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After 11 incredible years of being a part of this magazine’s journey, it’s time for me to turn the page on this chapter in my life. When I first took on the responsibility of leading this publication, I could not have imagined the rewarding experiences, friendships and stories we would create together. It’s been an honor to share this experience with you.
In this final publisher’s letter, I want to thank all of my faithful readers and advertising partners for allowing me to be a part of your lives through Natural Awakenings. My deepest gratitude goes to my backstage team—I couldn’t have accomplished any of this without you. A special thank you to Billy Briggs, Kristina Parella and Sara Gurgen for a fabulous journey and a “job well done” each and every month. Also, a heartfelt thank you to my late father, Larry Carter. I leave with a heart full of memories, many friends, and immense gratitude to all of you. While this is farewell as your publisher, it’s certainly not goodbye as a friend.
I will continue to cheer on this great magazine and its bright future as I hand over the reins to the capable hands of Ms. Tracy, your new publisher. I love you and wish you the very best!
Annette Carter Briggs,
Greetings my beautiful Natural Awakenings family! My name is Tracy Jacox-Gunter, and I am the new publisher of the Midlands edition of Natural Awakenings (NA). It still feels so surreal. It’s not every day that an opportunity like this crosses your path. I am eternally grateful to Annette Carter Briggs for offering me the opportunity.
I appreciate Annette and Billy Briggs agreeing to mentor us as we begin this new journey. I would like to thank the entire NA team, both locally and nationally, for being so gracious, open and patient. I am most thankful for my family, especially my husband, Larry Gunter, who selflessly supports me and my endeavors. I am blessed beyond measure.
I consider it an honor and privilege to serve you. What do you say, family? Let’s learn and grow together.
With deepest gratitude,
Ms. Tracy
ICRC Hosts Monster Mash Family Party and Dance
Time for a festive family-fun party! On Friday, October 11, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) is hosting its Monster Mash Family Party and Dance at Seven Oaks Park, located at 200 Leisure Lane, in Columbia. For the entire family, the night’s highlights include a dinner, dancing, trick-or-treating, a costume contest, games, a photo, and a goody bag. Themed costumes are encouraged.
For more information, including cost, call 803-772-3336 or visit icrc.net. See ad, page 31.
ICRC Hosts Howl-O-Ween at the Bark
On Saturday, October 26, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) is hosting its Howl-O-Ween at the Bark event along the disc golf course at Crooked Creek Park, located at 1098 Old Lexington Highway, in Chapin. Attendees are encouraged to bring their pets dressed in costumes. Vendors will be on the trail giving away treats, candy and much more. Photos will be taken.
Cost: Free to enter. For more information, call 803-345-6181 or visit icrc.net. See ad, page 31.
ICRC Hosts Saluda Shoals Trick-or-Treat Trail
On Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) is hosting it trick-ortreat trail event at Saluda Shoals Park, located at 6071 Saint Andrews Road, in Columbia. Event activities will take place at the park’s Leo’s Landing playground. Tickets are limited for this event geared toward kids ages 12 and under, so advance purchase is encouraged.
Cost: $5, advance purchase; $7, at door. For more information, call 803-772-1228 or visit icrc.net. See ad, page 31.
KMB Hosts Adopt-AHighway Campaign
On Saturday, November 16, Keep the Midlands Beautiful (KMB) is hosting an Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) campaign in the Midlands area. Individuals, organizations and businesses are encouraged to participate. The AAH program is sponsored by the S.C. Department of Transportation and coordinated by KMB for roads in Richland and Lexington counties. KMB also coordinates the Adopt-A-Street program for the city of Columbia.
Through these important sustainable partnering programs, caring citizens can take part in preserving and maintaining streets throughout the Midlands, which cultivates great benefits, such as tourism advancement, scenic beautification, improved quality of life, and raised educational and environmental awareness.
For more information, call 803-733-1139 or visit KeepTheMidlandsBeautiful.org.
Archaeological Society Hosts Fall Field Day
On Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Archaeological Society of South Carolina is hosting its family-friendly field day event at the 12,000 Year History Park, located at 1120 Fort Congaree Trail, in Cayce. Free to the public, the day’s activities will include historical demonstrations to educate the community on the local cultural living experiences, current and past. This year’s event will take place along a section of Old State Road—South Carolina’s oldest highway that runs along the route of General William T. Sherman’s march to Columbia.
For more information, visit ArchaeologySC.org.
SCWF Hosts Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Re-treat
On Friday, October 4, and Saturday, October 5, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) is hosting its Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat at Santee State Park, located at 251 State Park Road, in Santee. This powerful overnight experience will offer three class sessions (three hours each) to allow for in-depth topic instruction and discussion. Class topics include backpacking, bass fishing, outdoor photography, hunting basics, and more. Event registration covers the workshop, a T-shirt, and lunch on Saturday. Lodging and meals (except for Saturday lunch) are the responsibility of attendees.
For more information, call 803-256-0670 or visit scwf.org.
ICRC Hosts Garage Sale at Crooked Creek Park
On Saturday, October 5, from 7 to 11 a.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) is hosting its annual garage sale at Crooked Creek Park, located at 1098 Old Lexington Highway, in Chapin. Residents throughout the Midlands are encouraged to clean out the garage, attic, kids’ rooms and closets, and bring those hidden treasures to sell. Make sure to drop by and check out all of the great bargains. This event is open to all ages.
Cost: Admission is free. For more information, call 803-345-6181 or visit icrc.net.
Original Origins Hosts Inaugural Gala
October was always the least dependable of months…full of ghosts and shadows.
—Joy Fielding
Experience elegance for a great cause. Original Origins Health & Wellness is excited to host its inaugural gala on Saturday, October 5, from 6 p.m. to midnight, at Dogwood Pond, located at 3800 Elberta Street, in Columbia. Proceeds from the gala will go toward assisting people that do not have medical insurance to obtain much-needed mental health services. The cost of the event includes complimentary drinks, a meal catered by Chef Xavier Brown. Dessert provided by Nothing Bundt Cakes and Dupre Catering. Live entertainment will be provided by Brittany Turnipseed and Rod Foster and Company. Music will be provided by DJ Khaos. Donations are appreciated.
Cost: $95. For more information, contact Tracy Gunter at 833-678-7229. See ad, page 6.
The Good News About Self-Sabotage
Grace Mosgeller is a spiritual mindset mentor and energy healer with nearly 30 years of experience helping women entrepreneurs overcome self-sabotage, align with their authentic selves, and thrive. Mosgeller created the Personal Power Acceleration coaching and healing programs, designed to help entrepreneurs heal from their past, build confidence, and step beyond their fears. These programs empower participants to cultivate and grow soul-driven businesses that result in both a powerful and positive impact and financial success.
“Once you understand that the true purpose of self-sabotage is to support you in fulfilling your soul’s purpose, you gain the freedom to unlock new levels of personal value, fearless influence, and boldness to pursue your goals without hesitation,” Mosgeller explains.
Mosgeller’s innovative, holistic approach incorporates mindset coaching, somatic breathwork, energy healing, and guided meditation. By utilizing these methods, she helps participants quickly release personal power core blockers and adopt new beliefs centered around self-worth, self-respect and self-esteem—all in a safe, supportive environment.
Mosgeller’s Personal Power Incubator program offers weekly private or group coaching supported by energy healing to achieve rapid and complete transformation.
To get started on your journey, download Mosgeller’s free guide: 3 Steps to Accelerate Personal Power at GraceMosgeller.com. See ad, page 5.
On Friday, October 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) will host its Zumbathon charity event at Seven Oaks Park, located at 200 Leisure Lane, in Columbia. Dance, fitness and fun lovers are invited to join some of Columbia’s hottest Zumba instructors as they lead the groovy group in shape-sculpting dance for a great charitable cause in a black light setting. Open to ages 13 and up; glow costumes are encouraged. Proceeds will benefit ICRC’s Meals on Wheels program and help feed seniors in our community.
Cost: $15. For more information or to register, call 803-772-3336 or visit icrc.net. See ad, page 31.
