.C. Green Step School Awards are given for well-established, model-quality projects that help conserve, protect or restore the school’s environment. As a proud co-sponsor of the S.C. Green Step School Initiative, Sonoco Recycling helps connect students of all ages to the power of recycling.

Green Step Schools is a program designed to help South Carolina schools earn awards for establishing sustainability projects where students learn, do and teach others. Green Step Schools is here to connect mentors with schools to guide and evaluate these projects.

Sonoco Recycling’s Education Centers are a fun, engaging and hands-on way to connect students of all ages to the power and wonder of recycling. Via closed-circuit TV, students get a behind-the-scenes look at Sonoco’s recycling plant to see how thousands of pounds of paper, metal and plastic are separated, processed and prepared for market.

For more information, contact Jane Hiller at 803-779-0608 or Jane.Hiller@Sonoco.com.

Also visit SonocoRecycling.com/EducationResources.aspx.

Goodbye Junk.

Hello Relief.

Trusted Junk Removal Since 1989 1-800-468-5865 | 1800gotjunk.com

January 2021

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community news The Rooted Community Hosts Sound Journey Event

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n Saturday, January 23, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the Rooted Community, located at 554 Meeting Street, in West Columbia, is hosting a Sound Journey event. Led by Austin Shook, from Alignment Sound and Energy of Charlotte, North Carolina, the experience will begin with a gentle and guided meditation or simple breathwork exercise for the first 5 or 10 minutes. The session will then transition into listening to sounds for the remainder of the 90-minute class. During the sound bath portion of the experience, Shook will use an array of musical instruments from ancient cultures to cultivate an ambient space saturated in deep peace.

“With these instruments, I will be holding space for each of you to connect with aspects of yourselves that may get foggy through our daily routines,” says Shook. “You may experience negative thought forms, traumas or emotional patterns coming to the surface to be released. You may also experience deep relaxing states that can promote awareness of yourself beyond the body or emotions that can lead you to the essence of your being.

Join us for this unique healing sound transformational experience.”

Attendees will need to bring their own props and session items, such as yoga mats, bolsters, blankets, pillows, eye pillows and water. Masks will be worn during the entire sound journey.

Cost: $30. To register, visit TheRootedCommunity.com. For more information, call 803-7303976. See ad, page 16.

SCDNR Expands Oyster Recycling to the Midlands

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healthy South Carolina oyster population depends on recycled oyster shells, which are collected and used to rebuild oyster reefs. Every three bushels of oysters makes 10 square feet of reef—so, in other words, every bushel counts. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is expanding its South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) program to the Midlands and looking for dedicated volunteers to help recycle oyster shells from participating restaurants.

Pearlz Oyster Bar, located in downtown Columbia, has agreed to participate. More restaurants will be added as participation grows. Volunteers will be tasked with replacing full oyster shell receptacles with empty receptacles and taking the shells to designated public drop-off locations. Most restaurants will need to be serviced weekly. Recycling success is dependent upon volunteer dedication and availability. If for some reason service cannot be provided any given week, restaurants impacted will be notified to discard the shells.

For more information, call Holly K. Sommers at 843-953-9057 or email score@dnr.sc.gov.

Also visit scwf.org.

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Find a New Beginning with Arbonne

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t’s a new year and a new beginning!

What are your goals this year? What positive changes would you like to see in your life in 2021? Make 2021 the year you get out of your comfort zone and start something new! I recently heard someone say now is the time for entrepreneurship and starting an online business. Arbonne provides both. With only a $49 startup fee, plus the products chosen for purchase, you will receive your own website, wonderful training materials right at your fingertips, and training from your team at no additional cost. You are in business for yourself, but not by yourself! Plus, Arbonne distributes products to clients so you don’t have to do it! Come be a part of a wonderful community of people that encourage you and lift you up! Don’t let doubt or second-guessing yourself stop you from pursuing more!

For more information, call or text Sasha Davis, independent Arbonne consultant, at 803-665-4352. See ad, page 5.

kudos SCWF Completes Nesting Box Restoration with Duke Energy

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he South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) has completed a nesting box restoration project with funds from a generous grant with Duke Energy’s Habitat Enhancement Program, along with partnerships with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Lake Wateree Association, as well as SCWF employees and volunteers. The grant allowed installation of 80 wood duck boxes along the shores of Lake Wateree, Fishing Creek Reservoir, Rocky Creek, Cedar Creek Reservoir, the Wateree River, and adjacent floodplain habitats from early 2018 to the summer of 2020.

Once threatened with near extinction from habitat destruction and overharvesting, wood duck populations are now steady or increasing. “Working with homeowners along the shores of Wateree has been an incredibly rewarding project,” says SCWF Habitat Education Manager Jay Keck. “With each box installment, we have seen immediate results of wood duck pairs nesting in their new habitat. We are incredibly appreciative to Duke Energy and all of our other partners for their dedication to wildlife habitat restoration.”

Boxes were installed with predator guards on posts, which appeared to help the breeding success immensely by reducing the predation of the eggs and young, and by preventing other animals from using the nest cavities. The future data collection from this project will help with additional habitat projects for wood ducks and other cavity nesting species.

South Carolina residents interested in learning more about attracting wood ducks to their property should contact Keck at Jay@ scwf.org.

Kudos to SCWF and Duke Energy!

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January 2021

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Schisandra chinensis, an ornamental, woody vine with pink leaves and bright red berries, has long been used as an adaptogen in China and Russia to lower stress, improve immunity and enhance energy. Korean researchers in a new study in Phytochemical Reviews report it may also be a boon for aging muscles. They tested 45 post-menopausal women that were given 1,000 milligrams of Schisandra chinensis or a placebo for 12 weeks. Compared to the control group, the Schisandra group had significantly increased quadriceps muscle strength and lower lactate levels, indicating greater endurance.

Try Ginger Extract for Hay Fever

Vitamin D Important for Reducing Risk of Preeclampsia

For people suffering from the miseries of allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever, ginger extract can be just as effective as the popular pharmaceutical product loratadine (Claritin), concludes a study from Thailand’s Thammasat University. Eighty hay fever patients were given either 500 milligrams of ginger extract or loratadine. After three and six weeks, the ginger group’s improvements in nasal symptoms and quality of life matched those of the loratadine group, but those taking ginger had fewer side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness and constipation.

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Something as simple as a mother’s vitamin D level can have a future impact on her children, a study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health shows.

Researchers examined 20 years of health data from 754 Boston-area mothers and their children and found that preeclampsia—abnormally high blood pressure during pregnancy—was linked to a higher systolic blood pressure in the children during their early and teen years.

However, the effect was minimized or even eliminated among children exposed to higher levels of vitamin D in the womb, as measured by blood levels in the umbilical cord.

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the use of antianxiety medications increased by 34 percent among Americans, according to pharmaceutical surveys.

Because select serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in particular tend to lose their effectiveness over time, some sufferers may take heart in a new study in Current Clinical Pharmacology. Iranian researchers gave one gram of ashwagandha root extract (Withania somnifera) each day for six weeks to 22 patients with generalized anxiety disorder and a placebo to a second group of 18.

People in both groups were also put on SSRIs. Anxiety scores for the ashwagandha group improved by week two and kept improving during the study, significantly outperforming the scores of the control group. The extract was considered safe and free of side effects.

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Improve Muscle Try Ashwagandha for Anxiety Strength In just the first month with Schisandra of the 2020 pandemic,

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health briefs

global briefs

Techno-Threads

Grateful Giving

New Fabric Generates Solar Energy

kzenon/AdobeStock.com

A new study published in the journal PNAS suggests that people that share more live longer because the act of giving and receiving increases well-being. The recipient benefits directly from the gift, while the giver benefits indirectly through emotional satisfaction. Co-authors Fanny Kluge and Tobias Vogt found a strong relationship between a society’s generosity and the average life expectancy of its members. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, in Rostock, Germany, conclude that people are living longer in societies where members support each other with resources.

Residents of African countries such as Senegal and South Africa share the lowest percentage of their lifetime income and have the highest mortality rate of the countries studied. Western European countries and Japan transfer more to the youngest and oldest, and their mortality rates are lower. Kluge notes that the relationship between generosity and lifetime income doesn’t depend on whether the benefits come from the state or from the wider community.

Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have developed a material that works like a luminescent solar concentrator for producing energy directly where needed that can even be applied to textiles. Because people are constantly on the move and dependent on a power supply to recharge smartphones, tablets and laptops, the needed electricity will come from our clothing by means of the new polymer applied on textile fibers, jackets and T-shirts.

Based on amphiphilic polymer co-networks already available on the market in the form of silicone-hydrogel contact lenses, this new material is permeable to air and water vapor, as well as flexible and stable. The luminescent solar concentrators capture and transfer diffuse ambient light to a solar cell that converts it into electrical energy. By adding two different luminescent materials to the gel tissue, the solar concentrator becomes flexible, preventing the textile to which it is attached from becoming brittle or susceptible to cracking, or accumulating water vapor in the form of sweat. srikalyanexportindiacom

Generosity Fosters Increased Longevity

Winning Grins

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Smiling Makes for More Positive Thoughts

According to research from the University of South Australia published in Experimental Psychology, the act of smiling and moving facial muscles can trick our mind into taking a more positive attitude. The study evaluated a real smile as well as an artificial one induced when participants held a pen between their teeth, finding that in either case, this facial muscular activity alters our perception of facial and body expressions and generates more positive emotions.

The research found that the practice of forcefully smiling will stimulate the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain, which releases neurotransmitters to encourage an emotionally positive state. By inducing the brain into perceiving stimuli as happy, the mechanism could potentially be used to boost mental health.

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wellness spotlight

Kickstart the New Year with Ashwagandha!

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by Emily Crawford, CNHP, RN

he holiday season has passed, and most people love these special days of celebration. That said, they can also prove to be very stressful. Between traffic, traveling, shopping, increased spending, and probably the biggest culprit of all, bad eating habits, one’s body, mind and spirit are collectively crying out for a break and some relief as the new year unfolds. Countless individuals want to get back in the gym and lose some weight, or go on a detox cleanse or fast to purge. Trying to get back into health can be overwhelming and many times can put more stress on the body.

What if there were products available that could help manage stress and also assist with weight loss? Well, there are! There is a whole category of herbs called adaptogens that do this very thing. These herbs help to balance the levels of cortisol (the hormone responsible for stress) in the body.

When one is under stress, sadly, cortisol levels can become high and unbalanced, often peaking at night rather than in the morning. This causes sleepless nights and diminished energy levels during the day—resulting in fatigue. Cortisol also plays a significant role in weight loss due to its correlation with insulin, blood sugar levels, and hormones. Balancing cortisol levels is so very important in the fight against stress and weight gain.

Ashwagandha is a favorite herb for many. It is an adaptogenic herb with many health benefits. It not only helps to balance cortisol levels but also aids in balancing blood sugar lev-

els and reversing insulin resistance. According to research studies, ashwagandha can decrease cortisol levels by as much as 28%.

Low-functioning thyroid conditions may cause many individuals to struggle to lose weight. Ashwagandha can be of benefit in many of these cases, as it has the ability to stimulate the thyroid, which activates thyroid hormones. By doing this, stress levels are often greatly reduced and weight-loss efforts are much more successful and effective.

Start the new year out right with a renewed sense of hope, determination and expectancy. It’s time to get back on track and on the road to better health and wellness naturally with ashwagandha!

Two Garner’s Natural Life locations serving the Midlands: 4840 Forest Dr., Ste. 15-A, Columbia, and 5166 Sunset Blvd., Ste. C, Lexington. For more information, call Garner’s at 803-454-7700 (Columbia) or 803-9733001 (Lexington). Also visit GarnersNaturalLife.com. See ads, page 3 and back page.

Note: Alternative adaptogenic herbs recommended to balance cortisol levels and help with stress are Rhodiola and holy basil. In addition, Stress Decompress is a natural product with a wonderful blend of adaptogenic herbs and medicinal mushrooms to help decrease stress levels.

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Staying Fit in 2021 Workout Trends Bend to the Times

by Marlaina Donato

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or 2021, fitness will be more about better health and inner peace rather than weight loss. Gyms and studios will be on the top of their game adhering to hygiene standards and offering safer environments with smaller class capacity and vitamin D-enhanced outdoor sessions. From remote coaching to cost-effective wellness apps, the workout will get a fresh makeover.

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High-Tech Wellness Pandemic repercussions in 2020 amped up client demand for alternatives and also inspired trainers to get more creative.

“I’ve enjoyed working with private clients virtually through FaceTime and Zoom. It has required me to create more precision with my training programs depending on what each client has at their home or home gym,” says Hollywood, California, fitness trainer Ridge Davis. “Results have been

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going through the roof because my clients are more likely to dive into healthy routines and meal plans with my daily guidance.”

For those that cannot find local, in-person fitness provisions, subscriptions to streaming-fitness websites like DailyBurn.com and OnePeloton.com provide plenty of guides to workouts from yoga to muscle-building.

Health apps can tailor individual wellness strategies for the new year.

“Fitness and health apps are becoming more popular, and trainers are able to interact with clients all over the world. If you are like me, you need accountability if you cannot meet your trainer directly,” says Dominic Kennedy, a personal trainer in Los Angeles and creator of the newly launched fitness and nutrition app Dominic Effect. “Nutrition is also going to be key now more than ever. Apps will help keep you in check and on track with your food and goals, helping to set up monthly meal plans, as well as recipe suggestions.”

Wearable tech in the form of watches and smart clothing will be another hit in 2021, providing accurate readings on calories burned, number of daily steps and even heart rate and blood pressure.

Virtual Variety, No Pressure Having the option to work out at home might motivate more people to begin a fitness routine without the pressure of comparing with others. Sampling classes online can help them find what they like before they sign up at their local gym or studio. “Virtual fitness classes provide an opportunity for people to test out different instructors at different times all around the country and even the world,” says Paris Alexandra, co-founder of the BK Yoga Club, in New York City. “People are now realizing the things we can control is our breath and our bodies. Because of this, there’s an appreciation of our capacity, challenging ourselves to try something new.”

Even with gym cutbacks, there is a silver lining. “One of my private weight-loss clients has loved our FaceTime workouts so much that she swears she will never go back to in-person training with a coach,” says Chicago-based Stephanie Mansour, host of the weekly national PBS show Step it Up With Steph. “Even on vacation or while traveling, people can still get in their

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fit body

workout because everything is virtual. Trainers also win because they can still do their job, but at a distance.”

Me-time with a private virtual coach will offer a tailored regimen for those that prefer a one-on-one experience. Mansour muses, “Private fitness and health coaching sessions will be the hottest trend in 2021. By now, many people’s excitement toward their ‘pandemic workout’ is waning, and they’ll be looking for a totally customized approach to kickstart their motivation and goals.”

Allies for Body and Mind Davis predicts there’ll be greater appreciation for stress-recovery tools such as massage guns for percussive self-treatments, foam rollers to release muscle tightness and stretching apps, noting, “There’s so much noise, uncertainty and anxiety that has come with this pandemic; on-demand meditation classes will be huge.”

Mansour concurs, “Focusing on finding inner peace, meditating and positive programming are all huge trends that have emerged due to COVID. By getting your head in the game, you’re 75 percent of the way to your goal.”

Mostly, 2021 will be a year for self-care. “I think growth mindset is everything right now,” says Kennedy. “We need to fill our minds with positive affirmations, thoughts or whatever it is that makes you light up inside.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Other Fitness Trends on the Rise n Outdoor classes from yoga to strength training n Boutique and micro-studios with specialty clientele n Safer small groups, especially for seniors n Broga yoga, with a focus on strength training, cardio and muscle toning for men n Less-crowded yoga classes with BYO mats and props n Mind-body fitness

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Integrative Hospital Care Medicine Embraces Holistic Modalities

by Marlaina Donato

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hirty years ago, hospital patients were treated for symptoms based on the Western medical model, and holistic modalities were excluded, largely due to a lack of reliable scientific studies. More recently, because of promising research, the traditional template is expanding. The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health encompasses 75 university health centers and health systems that offer integrative approaches—a remarkable seven-fold increase in 21 years. America’s top hospitals, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Mayo Clinic, the Duke University Medical Center and the Yale New Haven Hospital, now offer therapies such as acupuncture, reiki, homeopathy, touch therapy, yoga, clinical aromatherapy and chiropractic.

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According to a report in Advances in Medical Education and Practice, nearly half of Americans receiving medical care use alternative medicine (although 80 percent don’t inform their doctors) and physicians agree on the importance of further research and training in such modalities.

A 2017 University of California survey published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that hospital patients of all ages were willing to pay out of pocket for healthier food, therapeutic massage and energy work.

Disease: The Big Picture

“Research has repeatedly shown that even with full medical access and optimal medical treatments, a population’s health improves by only about 15 to 20 percent. The rest comes from lifestyle, environment and

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the social and personal determinants of health. Even factors like emotional health, what you feel is your purpose in life and what motivates you to be healthy plays a role,” says physician Wayne Jonas, in Alexandria, Virginia, a clinical professor of family medicine at Georgetown University and former director of the World Health Organization Center for Traditional Medicine. As executive director of Samueli Integrative Health Programs, which aims to make integrative health regular and routine, Jonas emphasizes that patients become healthier and medical costs are reduced when they are engaged in the healing process.

For Jonas, the shift toward integrative health care has become most evident during the current opioid crisis and the search for non-pharmacological ap-

proaches like acupuncture and therapeutic massage therapy for pain management.

“The evidence body for many of these approaches has grown tremendously over just the past five years, and has shown a spotlight on what works and what doesn’t.

These approaches are now recommended in national guidelines as mainstream for chronic pain.”

Denise Millstine, integrative physician and internal medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, concurs: “The opiate crisis is an example of the need to broaden our clinical toolbox to incorporate care strategies that are less risky. I believe this change has been multifactorial, based on patient demand and more awareness of the importance of lifestyle management.”

Patient demand is also fueled by a desire to avoid medication side effects. In 1998, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that 106,000 hospital deaths take place each year from adverse reactions to prescription drugs. With more than half of Americans already taking a pharmaceutical drug, and three being the average, adverse side effects can easily mount in a hospital setting.

For Millstine, integrative medicine offers many solutions. “We might recommend the best medication or provide cutting-edge therapies, but without considering stress management, resilience, movement and what people ingest, it’s hard to get optimal results. Integrative medicine expanded my approach to include nutrition, exercise, mind-body (connection), spirituality and other medical philosophies like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the patient’s therapeutic plan.”

of soft lighting and music, and performed by trained doctors, as well as licensed acupuncturists with a firm TCM foundation.

Integrative health care addresses the emotions that accompany a cancer diagnosis, and patients undergoing conventional treatment now have access to not only acupuncture but therapeutic massage, meditation, movement therapy, clinical aromatherapy, herbal applications, biofeedback and yoga. Millstine says of theMayo Clinic, “We have oncology-trained massage providers who are comfortable with what is and what isn’t safe after someone has had a cancer diagnosis and/ or treatment.”

Jonas highlights that when given under the supervision of a doctor and with conventional cancer care, complementary therapies may help people to manage cancer symptoms, boost overall well-being, better handle side effects of treatment and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. “Integrative cancer care can help by activating one’s ability to heal and feel better physically and emotionally,” he says. “Lectures on nutrition, yoga classes and support groups for cancer patients are now common.”

The Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program, launched by American fashion designer Donna Karan in 2009 after her husband died from cancer, partners with heavy hitters such as the American Cancer

Society and the Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City. In many hospital settings, Urban Zen is creating “Zen dens”, calming nooks where staff can discuss cases with colleagues, take a break for selfcare or talk to their patients in a nurturing environment. Urban Zen’s dedication to healthcare integration is international and promotes therapeutic applications of reiki, essential oil therapy, nutrition and other contemplative care.

Energy Medicine Goes Mainstream

“Alternative therapies are no longer considered ‘alternative’ when conventional medicine adopts them—for example, using calcium and vitamin D supplements, which are a standard consideration,” says Millstine. “With high-deductible plans, many patients are accustomed to paying out of pocket for care, thus making payment for alternative providers possibly more palatable.”

Reiki, a Japanese form of energy medicine once considered alternative, is now offered at major hospitals like Yale New Haven, where it’s given free of charge to cancer patients. Many hospitals are also offering classes in energy work to families of patients, hospital staff and the community.

“A medical doctor introduced me to

Whole-Patient Cancer Care

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A 2016 meta-analysis by Taipei Medical University published in the journal PLOS ONE concluded that certain applications of acupuncture reduce pain and opioid use on the first day after surgery. Acupuncture—an ancient modality based on the concept of energy meridians in the body—is also offered in many major hospitals to offset the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Acupuncture treatments at the Mayo Clinic are given in a calming atmosphere January 2021

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Holistic Nursing’s Role

Collaborating with physicians and holistic practitioners, nurses play a key role in integrative hospital care. “We all work together to facilitate the client towards a higher level of well-being. Each profession brings something to the table,” says Margaret Erickson, in Cedar Park, Texas, CEO of the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation.

The nurse’s role in a patient’s healing journey is an intimate one, and holistic nurses ensure that the whole patient is tended to. “The roots of holistic nursing, grounded in holism, were verbalized over 150 years ago by Florence Nightingale,” says Erickson. “She believed in the mind-body-spirit-emotion connections and that all aspects need to be nurtured in order for people to heal.”

Due to increased demand, more nursing schools are creating educational programs grounded in holistic philosophy, she says. “What makes a nurse holistic is not the skills or alternative therapies she/he/they do, but rather how they show up in their interactions with others. They value and recognize that they are gifted with sharing a person’s most vulnerable moments, and that this shared space is sacred.”

Some holistic nurses may use healing therapies such as guided imagery, aromatherapy, energy work, bodywork, deep breathing, mindfulness and meditation to help both their clients and other healthcare providers.

Those in the field of integrative medicine agree that the future of medicine is now. “People are becoming more self-aware and taking responsibility for their health and life.

Consciousness is growing [by] leaps and bounds,” says Baron.

Jonas, drawing on 40 years of experience, agrees. “By working as partners with our patients to help find the care that works for them, we can help them achieve better health and quality of life.”

Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer.

Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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the practice when my grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer,” says Denise Baron, a Philadelphia-based reiki practitioner who works with referrals from clients and wellness professionals. “A hospital does not hire me directly, but the staff know I am available. I’ve worked on patients post-surgery, during and after births, people with cancer and people in hospice. I would say 96 percent of clients walk away with a deep experience of peace, harmony and lower stress levels.” Most recently, she has seen an increase in nurses asking for support during stressful times, with many wanting to learn how to practice reiki themselves.

According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, reiki is more effective than a placebo and activates the parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerve. Results include lower blood pressure and less anxiety and depression. Other research shows that the modality also reduces nausea, improves appetite and lessens fatigue.

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conscious eating

Lose Weight Without Dieting How to Eat to Feel and Look Your Best

by April Thompson

O

ne of the top New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, and to that end, millions of Americans go on a diet each year. As we look to reset after holiday indulgences, nutrition experts say it’s a great time to cultivate healthy, long-term eating habits rather than unsustainable diets that lead us in circles.

“A ‘live it’ is better than a diet: small, manageable changes you can live with over time,” says Lisa Mallonee, a registered dietician and professor at the Texas A&M College of Dentistry, in Dallas. “People get focused on losing 15 pounds, but once they get to the finish line, they don’t have a plan for after and often end up regaining the weight.”

While navigating the labyrinth of nutrition information can be tough, eating better is actually simple, says David Katz, M.D., founder of both the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and the nonprofit True Health Initiative, and co-author of How to Eat: All Your Food and Diet Questions Answered. “There are two general

shifts to make: first, to less processed foods, and second, to more plant-based foods,” says Katz.

In making such shifts, Mallonee suggests applying the 80/20 rule to food. “If 80 percent of the time you are making healthy choices, and the other 20 percent of the time you allow splurges, you’re less likely to feel deprived and revert to old ways.”

Katz agrees that small shifts are more likely to stick, in part because of our adaptable palates. “If you commit to improving your diet little by little, you will find that taste buds are adaptable fellas that will learn to love the foods they are with. For example, try something as simple as switching from regular soda to diet to seltzer to water over time.”