KMB Hosts Spotless Service Saturday in October
On Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to noon,
Keep the Midlands Beautiful (KMB) is hosting its Spotless Service Saturday event. The KMB team and its volunteers will host its cleanup effort on Kinley Creek in the town of Irmo. KMB started the Spotless Service Saturday initiative to address highly littered areas in Columbia, with monthly cleanups hosted by its teams of volunteers. Cleanup locations rotate each month in the three regions that KMB serves: Richland and Lexington counties and the city of Columbia. Participants will meet at the town of Irmo office complex, located at 7300 Woodrow Street, to pick up cleanup supplies. KMB’s staff will be on-site to supervise and participate. Irmo area residents are encouraged to participate. Groups are welcome.
For more information or to register, call 803-7331139 or visit KeepTheMidlandsBeautiful.org.
Alliance for a Healthier SC Hosts Health Conference
Alliance for a Healthier SC is hosting a health conference on Monday, November 4, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The powerful and informative sessions are designed to bring together a dynamic community of health advocates, leaders and partners dedicated to shaping the future of South Carolina’s health and well-being. Attendees will learn innovative strategies, proven best practices, and collaborative opportunities that drive health equity and improvement across the entire state. This event is a perfect opportunity for healthcare professionals, community organizers, policymakers, or simply individuals passionate about health and wellness to collaborate and share ideas and strategies.
Cost: See website for details. Location: 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia. For more information, visit Eventbrite and search Alliance for a Healthier SC.
EEASC Hosts October Midlands Meetup
It’s time to meet up! On Thursday, October 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) is hosting a green networking “meetup” session for environmental educators in the Midlands at the Rosewood Community Orchard, located at 1381 Jim Hamilton Boulevard, in Columbia. The facilitated round-robin topic session allows participants to share updates and announcements. A garden tour will follow the meeting.
The Rosewood Orchard is a community space that exhibits permaculture design and pesticide-free ways of creating a healthy ecosystem while offering learning opportunities for volunteers and visitors. During the tour, attendees will see pollinator gardens, a compost system, a solar-powered kiosk, native plant beds, wheelchair-accessible beds, apple and pear trees, and the Seeds of Survival vegetable garden bed.
EEASC meetups provide opportunities for environmental educators and communicators from both formal and nonformal education settings to build relationships, strengthen partnerships, share resources and program updates, and cross-pollinate their program ideas with colleagues.
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There are an estimated 33 million boats, including more than 90,000 ships, among the world’s commercial fleets, and most are powered by engines, propellers or other machinery that makes noise. A study published in the journal Science found that the increase in shipping has contributed to an increase in low-frequency sound pollution that can negatively affect fish, invertebrates, marine mammals and birds by impacting foraging, mating and resting.
The sequestration of additional greenhouse gases in the oceans has changed their sound-absorbing capabilities, making them potentially noisier. Other climate changes, such as warmer surface temperatures, changes in salinity due to melting polar ice and more frequent and violent storms, may also contribute to the problem. Additional research is needed to help policymakers implement appropriate countermeasures.
Boy Scouts Save Life Mid-Flight
On a Southwest Airlines flight to LaGuardia Airport, a flight attendant asked over the public address system if there was a doctor on board. Three doctors and a nurse responded to the request and began treating a man in cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Because CPR is exhausting to do for more than a few minutes, the professionals needed help, at which point a group of boy scouts returning from the Philmont Scout Ranch, in New Mexico, jumped into action and helped perform CPR for 40 minutes until the plane was able to make an emergency landing in Pittsburgh.
To receive training and certification in this life-saving skill, contact the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
European Union Bans Mercury Dental Fillings
Dental amalgam, a material used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay, is made by mixing a powdered alloy of silver, tin and copper with liquid mercury. The European Union already bans its use for treating children under 15 years old, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women. New rules adopted by the European Council completely ban the use of dental amalgams for all ages starting in 2025, unless deemed strictly necessary by the dental practitioner to address the specific medical needs of a patient. In this country, the use of dental amalgam is permitted even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that exposure to mercury may pose a greater health risk to pregnant and nursing women, newborns and infants, children younger than 6 and those with neurological disease, impaired kidney function or an allergy to mercury.
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Evening Primrose May Ease Childbirth
Cervical ripening is the natural process of softening and opening the cervix before labor begins. Pregnant women that need labor induction, have an overdue pregnancy or encounter risks to their health or their baby’s health, such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, may need assistance ripening the cervix. In a study published by Complementary Medicine Research involving 96 low-risk women with term [39 to 40 weeks] pregnancies, half of the participants received a daily vaginal capsule of evening primrose oil prior to delivery; the other half received a placebo. The need for labor induction was significantly higher in the placebo group, showing that the vaginal use of evening primrose oil could be safe and effective for cervical ripening in low-risk, full-term pregnant women.
Forever Chemicals Linked to Metabolic Disease
A study led by researchers from Pennsylvania State University and published in Environmental Health Perspectives evaluated the effects of early-life exposure to forever chemicals. The researchers focused on the effects of tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCFD), a persistent organic pollutant, on a group of 4-week-old mice that were fed TCFD for five days, compared to the control group that did not ingest the chemical. They examined the animals’ gut microbiomes and other markers of metabolic disease after the initial five days and again three months later. The scientists found that the TCFD permanently disrupted the gut microbiome and caused a higher body weight and glucose intolerances after three months. These results suggest that human exposure to chemicals such as TCFD during childhood could contribute to metabolic disorders like obesity and Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Toxic Metals Found in Tampons
Tampons are used by the majority of menstruating women. An inaugural study published in Environment International measured the concentration of 16 metals and metalloids (elements that have characteristics of both metals and nonmetals) in 30 tampons from 14 brands and 18 product lines. The researchers detected all 16 metals in at least one sampled tampon, including elevated concentrations of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium and arsenic. Non-organic tampons were higher in lead concentrations, and organic tampons were higher in arsenic. The metals may come from agricultural or manufacturing processes. Additional research is needed to determine whether and to what extent the vagina’s highly absorptive tissue assimilates these metals.
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Sweet Nostalgia
Celebrating National Dessert Month
by Deborah Bevilacqua
Many of us have beloved memories filled with the treasures of the family kitchen—the clanging of baking pans and metal mixing bowls, flour dusted across the counter and the amazing aromas of chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon filling the entire house. That wonderful anticipation of a homemade treat coming out of the oven was pure childhood magic.
“There is nothing better than the smell of home-baked goodies,” says Lynn Feder,
owner of Lynn’s Life Breads, an allergen-free bakery. Infused with the best ingredients and dollops of love, desserts are more than just a tasty indulgence. They celebrate longheld family recipes, cultural traditions and the transformative effect of shared pleasures. October is National Dessert Month, a perfect time to explore the history, nostalgia and nutritional gifts of these delicious delights.
From Ancient Times to Modern Bites
Desserts have evolved from simple combinations of fruits and nuts to elaborate confections. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans enjoyed honey-sweetened treats. By the 16th century, sugar had made its way to Europe from Southeast Asia, paving the way for decadent cakes and pastries. Today, each culture brings unique flavors and techniques to homes, bakeries and confectioneries around the globe.
American Favorites
Beloved for its chewy texture and rich flavor, the chocolate chip cookie was invented in
1938 by Ruth Wakefield, a chef, dietitian, educator and author from Walpole, Massachusetts, who also owned a tourist lodge with her husband, Kenneth, that they named the Tollhouse Inn.
Brownies originated in Chicago in 1893 at the Palmer House Hotel, where Bertha Palmer asked her chefs to create a portable dessert that could be served at the World’s Columbian Exposition. These cake-like, fudgy squares may contain nuts, chocolate chips or caramel swirls.
Apple pie is synonymous with American culture. With its flaky crust and sweet, spiced filling, it evokes a sense of nostalgia and comfort, and is often accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In today’s health-conscious households, ice cream is not made with just cow’s milk. Scrumptious varieties are available featuring milks derived from cashews, oats or coconuts.