The good news for dieters with questions, suggests Katz, is there is no one superior diet. “You can have a high-quality diet whether you are flexitarian, pescatarian or vegetarian, low-carb or high-carb,” he says.

For Jill Weisenberger, a registered

dietitian nutritionist, in Yorktown, Virginia, and author of The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition, a healthy diet comes down to three meals a day, each with a good source of protein and fiber. “When losing weight, it’s especially important to eat enough protein so you don’t lose muscle mass with the fat,” she says, suggesting a target of 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day, achieved through a diverse diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables and legumes.

Katz, Mallonee and Weisenberger all caution against a diet like keto that restricts many nourishing foods only because they contain carbs. “There is no evidence of long-term safety or benefit of keto,” says Katz. “A truly keto diet cuts out a lot of highly nutritious foods like fruit, grains and beans, all associated with better health and longer life. I think a diet excluding these foods would be a colossal mistake.”

Weighing In

While it’s not healthy to obsess over numbers on the scale, it is important to understand the health risks of carrying extra weight, particularly around the middle.

“Belly fat is a concern for co-morbidities like pre-diabetes, diabetes, increased blood pressure and even sleep apnea,” says Mallonee, stating that women should aim for a waist circumference of less than 35 inches and men of less than 40.

Katz advises that the effects of abdominal fat can vary. “Certain ethnicities are extremely vulnerable to excess weight around the middle, which can result in insulin resistance and metabolic mayhem.

However, many people can gain considerable amounts of weight and show no metabolic effects,” he says, suggesting that a comprehensive health checkup can clear up any doubts.

Physiologically, it is hard to keep weight off, says Weisenberger, but people should not get discouraged if they fall short of their goals. “If you are overweight, you will get an enormous boost from the first 5 to 10 percent of weight loss—it’s much more important than that last 5 to 10 percent.”

While weight loss is an exercise in delayed gratification, the power of high-quality food is immediate, advises Katz. “You can improve the quality of your immune response with a single meal. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, too, as those positive health benefits accumulate over time.”

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

January 2021

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healthy kids

Healing the Whole Child Holistic Pediatricians Go Beyond Meds

by Ronica O’Hara

W

hen Jackie Jones’ 4-year-old daughter had a persistent runny nose and cough, three visits to the pediatrician proved fruitless.

“He would see us for two minutes, listen to her chest, saying she had ‘a cold’, and yet still prescribe an antibiotic and steroid that would just trash her immune system,” the Atlanta mom says. “She ended up developing pneumonia in both lungs that landed her in the hospital.”

This propelled Jones to switch her children’s care to a holistic pediatrician.

“He actually listens to me and takes time with his patients, and recommends vitamins and supplements to keep them healthy, in comparison to just handing out antibiotics,” she says. On the first visit, he queried Jones about family use of shampoos, soaps and cleaning products that might contain chemicals. “Definitely not a conversation I had with my old pediatri22

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cian!” she related.

Jones, who dispenses pregnancy advice at PisforPregnant.com, benefitted from a growing trend among pediatricians.

The number of doctors that self-identify as holistic by joining the integrative medicine section of the American Academy of Pediatrics has grown from a dozen in the early 1990s to more than 400 today, says Kathi Kemper, M.D., an Ohio State University pediatrics professor who founded the section and authored The Holistic Pediatrician.

“Holistic pediatricians are interested in helping children and families meet their health goals, not just diagnosing and dispensing drugs,” she says. “We use an evidence-informed approach, including all appropriate therapies and therapists, with a strong emphasis on healthy lifestyle behaviors such as diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, social and emotional skills, spirituality and a healthy environment.”

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Many pediatricians report they want to know more about integrative approaches because of their frustration in treating the chronic conditions in one-quarter to one-half of the children they see, as well as to answer questions posed by Google-savvy parents. Yet most pediatricians have limited training in natural health and are wary to suggest such approaches, and parents are often reluctant to disclose their use of natural methods.

Holistic pediatricians, on the other hand, typically get additional training in healing modalities that allows them to integrate natural options into mainstream methods. Unlike many pediatricians in busy clinics that can see a child only briefly, holistic pediatricians typically take longer.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all conventional approach,” says holistic pediatrician Elisa Song, of Belmont, California, who blogs at HealthyKidsHappyKids.com.

For a child with asthma, for example, Song checks for environmental, dietary or social triggers, including mold, food allergies or sensitivities and stress. She looks for underlying biomedical imbalances such as nutritional deficiencies, abnormal gut microbes and signs of a leaky gut. “Based upon clinical and laboratory findings, an initial treatment plan may include elimination of food sensitivities, supplementation with a 3-6-9 fish oil and magnesium, and mindfulness exercises that incorporate diaphragmatic breathing,” she says.

Pediatric naturopaths are another option for parents. These doctors typically start from a natural medicine perspective, are trained in herbs and nutrition, and collaborate with bodyworkers, physical therapists and counselors. “Really, anything that helps a child thrive,” says pediatric naturopath Kathryn Purvis, of Tempe, Arizona. “We use treatments that are gentle and safe, but are also trained to use conventional treatments if necessary.”

Naturopaths undergo a four-year post-graduate medical education like pediatricians, but do not complete an additional three years of pediatric residency, although they can do internships and take courses for certification. In 26 states, they can prescribe pharmaceuticals and administer vaccines.

Purvis is the primary care provider for about 75 percent of the children she sees and provides adjunctive care for specific

Questions for Pediatricians When seeking a pediatrician, integrative or not, holistic pediatrician Natalie W. Geary, of Miami, founder of vedaHEALTH (VedaHealth.com), says, “My best advice is to look for a pediatrician that has open communication skills, that listens well and that has the confidence to engage in a Q&A without getting defensive and ruffled.

There are several questions to ask that will help guide you.”

In addition, she provides tips on what to look for in the answers.

Storybooks.com

1. Will you be talking to us about our baby’s nutrition in detail?

Pediatricians trained in integrative medicine recognize that children’s health is fundamentally grounded in what they eat. They need to recognize the impact of poor nutrition on a baby’s growing and developing brain, especially in the first three years of life, and be

patient in helping parents navigate food intolerances—not just food allergies—as well as developmental stages and feeding behavior.

2. How do you feel about adjunct therapies such as craniosacral massage, acupuncture and Ayurveda?

The important thing here is not that they necessarily offer these things, but that they are informed about their benefits and are not dismissive or judgmental, and that they are open to working with the other healers and practitioners involved.

3. What are your thoughts on antibiotics?

Some pediatricians may be defensive about this, but it’s worth asking politely to see if they are open to a conversation about when alternatives might be useful, especially for things like ear infections.

conditions with the rest. For example, one child with chronic ear infections was facing ear tube surgery on the advice of a pediatrician; after his parents followed her advice to take him off dairy and give him certain supplements and a homeopathic remedy, the condition cleared up.

Chiropractors that specialize in pediatrics, although not usually a child’s primary doctor, correct misalignments of the cranium, spine and pelvis using extra-low force, “like checking the ripeness of a tomato,” says pediatric chiropractor Kaleb Scroggin, of Savannah, author of the children’s book C is for Chiropractor. For example, treating a constipated, breast-fed baby usually produces immediate results, he says, adding that adjustments can also help infants with latching issues, painful gas, reflux and general irritability. “My goal is to see how healthy I can help your child become,” he advises.

Ronica O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

January 2021

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healing ways

Your body hears everything your mind says. ~Naomi Judd

FRUGAL WELLNESS Healthy Living on a Tight Budget

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Plus: Eco-Friendly Weddings

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by Yvette C. Hammett

L

iving healthy on a tight budget may seem like a daunting task, but by setting up a self-care plan, prioritizing and shopping smart, the barriers can seem not quite so tall. With so many people unemployed or under-employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for workable options is more important than ever.

A sports and nutrition company, My Protein, did a study that shows the average American spends $155 per month on health and fitness. That’s $112,000 over a lifetime. There are, however, strategies that can lower these costs.

Jen Smith, a financial writer and cohost of the podcast Frugal Friends, often talks about ways to spend less, save money and be in control of our spending. “You may spend more up front or more on the things you really care about, but cutting out the waste or things that are not so necessary can be a huge cost savings. This is not just for a penny-pinching, stay-at-

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home mom. Being frugal doesn’t mean you are a cheapskate, but being wise with the limited resources that you have.”

Smith says she had a pricey membership to a cross-fit gym, but in the long run, staying in shape can greatly reduce the costs of health care and prescriptions.

“Any way you can stay active is what you need to do. Spending money in any way that gets you to commit to and consistently move your body is the answer.” Focus on eating good food and moving your body, Smith says. “When emphasis is placed more on that and on self-care, you save more money.”

The National Institute on Aging recommends several ways to eat healthy on a budget: use coupons, consider purchasing store brands, know that convenience costs more, focus on priority foods, buy store-brand organics and forgo fresh for frozen organics. Sotiria Everett, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family, Population & Preventive Medicine

at the Stony Brook Renaissance School of Medicine, in New York, agrees. “One thing to consider is seasonality. If out of season and organic, that will increase the cost. If you want clean living and healthy eating for the planet, that doesn’t make sense either, because of the cost of fuel and the pollution involved.”

Everett recommends frequenting farmers’ markets because they offer seasonal, fresh, local, organic produce that is easier on the wallet and better for health.

Her favorite tip is, “Learn how to plant foods. You don’t need a lot of space, but do need sun and water access. You can keep it organic. A couple of seeds can give you a whole season’s worth of produce.”

Jody Gatewood, assistant state nutrition program specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and a registered dietitian, works with people on tight budgets through the university’s Spend Smart Eat Smart program. “We do a lot with families with young children,” she says. “They are on a budget and concerned

about having enough food to eat. One thing we teach a lot, and it helps with a budget, is to plan your meals. Look and see what is on sale at the grocery store.

If there’s a big meat sale, buy it then and use it throughout. I think what happens is if we don’t plan, we go to a restaurant or get convenience foods which can really add up.”

Fresh, frozen, canned and dried foods can all have a part in our diet, she says. “I use a lot of frozen vegetables. If you use frozen, you just heat it up and it is ready to go. Protein can be expensive, so have some meals where black beans or lentils are the source of protein. Have that balance.”

As for healthcare costs, Smith recommends to those that cannot afford typical insurance or costly prescriptions in their budget to consider using manufacturer discounts and a service like GoodRx.com, which details how much prescriptions will cost at different pharmacies.

Consider using a “sharing ministry” for other costs, Smith says. With Liberty

HealthShare, for example, people pay in every month and are billed like a cash payer when they have a medical bill while Liberty pays the cash. “When a doctor or hospital is billing an insurance company, they try to get as much as they can, but cash payers pay a lower amount,” she says.

Yvette C. Hammett is a freelance writer from Valrico, Florida. She can be reached at YvetteHammettHull49@gmail.com.

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HOUSE BLESSINGS for Clearing and Protecting Spaces

THE NEIGHBORHOOD’S HEALTHIEST LAWN®

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by Marlaina Donato

oving into a house, office or any new space prompts us to envision bright days ahead filled with hope and joy. Perhaps this is why, from first-century Christians praying to dissuade evil influences to the Mayans smudging herbs to welcome positive energy, the act of blessing a house is such a time-honored tradition.

Whether held in private or with a group of kindred souls, with or without religious elements, blessing a new dwelling takes the concept of housewarming to a sacred level. A house blessing can temper the hair-pulling stresses of a move and be a wonderful way to restore harmony after life gives us a jolt, be it a job loss, a broken relationship, a loved one’s passing or an illness.

Simple gestures of intention, sprinkled with some beauty, enable us to claim our space and sow a new beginning.

Arranging seasonal blooms in jewel-toned vases, scattering fresh rose petals over the threshold or misting the air with ethereal scents consecrates what might otherwise seem mundane. Singing a favorite song, whispering a spontaneous prayer or reciting a Buddhist chant during the flurry of unpacking invites calm and attracts benevolent influences. Pungent smudges of

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dried, white sage, sweetgrass, pine or lilac flowers help dissolve unpleasant memories and energetic imprints from the past.

Honoring the four elements of earth, air, fire and water can create balance and celebrate ancient customs. Adding one or more essential oils to a spray bottle filled with distilled water or culinary rose water is an easy way to mist the air and the space inside drawers, closets and cupboards before filling or refilling them. Hanging fresh evergreens, leafy branches or tufts of blossoms over doorways evokes what 10th-century mystic and healer Hildegard of Bingen called veriditas—the greening energy of the Earth. Employing a crystal or Tibetan singing bowl, beating a shamanic drum or playing an instrument in select rooms can charge the atmosphere with fiery hope. Opening windows, even briefly during cooler seasons, invites in the fresh air of possibility.

Stepping into a new life—or revitalizing an existing one—is one of the most beautiful acts of caring for soul and self. Blessing our spaces is also an expression of gratitude, something that can make any life wonderful.

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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green living

CLIMATE ANXIETY Navigating Our Emotions as the Planet Changes

by Sandra Yeyati

F

ollowing a record-breaking hurricane season, out-of-control wildfires and a deadly prolonged pandemic, many of us are anxious and fearful, prompted by the growing realization of being in a state of environmental insecurity. These inklings of impending doom are nothing new for members of the youth climate movement— kids in their teens or younger—succumbing to hopelessness, anger and rage as they learn the science and watch leaders do nothing to address it.

Hardest hit are “marginalized communities, including indigenous people, climate refugees, farmers struggling with drought and communities of color, who disproportionately suffer from the health effects of polluting industries,” says Jennifer Atkinson, associate professor of environmental studies at the University of Washington-Bothell.

Some of us are affected in more subtle ways. Perhaps we’re noticing slow-moving changes around us, like the gradual loss of bees or a disappearance of trees, and we develop a sense of loss the philosopher Glenn Albrecht coined “solastalgia”, which plays on the concept of nostalgia—a longing for a

time or place we can’t go back to.

Or, we’re standing in front of a package of blueberries at the grocery store feeling confusion and ambivalence. A desire to be healthy and adopt a sustainable, vegetarian lifestyle is playing tug-of-war with the fact that these blueberries were flown in from South America, are wrapped in plastic and were grown in a monoculture that depletes the soil. It’s hard to know whether to eat or boycott them. “The greater this dissonance grows, the more likely we’ll tell ourselves that the problems are too big. We decide that we can’t make a difference, so why try? We check out,” says integrative psychotherapist Leslie Davenport, author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change.

The first step to alleviate this anguish is to validate and normalize the dark feelings.

“It’s important to remember that there’s nothing wrong with you. What’s happening is actually painful and difficult; there’s a lot of loss involved. Eco-anxiety is a natural response to having your heart and mind open, being an attentive and caring person, if you tune in to what’s happening in the world,” says Davenport, adding that good self-care,

including mindfulness practices, will expand our tolerance for dealing with tough times.

Another powerful antidote can be found in community, according to Sarah Jaquette Ray, associate professor of environmental studies at Humboldt State University, in Arcata, California, and author of A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet. “People feel like they can’t impact the world because they’re only one person. But when they start to shift the lens toward the collective, it allows them to realize that the positive things that are happening in the world are actually happening at scale, and it allows them to feel like they’re part of some larger purpose,” says Ray.

As we accept climate-related anxiety and seek the company of like-minded people to affect change, surprisingly positive emotions will arise, including joy, laughter, dancing and camaraderie at street protests.

“Those positive feelings help us process grief and anger, engage us in the work long term and help us maintain the stamina we need for sustained work,” Ray says.

“Think of climate anxiety as a kind of superpower, a signal that goes off to tell us something’s wrong and needs to be addressed,” says Atkinson, the creator and host of the climate-anxiety podcast Facing It. She points to grief as a compelling motivator.

“You can’t feel grief without love,” she explains. “Grief is an expression of compassion and connection to others and to the pain we feel when those lives are destroyed. Love is far more powerful in motivating us to fight than any other affect. There’s no limit to the lengths we’ll go to protect what we love.”

We are only limited by a lack of ecological imagination, Davenport proposes. “Our contemporary Western culture emphasizes the rational, cognitive way of thinking, which is linear and analytical. But another part of the brain—the imaginative, creative and intuitive part—views the world synergistically and holistically. If we open up to this ecological imagination, we can have a visceral knowing of interconnectedness, making it simpler to act in a way that’s beneficial to all of us.”