“The best ice cream is made from scratch in small batches with fresh, farm-to-table ingredients,” says Chloe Bowman, manager of Tin Cup Ice Cream & Desserts, in Crested Butte, Colorado. “One of our adult favorites is Cookie Monster ice cream made with homemade chocolate chip cookies and all-natural pea flour so it doesn’t make your mouth blue.”
While attempting to recreate a French version, William Lawrence, a New York dairyman, invented the now-classic New Yorkstyle cheesecake. It features smooth, rich cream cheese and a graham cracker crust that can be customized with various toppings.
The Sweet Benefits of Desserts
Aside from satisfying our sweet tooth, some desserts come with nutritious benefits. Dark chocolate contains flavanols that help lower blood pressure and fight cell damage, as well as polyphenols that, according to a 2022 study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, help maintain a better mood. Fruits and nuts are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber, which play an important role in lowering the risk of heart disease and
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diabetes. Indulging in a sweet treat may even lead to a sweeter disposition, according to research led by North Dakota State University.
Healthy Alternatives
Dessert time is not always kind to people that are diabetic, vegan, on restricted diets or have gluten sensitivities or allergies to ingredients like eggs, diary and nuts. “I can adapt any recipe to make it delicious and allergy-free. Today, we have so many options,” says Feder, who began baking allergen-free products as a result of her own health issues and allergies.
Dairy substitutes are plentiful in the grocery store, including milk made from oats, almonds, soy, coconut and rice. Alternatives to butter include nut butters, sunflower oil and coconut oil. For those with nut allergies, the texture, taste and nutritional value can be supplanted with rolled oats, granola, crisp rice cereal, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries, or dairy- and nut-free chocolate chips.
For those looking to reduce their consumption of sugar, there are a number of healthier natural sweeteners, including monk fruit extract, raw honey, pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia and blackstrap molasses. Stevia and monk fruit extract are derived from plants and have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. A quick search online will provide guidance on measurement equivalents. Monk fruit, which does not raise blood-sugar levels, can be up to 250 times sweeter than sugar.
Celebrating National Dessert Month
To celebrate National Dessert Month, consider hosting a dessert-themed party where invitees can share their favorite recipes, and be sure to include low-sugar, vegan and gluten-free options, to accommodate everyone’s preferences and dietary restrictions.
Deborah Bevilacqua is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.
LYNN’S PUMPKIN CHEESE-LESS CAKE
Yield: 10-12 servings
BASE
1¾ cups raw almonds
8 dates, pitted
1 tsp vanilla extract
⅛ tsp Himalayan salt
FILLING
3 cups raw cashews
1 cup coconut milk or almond milk
¾ cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 15-oz can of pumpkin puree (or equivalent of fresh-cooked mashed pumpkin)
2 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ to ½ tsp nutmeg, to taste
¼ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp cloves
½ tsp Himalayan salt
1 cup melted coconut oil
For the base, soak the dates in boiling water for 2 minutes. Remove dates from water and put in food processor with salt, almonds and vanilla, and blend until the nuts are broken down into small pieces and the mixture is sticky when pressed between fingertips.
Line a springform pan with parchment paper. Gently hand-press the pie crust onto the bottom and sides of the pan. Set aside.
For the filling, soak cashews in water overnight or cover cashews with boiling water and allow to soak for 2 hours. Strain the soaked cashews and add them with the other filling ingredients except the coconut oil to a food processor. Blend for 5 minutes until smooth and creamy. Then add the melted coconut oil and blend until well incorporated into the mixture.
Pour filling into pie crust. Set in freezer for 2 or more hours until the center is solid.
Remove and refrigerate for a few hours until it thaws before serving.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Lynn Feder.
Courtesy of Lynn Feder
VOLCANO SURPRISE BROWNIE CUPCAKES
Yield: 12 cupcakes
STRAWBERRY LAYER
3 large fresh strawberries, quartered
1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
1 Tbsp lemon juice
CARAMEL LAYER
¼ cup smooth cashew or almond butter
¼ cup maple syrup
1 date, pitted
2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tsp gluten-free vanilla extract
BROWNIE MIXTURE
2 Hu brand chocolate bars (choice of hazelnut, cashew, almond or cashew raspberry)
1 cup smooth cashew butter
1 large egg
½ cup maple syrup
¼ cup cocoa powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp Himalayan salt
½ cup mini chocolate chips, plus extras to sprinkle on top
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Prepare the strawberry layer by combining the strawberries, maple syrup or honey, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from stove and pour off the liquid, retaining the strawberries. Place the strawberries in the refrigerator to cool while preparing the other layers.
To make the caramel layer, first soak the date in boiling water for 2 minutes, then cut it into small pieces and drop them in a blender along with the other ingredients, blending for 40 seconds until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
Place the brownie mixture ingredients in a bowl, except the chocolate chips and Hu chocolate bars. Blend using an electric,
hand-held mixer. Once combined into a batter, fold in the chocolate chips.
Line a 12-cupcake baking tray with unbleached paper liners. Put one heaping tablespoon of the brownie mixture in each cupcake liner to coat the bottom. Break Hu chocolate bars into squares and place one square on top of the brownie mixture. Spread one teaspoon of caramel sauce on top of the chocolate. Add strawberries to the caramel layer. Top with additional brownie mixture until the liner is three quarters full. Sprinkle with a few mini chocolate chips.
Bake cupcakes for 20 minutes. Remove and place on a cooling rack. They are delicious at room temperature, cold from the refrigerator or frozen.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Lynn Feder.
Courtesy of Lynn Feder
APPLE STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE
Yield: 8-10 servings
BASE
2½ cups almond flour
2 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp Himalayan salt
⅓ cup melted coconut oil
⅓ cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
STRAWBERRY FILLING
2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered
2 tsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp maple syrup
RHUBARB FILLING
2 cups rhubarb stalks, sliced
1 Tbsp coconut sugar or maple syrup
APPLE FILLING
2 large honey crisp or pink lady apples, peeled and sliced thin
2 Tbsp coconut oil
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp lemon juice
CASHEW STRAWBERRY CREAM TOPPING
1 cup raw cashews
3 Tbsp boiling water
2 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp maple syrup
4 large fresh strawberries
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix all base dry ingredients together in a bowl until there are no lumps. In a separate bowl, mix the base wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and blend with a fork to form a loose dough.
Grease a 9-inch pie dish with coconut oil. Gently pat the dough onto the bottom and sides of the pie dish. Place in oven for 10 to 12 minutes until light brown. Remove and let cool. Set aside.
Place strawberry filling ingredients in saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from stove and drain off fluid. Set strawberries aside to cool.
Place rhubarb filling ingredients in a saucepan, cover with water and simmer for 8 minutes. Drain off fluid and set aside to cool.
Place apple filling ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until the apple slices are slightly tender, approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Drain fluid and set aside.
Blend the cream topping ingredients together in a blender until smooth.
Arrange the apples in a circular pattern on the pie crust followed by the strawberries and rhubarb. Spread the cashew strawberry cream on top of the pie, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Lynn Feder.
Courtesy of Lynn Feder
The Rise of Bodywork Modalities
Integrating Innovative and Ancient Healing Arts
by Marlaina Donato
Only a few decades ago, healing modalities like chiropractic care and acupuncture received little attention in the realm of conventional medicine. Today, the wellness spectrum is much more diverse, and although additional research is needed to confirm their efficacies and treatment guidelines, many forms of bodywork once associated with only spa pampering are now considered allies in the treatment of a wide array of health conditions. With new therapies emerging annually, there are more than 180 bodywork modalities, including cold laser therapy for non-invasive pain management and ancient massage techniques
Full-Spectrum Acupuncture
According to the market research company Technavio, the global acupuncture market is predicted to expand by $16.83 billion from 2023 to 2027, with much of the growth attributed to an aging population opting for non-invasive, drug-free solutions.
Cancer patients are increasingly accessing this 2,500-year-old therapy, as well. The National Institutes of Health reports that acupuncture is used to ease the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation at major treatment centers, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, in New York, with the latter offering the modality in their accredited continuing education programs. According to a 2023 study published by JAMA Network Open, both integrative acupuncture and massage applications for advanced cancer patients over the course of 26 weeks were associated with decreased pain and improvements in sleep and quality of life.