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

January 2021

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wise words

Terry Wahls on Taking Control of Chronic Conditions

by Sandra Yeyati

T

wenty years ago, University of Iowa Clinical Professor of Medicine Terry Wahls was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Conventional treatments didn’t work, and her health deteriorated to the point where she was wheelchair-bound and facing a progressively grim future. Through rigorous scientific study and clinical trials, she developed a groundbreaking diet and lifestyle protocol that allows people to take control of their health, reversing many chronic disease states, including her own. She is the author of The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using

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Paleo Principles, as well as an accompanying cookbook, The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life.

What is your personal journey with multiple sclerosis?

In 2000, I had problems walking, which led to the MS diagnosis. After consulting the best doctors and taking the newest drugs, I went downhill anyway. At my lowest point, already in a tilt-recline wheelchair, I realized that conventional medicine wasn’t going to stop my decline into a bedridden, possibly demented state with intractable face pain due to trigeminal neuralgia.

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My physicians introduced me to the work of Loren Cordain, who developed the paleo diet, so after 20 years of being a vegetarian, I went back to eating meat; gave up grains, legumes and dairy. I also studied the basic science for animal models of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and ALS, and decided that mitochondria— the organelles that generate the energy that cells use to run the chemistry of life—were leading to my early loss of myelin and brain cells. I also discovered The Institute for Functional Medicine and took their course in neuroprotection. Based on the science, I devised a supplement program to support my mitochondria. My decline slowed.

Then came my “Aha!” moment: What if I redesigned my paleo diet, combining ancestral health with functional medicine principles, relying less on supplements and more on food to support my mitochondria? I did that, and my pain, brain fog and fatigue resolved. I began to get stronger, started walking. In three months, I was able to go for a bike ride with my family around the block for the first time in six years. It felt miraculous.

It changed the way I think about disease and how I practice medicine. I now talk to patients about diet, lifestyle, exercise, toxics exposures and stress management, and I’m able to stabilize, reverse and greatly improve their blood pressure, blood sugar, pain and chronic diseases that I was strug-

gling to manage using the latest drugs.

What have you learned about resilience?

People who maintain a sense of control have more robust immune function and are generally healthier. Many of my patients say that their diagnosis ended up being a tremendous gift because it allowed them to take stock of their lives and understand their priorities. That’s true for me. If I eat gluten, dairy or eggs, or I’m exposed to too much stress or toxins, my trigeminal neuralgia will turn on and I’ll have horrific facial pain, but I consider it to be a tremendous gift, because that’s my barometer for the inflammation levels in my brain, which reminds me to look at my triggers and recommit to my self-care. We teach patients how to track their biosensors.

Are you cured of MS?

No. I still have the genetic vulnerability and lesions in my spinal cord, and will always be sensitive to gluten, dairy and eggs. If I become severely stressed or don’t sleep, I’ll probably have a problem again. I caution all of my patients: If you go back to your previous diet and lifestyle, your disease states will return.

Isn’t it easier to just take a prescription drug for symptoms?

It’s a smaller level of effort, but they’re not cures, either. The underlying disease state progresses, so people typically need higher doses of their medications. They also develop co-morbid diagnoses that require new medications. Conventional medicine is effective for some symptom improvements, but it has never been evaluated for improving global health, whereas studies have shown that improving diet quality and incorporating exercise and meditation will improve multiple chemical pathways in the body, gene expression and your microbiome, and dramatically improve health outcomes across many disease states.

For more information, including diet protocol guidelines and online courses, visit TerryWahls.com.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

January 2021

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NAPUB60

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Columbia Edition

ColumbiaNaturalAwakenings.com

ADVERTORIAL

The Awakening of Humanity

By Lynne Girdlestone

T

oday we are all experiencing one or more of the negative effects of an incredibly destructive ‘agent of change.’ Although horrific things happen every day on this planet, they usually affect other people elsewhere. COVID-19, however, can potentially reach anyone, anywhere, upending our lives in a multitude of ways. The obvious questions—how do we stop this virus, will a vaccine help, will the global economy recover—are all unknowns. They occupy our thoughts and emotions with every newscast.

For some, the crisis is merely an inconvenient interruption in their ‘business as usual.’ For others it has created new ways to profit at the expense of others.

But for most, it’s an amplified survival issue.

We know that nothing happens by chance: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” and “As you sow, so shall you reap.” What is happening today has its roots in everything that has gone before. When dysfunction reaches a tipping point, something extraordinary happens to get our attention. This pandemic may be saying “STOP... NOW ... look at the world you’ve built ... untold suffering amidst obscene excess ... all life forms and the planet itself in mortal danger!”

The slowing and isolation are giving us the opportunity to consider these issues deeply and emerge with a better Plan B. That so many people are getting the message is an incredibly hopeful sign. Neighbors are helping each other; service organizations are expanding their roles and methods; scientific organizations around the world are sharing their research findings on possible treatments and vaccines; governments are trying to lift the financial burden of their citizens.

What would happen if this behavior were to continue post-Covid-19? Could it lead to treating a recovering planet as a ‘global village’ and its citizens as the one human family it is? It would take time, but we can start by demanding of our ‘leaders’ that we all push the ‘reset’ button and begin to move in that direction!

Fortunately, at this very time, a little-known cosmic event is also taking place. As we move into the Aquarian age, characterized by energies of synthesis, unity and cooperation, the spiritual custodians of human evolution—the Masters of Wisdom—have once again sent one of their great ones into the world to act as a teacher for the coming time. Some of the past teachers we have known historically as Confucius, Krishna, Buddha, the Christ and Mohammed.

Major world religions all expect another great teacher at some future time, and his imminent appearance has been foreseen by some writers since the late 1800s.

For more than 40 years, British esotericist and lecturer Benjamin Creme informed the world of a coming change— of the collapse of our old structures to make way for the new. He served as a herald for the World Teacher for this age, Maitreya—the one expected by many and longed for by millions (consciously or not), who has come now to guide us through this perilous time and into a cleansed and transformed new world.

Maitreya has advised humanity to make the needed changes to put our world on a saner, fairer path: “He [Maitreya] will show that essentially men are one, no matter the colour or the creed, that the bounty of Earth belongs to all, and that sharing of that

bounty is the key to man’s future.

Only sharing, and the justice which it will bring, offers hope to man. Only justice wrought out of sharing will end the plagues of war and terror.

Only sharing and justice can bring men to that Brotherhood which is their true inheritance. When men see this they will rise to the challenge and tackle one by one the many problems which daunt us now.” (Benjamin Creme’s Master from ‘Transformation,’ Share International magazine) Maitreya and his group have worked behind the scenes for millennia to guide our human family. Now, with these powerful, incorruptible allies openly in the world for the next 2,000 years and beyond, we have the opportunity to build a new world that works for everyone. Will we take it? In response to today’s injustices, we are marching. We are protesting. We are sharing resources and helping others.

We are agitating for change. We are on the right track! Let’s not even consider returning to ‘business as usual.’

For free information: Share-International.us 888-242-8272 info@share-international.us

In The Awakening of Humanity, Benjamin Creme leads us on a journey of hope for the joyful world-changing events that are on the way.

Free download at: https://share-ecart.com/ the-awakening-of-humanity-pdf/ January 2021

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calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received by January 10 (for Feb issue) and adhere to our guidelines.

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

ALWAYS CALL AHEAD BEFORE ATTENDING EVENTS TO AVOID LATE CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES Canvases with Candace Virtual Art School–We are providing art “at-home” kits. Our kits include online instruction with live teaching and interaction.

Enrolling students daily hoping to connect to the home-school population and collaborate with their learning styles and structures. Join on Facebook at Facebook.com/CanvasesWithCandace, or contact Candace at 718-924-1752 or CanvasesWithCandace@gmail.com.

Dowdy Rudolph Chiropractic–We are open and spacing appointments consciously. We are sanitizing our office and waiting areas throughout the day and wearing personal protective gear. Call 803-3766293 to schedule an appointment.

Jubilee Resumes Sunday Services–11am. Practicing safe distancing and wearing masks. Jubilee!

Circle, 6729 Two Notch Rd, Columbia. Info: RevCandace@JubileeCircle.com, JubileeCircle.com.

Rooted Community Yoga Classes–Sundays, 10am–All Levels Flow with Lindsay; Mondays, 6pm–All Levels Flow with Anne; Tuesdays, 6pm– Yoga Sculpt with Aria; Wednesdays, 9:30am–Pilates with Jessica; Thursdays, 9am–All Levels Flow with Pam; Fridays, 10:30am–All Levels Flow with Anne; Saturdays, 9am–Dynamic All Levels Flow in the Park with Aria. The Rooted Community, 141 S Shandon St, Columbia. Info/cost: Call Anne Miller at 803-730-3976.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6

Touch for Health Self-Care Begins–11am12:30pm. Zoom class. Learn muscle testing, switching-on the brain and energy, cross crawls, emotional stress release, meridian massage and more. Cost: $200 for three weeks plus a private session. These classes are facilitated by Joy Connor, LMT, certified International Kinesiology College and Touch for Health Kinesiology Association (USA) instructor and consultant. Info: Call Joy at 803-447-6499.

SATURDAYS JANUARY 9, 16, 23 & 30

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

Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, “It will be happier.” ~Alfred Lord Tennyson

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Columbia Edition

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23

Sound Journey Meditation–5-6:30pm. This event, to be led by Austin Shook, will start with a breathwork exercise, then transition into listening to sounds using an array of musical instruments.

Participants are asked to bring their own props: yoga mats, bolsters, blankets, pillows, eye pillows and water. Masks will be worn during this event. Cost: $30. The Rooted Community, 554 Meeting St, W Columbia. Sign up on TheRootedCommunity.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23

Drive-in Movie Night at Saluda Shoals Park–68:15pm. The movie is Aladdin (2019). Food Trucks and vendors will be available from 4-6pm. Cost: $15 admission per vehicle (drive-in movie). Movie attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles during the movie. The Fields at Saluda Shoals Park, 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-772-1228, 803-772-3903, icrc.net.

ongoingevents sunday

friday

Writing as a Spiritual Practice–10am-12:30pm.

Every 2nd Sunday. In building and online. Spiritual Director Candace Chellew-Hodge, published author and songwriter, leads workshop to help participants use creative writing as a way to grow their spiritual practice. Bring pen and paper or laptop for writing exercises. Free, but donations are accepted.

Jubilee! Circle, 6729 Two Notch Rd, Columbia.

Info/register: RevCandace@JubileeCircle.com, JubileeCircle.com.

A Talk on A Course in Miracles–6:30pm. Every 2nd Friday. In building and online. Facilitator Gina Gibson continues a series of monthly talks. Q&A to follow. Free, but donations are accepted. Jubilee!

Circle, 6729 Two Notch Rd, Columbia. Info: RevCandace@JubileeCircle.com, JubileeCircle.com.

A Course in Miracles–Original Edition–4:306pm. Every Sunday. Study group via phone. We read together and discuss questions, insights and experiences. Donations are accepted. Info: Call Joy Connor at 803-447-6499.

tuesday

Healthy at Home Facebook Live–7pm. Every Tuesday. Please join Ms Tracy for her Healthy at Home segment live on Facebook. Info: Contact Ms Tracy at 833-678-7229 or OriginalOriginshw@ gmail.com.

wednesday

Debtors Anonymous–6-7pm. Every Wednesday.

In building and online. Debtors Anonymous offers hope for people whose use of unsecured debt causes problems and suffering. Find relief by working the DA recovery program based on the 12-step principles. Free, but donations are accepted. Jubilee!

Circle, 6729 Two Notch Rd, Columbia. Info: RevCandace@JubileeCircle.com, JubileeCircle.com.

ColumbiaNaturalAwakenings.com

saturday

Yoga in the Park–9am. Every Saturday. Join Aria in Hollywood Park, 216 S Gregg St, Columbia. Info/ cost: Call Anne Miller at 803-730-3976.

Writing as a Spiritual Practice–10am-12:30pm.

Every 2nd Saturday. Workshop held in person at Jubilee and online. Minister Candace Chellew-Hodge, published author and songwriter, leads workshop to help participants use creative writing as a way to grow their spiritual practice. Bring pen and paper or laptop for writing exercises. Free, but donations are accepted. Jubilee! Circle, 6729 Two Notch Rd, Columbia. Info/register: 803-569-6385, RevCandace@ JubileeCircle.com, JubileeCircle.com.

Columbia Resilience Integrated Health Community Clinic–10am-2pm. Every 1st Saturday.

CranioSacral Therapy, energy-based modalities, self-care techniques, and a simple meal are offered by trauma-trained practitioners for the relief of chronic stress and post-trauma care. Suggested donation: $15/session. First-come, first-served.

Only six participants permitted in clinic at any one time according to COVID-19 guidelines. Call for waiting times. CHI Energy Balance, 1544 Hwy 6, Gaston. Info/appointment: Call Pamila Lorentz at 803-749-1576.

Health on Digital Radio–1pm. Every Saturday.

Health, Hope and Healing digital radio broadcast.

WDRB media on iHeart Radio or TuneIn app.

Info/cost: Contact Ms Tracy at 833-678-7229 or OriginalOriginshw@gmail.com.

naturaldirectory ACUPUNCTURE THE ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

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

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

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

Call to schedule an appointment. See ad, page 29.

AROMATHERAPY GARNER’S NATURAL LIFE

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

Improve your level of stress, depression and mood with natural products from a locally owned family business. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you using aromatherapy for pain, anxiety, energy enhancement and more. We carry several brands of essential oils, including doTERRA. See ads, page 3 and back page.

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.

DOWDY RUDOLPH CHIROPRACTIC LLC Dr. Dowdy Rudolph, DC 1444 Barnwell St, Columbia 803-376-6293 • DowdyRudolphChiro.com

Dr. Gerald Rudolph, DC, focuses on finding the root cause of your problems and not just treating your pain. He utilizes digital X-rays to help diagnose problems, spinal adjustments to stimulate proper movement of spinal and extremity joints, active therapeutic movement exercises to correct movement disorders, and spinal decompression to help relieve numbness and tingling down your arms and legs. Dowdy Rudolph Chiropractic also offers a state-of-theart full-body lounge hydromassage table that can help you feel more rejuvenated and relaxed. See ad, page 9.

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 803309-2101 or email ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakenings.com.

FLEX CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Angela Larson Dr. Felicia Danio 1811 Bull St, Columbia 803-252-0108 • FlexChiros.com

With more than 22 years of experience in the chiropractic i n d u s t r y, o u r t e a m i s knowledgeable, experienced and courteous. Combining a passion for healing and alleviating pain with two decades of good old-fashioned knowhow, we give you the customized chiropractic treatment you truly deserve. Our vast list of services includes: decompression; Pro Adjuster; pregnancy care; newborns, infants and toddler care; massage therapy; ultrasound; Kinesiology taping; and cold laser. Call today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Larson or Dr. Danio. Let our team help you achieve a happy, healthy life through chiropractic care!

COLLABORATIVE LAW LAW OFFICE OF SHANNON K. BURNETT

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

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

COLON HEALTH SPRING RAIN HYDROTHERAPY

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

All disease begins in the colon.

Constipation; slow, sluggish bowel; gas and bloating? A colonic will help to rid you of these problems. Colonics promote good digestion, help speed metabolism, help lower cholesterol, and help relieve joint pain. Linda Salyer is IACN certified and a retired nurse. Saturday appointments available with an additional small convenience fee. See ad, page 25.

CRANIOSACRAL CHI ENERGY BALANCE

Pamila Lorentz, MSW, RN, LMBT 1544 Highway 6, Gaston 803-749-1576 ChiEnergyBalance.com

Pamila is a former hospice and home-health nurse who now provides CranioSacral Therapy (CST), energy balancing, and sound vibrational healing techniques at her clinic in Gaston

and in in-home settings. CST and sound healing are "light touch" therapies that are offered while the client is fully dressed and resting on a massage table or chair. CST has a profound positive effect in facilitating relief of conditions related to chronic stress, physical and emotional trauma, and neuromuscular and nervous system impairment.