“Our patients love having one more expert on their integrative medicine team, an additional professional to help them navigate the rollercoaster stressors of cancer treatment, recovery and survivorship,” says Pauline Sok Yin Hwang, an acupuncturist, registered Traditional
Chinese Medicine practitioner and the clinical director of Hillgreen Oncology Acupuncture & Herbs, in Toronto, Canada. Hwang also employs other therapeutic elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine that harmonize well with oncology acupuncture, including herbal applications; nutrition; moxibustion, the burning of dried mugwort near parts of the body; cupping; and electroacupuncture, which combines electrical pulses with needles to target specific energetic points on the body.
“Given a prompt, every tiny cell knows where it is and what it should do. The relationship between cells allows them to calibrate, but cancer cells have lost this connection, causing them to proliferate,” explains Jill Blakeway, an acupuncturist and founder of The Yinova Center, in New York City and Long Island. Blakeway adds that acupuncture can also stimulate the nervous system to release serotonin and other endorphins that can dial down pain and elevate mood, something that is much needed by anyone enduring a cancer diagnosis.
Feel-good neurotransmitters are major players in the complex journey of addiction recovery, as spotlighted in a clinical trial published earlier this year in Annals of Internal Medicine. Participants given acupuncture treatments three times a week for eight weeks reduced their methadone dosage by 20 percent or more as compared to subjects that received placebo treatments.
For those that are squeamish about needles, Hwang says, “About 40 tiny acupuncture needles can fit into the hole at the end of a hypodermic needle,” adding that most of her clients do not experience pain throughout treatment, and they are able to relax and even fall asleep by the end of a session.
Moxibustion—an extension of acupuncture that utilizes an herb called Ai Ye may be promising for chronic kidney disease as a complementary therapy. A 2020 meta-analysis published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative
Medicine shows the potential of moxibustion to significantly reduce serum creatinine, 24-hour urine protein excretion and blood urea nitrogen—all of which are indicators of compromised kidney function—and markedly improve quality of life of chronic kidney disease patients.
Chiropractic Goes High-Tech
With 150 techniques in its toolbox, today’s chiropractic medicine incorporates more sophisticated and gentler methods than ever before, especially for individuals with osteoporosis, a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue. Fueled by advanced software, modern diagnostic tools give doctors an edge over standard evaluation methods to provide personalized treatment plans.
The chiropractic use of electric currentbased muscle stimulation encourages circulation in muscles along the spine to minimize pain, a technique that is safe for patients with fragile bones or spinal stenosis. Another method—cold laser therapy— springboards from traditional ultrasound using specific wavelengths of light. Also known as low-level laser therapy, cold laser aids injured tissues by amping up the production of adenosine triphosphate, a molecule crucial for energy production within cells, to reduce inflammation and pain and promote healing. A 2021 systematic review published in the Journal of Medicine and Life reports that cold lasers can be effective for decreasing pain and may also improve coexisting emotional factors associated with temporomandibular joint disorders in the jaw.
As with traditional chiropractic care, the objective of modern styles is to address the root cause of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction, which, if not treated, can lead to health issues and pain. “When the body is unable to adapt to chemical, physical or emotional stressors, tension within the nervous system is a common result. This often shows up as misaligned vertebrae [bones in the spine], but it can manifest in many ways,” says Brian Stenzler, a chiropractor
(Special valid only for the month of October 2024)
and author in Sarasota, Florida, and vice president of operations at KnoWEwell, P.B.C. “Every organ, muscle, gland, tissue and cell of the body knows exactly what to do, when to do it and how to do it, as long as the ‘communication lines’ are clear between those body parts and the brain.”
Stenzler notes that because only a small percentage of nerves transmit information about pain, it is unreliable for determining if a chiropractic adjustment is needed. Instead, chiropractors use a combination of objective measures to identify misalignments causing nerve interference, such as posture, x-rays, motion and static palpation, range of motion, heart rate variability, thermography and surface electromyography, which assesses muscle function using electrodes placed on muscle groups.
New Horizons
Swedish and deep tissue massage have long given sore muscles and overextended nervous systems balm, but massage modalities are expanding their scope. Ancient massage systems making their way out of the shadows include Egyptian (Pharaonic), Balinese and gua sha, among others. More traditional approaches are being used to release trauma held in the body and to aid challenging conditions like Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy and cancer. “After a mastectomy,
for example, a patient may experience swelling in the arm due to obstructed lymph flow. Specialized massage practitioners can offer lymphatic drainage massage to treat lymphedema, a common side effect of cancer treatment,” says Blakeway.
Tuina, one of the four branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is believed to be the oldest form of bodywork and, like acupuncture, targets acupoints, but without the use of needles. In research from 2018, this modality—when combined with other aspects of Chinese medicine—shows promise for early-stage diabetic foot disease, a condition resulting from peripheral artery disease or sensory neuropathy.
Guided by overhead bars for balance and support, practitioners of the Japanese modality ashiatsu primarily use their feet to ease their clients’ tight muscles. “The foot’s broad surface allows for comprehensive muscle manipulation, targeting larger groups while maintaining precision for specific areas. While we may combine foot and hand techniques for certain areas such as the neck, the primary focus is on harnessing the foot’s unique capabilities for a truly transformative experience,” explains Mariah Maven, a licensed massage therapist, ashiatsu educator and owner of THE SPACE, in Spokane, Washington.
Maven points out that ashiatsu can help stabilize the shoulder while gently stretching the neck, creating an unparalleled sense of traction and release, as well as promote better posture, flexibility and quicker recovery from sports injuries, but cautions that “it is contraindicated for individuals with osteoporosis or osteopenia [reduced bone mass].”
Ortho-Bionomy, pioneered by British osteopath Arthur Lincoln Pauls, has gained attention for its positive effect on pain and postural problems by working with the body’s natural capacity to find balance and reset the nervous system. “Pauls took the osteopathic principle of positional release, gently placing the body in a position of optimal comfort and adding gentle compression into a joint from its position of greatest ease. He found that this stimulated proprioceptor nerve endings [sensors in muscles, tendons and ligaments] and produced a release response,” explains Donna Racik, a certified Ortho-Bionomy practitioner in Leonia, New Jersey, adding that she has found this modality to be effective in relieving pain, restoring alignment and improving the flow of blood and lymph.
Stenzler, who believes that tomorrow looks brighter with the education and guidance of integrative health providers that encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles, says, “While helping people overcome health challenges is very noble and an extremely important aspect of health care, I strongly believe that the future should lie in a salutogenic model,” which focuses on the origins of health and well-being rather than the causes of disease.
Marlaina Donato is an author, artist and composer. Connect at BluefireStudio.art.
Resurrecting From Life’s Darkest Hours
by Marlaina Donato
“My bones knock together at the pale joints, trying for foothold, fingerhold, mindhold,” wrote Mary Oliver in “Crossing the Swamp”, a visceral poem about finding opportunity to thrive from the bog of life’s dark challenges. If we live long enough, most of us experience a rising from the ashes after burning in the fires of loss, failure or trauma, but sometimes even the most sure-footed and resilient individuals can unexpectedly slip into a deep chasm of futility or questioning.
Dark nights of the soul can follow great periods of growth and clarity, descending upon even the strongest of psyches, rattling
the bones with intensity. The black wave can come softly at first, simply inviting us to take inventory or retreat into contemplation. Other times, it sucks out our life force and swallows us whole upon impact.
Unlike other varieties of depression or contraction, the soul’s dark night submerges us until we surrender to metamorphosis. The gestation of a new self can be difficult, and it is easy to forget that the darkness in which we find ourselves is a nourishing womb. We just need to allow ourselves to experience the process.
Despite the internal urge to disengage from the world and curl into a fetal ball, finding support from spiritual mentors, trusted
friends or family members is vital. Expressing our vulnerability can be the most frightening yet most sacred of acts that can light the way for a spirit that feels broken when it is actually breaking open.
Oliver compared herself to a “poor dry stick” in the great swamp, a bough that “after all these years, could take root, sprout, branch out, bud—make of its life a breathing palace of leaves.” We, too, can be reborn with a greater capacity to give and to receive—to reach into a heaven of possibility because our roots survived an unprecedented storm.
Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at BluefireStudio.art.
The Case for Cloth Diapers
Saving Money and the Environment
by Kelcie Ottoes
Disposable diapers hit the shelves in 1948 and have become a household staple. The International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group estimates that 28.8 billion diapers were sold in 2023 in the United States. Parents concerned with environmental, monetary and other associated costs of disposables are moving back to cloth diapering.
“Both my husband’s mom and my mom mentioned that they cloth-diapered. They said it was really no big deal. Cloth diapers used to be the norm just a few generations ago,” says Kate Sawyer, a water and wastewater professional in Durango, Colorado.
Health Benefits
Babies are more susceptible to harmful chemicals due to their thinner, more permeable skin. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission does not require diaper manufacturers to test their products for toxins other than lead. A 2019 study published by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety tested 23 bestselling disposable diapers and found toxic substances, including volatile organic compounds like naphthalene, styrene, toluene, chlorobenzene, phthalates, formaldehyde, pesticides and dioxins. A 2000 study published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood showed that boys exhibited a higher scrotal temperature when wearing disposable diapers than cotton varieties, posing possible fertility issues in later life.
Cloth diapers are made of natural, breathable materials such as cotton, bamboo or hemp, which generally do not contain perfumes, polyacrylate (a super-absorbant polymer) or chlorine that can strip away protective bacteria, causing a baby’s skin to become dry and irritated. Look for organic versions free of toxins from the farm and factory.
Unlike disposables designed to absorb moisture quickly and keep it away from the skin, cloth diapers need to be changed as soon as they are wet or soiled, and the baby’s bottom must be cleaned well and allowed to dry before applying a fresh diaper.
Toddlers wearing cloth diapers can feel the wet sensation against their skin and are more aware of when they have relieved themselves, making potty training easier. According to an article in Parenting Science, approximately 60 percent of American children in 1947 were potty trained by 18 months old, whereas the average age rose to 37 months by 2004, in part due to the use of disposable diapers, researchers believe.
When washing cloth diapers, follow the manufacturers’ instructions, use recommended
amounts of detergent, run an extra rinse cycle to thoroughly remove all the soap, and avoid fabric softeners or dryer sheets, as they can be irritants. Responding to parents that don’t want to deal with the messiness of cloth diapers, Sawyer says, “No matter what, you’re going to deal with poop as a parent. Using cloth diapers actually gives you a process to deal with poop, so when a blowout happens—cloth diaper or not—you can deal with it quickly and efficiently.”
A Cleaner Option
Each year, 3.6 million tons of disposable diapers are sent to landfills. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that a child will require up to 3,000 diapers in the first year, and about 8,000 by the time they’re potty-trained. Most disposable diapers are made of cellulose, polypropylene, polyethylene and absorbent polymers that take up to 500 years to break down. The fecal contents can also leach into groundwater.
Parents that use cloth tend to buy between 20 and 40 diapers, which can last up to 400 washes if they’re well maintained and can be repurposed into dust rags to extend their life. Although they usually do not pile up in landfills, cloth diapers still pose some environmental concerns. Hot water and energy are needed to wash and dry them. Cotton is also a chemically dependent crop, but when regenerative organic principles are employed, the cotton-growing process conserves water, protects biodiversity and avoids toxic fertilizers and herbicides.
Cheaper in the Long Run
The average cost of one disposable diaper is 29 cents; cloth diapers are about $2 to $21 each. “It can be expensive to get started [with cloth diapers], but the long-run savings more than make up for the up-front costs,” says Leah Black, a mom and founder of Cheeks Ahoy, a reusable baby-wipe company in Canada. “You don’t have to buy all
brand-new stuff. Well-made cloth diapers will last much longer than your child’s diapering stage, so there is nothing wrong with looking for gently used cloth diapers.”
A Flexible Approach
Families that want the benefits of cloth diapering do not have to make it an all-ornothing decision. Many use disposable diapers when a newborn first comes home, because they require so many changes at that time, and then switch to cloth diapers once the child is a few weeks old. Some parents choose to use cloth diapers only during the day and avoid fuss by using disposables at night when they are tired and trying to get back to sleep. Others go with cloth diapers at home and disposables when they are out, so they aren’t carrying around soiled diapers at the grocery store or park.
Kelcie Ottoes is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.
Financial Planning for Pet Illnesses
How Pet Insurance Can Help
by Ruth Roberts, DVM, CVA, CVH, CVFT, NAN
Although approximately 82 million U.S. households own a pet, only a small fraction—around 5.4 million—were insured by the end of 2023. A 2018 survey by the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition found that 28 percent of American pet owners encountered barriers to pet care in the past two years, primarily due to financial constraints.
Pet insurance can provide crucial financial support during unexpected emergencies or costly treatments, but deciding whether to invest isn’t always simple. Some pet owners are hesitant due to concerns about cost, policy complexity or the belief that insurance might not be necessary. However,
many that do opt for insurance report significant benefits.
Eases Financial Worries
One of the most significant benefits of pet insurance is the peace of mind it provides, allowing families to focus on their pet’s health without constantly worrying about the financial implications. Patrons of Trupanion Pet Insurance have noted how insurance has made managing their pet’s health care easier because they have to meet the deductible only once per new condition, after which 90 percent of the costs are covered. Trupanion also covers alternative treatments like acupuncture.
Simplifies Decision-Making
AKC Pet Insurance covers preexisting conditions after 365 days—a crucial factor when a pet has medical problems at the time of adoption. If a pet later develops a related ailment that requires costly testing, the insurance will cover these costs, allowing a pet owner to make the best decision for their pet without financial constraints.
Promotes Preventive Care
Many insurance plans, like those offered by Pets Best, include coverage for preventive care such as check-ups, vaccinations and wellness visits, which encourages pet owners to maintain regular veterinary visits. By catching potential health issues early, pet
Yana
Tikhonova from Getty
owners can avoid more costly treatments down the road, ensuring that their pets live healthier lives.
Reduces the Burden of HighCost Treatments
Facing a high-cost treatment can be daunting, and in such cases, an insurance company that provides this level of coverage can be a lifesaver, enabling pet owners to provide the necessary care without the fear of financial ruin. A study published in Animals found that pet health insurance significantly increased the amount spent at the veterinarian, with insured dog owners spending an average of $211 more on veterinary care compared to those without insurance. While extra spending appears to be an argument against the value of pet insurance, the study’s authors present it as a positive, noting that as pet insurance alleviates owners’ financial stress, it encourages them to invest more in their pet’s health care.
Saves Lives
The financial strain of veterinary care can often lead to emotional distress for pet owners, particularly when they are forced to make difficult decisions in an emergency. A 2020 study published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science showed that insured dogs had a significantly lower pre-surgical euthanasia rate (10 percent) compared to non-insured dogs (37 percent). This suggests that pet insurance allows owners to choose lifesaving treatments rather than face the heartbreaking decision of euthanasia due to financial constraints.
Pet Insurance Shopping Guidelines
• Preexisting Conditions: Most pet insurance policies do not cover preexisting conditions. To ensure coverage, enroll a pet in an insurance plan before any significant health issues arise.
• Waiting Periods: Many pet insurance plans include waiting periods before coverage begins, during which illness or injury may not be covered.
• Coverage Limits: Pet insurance policies vary in their coverage limits, including annual, per-incident or lifetime caps. Review these provisions carefully to understand the maximum amount the insurance will pay in different scenarios.
• Deductibles and Reimbursement Levels: Policies differ in how they handle deductibles and reimbursement levels. Some may have higher deductibles but offer higher reimbursement rates. Choose a plan that fits both the budget and healthcare needs.
• Alternative and Holistic Care: Not all plans include coverage for holistic treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic care, so the selected policy should align with the owner’s preferences.
• Understanding Exclusions: Some insurance plans may exclude services for routine wellness care, dental cleanings or certain hereditary conditions. Understanding these exclusions can prevent unpleasant surprises when filing a claim.
• Plan Flexibility: Some insurance providers offer customizable plans, allowing pet owners to choose their deductible, coverage limits and options. While this flexibility can be beneficial, it requires careful consideration to ensure the best value for the money.
Deciding whether to invest in pet insurance is a personal choice that should align with the owner’s financial planning, the pet’s health and the priorities set for their pet’s care. Pet insurance can be a useful tool for managing veterinary expenses, offering peace of mind when unexpected medical issues arise.
Ruth Roberts is an integrative veterinarian and holistic health coach for pets, as well as the creator of The Original CrockPet Diet. Learn more at DrRuthRoberts.com.
Taking the Cold-Therapy Plunge
From Icy Showers to Cryotherapy Chambers
by Madiha Saeed, M.D.
Stress gets a bad reputation, but some forms can be quite beneficial. Hormesis, a self-imposed stress to the body, teaches it to become resilient. Cold therapy is a popular method used by athletes, biohackers and others looking to optimize their performance and physical health.
According to Molly Maloof, a concierge physician, biohacker and consultant to more than 50 companies, there are several types of cold therapy, including a cold shower or cold plunge in 50 to 59°F water; an ice bath in water that is 41 to 50°F; and cryotherapy, which exposes the body to extremely cold air (-166 to -220°F) in a specialized chamber. Maloof notes, “Women may not need as cold a plunge as men because women shiver at higher temperatures and are more sensitive to cold.”
Benefits of Cold Therapy
According to Tom Moorcroft, a board-certified physician specializing in chronic, tick-borne illnesses, “People with chronic inflammatory conditions generally do really well [with cold therapies], both from a perspective of lowering inflammation and dealing with the stress of chronic illness. Patients with chronic, tick-borne infections typically report less pain and inflammation, improved energy and better overall quality of life with even a short 60- to 90-second cold shower daily. A cold plunge
three to four times a week improves symptoms even more.”
Maloof notes the following benefits:
• Hormonal Effects: Cold therapy can increase production of norepinephrine and endorphins, which may help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Metabolism and Weight Management: Cold exposure activates brown adipose tissue (BAT), increasing calorie burn. Women typically have more BAT than men, potentially making cold therapy more effective for a metabolic boost.
• Inflammation and Recovery: Cold-water immersion can be beneficial post-exercise to reduce inflammation and muscle soreness. While men’s bodies naturally redirect blood flow after a workout, women’s bodies tend to keep blood in the skin. A cold plunge can help women push that blood back to the muscles, aiding recovery. This benefit may be particularly useful for those experiencing inflammation during certain phases of their menstrual cycle.
• Immune System: Regular cold therapy may strengthen the immune system, and the effects may be more pronounced in men than women due to differences in responses to stimuli.
• Skin Health: Cold therapy, especially plunging the face into a bowl of ice water, can improve skin tone and reduce puffiness by constricting blood vessels.
• Fertility and Reproductive Health: Cold therapy might improve fertility in women by reducing inflammation and balancing hormones, but more studies are needed.
• Cardiovascular Health: Cold exposure can improve cardiovascular health by enhancing circulation. This benefit is important for women, as they have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease after menopause.
Contraindications
Moorcroft states that common side effects of cold therapies include cold skin, temporary dizziness, lightheadedness or headache, an increase in blood pressure and, rarely, frostbite or skin rash. According to both Maloof and Moorcroft, cold therapies are contraindicated for patients with uncontrolled hypertension, an inability to sense the extremities, an allergy to cold, Raynaud’s disease, pregnancy, open wounds, skin infections or recent surgery.
Cold therapy might also be inadvisable for people with eating disorders, as it can exacerbate a disordered metabolism. Cryotherapy is not recommended for those with
Robert Pavsic from Getty
cardiovascular conditions, stroke history, claustrophobia, severe anxiety disorders, deep vein thrombosis or serious respiratory problems. Cold plunges or ice baths are not recommended for those with epilepsy, diabetes or hypothyroidism.
Tips for Taking the Plunge
Maloof recommends beginning with cool showers and slowly decreasing the temperature for brief periods. Her other recommendations for safely experiencing the benefits of cold therapies include:
• Start cold plunges for short durations of 30 seconds to two minutes.
• Limit cold-water immersion to below the shoulders or neck.
• Keep immersion times to two rounds of 30 seconds with two minutes in-between at the lowest temperatures, and a maximum of six rounds of three minutes with two minutes in-between at the highest immersion temperatures.
• Listen to the body and do not push beyond a level that is comfortable. Remember that women are more sensitive to cold.
• Warm up properly afterward by having warm, dry clothes ready.
• Stay hydrated with water before and after a cold therapy session.
• A cool shower before bed may help with sleep, especially for menopausal women.
“[Cold showers] are more accessible, and more people I work with are likely to start with these than a cold plunge or a cold chamber,” says Moorcroft. “Personally, I prefer a cold plunge by a long shot. It’s a more Zen and focusing experience.”
Madiha Saeed is a holistic, functional and integrative doctor in Naperville, Illinois, and director of education for Documenting Hope and KnoWEwell.
Part One of Special Series on Fertility
The Eye-Opening Truth About Fertility
by Dr. Susan Fox
Global declines in birth rates have made headlines, but the rise of male and female infertility has largely been overlooked. Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after trying for one year. In 2021, Scientific American reported that the world-wide fertility rate dropped by almost 1 percent per year from 1960 to 2018.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1 in 5 American married women in their reproductive years have difficulty in either getting pregnant or carrying to a live birth, and 11.4 percent of men ages 15-49 have some form of infertility.
For women, a study found a 1 percent per year increase in reported miscarriage rates in the US over a two-decade period. The increase in infertility among women has manifested itself in the increased use of assisted reproductive technologies, including egg freezing and in vitro fertilization among younger women, not just those that waited to start families until after age 35. There also has been an increasing trend in the use of gestational surrogacy as family has taken on a wider definition than traditionally, and as corporations have begun to include fertility benefits in their employee compensation packages.
Numerous studies have identified an increase in male fertility issues, including:
• Declines in sperm concentration (52 percent) and total sperm count (nearly 60 percent) between 1973 and 2011. At this rate, average sperm count could be zero by the middle of this century.
• Decreases in testosterone levels of almost 1 percent per year during recent decades in excess of natural, agerelated declines.
• Declines in total testosterone levels among adolescent and young adult males from 1999 to 2016.
• Increases in testicular cancer rates.
• Increases in the prevalence of erectile dysfunction among younger men.
Susan Fox is Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Marin County, California, and has specialized in working with women and couples navigating fertility challenge for more than 20 years. Connect at healthyouniversity.co and drsusanfox.com.
There is hope! Watch in November for our next article in this series. Also, learn more, access valuable resources today, and get your COMPLIMENTARY ACCESS PASS for the very special January 20-24 fertility immersive event. Scan the QR Code.
Fair-Trade Environmentalism
How Our Purchases Help Workers and the Planet
by Megy Karydes
In a 2021 study by sustainability consultancy GlobeScan, 41 percent of U.S. respondents said they had changed their purchasing choices to make a difference on economic, social or environmental issues. Walk into a grocery store today and the likelihood of finding fair-trade coffee or chocolate is higher than five years ago. The same GlobeScan study found that about 80 percent of U.S. consumers were aware of the Fairtrade America certification, viewed it favorably and would pay up to 35 percent more for Fairtrade coffee. The trend is clear: people are increasingly seeing their everyday shopping as an important way to make a difference.
None of this is by accident. Large and small nonprofits—such as the Oxford Committee
for Famine Relief (Oxfam) America, which fights global inequality to end poverty and injustice, and Chicago Fair Trade, a grassroots coalition—as well as independent retailers have been raising awareness by advocating on behalf of farmers and producers for years. Another growing trend in the fair-trade space is an understanding that environmental concerns need to be part of the conversation.
Sustainability Goals
Eric Muñoz, associate director for Inclusive and Resilient Food Systems at Oxfam America, notes one of the key issues of concern for their organization is an acknowledgement that hunger and poverty are concentrated in rural areas. Fair-trade efforts address those inequalities while also supporting
community engagement and dialogue, democratic participation in decision-making and women’s empowerment.
“Some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities and households are those that rely on agriculture for their livelihoods,” he remarks. “Farmers involved in or selling into global supply chains, or even regional or national value chains, find themselves at a disadvantage. They are least able to negotiate a good return on the cost of their goods, or access markets that are going to adequately compensate them for their work and benefit from their labor. Fair trade is an effort at getting at that issue.”
Environmental concerns are inextricably involved in fair-trade negotiations. Nancy Demuth, director of outreach for Chicago Fair Trade, cites the example of coffee bean farmers in East Africa that are dealing with the negative impacts that unpredictable weather patterns have on their yields. “Those farmers will be farming less, and that means they’re earning less money,” she explains. “If they are using unsustainable environmental techniques, then that might be negatively impacting their soil health, and in 10 to 20 years’ time, their soil will be less productive.”
To be Fair Trade Certified, farmers must improve soil and water quality, avoid harmful chemicals and reduce waste and emissions.
Retailers Leading the Way
Since 2010, Tracy Zhu has been selling fairtrade items at her clothing shop, Tango Zulu, in Port Gamble, Washington, and about two years ago, many of her customers began to ask for environmentally responsible
products. “There seems to be more awareness of the waste and pollution in the garment industry,” Zhu says. “People are interested in sustainable clothing and also items made from clothing scraps, like upcycled kantha dish towels [made of quilted rags].”
Melissa Kendrick of Sojourns, a fair-trade retailer in Birmingham, Alabama, has likewise changed her inventory to serve a burgeoning interest in conservation. “Upcycled items received lots of attention, and more and more, we saw customers reacting to the information we posted about sustainability aspects of our products,” she says. “Now we see them actively asking about and seeking out items that have a smaller environmental footprint. We even have a section in our online shop that highlights items that are exceptionally eco-friendly.”
Zhu and Kendrick are responding to a rising and vocal support for companies and brands that align with their interests and values. Consumers increasingly ask questions about issues beyond the working conditions or compensation of the people producing the items. They want to know how fair trade impacts the environment and are willing to shift their purchasing power accordingly.
Reducing Consumption
Dampening uncontrolled consumerism is also a concern. “Part of what we do is talk about stopping the madness of mindless consumption,” notes Katherine Bissell Cordova, executive director of Chicago Fair Trade. The nonprofit hosts free clothing swaps, fashion shows featuring recycled garments and opportunities to engage with other advocates at the Chicago Fair Trade Museum, the first of its kind in the U.S.
What consumers do makes a difference, and Demuth encourages individuals to do all they can where they live. “Pick something that is of interest to you and see if you can make one switch,” she recommends. “Do one thing to make a positive difference, rather than overwhelm yourself by trying to suddenly shop 100 percent ethical, because it’s impossible to do that in our society.”
Megy Karydes is a Chicago-based writer and author of 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress.
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Ergonomic Solutions at Work and Play
How Good Posture and Mindful Habits Prevent Injury
by Maya Whitman
Regardless of lifestyle, many people experience everyday aches as they strive to balance work and play. Recurring movements while sitting or standing with bad posture can take a toll on the body. Jobs involving typing, hairstyling, power-tool use or assembly-line tasks, as well as asymmetrical recreational activities such as golf, tennis, bowling, electronic gaming or even playing musical instruments, can amplify the risk for chronic pain.
The American Heart Association reports that 80 percent of all U.S. jobs are mostly sedentary, a problem even without the added burden of too much screen time, poor sitting positions and the long-term effects of repetitive motion. The National Spine Health Foundation offers three recommendations for office workers: be mindful of posture, don’t look down at screens and get up and move around on a regular basis.
The importance of prevention cannot be ignored when we look at the cost of workers’ compensation cases. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021 claims included $4.7 billion for awkward postures and $1.7 billion for repetitive motions
involving “microtasks” performed in a matter of seconds or a few minutes, such as typing.
Pressure Points
According to Margie Bissinger, a physical therapist and integrative health coach in Parsippany, New Jersey, one of the most common conditions caused by repetitive movement is carpal tunnel syndrome resulting from pressure on the median nerve, which extends along the hand, arm and shoulder. Symptoms include numbness, tingling and weakness in the thumb and fingers.
“Ergonomics is the design of working environments to help individuals use the best postures and habits that will keep their bodies healthy and avoid injuries,” Bissinger explains, noting that good posture is designed to maintain the inward curve of the lower back. To reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, pain on the pinkie-finger side of the wrist or other related injuries, she recommends keeping the shoulders relaxed, the wrist in a neutral position, the thumb in line with the forearm and elbows close to the body while typing.
Gamers are prone to tendinitis in the hands and forearms, notes Shari Berkowitz, biomechanist, ergonomist and founder of The Vertical Workshop, in Beverly Hills, California. She remarks that compression in the neck can lead to not only carpal tunnel syndrome, but also double crush syndrome, a condition associated with compression at more than one location along a nerve path.
“Gamers have a lot of repetition of movement in small joints, as well as holding patterns in the arms, shoulders and spine over a prolonged period. They would benefit from using ergonomic devices that require
very little force to press buttons, toggle, etc.,” she advises, adding that players should position themselves to support the entire body, not just the wrists. Whether working or playing, Berkowitz stresses the need to step away from the desk every hour for five minutes to get something to drink, go to the bathroom or just move around.
Bissinger cautions that slouching at the desk or while playing electronic games is a surefire way to set off pain patterns. “You don’t want to be on the couch hunched with your low back rounded,” she says. “You should make sure your neck is looking straight ahead, not up or down, for extended periods of time.”
Exercise Ergonomics
Bad habits in the gym or on the yoga mat can foster chronic pain in the lower back, knees, neck, shoulders and wrists. “Learn about proper joint alignment for whatever exercises you’re doing and then try to achieve that for each movement,” advises Berkowitz. “When a set of muscles that are primary to a movement is fatigued, synergists, or assistant muscles, must work more than they are supposed to. That means strain is going to happen.” She recommends stopping as soon as there is a feeling of muscle fatigue and decreasing the weight and repetitions.
For a well-rounded approach to exercise that aids in preventing issues, Berkowitz suggests mobility training such as Pilates, yoga, tai chi and dance, along with running, walking or strength training. She also suggests replacing backless shoes like flip-flops and slides with ankle-supporting, foot-forming options such as Flux Footwear.
Maya Whitman is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings.
Calendar of Events
To place a calendar/ongoing/classified event, email content to ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakenings.com. Entries must adhere to our guidelines and be submitted by October 12 (for November issue). Costs $20 for 35 words each month. Call ahead before attending events to avoid any cancellations or changes.
Dowdy Rudolph Chiropractic–We are consciously scheduling appointments. We are sanitizing our office and waiting areas throughout the day and wearing personal protective gear. Call 803-376-6293 to schedule an appointment.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
ICRC Indoor Yard Sale–7-11am. Clean out your garage, attic, kids’ rooms and closets and participate as a vendor or drop by for some great bargains and treasures. Free admission to buyers. Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Hwy, Chapin. Info/ vendor details: 803-345-6181, icrc.net.
Backyard Saturday–10am-noon. Through play, families can experience nature. Cool biofacts to investigate and an explorative hike through the park. Ages 0-7. Cost: $5/ parking. Cattail Shelter in the Wetland at Saluda Shoals Park, 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia. Info/join mailing list: 803-7721228, RKennerly@icrc.net.
Original Origins Inaugural Gala–6pmmidnight. “Elegance for a great cause” to benefit those that do not have medical insurance to obtain much-needed mental health services. Cost: $95. Dogwood Pond, 3800 Elberta St, Columbia. Info/tickets: Call Tracy Gunter at 833-678-7229.
MONDAY-FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7-11
ICRC Senior Sports Games–6-9pm. Individuals 50-plus can participate in numerous events, including basketball, shuffleboard, cornhole, bowling, miniature golf and more. Ages 50 and up. ICRC various locations. Info/cost: Contact Patrick Sippel at 803-356-5111.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
Monster Mash Dance–6-9pm. Enjoy dinner, dancing, trick-or-treating, a costume contest, games, a photo, and goody bag. Fun for the whole family. All Ages. Cost: $28 per person. Seven Oaks Park, 200 Leisure Ln, Columbia. Info: 803-345-6181, icrc.net.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18-20
ICRC Children’s Theatre–5-8:30pm. Be My Ghost. Fri 7pm, Sat 3 and 7pm, Sun 3pm. All ages. Cost: $10 per person. Saluda Shoals Park, 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-772-1228, icrc.net.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
Halloween Zumbathon–7-9pm. Two hours of black light dance party fun. Join us to raise money for Meals on Wheels. Prize for best costume. Ages 13 and up. Cost: $15 per person. Seven Oaks Park, 200 Leisure Ln, Columbia. Info: 803-345-6181, icrc.net.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
Halloween at Saluda Shoals–10am-12:30pm. The Trick-or-Treat Trail will be held at Leo’s Landing. Ages 12 and under. Cost: $5 in advance/$7 event day per child. Saluda Shoals Park East, 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia. Info/tickets: 803-772-1228, icrc.net.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
Halloween at the Park–6-8:30pm. Trick-orTreat Trail and Outdoor Carnival. Food trucks will be available. Registration required. All ages. Cost: $5 in advance/$7 event day per person. Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Hwy, Chapin. Info: 803-345-6181, icrc.net.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
Fall Foliage Paddle–10am-12:30pm. Learn about the natural history of our local area and view the beautiful fall colors on the river. All gear is provided. Bring water shoes that secure to your feet. Ages 5 and up. Cost: $50 single/$80 tandem kayak. Saluda Shoals Park, 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia. Info/ tickets: 803-772-1228, icrc.net.
Howl-O-Ween at the Bark–10:30-11:30am. Bring your furry friends on a treat trail lined with vendors giving away free treats, candy and more. Dress up your furry friends and be ready for a photo-op. All types of furry (and nonfurry) friends are welcome. All ages. Free. Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Hwy, Chapin. Info: 803-345-6181, icrc.net.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
Naot Trunk Show–2-6pm. Foot Savi is showcasing their Naot brand handmade shoes. $25 off retail in-stock and special orders. Refreshments provided. 7001 St Andrews Rd, Ste A17, Columbia. Info: 803781-1269.
Ongoing Events
Sunday
Virtual Healthy Living Support Group –7pm. Every third Sunday. Virtual support group via Zoom. Uplift, support and encourage one another while making necessary changes for better health and wellness. Donations accepted. Info/register: Contact Ms. Tracy at 833-678-7229 or OriginalOriginshw@gmail.com.
Monday
Intention-Setting Journey –Noon. Every Monday. This 9D Breathwork and Sound Healing Journey helps you release limiting beliefs and install new, soul-aligned patterns that reprogram your mindset for a brighter, more fulfilling future. Free. Info/ register: bit.ly/4efNtlM.
Waltz “Graceful” Group Class –6:15-7pm. Every Monday. Beginner-friendly and no partner or experience is required. The dance changes monthly so that you can learn all the social dances. Cost: $18. Elite Ballroom, 103 Legion Plaza Rd, Columbia. Info: 803960-8450, Elite-Ballroom.com.
Wednesday
Garden Asana –8:15-9:15am. Every Wednesday. Cost: $15. Please RSVP. Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St, Columbia. Info: 803-851-1905, GardenersOutpost.com.
Ask the Gardener –4-6pm. Every First and Third Wednesday. Free. Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St, Columbia. Info: 803-8511905, GardenersOutpost.com.
Thursday
Garden Asana –8:15-9:15am. Every Thursday. Cost: $15. Please RSVP. Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St, Columbia. Info: 803-8511905, GardenersOutpost.com.
Women’s Intentional Creativity Circle–4pm. Every second Thursday. A proven method for women to connect, transform and heal from unspeakable and impossible situations. Using art, creativity, mind, body and principles to create natural organic healing. Complimentary. Info: Contact MaryJo Briggs at 803-537-1234 or PaintwMJ@gmail.com.
We all carry inside us, people who came before us. —Miguel Ruiz
Community Resource Guide
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 Community Resource Guide, call 803-309-2101 or email ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakenings.com.
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 2 and back page.
Discover why trauma and long-standing challenges are hard to resolve. Join a women’s only virtual (and sometimes in-person) circle where art and intention setting are used to overcome a wide variety of seemingly impossible circumstances. Biweekly online group second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Call or text 803-537-1234 to enroll free for a limited time.
CHIROPRACTIC
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-the-art full-body lounge hydromassage table that can help you feel more rejuvenated and relaxed. See ad, page 8.
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 12
FOOT CARE
FOOT SAVI
7001 St Andrews Rd, Ste A
Certified Board Pedorthist and Brace Specialist 803-781-1230 • FootSavi.com
With more than 30-plus years in the footcare/footwear industry, Sion Owen helps with a variety of issues, including gait analysis, foot assessments, custom orthotics, bracing and compression therapy, plantar fascia pain, neuropathy and fitting for therapeutic shoes for patients with diabetes, arthritis, painful bunions, callouses and hammer toes. Call to schedule an appointment! See ad, page 7.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
ABOUT YOUR HEALTH INC
120 Kaminer Way Pkwy, Ste J, Columbia 803-798-8687 • AboutYourHealthSC.com
About Your Health Inc’s main focus is health education and health-enhancing services, including One-on-One Nutritional Counseling, Live/Dry Blood Cell Observation, Mild Hyperbaric Chamber, Ozone Therapies, Thermography, Aqua-chi Footbath, Far Infrared Sauna and more. They also carry hard-to-find natural, organic, wholefood nutritional supplements and products. See ad, page 17
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 19.
CHAKRA CONSCIOUSNESS CHALLENGE
Grace Mosgeller 303-903-4936 (text only please) GraceMosgeller.com/chakra-challenge
Join the Chakra Consciousness Challenge to uncover common negative attachments at each chakra level and discover soul-aligned positive affirmations to replace them. Learn why a consciousness cleanse is essential for your soul’s evolution and how it accelerates personal power, allowing you to step fully into your true authentic self. See ad, page 5
HOLISTIC WELLNESS
NATURAL BEING HOLISTIC WELLNESS SPA & CENTER
1911 Barnwell St, Ste C, Columbia 803-708-8612 • nbhwsc.com
We are a very unique health and wellness center designed to help you discover a more natural and healthier way of living. Are you in need of a total detox? Do you want to rid your body of toxins or need to lose inches and burn 300 calories in 30 minutes? If you answered “yes” to these questions, then come embark on a healthy journey with us! Our extensive list of professional services includes foot detoxing, infrared sauna body wrapping, vaginal/yoni steaming, and vaginal rejuvenation. Owner and operator Sherino L. Maple is now offering complimentary consultations. Call today to book a consultation.
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 3
LOCAL RETREAT
JOY LEE CONNOR
Healing Minster at Springhill AtONEment Center 803-447-6499
Joy has more than 30 years of experience in energy and bodywork. She teaches Reiki, Touch for Health, Meditation, Yoga, Ayurveda and A Course in Miracles. Joy welcomes and sees clients who are ready to shed guilt and limitations in favor of forgiveness and freedom. One hundred acres of trees surround this pristine location for healing at Springhill AtONEment Center. Nature walks and fireside gatherings available. Contact Joy at 803-447-6499.
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, 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 17.
VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS
GARNER’S NATURAL LIFE
4840 Forest Dr, Ste 15a, Columbia 803-454-7700 GarnersNaturalLife.com
At Garner’s Natural Life, we offer the purest, most innovative high-quality natural products. With more than 130 collective years of wellness experience! Allows us to encourage your healthy choices. See ads, page 2 and back page.