Group sessions for sound and vibrational healing are limited to three participants due to COVID-19 guidelines. Individual home sessions are offered with restrictions. Remote energy healing sessions are scheduled according to the client’s need. Schedule appointments online at ChiEnergyBalance.com or text to 803-749-1576.

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

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

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. See ad, page 13.

HEALTH & WELLNESS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH INC

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

Our main focus is health education and health-enhancing services. One-on-one nutritional counseling, Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Reams pH testing, parasite programs, aqua-chi footbaths, far infrared sauna, weight-loss programs, and thermography. Hard-to-find natural, organic, whole food nutritional supplements, raw foods and natural household items. See ad, page 11.

January 2021

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AMANDA RENEA HEALTH COACHING

803-673-8748 arpHealthCoaching@gmail.com AmandaReneaHealthCoaching.com

Certified holistic health coach Amanda received her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She studied more than 100 dietary theories under some of the world's top health and wellness experts. Amanda’s education has equipped her with extensive knowledge and expertise in holistic nutrition, preventive health care and innovative coaching techniques. She partners with clients looking to make lifestyle changes that produce authentic and lasting results—motivating them to focus on their set goals in order to improve their overall quality of life, energy, health, balance and happiness. Give Amanda a call to schedule a free consultation. See ad, page 24.

ORIGINAL ORIGINS HEALTH AND WELLNESS Tracy R. Jacox • 833-678-7229 OriginalOriginshw@gmail.com OriginalOriginshw.com

Ms. Tracy has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. The mission of Original Origins Health and Wellness is to educate, equip and empower the community to adopt a predominately whole food, plantbased lifestyle, which will improve and optimize your quality of life, health and wellness while preventing, delaying, reversing or eliminating chronic illnesses.

Original Origins can assist you with maximizing your health and wellness holistically! Our wide range of services include health coach partnering, comprehensive health evaluations, comprehensive cooking experiences, and a comprehensive kitchen evaluation. Your health is your wealth! See ad, page 35.

HOLISTIC FOOT CARE Mona Patterson/Master Pedicurist 9153 Two Notch Rd, Ste 11-C, Columbia 803-394-4421 • SweetFeetCare.com

Columbia’s foot care service with a holistic approach. Here at Sweet Feet Foot Care, we focus on Preventive Care, Effective Pedicure Treatments and Cleanliness. With advanced knowledge and skills, we help correct disorders of the feet and lower limbs with pedicure treatments and orthotics. Services are ideal for Diabetics, Seniors and Knee- and Back-Pain Issues. Gel manicures available. Call today to learn more about our services. See ad, page 8.

LOCAL RETREAT JOY LEE CONNOR, LMT (SC#1229)

Healing Minster at Springhill AtONEment Center 803-447-6499

Retreat to the trees! Come and experience 100 beautiful acres near Chapin, South Carolina.

Joy Lee Conner invites you to bathe in the forest and “ground” in the peaceful fields of Earth.

Breathe in love, heal your mind,

Columbia Edition

INTEGRATIVE & HOLISTIC MEDICINE EXPECT WELLNESS

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

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

Together we will focus on finding the root of the problem, not just treating symptoms.

Call today for a consult if you are looking to achieve balance. In-house diagnostic labs and therapies. See ad, page 25.

SPIRITUAL

THERMOGRAPHY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH INC

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

Our main focus is health education and health-enhancing services. One-on-one nutritional counseling, Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Reams pH testing, parasite programs, aquachi footbaths, far infrared sauna, weight-loss programs, and thermography. Hard-to-find natural, organic, whole food nutritional supplements, raw foods and natural household items. See ad, page 11.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS GARNER’S NATURAL LIFE

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

At Garner’s Natural Life, we offer the purest, most innovative highquality natural products. With more than 130 collective years of wellness experience! Allows us to encourage your healthy choices. See ads, page 3 and back page.

ECKANKAR THE PATH OF SPIRITUAL FREEDOM

Contact Dee 803-749-2459 • ECK-SC.org Meetup.com/columbia-spiritual-seekers.com

Eckankar has suspended ALL group events worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will update this information as changes occur on our websites listed above and in this Natural Awakenings of Columbia listing.

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

SWEET FEET FOOT CARE

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and nurture your spirit. We are often overwhelmed by body pains and emotions. Experience mind and body transformation while being loved, forgiven and released. Your energy field will be restored and balanced, allowing you to feel lighter and burdenfree. Joy offers instruction in reiki, Touch for Health, meditation, yoga, meridian movement, and selfcare—both online and in person. Private or small groups are available. Call Joy today!

Justin Williams 803-467-8322 Justin.Williams2@gmail.com

Light in the Darkness is a spiritual service offered by Justin Williams.

Williams is an intuitive counselor and energy worker who has studied spirituality for more than a decade.

He power cycles, overhauls and unblocks energy fields from afar to remove negativity from your life while jumpstarting your career, relationships, money and general blessings. Williams also provides distance house cleansings to produce a peaceful home while surrounding you with a comfortable environment tailor-made for abundance and success.

Light in the Darkness has arrived to chase away the shadows and illuminate your path for the new year. It is time for you to take control of your life and receive your blessings in full instead of allowing them to slip through your fingers. Williams can remove these obstacles and stumbling blocks that always seem to trip you up. Start 2021 off right and allow Williams to open your windows of success and prosperity.

Email Williams at Justin.Williams2@gmail.com, or call 803-467-8322 to set up an appointment.

ColumbiaNaturalAwakenings.com

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

Additional .50 per word over 35 words.

Please include billing contact information.

Deadline is the 12th of the month prior.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITY Find a New Beginning with Arbonne–8pm.

Every Sunday in January. Zoom and discover Arbonne. Start the year earning extra money while making a difference in your life and the life of others. Info: Call Sasha Davis at 803665-4352.

Writer Wanted–Natural Awakenings of Columbia is searching for a published, experienced writer. Serious inquiries only. Please contact Annette at 803-309-2101 or ColaPublisher@ NaturalAwakenings.com.

SPACE AVAILABLE Massage therapists looking for a like-minded practitioner to share space in a quiet setting on 12th Street in West Columbia. The room is $300/month and is 10×12 with a shared waiting room and two bathrooms. Serious inquiries only.

Please call Debra at 803-318-1664.

eco tip

Slow Fashion

victoria strukovskay/Unsplash.com

Mending to Extend the Life of Clothing

Globalization and cheap labor have lowered clothing prices so much that many people view garments as disposable—a phenomenon called “fast fashion”. Magazines and other influencers create demand for trendy items each season, inciting us to overfill our closets and toss last year’s fads, leading to a more than doubling of worldwide consumption since 2000. It’s a vicious cycle with a huge pollution footprint.

The textile industry expels about 1.2 billion tons of CO2 per year.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the fashion industry produces 10 percent of

humanity’s carbon emissions and 20 percent of global wastewater. Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is either landfilled or burned. Polyester, a petroleum-based plastic found in about 60 percent of garments, doesn’t break down in the ocean, where half a million tons of microfibers end up every year. It takes about 2,000 gallons of water to manufacture just one pair of jeans, and textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of waterways.

To embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, reject fast fashion; buy good-quality, longer-lasting gar-

ments; and mend them to prolong their useful life. Whether it’s reattaching a button, patching a worn sleeve or sewing a hem, mending is a way to love and care for clothing and reject the notion that new is always better.

Another option is to rely on a local seamstress or tailor to take care of mending needs. For the do-ityourselfer, there are many ingenious products available besides needle and thread to help complete simple repairs—iron-on patches, fusible interfacing, mending glue and tape— as well as helpful instructional online videos and sewing classes at local fabric stores. SewGuide.com is an excellent resource for step-by-step instructions and creative ideas.

Building upon the vintage-wear market, a new trend has emerged called visible mending. In the past, mended clothes might have been interpreted as exposing a family’s lack of funds or status, but today it’s a concept we proudly embrace.

Mending a hole or tear with embroidery is a great way to add whimsy and creative expression. By incorporating colorful threads and fancy stitching techniques, as well as beads, decorative buttons, ribbons and appliqués, we can turn off-the-rack items into unique, wearable art. To cover stains, consider using fabric paint to add a pretty flower or bold political slogan.

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ColumbiaNaturalAwakenings.com