Natural Awakenings Panama City April 2015 by Natural Awakenings NW Florida

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NATURE’S WISDOM

Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change

SPRING DOGS IN GREENING LIBRARIES

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

Easy Ways to Detox a House

Kids Read Better Around Animals

April 2015 | Panama City | NWFNaturally.com Bay County www.NWFNaturally.com

Experience...

Our Treatments

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Early detection is Key

contents Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

Screening with thermography can detect abnormalities in the very earliest stages cardiovascular • breast thyroid • hormonal digestive • diabetes • TMJ

27 STAND UP FOR A

HEALTHIER WORKPLACE

Also offering personalized healthcare assessments and organic botanical supplements

Hend-Rx Nutrition & Laboratories Dr. Garry Hendricks, N.D.

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Beneficial Transitioning from Sitting to Standing by Nicole Larson

28 HOME-GROWN

ORGANIC MADE EASY 10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden

by Barbara Pleasant

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30 NATURE’S WISDOM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us by Christine MacDonald

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33 SPRING GREENING

Easy Ways to Detox a House by Lane Vail

35 HOME AIR TREATMENT

A New Solution to Indoor Allergies by Kyla Stevens

36 SOLAR GRIDLOCK

Florida Solar Power at a Crossroad by Daralyn Chase

37 GREEN PAINT

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38 DOGS WITH

LIBRARY CARDS Kids Love Reading to Animals by Sandra Murphy

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14 newsbriefs 16 eventspotlight 19 earthdayevents 20 healthbriefs 20 22 globalbriefs 24 ecotip 22 8 25 actionalerts 26 business

spotlight 27 fitbody 28 greenliving 24 33 healingways 35 productspotlight 37 localexpert 38 naturalpet 4 1 calendar 43 classifieds 44 resourceguide

58 advertising & submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE Pricing is available online on our Advertising page. To advertise with Natural Awakenings call 850-687-0825 or email advertise@NWFNaturally.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: editor@NWFNaturally.com. Deadline for editorial: the 15th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit calendar entries online only at NWFNaturally. com. The links are on the left side of the web page. Deadline for calendar: the 15th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

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letterfrompublisher

L contact us PUBLISHER Daralyn Chase Publisher@NWFNaturally.com CO-PUBLISHER/ DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Scott Chase, (ext. 702) Scott@NWFNaturally.com EDITOR Martin Miron GRAPHICS & LAYOUT Courtney Ayers Michele Rose CALENDAR EDITOR Thomas Masloski NATIONAL AD SALES 239-449-8309 FRANCHISE SALES 239-530-1377 NATURAL AWAKENINGS EMERALD COAST 850-460-3266, office 888-228-8238, toll free 888-370-0618, fax

P.O. Box 945 Destin, Florida 32540 © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $36 (for 12 issues) to the above address or order online at NWFNaturally.com. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

ately I have enjoyed the outdoors from my yoga hammock, as I hang upside-down from old live oak that leans over a sandy bank overlooking the Choctaw Bay. As I lose myself in deep meditation while watching the leaves fall and listening to the water move, the stress melts away effortlessly and I experience that deep connection with nature, where nothing else seems to matter. We celebrate Earth Day this month, gathering to care for our precious planet with intentions to find betDaralyn and Scott ter ways for the future for all life that is dependent on Chase the mysterious balance. Christine McDonald reminds us in this month’s feature, “Nature’s Wisdom,” how connected and dependent we are upon nature, with a closer look at how it heals us and sustains us. As we join in on the festivals and opportunities to reconnect, we also take a moment to discover the newest opportunities to save our natural resources and our environment that is there for our good. Our “Spring Greening” article begins an Earth-friendly journey from the homestead, with initiatives and steps you can take from your very own dwelling. In addition, we reached out to a few our local experts to learn how they suggest we can put a dent in our air, water and energy resource. Dan Gardner, of Compass Solar, Douglass Wagner, of Emerald Air and Everclean Green, and John Frey, of Spectrum Paint, provided a look at some of the groundbreaking products and movements available to all Northwest Florida homeowners, toward saving the planet and saving the greenbacks. While you’re home, putting the ideas to use, take a moment to read about 10 time-saving tips for a healthy garden in “Homegrown Organic Made Easy,” by Barbara Pleasant. Think of the money you will save growing your own organics. I must also mention, after spending the past 20 years working from a computer desk, this past week I made a go of the “Stand up for Healthier Workplace” ideas Nicole Larson shared with us this month and discovered simple, quick and beneficial moves to stay active and feel better, even from my desk. April is such a beautiful time to reconnect with nature, so join us as you slip off your shoes, find a blanket of fresh grass or a little less-traveled beach sand to settle down with this month’s magazine and be inspired to take care of mother nature—healing and nurturing yourself. Happy Earth Day!

& Scott & Daralyn

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my sense put in order. ~John Burroughs www.NWFNaturally.com

coverartist

Dawn’s Light Margaret Biggs Pensacola native Margaret Biggs pays homage to the beauty found in nature and the spirituality a relationship with it ensures through her uniquely rendered oil paintings. She embarks upon each piece as a conquest to capture that profound peace and wisdom and bring it into the hearts of all those that view her work. For her cover painting, Dawn’s

Light, Biggs chose the Pensacola Lighthouse, built in 1859 in this historic city. The lighthouse and the sun rising are both symbols of hope for our incredibly beautiful natural world and the love that resides in everyone’s soul. Biggs remarks, “Nature is my refuge. I cherish it, and hope to guide people towards sensing the tranquility and connectedness that is inherent everywhere.” Along with magnificent portrayals of the environment, she presents these forms as symbols of deeper meaning through her poetry, which reflects upon themes of love, loss, selfdiscovery, transformation and peace. Displaying regularly in art festivals throughout the Southeast, Biggs now sells nationwide. She is scheduled to show at Artsquest, in Destin, on May 8, 9 and 10, and Art in the Park, in Seville Square, in Pensacola, on May 16 and 17. Her next solo show, Visions; Through Paintings and Poetry, will be on display at the Pensacola Museum of Art from September 26 through November 14. Visitors may arrange a studio visit by emailing Margaret@MargaretBiggs. com. A collection of her paintings and poetry can be found in her book Visions II; Through Paintings and Poetry, available at Amazon.com and MargaretBiggs.com.

Nature is my refuge. I cherish it, and hope to guide people towards sensing the tranquility and connectedness that is inherent everywhere. ~Margaret Biggs

WOMEN LEAD THE WAY

Advertise in

Natural Awakenings’ May Women’s Health Issue To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

850-687-0825 natural awakenings April 2015

newsbriefs Autism Color Run and Family Festival

EN NOW OP S ID E ! BEACH

Panama City Beach's only Natural Health Food Store Featuring Natural, Organic, and Herbal Vitamins, Homeopathic Remedies, Vegan Products and Powder Proteins Sports Nutrition and Body Care.

he Autism Society of the Emerald Coast is hosting their fourth annual Color Run at 9 a.m., April 18, for autism awareness. The high-energy 5k begins and ends at the Fort Walton Beach Landing and will feature eight color stations. Walkers, strollers, and children are all welcome to participate. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Race packets include a T-shirt, a color packet and sponsor swag. Pick-ups are scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m., April 16, at the First Baptist Church, in Niceville and 4:30 to 7 p.m., April 17, at the First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach. A Family Fun Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. features live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, raffles, bounce houses, carnival games and face painting. The Autism Society provides education, advocacy, awareness to the community, and family support to those affected. Cost is $35 early bird participant/$20 early bird child participant (ages 7-12)/$40 day of participant/$25 day of child participant. Fun festival armband is $5 for non-runners. For more information, visit asecfl.com.

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Musical Echoes Native Flute School

eVest Program Makes Eco-Upgrades More Affordable

Cost is $100 for each day or $169 for both. Location: Marina Bay Resort, 80 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE, Fort Walton Beach. For more information, visit NativeFluteSchool.com/menfs15.

Admission is free , and coffee and bagels will be provided. Location: 63 South Centre Trail, Santa Rosa Beach. RSVP to Veronica Cross at 850-855-2682, CrossV@FloridaPACE.gov or eVestFlorida.com. See participating contractors on page 36.

Musical Echoes Native Flute School intensive, featuring Dr. Michael DeMaria, Dr. Clint Goss and Vera Shanov, offers two days of workshops, presentations and music-making from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 23 and 24, at the Marina Bay Resort, in Ft. Walton Beach. The Musical Echoes flute festival will immediately follow the flute school. Each day can be attended separately. Participants with all levels of experience on native flutes (even Michael DeMaria beginners) are welcome. The goal is to come away with the ability to play with confidence, get out of a musical rut and gain an understanding of rhythms--, tones and improvisation. The focus is on health and healing, song composition and solo performing. This workshops provide a supportive, inclusive, noncritical approach based on three decades of experience in humanistic music education, because experience and selfdiscovery form the best bonds with lifelong music learning.

he Florida Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program can help pay for wind-hardening upgrades, energy efficiency updates and renewable generation (solar) projects for commercial and residential property owners in Walton County and commercial property owners in Escambia County. An eVest Florida PACE Workshop from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., April 24, at the Walton County Area Chamber, will supply needed information to participate in the programs. Now people can add the cost of these qualifying projects to their tax bill with no upfront costs or credit check. The amount eligible to finance is dependent on the equity in the property, and the borrowing terms are up to 25 years. Contractors will learn how to become PACE-authorized and offer their services to interested property owners that want to use PACE funding.

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eventspotlights

Doug Keller’s

Advanced Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training

oug Keller lead to pain and injury, instructs yoga even for the experiteachers around enced practitioner. the world, establish“This training will ing a new paradigm for focus on understanding training, particularly in basic categories of body the area of therapeutics structure and movement and healing. From noon patterns, and the kinds to 5 p.m., April 14 to of movement impair16, he will present an ment associated with opportunity for teachthese patterns that can ers that wish to expand bring pain. By clearly their horizons and have laying these categories their efforts and excelout, while including lence recognized and asana challenges to Doug Keller supported. The training is verify if they apply, we open to all styles of yoga. can better understand our own body and From April 17 to 19, Keller offers deepen our practice, and also see quicksolid teaching and insight into the anatly what is going on with our students, omy and workings of the human body and where they need to work.” in relation to yoga, and into the pos Keller came to teach hatha yoga sibilities for healing through yoga. The by way of yoga of meditation and years weekend is open to all yoga students. of academic study of philosophy, both Keller states, “We’ll be practicing Eastern and Western. “In my studies of a wide range of asanas, with attention philosophy at the School of Foreign Serto our own movement styles—how we vice at Georgetown and in my graduate might adjust our approach to asana with work at Fordham University, I gravitated greater integration and benefit from the toward the senior Jesuit scholars, whose practice, while increasing our abiliexcellence, open-minded intellectual ties and enjoyment of the practice. In zeal, spiritual fervor and personal integteaching or taking yoga classes, it’s not rity inspired me to dig deeply into my always easy to see why some asanas own studies, particularly of the classiare difficult or even painful for students cal philosophers and Christian mystics, to do or don’t deliver the benefits they and treat them as a personal journey of promise or even lead to injury for some, discovery,” he relates. and yet pose no problem to others. “I’ve traveled from one end of “Because of the way we’re built, the United States to the other, and my and the lives we live, we all face chalinternational travels have included lenges individual in our life and practice, teacher trainings in Europe, as well as often with chronic pain. Our own strucAsia,” notes Keller. “My home base is ture and patterns of movement often lead at the Health Advantage Yoga Center, in Herndon, Virginia, where I teach upper us directly into these problems unless level classes.” we recognize and change them. Even for those of us who exercise regularly Sign up for the full teacher training, the or have a regular practice allows some full weekend or individual sessions at muscles to dominate, leaving others DragonflyYoga.com/workshops. weak and unused. This can eventually

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

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Energy medicine offers tools for self-care and at-home techniques to accelerate progress...each client will experience their own body’s natural healing power.

Tanni Hall

Brings Energy Medicine to the Emerald Coast

anni Hall offers a Chinese medicine, such as signature blend of use of acupressure and the energy medicine Five Elements Model (also and energy psychology called Five Rhythms), and at East of Eden Retreat & I use energy kinesiology to Spa, based on the needs assess and determine treatof each client. She will ment for each of the nine conduct a daylong retreat systems within the client.” workshop, Energy Medi Her journey from cine 101, in celebration directing student support of International Women's teams at an Ivy League Day, on April 18, foluniversity to becoming an lowed by three days of energy medicine practitioindividual sessions. ner began with a simple Tanni Hall “Energy medicine realization that sometimes offers tools for self-care and at-home talking it through is not enough. As techniques to accelerate progress,” says associate dean of students at Cornell Hall. Workshops can be tailored to the University, with a master's degree in needs of each group, and cover topics education and concentration in counsuch as peak performance for athletes seling psychology, Hall supervised a and performers, stress management, spectrum of student services, including and Energy Medicine 101 and 102. crisis management, diversity education “I create a safe and loving enand peer counseling. vironment in which each client will In her 28-year career at the experience their own body’s natural university, Hall and her teams helped healing power,” she says. “I specialstudents, staff and families confront ize in the gentle treatment of pain, issues ranging from hospitalization to stress and anxiety; grief and trauma; death and other loss. They also develovercoming limiting beliefs and fears; oped programs and workshops to build autoimmune issues; hormone balancstronger skills for health and well-being; injury and surgery recovery; and ing. Hall says, “I wanted to bring more enhancing passion, purpose and joy. integrated, mind-body approaches. I In my sessions, I draw especially from saw students re-traumatized by some

talk-only therapy, and there was plenty of staff burnout. There had to be another way to help.” In 2005, at a professional development workshop sponsored by the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, she discovered energy medicine. “At that time, new research was burgeoning in effective treatment of trauma,” recalls Hall. “The conference brought together multidisciplinary leaders in the field to share research and leading-edge techniques for mind/body healing.” Hall notes, “It was through this conference that I learned about Eden Energy Medicine and energy psychology, and I was hooked. Of all the energy-based therapies I learned over the years, I chose Eden Energy Medicine as my foundation for certification because it was the most comprehensive and unique system I found.” Eden Energy Medicine involves balancing and restoring the body’s natural energies to increase vitality and optimize the overall health of body, mind, emotions and spirit. Many of these techniques can be traced back to ancient healing traditions such as yoga, tai chi and acupuncture. “I experienced firsthand its transformational effects; for example, through liberating myself from a lifelong phobia, a fear of flying.” She also acquired training in Emotional Freedom Technique and Advanced Integrative Therapy, which she incorporates in her work. East of Eden Retreat & Spa is located at 234 Dog Hobble Lane, in Santa Rosa Beach. For more information about retreats, educational workshops and individual sessions, call 607-379-0023 or visit EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com. natural awakenings April 2015

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he air conditioning and heating (HVAC) system in residential A/C units consumes about 45% of all electrical uses within our homes. So, in general, if your power bill is $300 per month in the summer, you’re A/C is responsible for about $135 of the bill. Not only is the HVAC system the largest consumer of energy in the home, but it wastes more than any other device – including lights and all other appliances. In 2007, over 113 million homes consumed nearly 1.4 trillion kWh of electrical energy and due to inefficiencies , the total waste equaled about 212-billion kWh -- or enough energy to power 17-million new homes. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that the problem is unseen. In other words, we are simply unaware of the waste within our HVAC systems. We continue to pour millions of dollars out an open window needlessly. Technology has now provided an answer.

This problem can be greatly mitigated by having a clean A/C coil (the part of the system where heat is removed from the air). The conventional method of coil cleaning is to have the coil removed and acid washed periodically. This is a colossal waste of time and money. With the use of Everclean Green’s Force Field system, the HVAC is Self-Cleaning. The performance of a HVAC system can improve by as much as 35%, saving up to 2000 kWh per year per system by installing Everclean Green. With this system you

can throw away those restrictive, costly and annoying filters. These filters are unnecessary and the need to clean the coil is eliminated, the HVAC system can now operate at peak performance all year, translating into cooler air for less money$$. A clean system is an efficient system. Oh, and not only do you save money but the Everclean Green system also effectively eliminates airborne particles, toxins, dust, mold, viruses, and bacteria growing and circulating through the system for heather indoor air. This system is now available for existing and new HVAC units in the Panhandle. Stop paying huge electric bills and sweating today. Ask your local A/C contractor about this innovative product today or go to www.evercleangreen.com to find a local authorized contractor for an Everclean Green system.

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earthdayevents Okaloosa County Earth Day Beach Cleanup

EARTH

DAY 2015

Hope for Our Future by Julianne Hale

hen we learn about the condition of our most valuable resource—this spinning planet we call home—we may feel a sense of urgency, desperation or even defeat. Global climate change is a powerful foe, and current efforts may seem like a losing race against time. Yet, mounting evidence suggests that the global community is making progress, giving rise to the possibility that climate change may not be the insurmountable obstacle we once thought. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) article, “We Can Do This: 10 Reasons there’s Hope for our Climate,” by Dan Upham, summarizes a speech given by EDF President Fred Krupp at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival (Tinyurl. com/HopeForTheClimate). Here are some encouraging highlights. The price of solar energy panels has dropped by 75 percent in the U.S. since 2008, and affordable wind energy is increasingly available. According to a study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon dioxide emissions from energy in this country dropped by 10 percent between 2005 and 2012. In addition, China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, is actively seeking ways to reduce emissions. Proof of progress is also found in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to cut billions of tons of pollution, a goal supported by two-thirds of Americans, according to a survey conducted by Harstad Strategic Research. Aligned with this, the government is requiring that manufacturers double automobile fuel mileage by 2025.

Perhaps the best argument for hope reflects the priorities of America’s younger generations. A recent bipartisan poll of young voters conducted by Benenson Strategy Group and GS Strategy Group suggests that 80 percent of voters under the age of 35 support the president taking action to address climate change, making it an issue that both major political parties must take seriously. It’s time to realize that mankind is making decided progress, that the majority of us do care, that what local communities accomplish has a positive effect and that the global community can take the steps needed to avert catastrophic climate change. Become a part of the solution by attending one or more of the community events listed here.

Bay County Earth Day

Creative individuals, families and local businesses in Bay County are coming together for the 11th annual Bay County Earth Day Festival, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 18, at McKenzie Park, in downtown Panama City. Entertainment includes country, bluegrass, folk and singer/songwriters. An eclectic mix of environmental education, local green booths and wildlife conservation collectives comprise an Earth-minded affair, sponsored by the Friends of St. Andrew Bay and the Jelks Family Foundation. For more information, call 850-2581276 or email Henry@EarthDayBayCounty.com.

People of all ages can participate in the annual Citizen Okaloosa Environmental Council Spring Earth Day Beach Cleanup, held from 8 to 10 a.m., April 25, at three locations. Volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes, gloves, caps and sunscreen. Locations include Okaloosa Island: Beasley Park (Highway 98, East of Brooks Bridge); Beach Walk East of Surfdweller (Santa Rosa Boulevard); and Henderson Beach State Park (Highway 98. East of Destin). The Environmental Council also maintains an Adopt-A-County Road and Adopt-A-Dune litter control program. Volunteer T-shirts are available free of charge while supplies last. For more information, call 850-651-7131 or email nhussong@co.okaloosa.fl.us.

Earth Day Pensacola Hits 40-Year Milestone

The 40th annual Earth Day Pensacola festival will be held April 18 at Bayview Park, creating a space where the people of Northwest Florida can get together to celebrate the Earth in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. Participants include End of the Line Café, Ever’man Cooperative Grocery and Café, Escambia County Recycling Operations, Compass Solar Energy and others. The festival includes live music entertainment, a sustainable art show, food vendors, an expanded children’s area and informational booths on sustainable living on the Gulf Coast. There will be stations for free recycling of old cell phones, mp3 players, automotive and marine batteries and other electronic devices. Earth Day Pensacola calls upon to citizens to take a stand against climate change and global poverty and make 2015 the year when our leaders pass an historic, binding, global climate treaty. For more information, call 850-5497472, email Mary Gutierrez at Mary. EarthEthics@cox.net visit EarthDay Pensacola.org. natural awakenings April 2015

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Acupuncture Increases Quality of Life for Allergy Sufferers

esearch from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2013, the study analyzed data on the costs and quality of life of 364 allergy patients that had been randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: rescue medication alone (taken when symptoms are greatest); acupuncture treatment plus rescue medication; or sham (nontherapeutic) acupuncture plus rescue medication. Patients receiving acupuncture incurred higher total treatment costs, but also gained significantly more quality of life compared with the rescue medication-only groups.

Strawberries Reduce Blood Pressure

study published in the World Journal of Diabetes concluded that the regular consumption of a flavonoidrich strawberry beverage reduces blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. The study divided 36 subjects, all with moderately high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, into two groups—the first drank the equivalent of one serving of fresh strawberries per day made from freeze-dried berries, and the other group drank the same amount of an imitation strawberry-flavored drink over a six-week period. Blood pressure was tested at the beginning and end of the study for all participants. At the end, the group drinking the real strawberry beverage registered significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than at the outset; it was also lower than the imitation strawberry group. The average diastolic blood pressure of the group drinking real strawberries went down by 6.5 percent and the systolic dropped by 12 percent. The strawberry-flavored group’s systolic blood pressure was also reduced, but only by 3.7 percent.

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THE COLOR GREEN MAKES EXERCISE FEEL EASIER

esearch from the University of Essex, in England, suggests that viewing natural green images while exercising may be better than being exposed to other colors. The researchers tested 14 people doing moderate-intensity cycling while watching video footage of predominantly gray, red or green imagery. Each of the participants underwent three cycling tests—one with each of the videos— along with a battery of physiological and mood testing. The researchers found that when the subjects watched the green-colored video, they had better moods, with a lower relative perception of exertion than when they exercised while watching the red and grey videos. They also found those that exercised while watching the red video experienced greater feelings of anger during their exercise.

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Local Toxins Increase Risk of Autism

Memory Works Better Reading Real Books

esearchers from Norway’s Stavanger University and France’s AixMarseille Université found that readers remember a story better if it’s on paper. The study tested 50 people that read the same 28-page short story. Half of the group read the paper version and the other half read the story on a Kindle e-reader. The researchers discovered that readers of the digital version could not remember details from the story or reconstruct the plot as well as the group that read the paper copy. The researchers found that the feedback of a Kindle doesn’t provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does. “When you read on paper, you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right,” explains Stavanger University’s Anne Mangen, Ph.D. These findings confirm a study performed a year earlier, also led by Mangen. Seventy-two 10th-graders were given text to read either on paper or on a computer screen. The students that read the paper text versions scored significantly higher in reading comprehension testing than those reading digital versions.

onfirming previous findings, a large study from the University of Chicago has found that autism is linked to toxic environmental exposure. The research examined data from nearly a third of the U.S. population, which showed that both autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities increased as exposure increased in region-by-region testing. The research measured clusters of autism incidence together with exposure rates in different counties and states across the country. The areas with greater environmental toxin exposures had significantly increased autism rates. The correlation was significant among both boys and girls, but stronger among girls. Proximity to urban areas also increased autism incidence. For every 1 percent increase in urbanization, there was about a 3 percent rise in autism and intellectual disabilities. Influential toxins include pesticides, plasticizers, lead and pharmaceuticals.

Olive Oil Boosts Healthy Cholesterol

n an effort to understand what makes olive oil so good for heart health, a study from Europe’s Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group and the U.S. National Institutes of Health has found that olive oil’s polyphenols significantly increase the size of high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL) in the blood and enhance the HDL’s ability to inhibit formation of the abnormal fatty deposits, known as plaque, within the walls of arteries. Polyphenols are natural compounds from plants known to help prevent cancer and heart disease. In the three-week study, researchers isolated the effect of polyphenols by dividing 47 healthy European men into two groups: one ate a diet containing polyphenol-poor olive oil and the other consumed polyphenol-rich olive oil. The enriched diet resulted in increased size, fluidity and stability (resistance to oxidation) of the HDL molecules by reducing their triglyceride core. The researchers note that the oxidation of cholesterol lipids such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is linked with arteriosclerosis.

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

Vanishing Wildlife

50 Percent Gone in Under 50 years The latest World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report shows that the Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 percent since 1970. The report is widely considered the leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity (Tinyurl.com/WWF-Living-Planet-Report). In fewer than two human generations, populations of vertebrate species—the life forms that constitute the fabric of life-sustaining ecosystems and serve as a barometer of how humans are impacting nature—have dropped by half. Nature conservation and sustainable development go hand-in-hand; it’s not only about preserving biodiversity and wild places, but about safeguarding the future of humanity. Living Planet Report partners include the Zoological Society of London, Global Footprint Network and Water Footprint Network. Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International, states, “We need leadership for change. Sitting on the bench waiting for someone else to make the first move, doesn’t work. Heads of state need to start thinking globally; businesses and consumers need to stop behaving as if we live in a limitless world.”

Thriving Eco-Towns

Malaysian Villages Model Sustainability

photo by MIGHT

Innovations being successfully pioneered in Malaysia offer ideas for improving the world, according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), including the construction of high-tech, self-sustaining ecological “smart” villages. These villages are lifting incomes for scores of rural families while promoting environmental sustainability. Each 50acre community consists of about 100 affordable homes, advanced educational, training and recreational facilities and an integrated, sustainable farm system that provides villagers with food and employment that on average, triples their monthly income. Low-cost, 1,000-square-foot homes are built in 10 days and the communal farming operations include a cascading series of fish tanks, or “aquafarms”. Filtered fish tank wastewater irrigates trees, grain fields and high-value plants grown in “autopots”, a three-piece container with a valve that detects soil moisture levels and releases water as required, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Free-range chickens feed on the fast-reproducing worms that process the plant compost. This system optimizes nutrient absorption, minimizes waste and enables crops to be grown on previously non-arable land. The village’s solar-generated power is complemented by biomass energy and mini-hydro electricity. A community hall, resource center, places of worship, playgrounds and educational facilities equipped with 4G Internet service support e-learning and e-health services. 22

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Corporate Do-Gooders

U.S. Recognizes Companies for Earth-Sound Policies Each year, the U.S. Department of State presents Awards for Corporate Excellence recognizing U.S.-owned businesses that play vital roles worldwide as good corporate citizens. Parameters include supporting sustainable development, respect for human and labor rights, environmental protection, open markets, transparency and other democratic values. The 2014 winners, announced last December, include the EcoPlanet Bamboo Group, in Nicaragua, for fostering sustainable development by regenerating degraded pasturelands. The company dedicates 20 percent of its plantations as natural habitat that protects biodiversity by prohibiting illegal hunting. EcoPlanet also focuses on employing persons with disabilities and empowering women through recruitment to managerial positions. Wagner Asia Equipment, LLC, in Mongolia, a heavy equipment dealership, is recognized for its commitment to public/private partnerships with Mongolia’s local and national governments designed to protect the environment. Initiatives include planting more than 900 trees. conducting workshops for students on environment and ecology, implementing a project to build a community garden and rehabilitating a toxic waste site. Other finalists include the Coca-Cola Company, in the Philippines; Chevron Corporation, in Burma; ContourGlobal, in Togo; General Electric, in South Africa, General Electric International, in Tunisia; GlassPoint Solar, in Oman; and the Linden Centre, in China. For more information on finalists, visit Tinyurl.com/ACE2014Finalists.

Soil Salvation

Organic Farming May Counteract Greenhouse Effect The nonprofit Rodale Institute, the United Nations and the Soil Association are reporting that modern, chemicalintensive industrial farming is stripping the soil’s natural ability to take carbon back out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in the soil. Rodale researchers say that by returning to small-scale organic farming, more than 40 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions could be captured in the soil, and if the entire world’s pasture and rangelands were managed using regenerative techniques, an additional 71 percent of those emissions could be sequestered. Further, organic practices could counteract the world’s yearly carbon dioxide output while producing the same amount of food as conventional farming. Rodale claims that using regenerative organic agriculture—like low or no-tillage, cover crops and crop rotation—will keep photosynthesized carbon dioxide in the soil, instead of returning it to the atmosphere. The institute cites 75 studies from peerreviewed journals, including its own 33-year Farming Systems Trial, which directly compare organic farming with conventional farming.

Buzzing Buddies

‘Flying Doctor’ Bees Prevent Cherry Disease

People in the United States waste more than a third of all of the food they produce, but more than 180 cities and towns are beginning to realize that wasted food can be valuable; they are asking residents to separate unwanted food from the rest of their trash and put it in a curbside compost bin. The idea is to stop sending food waste to the landfill, where it generates harmful methane gas pollution, and start turning it into something useful, like compost. In 2011, Portland, Oregon, launched a curbside compost program in which residents are encouraged to put food scraps into the city’s green yard waste bin. Since then, the amount of garbage sent to the landfill has decreased by 37 percent. According to Bruce Walker, the city’s solid waste and recycling program manager, the program also reduces the environmental footprint of the trash heap. Getting people to separate their food waste, however, can be difficult. To motivate its residents to put more food waste in the compost bin, the city of Seattle, Washington, has proposed both making curbside composting mandatory and fining residents a dollar every time they put a disproportionate volume of food waste in their trash.

University of Adelaide researchers are introducing a “flying doctor” method of employing bees as preventive medicine. Project leader and bee researcher Katja Hogendoorn, Ph.D., says, “All commercial cherry growers spray during flowering to control the later development of cherry brown rot. Instead of spraying fungicide, we’re using bees to deliver a biological control agent right to the flowers, where it’s needed.” The innovative delivery works via entomovectoring. This is a new technique for Australia, with potential application in many horticultural industries. The biological control agent contains spores of a parasitic fungus that prevents another fungus that causes the brown rot from colonizing the flower. Future applications of the small, winged medics are expected to become available for disease control in almonds, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears and stone fruit.

Source: NetNebraska.org

Source: Adelaide.edu.au

Source: OrganicConsumers.org

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The buy local movement and popularity of local farmers’ markets continue to grow, but we can do even better when it comes to sustainable shopping. A recent Greendex.com survey on environmental impacts of consumer behaviors in 18 countries reports that more Americans are eating local and organic foods and say they’re going to consume less meat and bottled water. Nevertheless, we continue to eat the most processed and packaged foods and the fewest fruits and vegetables of all the countries surveyed. Evidently, we need to literally put our money where our mouths are. The Greendex survey cites several basic ways to make our diets more sustainable. These include eating more vegetables and less beef and lamb (recognizing the greater environmental impact of raising animals); participating and supporting community supported agriculture and fishery initiatives; economizing meal planning; and storing food properly in the refrigerator to maximize space and freshness periods. When grocery shopping, peruse the perimeter aisles first, where whole foods are stocked, instead of the interior shelves, which typically comprise processed foods according to MotherEarthLiving.com. More cooperation between the public and private sectors and individual involvement can also increase sustainability in communities around the world. Rachael Durrant, Ph.D., a research fellow with the UK-based Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group, cites in a recent paper the need for improved understanding of the key roles that civil society organizations play within processes of large-scale social change and warned that many communities are vulnerable to grave environmental and social risks. Durrant lauds “greener, fairer and healthier practices, such as community gardening or cookery classes,” plus “those that change the rules of the game through campaigns or lobbying to coordinate and facilitate activities of other groups.” Supporting food and farming management that’s independent, cooperative and welcomes volunteers, for example, is highly beneficial.

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actionalerts Floridians for Solar Choice Ballot Initiative Floridians for Solar Choice (FSC), a grassroots effort to change unfair state energy policies, is proposing a 2016 Solar Ballot Initiative amendment to the Florida Constitution that gives home and business owners a solar option for power needs, as well as which source that provides it. Ironically, Florida is one of only five states that deny the choice to buy solar-generated electricity directly from a company other than a monopoly electric utility. Past legislative efforts to overcome barriers to solar choices have been defeated due to lobbying by Florida Power and Light and Duke Energy. FSC needs to collect 800,000 signed petitions to allow registered Florida voters the chance to vote on this issue. So far, 100,000 petitions have been signed in the first month of the state petition drive and are being certified by local election supervisors. Of these, 68,314 signatures must be validated in order to trigger Florida Supreme Court approval of the language. “In total, we need 663,149 signed petitions collected by December 2015 to allow time for county supervisors of elections to verify the signatures by the deadline date of February 1, 2016,” says Susan Glickman, of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, which is backing the FSC drive. “Signing the petition will help FSC to secure a place for solar choice on the 2016 ballot.” View the petition and get more information at FLSolarChoice.org.

Urge the Florida Legislature to Buy Sugar Land Now and Save the Everglades The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is again dumping excess nutrient-polluted water from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, threatening the health of marine life in these coastal communities. Meanwhile, the Everglades, a unique ecosystem stretching from Orlando all the way to Florida Bay at the tip, is starving for clean water. According to the Everglades Foundation, the solution is for the South Florida Water Management District to buy land previously occupied by sugar farms, where water can be stored, cleaned and then sent south to the Everglades. In 2010, the state of Florida made an agreement with the sugar industry to acquire land to clean up the industry’s pollution, protect drinking water, and clean up polluted waterways on both coasts. Thanks to the Florida Water and Land Conservation Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters in 2014, there are available funds dedicated to acquiring, restoring and managing conservation lands, including lands protecting water resources and drinking water. Floridians can tell Governor Rick Scott now to urge the South Florida Water Management District to buy 46,800 acres of U.S. Sugar’s land south of Lake Okeechobee before the state’s option expires in October 2016. To sign the Act Now petition, visit Act.ProgressFlorida.org/sign/everglades.

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aura Tyree, ERYTrelease of several 500, owner and music and instrucdirector of Dragtional CDs available onfly Yoga Studies, in on iTunes, as well. Fort Walton Beach, has Also a Reiki maslaunched a new venter and massage therature, Yoga Anytime, an pist at THE Healing online yoga studio that Clinic of Fort Walton delivers world-class Beach, Tyree’s chief streaming yoga videos modality is training anywhere, anytime. in myofascial release, Tyree states, “We are a a gentle, therapeutic Laura Tyree community of yogis helpform for healing fascia ing each other through the sharing and the nervous system, created by of yoga practices that we have found Master Instructor John Barnes. to be effective and fun. We publish a Tyree encourages her students to new video every day and our everutilize their yoga practice in a multitude growing video library includes a wide of ways. Many deepen their awareness variety of yoga classes from the very of self and open fully to their unique best yoga teachers. We offer access to beauty and strength, both inner and a library of practices, talks, conversaouter. By blending these traits with her tions and yogi resource material.” unique approach to the eight-limbed Tyree first trained with Jan Camppath, mantra meditation, anatomy and bell in the rigorous Iyengar yoga psychology, they can grasp the full, method in 1986 while recovering from organic richness of her yogic style. a sports-related injury from college. She On this journey, she combines hand began teaching in 1990 after meetmudras with asana, linking the breath, ing instructors Erich Schiffmann and mantra, energetic clarity and spiritual Rodney Yee. Internal awareness, breath concepts to flow richly into a timeless and compassionate purpose led to experience of yoga and the self. deepening her practice and her stud Videos on the website help memies. As the co-founder of Yoga Source, bers progress in their practice, with each in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1996, she one exploring a specific aspect of yoga. began to teach in earnest. Her own Tyree says, “The relationship with a yoga favorite teachers include Schiffmann, teacher is mysterious and deeply perYee, Colleen Yee, Jan Campbell, Janet sonal, so we’d like to offer you a free 30Gormley, Doug Keller, Prudence Bruns day trial of our service to allow you to and Swami Jaya Devi Bhagavati. discover whether we are a good match. In starting Dragonfly Yoga Stud “After the free trial period, if there’s ies in 2001, Tyree consolidated all her a connection between us, we charge $18 training programs into one, 10-montha month to use the service,” says Tyree. long teacher’s course. She now enjoys The service is available worldwide and teaching public classes and travels to accepts six forms of currency. It is also facilitate yoga asana workshops and simple and easy to cancel at any time. teacher training programs in Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. Tyree’s love To receive a free 30-day trial, visit Dragof music and chanting has led to the onflyYoga.com/online-yoga-studio.

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Standing improves brain function and muscle activation, and burns 50 or more calories per hour, thus making the body more active.

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new wellness meme intones, “Sitting is the new smoking,” promoting obesity, hypertension, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis. This muscle inactivity contributes to a decrease in brain stimulation, blood sugar regulation (diabetes) and poor posture, causing imbalances with tight and weak muscles. The average American spends eight hours a day at work, and that means sitting down. Endocrinologist James Levine has studied the benefits of standing workstations, and research indicates that standing improves brain function and muscle activation, and burns 50 or more calories per hour, thus making the body more active. However, if not done without the proper alignment, standing can do more harm than good, causing foot, knee, back, and neck strains and pain. Any practice of sitting or standing for long periods of time without actively moving in multiple directions can be damaging. Sound standing workstation practices begin with a mat, proper footwear and following guidelines found at Tinyurl.com/OSHA-Ergonomics. In a computer workstation, elbows should be bent at a 90-degree angle and close to the body, with wrists straight, eye level at the top of monitor at a 20-degree tilt and 15 to 30 inches away. Transition into standing 15 minutes

every hour, then try 30, and then one hour each day over a week or two without hunching or slouching to avoid leg and foot fatigue or any neck, back or joint pain. Keep the feet staggered and balanced and switch frequently. Do not lock out the knees or hyperextend the joints and keep proper pelvis and spine alignment. Be careful about standing with a hip hiked to one side or putting weight on one leg for long periods of time. Proper standing posture is based on proper core engagement, from the inner arches of the feet spiraling up all the way to the skull. Strengthening the stabilizing muscles of the core by doing plank exercises, for example, will help aid in the transition to standing. Whether we choose to sit, stand or a combination of both, there are

great ways to counter the effects of the workday with easy at-home or in-office exercises. Rather than making all our activity one-dimensional, such as running, biking or walking, try yoga and other functional activities that make us move in ways to challenge certain muscles and create a more balanced body, free from pain and injury. For some people, just one hour of standing, even split up over the entire day, can make a huge difference. If standing or sitting longer than one hour at a time, or if a standing station is not feasible, take a one-to-two-minute walking or stretching break every hour— twist, bend, rotate and move the body in multiple directions—and try pacing while talking on the phone or have a walking meeting instead of staying seated. These are all brief, convenient ways to incorporate a little movement that makes a big difference in how we feel, which will increase productivity. Nicole Larson, a health fitness specialist at Fit2U Training, holds a master’s degree in exercise physiology and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and National Strength and Conditioning Association. Contact her at 210-602-2061 or Nlarson51708@ gmail.com

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he arrival of planting season has a stunning effect on veggie gardeners. We talk to our seedlings as if they were children, and don’t mind working until dark if that’s what it takes to get the fingerling potatoes in the ground. Then, complications like crabgrass and cabbageworms appear, and keeping up with all the details feels impossible. We can lighten looming chores by using these time-saving tips, which will reduce later workloads when storms and the hot summer sun threaten to squelch the magic. Mulch to reduce watering and prevent weeds. “You can cut your watering time in half by mulching crops with a three-to-four-inch layer of straw or shredded leaves,” says Niki Jabbour, award-winning author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden. “Crops like tomatoes, potatoes, kale, broccoli, cucumbers and squash all benefit from a deep

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mulch, which reduces the need to water and also prevents weeds, saving even more time.” Grow herbs in convenient containers. Family cooks will harvest kitchen herbs every day, in all kinds of weather, so don’t waste footsteps. Grow some parsley, basil and other herbs in large containers near the kitchen door. Try promising perennials. Plant them once, and vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb come back year after year in cold winter climates like the Midwest and Northeast. Where winters are mild, artichokes or chayote (pear squash) are long-lived and productive. Many resilient herbs will return each spring, too, including sage, mints, thyme and oregano. Tarragon and marjoram make trusty perennial herbs in the Sun Belt. Stock up on organic seeds. “As a year-round vegetable gardener, I try to come up with a list of all the seeds I’ll need for every season when I place annual seed orders,” Jabbour says. “That way, I will place fewer orders and have

everything on hand at the proper planting time, saving both time and money.” Organic seeds in consumer seed catalogs and retail racks won’t be genetically modified or treated with pesticides. Be generous with organic compost. With each planting, mix in organic compost along with a balanced organic fertilizer. Food crops grown in organically enriched soil are better able to resist challenges from pests and diseases, which simplifies summer tasks. Grow flowers to attract beneficial insects. Reducing or eliminating pesticides and increasing plantings of flowers can radically improve the balance between helpful and harmful insects in a garden. Horticulturist Jessica Walliser, co-host of Pittsburgh’s The Organic Gardeners KDKA radio show and author of Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, recommends starting with sweet alyssum, an easy-to-grow annual that can be tucked into the edges of beds or added to mixed containers. “The tiny blossoms of sweet alyssum are adept at supporting several species of the non-stinging parasitic wasps that help keep aphids and other common pests in check,” Walliser says. In warm

hail, rabbits and deer. Hoe briefly each day. Commit 10 minutes a day to hoeing. While slicing down young weeds, hill up soil over potatoes or clean up beds ready to be replanted. Look out for small problems to correct before they become big ones. No more misplaced tools. Time is often wasted searching for lost weeders, pruning shears and other hand tools, which are easier to keep track of when painted in bright colors or marked with colored tape. Jabbour uses a tool stash basket placed at the garden entrance. Stop to smell the flowers. Use moments saved to sit quietly, relax and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the garden. Pausing to listen to the birds or watch a honeybee work a flower is part of the earned reward of any healthy garden that can’t be measured by the pound.

climates where they are widely grown, crape myrtles have been found to serve as nurseries for lady beetles, lacewings and other beneficial insects. Protect plants with fabric barriers. Pest insects seeking host plants won’t find cabbage or kale if they’re hidden beneath hoops covered with fine-mesh fabric like wedding net (tulle) or garden fabric row cover. “Cover the plants the day they are transplanted into the garden,” advises Walliser. As long as the edges are securely tucked in, row covers will also protect plants from wind,

Barbara Pleasant, the author of numerous green thumb books, including Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens, grows vegetables, herbs and fruits in Floyd, Virginia. Connect at BarbaraPleasant.com.

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natural awakenings April 2015

Nature’s Wisdom Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us by Christine MacDonald

The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman

hile the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevailing theme in much of modern civilization, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature— and we ignore this vital connection at our peril. “If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E. “Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of nature,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later. Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Today, more of us are looking to nature for ways to improve physical, mental and emotional health, develop 30

intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.

Healthful Nature

As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.” While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical School study, Tokyo). Regular playtime outdoors helps children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, accord-

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ing to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care. Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiritual essence of life. Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn. Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/ OutdoorHealthBenefits Research). “It’s strange and kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.” Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl. com/AmericanHealthTrails). Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He contends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic. We are, in essence, self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.”

Such ideas are commonly accepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrin-yoku, which could be translated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to preserve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).

Innovative Nature

Scientists, inventors and other innovators are increasingly inspired by nature. Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah researchers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/ BiomimicryCaseExamples).

Scientific studies show that a regular dose of nature has far-reaching health benefits. More doctors now write “nature” prescriptions for their patients. The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream. “People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natural world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble. We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspiration” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments. Plants and fungi are now commonly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of

removing pollutants from water and soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers currently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Cyclical Nature

These breakthrough technologies emulate the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth. It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability— building, manufacturing and living in greater harmony with natural systems, perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups. “A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William McDonough, of Charlottesville, Virginia. The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, he is co-author of Cradleto-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that

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editorial calendar

2015 JANUARY

whole systems health plus: energy boosters FEBRUARY

enlightened relationships

Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned to discord. The proportions and accommodations that ensured the stability of existing arrangements are overthrown. Of all organic beings, man alone is to be regarded as essentially a destructive power.

plus: healing grief MARCH

~George Perkins Marsh, Man and Nature (1864)

animal rights

plus: new healthy cuisine APRIL

nature’s wisdom

plus: healthy home MAY

breast health

plus: natural birth JUNE

healing addiction

plus: balanced man JULY

food democracy

plus: inspired living AUGUST

parenting with presence plus: creativity SEPTEMBER

agelessness

plus: yoga benefits OCTOBER

working together

plus: natural antidepressants NOVEMBER

true wealth

plus: beauty DECEMBER

prayer & meditation plus: holiday themes

calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance. McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods— akin to how a forest reuses every deceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life. With 80 percent of U.S. residents currently living in urban areas, architects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work. “Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calming and inspiring environments and encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Green Cities: Good Health. The American Planning Association stresses the importance of integrating green space into urban neighborhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.

Natural Intelligence

A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our 32

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species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle abstract concepts,” points out Anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of the groundbreaking book Intelligence in Nature. At a national conference of Bioneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals. Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.” We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons. The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle analysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s immune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change. “‘Nature’ is our natural environ-

ment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to reconnect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.” Houseplants, nature photos and aromatherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature. The wealth of research and common sense wisdom is aptly summed up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.” Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science. Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.

healingways

Spring Greening Easy Ways to Detox a House by Lane Vail

True-Life ‘Aha!’ Reads 10 Lessons from Nature to Inspire Our Everyday Lives by David Miller, Tinyurl.com/10InspiringLessons FromNature 9 Amazing Lessons from Nature to Inspire Your Everyday Life by Annie Hauser, Tinyurl.com/9InspiringLessons FromNature Intelligence in Nature by Jeremy Narby Life Lessons from Nature by Elvis Newman Cathedrals of the Spirit by T. C. McLuhan Your Brain on Nature by Eva Selhub

or most individuals, odorous chemicals are simply unpleasant. For those that are sensitive and susceptible, however, even common chemical exposures may evoke a toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT) marked by multiplesystem symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and food intolerance. Since the post-World War II expansion of petrochemicals, the incidence of TILT has increased dramatically, says Claudia Miller, a medical doctor, researcher and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and co-author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes. “Fortunately, public awareness has also grown significantly in the last few years,” says Rick Smith, Ph.D., a Canadian environmentalist who co-authored Toxin Toxout. “Now companies and governments worldwide are moving toward making safer products.” We can support progress by leveraging some practical tips in greening our home. Start somewhere. Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) that in-

clude formaldehyde and benzene are concealed in household items such as couches, chairs, particleboard furniture, mattresses, box springs, carpeting, rugs, synthetic flooring, wallpaper and paint. Green TV host and Fresh Living author Sara Snow implores us not to become overwhelmed, disheartened or fearful. “Creating a healthy home is a gradual process that doesn’t require throwing all the furniture out,” she advises. Start by scrutinizing labels and choosing not to bring new toxins in. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely found to be associated with reproductive toxicity and is found in many waterproofed and flexible plastics. Select PVC-free toys, shower curtain liners and mattress covers. In the kitchen, avoid potentially carcinogenic perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) found in nonstick coatings of pots and pans. Toss the Teflon when it scratches, says Snow, and upgrade to stainless steel or cast iron. Weed out bisphenols, the DNA-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and epoxy resin can liners. Even “BPA-free” products likely contain alternative and equally harmful natural awakenings April 2015

substances, according to a recent study published in Chemosphere. Choose clear glass instead of plastic containers. When remodeling, look for zeroVOC items, Miller says, plus materials free of stain-resistant sprays and flame retardants whose efficacy is questionable. Consider natural fiber rugs like jute or wool. Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwoods or alternative flooring like cork or glass tile are safer investments in long-term well-being. Clean green. Conventional cleaners are among the worst offenders, and even some “eco-cleaners” can be deceptively unsafe, says Smith. He recommends avoiding antibacterial products containing triclosan, which proliferates antibiotic-resistant bacteria that prolong and exacerbate illnesses, as well as phthalates, a chemical oil that carries artificial aromas and has been repeatedly linked to cancer and abnormal fetal development. “Even so-called natural fragrances are often complex petrochemicals that outgas and contaminate the air,” notes Miller. Snow advises formulating products at home using staple pantry ingredients, including distilled white vinegar for disinfecting, baking soda for scouring, liquid castile soap for sudsing, lemon juice for degreasing and olive oil for polishing. Freshen with fresh air. Americans spend about 90 percent of their time amid indoor air pollutants that are

Even small changes can measurably reduce your family’s daily exposure to healthdamaging chemicals. ~Rick Smith significantly more concentrated than outdoor pollutants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports. “Most energy-efficient homes are well sealed with ventilation systems that recirculate indoor air, so opening the windows helps dilute accumulated airborne toxins,” says Miller. Snow further recommends bringing air-purifying plants into the home such as Gerbera daisies, bamboo palms and English ivy. Vacuum and dust. Vacuuming with a high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter and dusting with a moist cloth eliminates allergens such as pet dander, mites, pollen and mold, and helps remove phthalates, flame retardants, lead and pesticides that “latch onto house dust and accumulate in dust bunnies,” says Smith. Weed out lawn chemicals. “Organophosphate pesticides are profoundly neurotoxic,” says Miller, especially to the developing brains of children. Instead try integrated pest management, which involves controlling pests’ food

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sources and applying non-toxic deterrents. Eliminating potentially carcinogenic herbicides might mean managing more weeds, says Snow, but it’s worth it. Eat green. “Buying produce as close to its source as possible, from a farmer or farmers’ market, provides threefold benefits,” says Snow—less wasteful packaging, reduced exposure to chemical plastics and greater concentration of health-promoting nutrients. Buy in bulk and favor glass containers or rectangular cardboard cartons. Take tests. Radon, an invisible, odorless gas that can emanate from the ground and accumulate in homes, annually causes 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths, according to the U.S. EPA. Lead, a neurotoxin that may occasionally leach from home water pipes, can also hide in pre-1978 paint. Testing for both and implementing reduction or precautionary measures is simple, advises Smith. Most hardware stores stock test kits. Take action. Join with other concerned citizens by launching a pertinent petition at Change.org; campaigning with organizations like the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) or Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SaferChemicals.org); and supporting cleaner, greener companies with family purchases. Lane Vail is a freelance writer and blogger at DiscoveringHomemaking.com.

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productspotlight

Home Air Improvement A New Solution to Indoor Allergies by Kyla Stevens

In recent decades, homes have been built tighter to increase energy efficiency, causing airborne pollutants and the byproducts of living to stay contained indoors with little fresh air relief.

he Everclean Green air filter, developed by eGreen technologies and marketed locally by Emerald Air Services, protects homes by reducing energy use and indoor pollution. The air inside our homes is polluted by volatile organic chemicals (VOC) that include lead (in house dust), formaldehyde, fire retardants, radon gas or fragrances used in conventional cleaners, shed skin, decomposed insects, carpet fibers and animal dander. The Everclean Green air filter utilizes a method of scrubbing the air and freeing airflow using an invisible broadband electromagnetic energy and hydroxide technology that cleans the air without restricting airflow, thus eliminating the diffusion of VOC and the collection of debris on the evaporator coil. This exclusive new technology

is an innovation that is changing an industry comparable to what the selfdefrosting refrigerators and self-cleaning ovens did to their industries. In recent decades, homes have been built tighter to increase energy efficiency, causing airborne pollutants and the byproducts of living to stay contained indoors with little fresh air relief. The primary factors which increase concentrations of pollutants are inadequate ventilation, high temperatures and humidity. Potential health risks associated with exposure to VOC include nausea, dizziness, worsening of allergies and asthma; and with long-term exposure, increased risk of cancer, kidney, liver and nervous system damage. There are many sources of VOC in the home, they range from combustibles like

wood and off-gassing from cabinetry or furniture made of pressed wood products to seemingly benign carpet backing, pollen tracked by our pets or a new coat of paint on the walls. The number one aggressor in indoor air pollutants is mold within the air conditioning unit. To improve indoor air quality and eliminate VOC in the home, an adequate air filtration system is the best solution. Douglas Wagner, the co-owner of Emerald Air Heating and Air Conditioning, explains this mechanism: “The evaporating coil on an AC unit moves equivalent of the total volume of air in the home every eight minutes,” says Wagner. “This provides a large opportunity for the organic material that is produced by daily living to be delivered to the cold, dark and damp environment of the unit to feed mold spores, which feed and then circulated their byproduct VOC throughout the house or building.” Molds are estimated to be the primary cause of 80 percent of allergies and asthma. Emerald Air customer Charles Key says, “My wife and I were always suffering from allergies. After a few weeks with the Everclean system in place, we have gone off our allergy medication.” Key has also seen a decline in his energy consumption every month. “Our kilowatt usage has declined 3 to 10 kilowatts per day since installation.” By creating a healthier indoor environment using a greener ventilation system, homeowners can prevent exposure to both short-term and longterm allergens, pollutants and VOC to eliminate allergy and asthma triggers and increase energy efficiency. Having indoor air quality tested is the first step to help you breathe easier. Emerald Air Services serves Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties that offers comprehensive repairs, installations and emergency service 24 hours a day, even on weekends and holidays. For more information, visit EmeraldAir Services.com. Kyla Stevens is a freelance writer in St. Petersburg, FL, for Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at Kyla.Stevens@ ncf.edu. natural awakenings April 2015

ecospotlight

Solar Gridlock

Florida’s Solar Power at a Crossroad by Daralyn Chase

nitiatives are underway to make solar powered electricity competitive with traditional sources of electricity by the end of the decade. Dan Gardner, owner of Compass Solar, is encouraged as the cost of producing solar energy comes closer to offering real savings. He states that the cost of solar is just about on par with the cost of coal or oil now because of new technology to

produce cheaper photovoltaic panels and declining installation costs. The U.S. solar industry had a record-shattering year in 2014, accounting for a third of all new electric generating capacity installed. There is now enough solar power installed in the U.S. to power 4 million homes. Solar accounted for 32 percent of new generating capacity in the U.S. last

Northwest Florida

Resources and Participants

FloridaPace.gov Outreach Coordinator Veronica Cross 866-558-3180 Compass Solar 850-439-0035, CompassSolar.com Emerald Air 850-244-2665, EmeraldAirServices.com Everclean Green 850-244-2655, EvercleanGreen.com Gulf Coast Insulation 850-685-9709, GulfCoastInsulation.com Gulf Coast LED Lighting 850-512-0272, GulfCoastLedLighting.com

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year, beating out both wind energy and coal for the second year in a row. Only natural gas constituted a greater share of new generating capacity. For the first time, each of the three major U.S. market segments—utility, commercial and residential—installed more than a gigawatt of photovoltaic (PV) power last year, according to a new report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association. Plus, more than half a gigawatt of residential solar installations came on line without any state incentives in 2014. A new bill in Congress would lower the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency clean air standards after which Florida has modeled their own, and Gardner is concerned about current action that the Florida legislature is taking to follow suit. Some legislators argue that the present standards will cause conventional energy rates to skyrocket. Gardner states, “Nothing’s changed in the belief that we either pay it now or pay it later. When you consider that coal-fired power plants generate over 140 million tons of toxic coal ash every year; enough to fill 426,780 Olympic swimming pools, we must consider what the cleanup cost of coal is now and in the future. We finally have the resources now that are on par with coal production, between solar panels and natural gas as a back-up.” Gardner also supports the Floridians for Solar Choice (FSC), which would allow Floridians the choice to buy solar-generated electricity directly from a company other than a monopoly electric utility, which is currently against the law. “Local power companies would not be investing in solar energy themselves if they didn’t believe it was a viable resource, but making choices available is exactly what we need in order to bring more opportunity and lower costs to consumers,” he says. “We must urge our community to get behind this ballot because I believe it will open the door for more financing options.” For more information, visit CompassSolar.com and seia.org/smi.

localexpert

Green Paint Safer Paints Bear Peace of Mind by John S. Frey

aint is everywhere we look. It makes our life colorful and comfortable and even affects our moods. Paint can be found on the walls of our homes, our work places, offices, playgrounds, hospitals, theaters and stores. It’s also the first thing we think of when we want to update the look of our surroundings. But there’s danger lurking in that can, in the form of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC), the source of that new paint smell. Exposure to VOC in paint can trigger asthma stacks, eye irritation and dizziness and other symptoms, and studies indicate long-term exposure to VOC may be linked to cancer. Thus, choosing a low- or no-VOC paint can improve indoor air quality and our health. Voluntary compliance for VOC content in paint products has been described by Green Seal, an independent nonprofit that sets standards for environmentally responsible products. The Green Seal certification standard GS-11 is based on VOC content, the absence of chemicals, durability and performance, among other criteria. Look for this seal when buying paint. The Behr Premium paint line has a zero-VOC version that comes in more than 4,000 colors and is available at

Home Depot. Benjamin Moore has a line of Natura waterborne paint, a zeroVOC qualifying product that comes in the company’s full line of colors and doesn’t need a primer on most surfaces. Sherwin-Williams has a zero-VOC Harmony acrylic latex paint with antimicrobial additives to help minimize the growth of mold and mildew on both the interior and exterior of a dwelling. Milk paint is an organic product with ingredients that include biodegradable proteins, milk and minerals. It is made from milk, lime and pigment found in the environment, such as coal for a black pigment or clay for a reddish tint. A new paint from YOLO Color-

house is made without carcinogens, VOC, formaldehyde or phthalates. The containers are 100 percent recycled plastic and the trucks used to ship the product use bio-diesel fuel. Choosing a professional painter is just as important as the paint. They should be fully licensed and insured, with references from past clients. Talk with them about the type of surface to be painted and whether they need to do repairs such as filling holes or removing curtains and towel bars. The location of the job is also important if it is outdoors and subject to the weather. The degree of difficulty is often related to the price quote, which should be in writing, and include materials to be furnished and necessary labor, including assistants. Deposits are often required and the painter may requiring the owner of the property to show proof of fire, tornado and other necessary insurance. Choosing no-VOC, fast-drying paint helps both the customer and the painter, because they are exposed to the fumes on a regular basis. While we are not responsible for their welfare in their chosen profession, it might be that our own inquiries lead the painter to discover insights about new products they can recommend to future customers, completing a circle of awareness that benefits everyone. John S. Frey is the manager of Spectrum Painting of Northwest Florida, LLC, in Niceville. For more information, call 850-897-0700.

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Dogs with Library Cards Kids Love Reading to Animals by Sandra Murphy

The goal of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ), launched in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1999 as part of Intermountain Therapy Animals, is to improve children’s literacy skills with the mentoring help of certified therapy teams. Its reach has spread through library programs across the U.S. and Canada and internationally, with other therapy groups following suit.

“

octors told the parents of an 11-year-old autistic son that he would never read… so quit trying to teach him,” says Suzanne Vening, an organic farmer in Jackson, Mississippi. “The doctor didn’t count on Adam, my Australian shepherd.” Abused and abandoned before being adopted by Vening, she had trained him for therapy work. Vening knew nothing about autistic or learning-disabled children, but she knew Adam could work miracles. The boy made eye contact with Adam during his library visit and read a few words. His parents were overjoyed as his reading continued to improve. “It’s hard to include children with special needs in many family activities,” Vening says. “A library is a place the whole family can enjoy.”

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She advises, “Designate a safe corner where a child can escape if feeling overwhelmed. After entering the room, handlers should sit on the floor with the dog lying beside them. A standing dog can cause too much excitement. It’s important to trust that your therapy dog will know how to approach a child that’s afraid, has tremors or can’t sit up or sit still.” “An animal’s heartbeat seems to call to kids,” observes Rachael Barrera, a children’s librarian at Brook Hollow Public Library, in San Antonio, Texas. “Dogs have come here once a week for more than a year. Now older kids that are comfortable with the reading program are showing younger ones how to choose a book.”

photo courtesy of Jean Maclean

naturalpet

At California’s Benicia Public Library, kids read to Honey, a friendly brown dog, on Wednesday afternoons. Sheila Jordan, managing editor and owner of Booklandia, founded in Bend, Oregon, says her 8-year-old, Chase, found it difficult to concentrate because of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). “The Tales and Tails program was a big help. All summer, we went every week and chose books he said the dog would love.” Jordan’s reward was a more focused child; Chase’s reward was a dog of his own last fall. North Carolina’s Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers 14,000 free programs a year throughout its 20 locations, including Paws to Read. Librarian Cathy Cartledge, reading program coordinator for the Morrison Regional branch, shares this story from Jaylee’s mom, Jill. “Jaylee was tutored in reading for a year. After she also began reading to Zoey, a great Pyrenees, or Hunter, a golden retriever, I saw improvement in fluency, confidence and enjoyment. It worked miracles compared with the hours and money spent for tutoring,” her mom remarks. The Mount Prospect Library, near Chicago, has an age requirement for its Tales to Tails program. “Rachael, 8, will hardly put a book down now,” says her

mom, Nicole Sasanuma, a senior associate with Business Communications & Advocacy, in Northbrook, Illinois. “Her sister, Emi, 6, is anxious for her next birthday so she ‘can read to doggies,’ too.” Reading programs aren’t limited to libraries or schools. Jean Maclean, of Lompoc, California, trains her two dogs in agility and rally skills. For a change of pace, they visit the Chumash Learning Center, in Santa Ynez, once a month. The Chumash people value education from both its elders and teachers outside the tribe. Maclean relates that Donny, age 11, was afraid of dogs until he met hers, after which his teachers saw his reading improve three levels in one semester. Animals help kids relax and become teachers to the dogs. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have found that reading skills for kids that read to dogs during a 10-week literacy program improved by 12 percent. Children in the same program that didn’t do the same showed no improvement. Dogs and other pets prove that reading out loud doesn’t have to be scary. All it takes is a good book and a good listener. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

Other Four-Footed Reading Partners photo courtesy of Nancy Bailey

Cleo, a small gray cat that lives with Michelle Cardosi, a retail clerk in Denver, enjoyed her Love on a Leash therapy visits. When she became arthritic, moving from lap-to-lap was painful, and Cardosi considered retiring her, but Cleo didn’t agree. “So we went to the library’s Whiskers and Tales program instead, where she could sit on a pillow, get petted and be the center of attention,” she says. “She was able to visit until her 18th birthday.” Clifford, a 24-year-old Morgan horse, is a well-known literacy advocate. He tours libraries in Michigan and using a sponge and watercolor paint, “signs” his biography, Clifford of Drummond Island, by author and Lansing artist Nancy Bailey, for his fans. “The kids probably won’t remember what I say, but they’ll always remember the day they saw a horse in the library,” says Bailey. “We’ve been visiting for about four years. He’s nosy and gets into everything, like the day he noticed the used book shelf. He picked out pulp fiction books and kept handing them to me.” Bailey notes that Clifford teaches children that horses have feelings and a sense of humor when he goes for laughs and changes his responses when doing tricks.

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Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

Strong Winds Strong Roots

great experiment in the desert called the biodome created a living environment for human, plant and animal life. A huge glass dome was constructed to house an artificial, controlled environment with purified air and water, healthy soil and filtered light. The intent was to afford perfect growing conditions for trees, fruits and vegetables, as well as humans. People lived in the biodome, for many months at a time, and everything seemed to do well with one exception. When the trees grew to a certain height, they would topple over. It baffled scientists until they realized they forgot to include the natural element of wind. Trees need wind to blow against them because it causes their root systems to grow deeper, which supports the tree as it grows taller. Who among us doesn’t long for a perfect growing environment for ourselves, with no disruptions from outside influences? We strive to avoid the times of contrast and tension, when life’s daily challenges push against us. When they do, the normal tendency is to curse them. If trees could talk, would we hear them curse the wind each time they encountered a storm? We can learn a great deal from nature’s wisdom at work if we are open to the lesson. Watch how a tree bends and sways gracefully when the wind blows against it. It does not stand rigid, resisting the flow of energy. It does not push back. The tree accepts the strong wind as a blessing that helps it grow. Such experiences develop our character and deepen our spiritual roots. When we grow deep, we too, stand tall. Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., is the author of Your Re-Defining Moments, The Art of Uncertainty and The Art of Being, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality as a minister, teacher, coach and lecturer for 30 years. Learn more at DennisMerrittJones.com.

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calendarofevents All calendar events must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Limited to approximately 50 words. See exact character count on website. Submit from our website at NWFNaturally.com. $10 per regular listing. $50 Save the Date ad.

resiliency. This class is full of practice but, ends with each participant giving and receiving an EEM mini-session. Full day retreat with light organic lunch options available for purchase during the 2hr break Complementary sauna and steam therapies available. (bring swim suites). NCBTM - Approved 6 hrs. Class size limited 24 participants. via Skype Availble. Advance Reg. Req. $125 (add $10.00 for CE). East of Eden Retreat and Spa, 234 Dog Hobble lane, Point Washington, Santa Rosa Beach. 850-797-4754. EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa@gmail. com. EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com. Earth Day Bay County 2015 – 10am-4pm. 11th Annual Earth Day Bay County Festival. McKenzie Park in downtown Panama City.EearthDayBayCounty.com .

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 Friday Candlelight Meditation with Dr. Michael DeMaria – 7:30p-9pm. A meaningful holy week meditation on Good Friday remembering the day Christ was crucified to contemplate all that is dying in our lives so we can make room for all that is trying to be birthed in our lives. Be encourage to let go and surrendering deeply, honoring the profound mystery of life and death that we find in each breath, accommpanied by candlelight. $20. Breathe Yoga and Wellness Center, Historic Seville Square, 505 Adams St, Pensacola. 850-470-4444. Info@BreathePcola.com. BreathePcola.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Book Signing - Uncommon Faith – 12-2pm. In her powerful and motivating book, Felicia McQuaid reveals her personal journey of transforming difficulty into divine purpose, sharing life lessons that anyone can use to transform their own internal struggles and live on purpose Felicia McQuaid will be signing her book Uncommon Faith: The Journey from Difficulty to Divine Purpose. Free. Sundog Books, 89 Central Sq., Seaside. 850-231-5481. SundogBooks.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Lunar Eclipse Event with Alice McCall – 9-10:30am. Through a guided healing meditation you will be aligned with the new aspects that are beginning to be revealed for yourself and the earth. $20 Via Teleconference. Res. Req., Alice@HealingPath.info. 850-585-5496. HealingPath.info.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 Ayurveda Health Course – 9am-4pm. Prudence Bruns, PhD will be discussing the 6 pre-cursors to disease and how to implement the Ayurvedic Health principles into your daily life. $120, Deposit & Pre-Reg. Req. Space is limited. Lunch is provided. $120. The Metamorphosis Clinic, formerly Skindeep Clinic, 4012 Commons Dr. West, Destin. 850-269-1414. Fairy Festival – 10am-6pm. A Spring celebration to include Aura Photography, John of God Light Bed, Intuitive Readers, Various Vendors, Raffles, Music. Free Admission. Stone Soup ISC, 700 Beal Pkwy., Unit D, Ft Walton Beach. 8505336565. IntuitiveSpiritualCenter@gmail.com.

The Magic of Yoga – 11am-12:15pm. Felicia will discuss the magic that can happen with a faith-filled practice. Stay after yoga, Felicia will be discussing the principle of Uncommon Faith as a daily practice for your life. Awaken the faith that is within you. Discussion begins at 12:30 Both events $20.$10.00 yoga only. The Studio at Zen, 707 Richard Jackson Blvd., Panama City Beach. 850-819-0231. TheStudioAtZen.com. Active Recovery Workshop with Dylan Churchwell – 2-4pm. Crossfit athletes, runners, cyclists, yogis. This workshop is geared toward speeding up the time it takes your body to heal from working out. You will learn techniques that will increase range of motion in your joints and increase flexibility. $30 online/ $35 at the door. East of Eden Retreat and Spa, 234 Dog Hobble Lane, Point Washington, Santa Rosa Beach. 850-797-4754. EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa@ gmail.com. EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com. Yoga of Twilight: Transitioning with Grace and Grit, On and Off the Mat with Dr. Michael DeMaria – 3-5pm. Transtion to a liminal place – betwixt and between where great challenge and beauty reside. This ‘gap’ is the place where all manifestation occurs. Practice the art of unknowing, surrendering into the twilight your own being and becoming through meditation, movement and mindfulness practices. $25. URU Yoga and Beyond, 2400 Executive Plaza Rd, Pensacola. 850-377-5334. Info@UruYoga.com. UruYoga.com.

Taking Flight: A Foundation for Arm Balances – 1-3pm. Join Michelle Hill and Jacqueline Massie as they teach you how to develop your foundation toward arm balances and taking flight. Poses will be individually broken down so that practitioners can safely move toward these amazing poses. $25 advance/$30 at door. The Yoga Junkie Studio, 1157 John Sims Pkwy., Niceville. 850-279-6980. YogaJunkieStudio@gmail.com. YogaJunkieStudio.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23 Musical Echoes Native Flute School with Dr. Michael DeMaria, Dr. Clint Goss and Vera Shanov – 9am-5pm. 2-day intensive program. 4/23, 4/24. Immediately followed by the main Musical Echoes Flute Festival. Two days of workshops, presentations, and (most enjoyably) music-making. A main focus of the session will be on the topics of: Health & Healing Song Composition, and Solo Performing. Each day can be attended separately. $100 per day or $169 for both. Marina Bay Resort, 80 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE, Fort Walton Beach. NativeFluteSchool. com/menfs15.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

Joint Care with Alice McCall–6pm-7pm. A guided healing meditation that targets healing and preventative care to have healthy joints. Experience energy work on this issue. $15 Via Teleconference. Res. Req., Alice@HealingPath.info. 850-585-5496. HealingPath.info.

eVest Florida PACE Workshop – 8:30am-9:30am. Covers wind-hardening upgrades, energy efficiency updates and renewable generation (solar) projects for commercial and residential property owners in Walton County and commercial property owners in Escambia County. Learn about qualifying projects and finance terms with no upfront costs or credit check. Eligibale amount is dependent on the equity in the property, with terms are up to 25 years. Contractors will learn how to become PACE-authorized and offer their services to interested property owners that want to use PACE funding. Free. Coffee and bagels will be provided. RSVP eVestFlorida.com event/ registration page. Free. Veronica Cross, 850855-2682 or crossv@FloridaPACE.gov. Walton County Area Chamber, 63 South Centre Trail, Santa Rosa Beach. eVestFlorida.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

Energy Medicine 101 Full Day Retreat with Tanni Hall – 9am-05pm. Increase your vitality, improve your health, and feel more joyful with Eden Energy Medicine, instruction and hands-on experience introduced in Donna Eden's award winning book, Energy Medicine. Be empowered with self care techniques to increase your energy, fortify your immune system, enhance inner peace, and build

Cool to Bring Kids – 1-2:30pm. Monthly "Cool to Bring Kids" yoga class, a lighthearted and playful practice with adult and child interaction. Recommended for children ages 5-12. Teach your little one the benefits of yoga. Regular class fees, first child FREE. 2nd $5. The Yoga Junkie Studio, 157 John Sims Parkway, Niceville. 850-279-6980. YogaJunkieStudio@gmail.com. YogaJunkieStudio.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14

natural awakenings April 2015

ongoingevents All calendar events must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Limited to approximately 25 words. See exact character count on website. Submit from our website only at NWFNaturally.com. $10 per entry.

sunday Michael Brant DeMaria in Concert at Musical Echoes 2015 – 7-7:45pm. 4-time Grammy nominee, Native American Music Award Winner and 6 time ZMR Award Winning recording artist Michael Brant DeMaria will be playing at the beautiful outdoor venue at the Landing in Fort Walton Beach for the 2014 Musical Echoes Festival. Michael has 5 consecutive number one albums and is regularly heard on XM/Sirius radio, Soundscapes Cable, and Echoes. Free. The Landing Ft. Walton Beach, FWB. MusicalEchoes.com.

Bhakti Flow with Tammy BInkley & Shantaya – 9:30-10:45am. Om chanting, healing mantras, yoga asanas and divine kirtan and crystal bowl sounds—all in this hour & fifteen minute class spiritual experinece that will leave you rejuvenated and elated. . $15.00. East of Eden Retreat and Spa, 234 Dog Hobble lane, Point Washington,Santa Rosa Beach. 850-797-4754. EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa@gmail.com. East OfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com.

monday

SUNDAY, APRIL 26 Partner Yoga – 2-4pm. Connect with your favorite person through this fun and inspiring Partner Yoga Workshop, led by two beautiful yogi souls Shantaya and Addison Wakeford. No prior partner yoga experience necessary. Space is limited. Pre-Reg. Recommended. Reg Online $40 per couple, $45 at the door. East of Eden Retreat and Spa, 234 Dog Hobble Lane, Point Washington, Santa Rosa Beach. 850-797-4754. EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa@gmail. com. EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26 Yoga FUNdraiser for ADK – 1-2:30pm. Join Cristina Boswell for this all levels yoga class that will benefit the ADK scholarship House at FSU. The ADK house is for women seeking their degree in education. Funds help with books, supplies, and other needs for college students. Suggested donation $10-$15. The Yoga Junkie Studio, 1157 John Sims Pkwy., Niceville. 850-279-6980. YogaJunkieStudio@gmail.com. YogaJunkieStudio.com.

plan ahead SUNDAY, MAY 3 Endocrine System Healing with Alice McCall – 3-4:30pm. The endocrine system regulates hormones that play vital roles in our wellbeing. Experience energy work to clear and open this part of you for physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. $20 Via Teleconference. Res. Req., Alice@HealingPath. info. 850-585-5496. HealingPath.info.

savethedate THURSDAY, MAY 9 Yoga Junkie 1st Year Anniversay Celebration – Free Classes, Live Music, Membership Specials and more. For complete agenda visit Yogajunkiestudio.com.

Massage Monday – 9am-6pm. Reduced rate massage with Mike Ortega (MA 75894) when you use promo code: Mikecc. Massage for balance, health and well-being. $55. The Healing Clinic of Fort Walton Beach, 184 Brooks St, Bldg #1, Fort Walton Beach. 850-217-2771. YoginiFelicia@yahoo.com. TheHealingClinicFWB.com. Lunch Time Yoga – 11-11:45am. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. Start your week of right. Get loosened up and get that breath moving deep in the body. $12. Light Energy Dancing, 348 Miracle Strip Pkwy, Ste 27, FWB. 850-543-1970. LightEnergyDancing@ gmail.com. LightEnergyDancing.com. Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 6-7pm. Vinyasa Flow Yoga. All levels welcome. Focus on releasing tension, stress and dis-ease in the physical body. 60 Min. Followed by an optional public meditation following at 7pm. $12. Light Energy Dancing, 348 Miracle Strip Pkwy, Ste 27, FWB. 850-543-1970. LightEnergyDancing@gmail. com. LightEnergyDancing.com. Yoga – 6pm. With Amy Likins. Yoga teacher training workshops and CEUs available. Yoga Alliance registered. See website for current schedule. Northwest Ballet Annex Studio, Brooks St, Fort Walton Beach. SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com.

tuesday Yoga – 9am. With Amy Likins. Yoga teacher training workshops and CEUs available. Yoga Alliance registered. See website for current schedule. Northwest Ballet Annex Studio, Brooks St, Fort Walton Beach. SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com. Aquachi Detox Footbath – 10am-2pm. The AQUACHI Ionic Foot Bath is great therapy for simple detoxing and a natural way to enhance your overall sense of well-being and amplifies the body’s ability to heal itself. The energized water helps to re-balance the body’s energy meridians by permeating and realigning an individual’s energy

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

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field. The session is followed with Young Living Essential Oils. $30/30 minute session. The Healing Clinic, 184 Brooks St. Bldg 1, Fort Walton Beach. 850-217-2771. TheHealingClinicFWB.com. Transcendental Meditation Group Meditation – 6-7:30pm. Transcendental Meditation Group Meditation - The Metamorphosis Clinic, formerly Skindeep Clinic, 4012 Commons Drive, Destin, FL. Please confirm your attendance with text to: 850-269-1414 . None. The Metamorphosis Clinic, formerly Skindeep Clinic, 4012 Commons Dr. West, Destin. 850-269-1414.

wednesday Gentle Flow Yoga - 10-11:15am. Beginner based therapeutic movement combined with breath awareness and guided meditation. Healing for the body, mind and soul.Taught by Master Teacher, Felicia McQuaid with over 12yrs of experience. 850-2172771. Drop in fee. Dragonfly Yoga, 184 Brooks St. Bldg 2, FWB. 850-217-2771.TheHealingClinicFWB.com. Taoist Tai Chi Beginner Class – 5pm. Give yourself the gift of health this year. Tai Chi practice is for everyone. Beginners are welcome any time. A Dance Studio, 1047 E John Sims Pkwy, Niceville. 334-328-8647. TTcsvalp@earthlink.net. Taoist.org. Hot Yoga – 5:30pm. A well-rounded flowing practice to invigorate the body and calm the mind. Dynamic routines in a hot room encourage focus on process rather than result. All levels welcome. Several pricing options. The Yoga Junkie Studio, 1157 John Sims Parkway, Niceville. 850-279-6980. YogaJunkieStudio.com. Candlelight Yoga – 5:45-7pm. Melt your stress away in this creative flow class designed to soothe and warm your body while you release tension and renew your strength in the soft glow of candlelight. $15/drop in, packages available. Sunshine Yoga, 211-E Main St, Destin. 850-687-8603. Kim@SunshineYogaStudio.com. SunshineYogaStudio.com.

thursday Lunch Time Yoga – 11-11:45am. A class for all, especially those who are getting back to practicing or recovering from an injury and need to work through mobility issues. Regain strength and flexibility. 45 min. All levels welcome. $12. Light Energy Dancing, 348 Miracle Strip Pkwy, Ste 27, FWB. 850-543-1970. LightEnergyDancing@gmail.com. LightEnergyDancing.com. Caregivers Education & Support Group – 2-4pm. 4th Thur. Covenant Alzheimer’s Services Caregiver Education and Support Group. Onsite respite care can be provided. RSVP, Maureen: 850-244-8933. Unity of Ft Walton Beach, 1797 Hurlburt Rd, FWB.

classifieds Submit classified entries online only at NWFNaturally.com. The submission form is located on the Advertising web page. $20 for 20 words, $1 per extra word.

Kids Yoga – 4:30-5:30pm. Children gain body awareness, improved concentration and self-confidence. Recommended for ages 5-10. $14/drop in, $80/6 classes, $40/siblings 6 class. Sunshine Yoga, 211-E Main St, Destin. 850-687-8603. Kim@sunshineyogastudio.com. SunshineYogaStudio.com. Yoga w/ Meditation and Pranic Healing – 6-7pm. Yoga combined with meditation and Pranic Healing. Learn how to release negative, used up energy from the physical and energetic body. Everyone welcome. 60 min. $12. Light Energy Dancing, 348 Miracle Strip Pkwy, Suite 27, Fort Walton Beach. 850-543-1970. LightEnergyDancing@gmail.com. LightEnergyDancing.com. Meditation on Twin Hearts/Pranic Healing Clinic – 6:30-7:30pm. Meditation followed by a free Pranic Healing Clinic. Treat yourself to some Zen and stress relief. Donations. Energy Alchemy, 12118 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Ste 10/11, PCB. PranicHealingLorah.com.

friday Kids Yoga w/Shantaya – 4-4:45pm. Introduce your children to yoga with this fun, interactive class. The perfect way to enter the weekend relaxed and inspired. Give your kids the gift of self-care, compassion and wisdom. $60.00. East of Eden Retreat and Spa, 234 Dog Hobble Ln, Point Washington, Santa Rosa Beach. 850-797-4754. EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa@gmail.com. EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com.

saturday Meditation and Pranic Healing Clinic – 9:1510:15am. Twin Hearts Meditation to bless the planet, the people in your life and bring blessings into your own life. Stay afterward for our free Pranic Healing clinic. Donations. Light Energy Dancing, 348 Miracle Strip Pkwy, Suite 27, Fort Walton Beach. 8505431970. LightEnergDdancing@gmail.com. lightenergydancing.com. Meditation on Twin Hearts/Pranic Healing Clinic – 10:30-11:30am. Treat yourself to some Zen and stress relief. Donations. Energy Alchemy, 12118 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Ste 10/11, PCB. PranicHealingLorah.com. Waiest Qigong – 6:15-7:15am. Waiest® Qigong, Tai Chi & Meditation Class - Train with a true chi monk in the Zen Center at Dragon Dojo Martial Arts. Come by and try it for free. Call 850-248-0999 or 850-248-8997. $45 a month. Zen Center, 3901 W. Hwy. 390, Panama City. Waiest.com.

CLASSES/TRAINING

ROOM RENTALS

FREE WORKSHOPS “A HEALTHIER YOU” – Deana Cooper Chapman, CCH, CNLP; Offers free monthly workshops that cover Insomnia, Weight Loss, Sports Performance, Addiction, Self-confidence and more! Change your thinking and achieve your highest goals with powerful tools including NLP, Hypnosis and Life Coaching.8th Element Wellness, 90 Beal Pkwy NW Suite A-1 Ft. Walton Beach. 850-261-3596.

PRACTITIONER ROOM AVAILABLE – 8th Element Wellness is looking for a reliable, enthusiastic Health care practitioner who wants to rent space and be a complimentary addition to our team. Room for rent in calm environment at 90 Beal Pkwy in Ft Walton Bch. If interested, please call Christie at 850-598-7515 or Alex at 850-582-2285.

HEALTH COACHING, NUTRITION AND PERSONAL TRAINING – Do you want to lose weight, get rid of stress, feel good? I offer coaching, meal plans, personal training and Yahweh yoga to help you reach your goals. I will guide you daily and help you succeed. Call Tracy at 850-481-6992.

HELP WANTED MODELS WANTED – Currently seeking models for a Brazilian wax, Esthetician and Balayage Hair Color. Services provided by Junior Stylist. Each service is $25 to cover cost of products. When booking, please let us know you are interested in being a model. Brava Hair Studio, Day Spa & Boutique,FWB. 850-833-3003. Brava HairStudio.com.

PRODUCTS CANNABIS BEAUTY DEFINED ANTIAGING SKIN CARE – This revitalizing hemp CBD skin care line soothes and detoxes. http://store.kannaway.com/?1846850 850-384-1075. GEOTHERMAL HVAC SYSTEM FOR YOU HOME. Let the earth do the work of heating and cooling your home. Geo-Thermal systems are easy on your pocket and easy on the earth. P.A.C.E. qualified Contractor. Call today to learn more, 850-244-2665 or go to Emerald AirServices.com. GOURMET LOOSE LEAF TEA – Let The Zen Center show you how to enjoy dessert, fruit infused, green, herbal & exotic black teas. 3901 W Hwy 390, Panama City. 850-248-8997.

SERVICES DEEP CLEANSING FACIAL – Deep Cleansing Facial includes a Microdermabrasion and Enzyme Peel. Only $75 (regular cost over $200). Brava Hair Studio, Day Spa & Boutique, FWB. 850-833-3003. BravaHairStudio.com. LASER THERAPY AND MORE – Pro-Active Chiropractic, Dr. Brian Schuessler provides adjustments, Chiropractic, massage, Ultrasound, Cryotherapy, Custom Foot Orthotics as well the treatment utilizing LASER therapy. Call for an appointment today. 850-279-4913. 4591 Hwy 20E, Suite 201, Niceville. NATURAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS – Knowledeable, experienced staff members available to help with your questions about natural and organic foods, herbs, supplements and anti-aging products. Golden Almond Health Food Store. 339 Racetrack Road, NW. FWB. 850-863-5811. GoldenAlmond.com. PORTRAITS – Professional portrait studio with amazing backdrops, unique monthly themes, glamorous and romantic styles, plus full of vintage and antique props and backgrounds. 90 minute photo session includes 3 finished digital portraits. Only $200. Brava Hair Studio, Day Spa & Boutique. 850-833-3003. BravaHairStudio.com. YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE WITH PAIN – Not just a massage, MyoFascial Release helps those with pain who thought they were beyond help. This special technique has helped thousands of people reduce levels of pain from issues with back,neck & foot pain,headaches, injury rehab, fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, Carpal Tunnel. Call Janet 850-231-9131 lic# MA17333.

JUICE, SMOOTHIES, SOUPS AND SALADS – Enjoy our juice and smoothie bar; organic salads to go and organic soups (cold months). 9am-3pm. Mon-Fri. Golden Almond Health Food Store. 339 Racetrack Road, NW. FWB. 850-863-5811. GoldenAlmond.com.

natural awakenings April 2015

WOMEN LEAD THE WAY

communityresourceguide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email Advertising@NWFNaturally.com to request our media kit or call 850-687-0826.

ACUPUNCTURE REBECCA FREEMAN, AP, MAOM 1180 Eglin Pkwy NE, Shalimar 850-902-2536 • 850-651-0160 RebeccaFreeman08@yahoo.com

Caring and compassionate masters of acupuncture and Oriental medicine acupuncture. More than 12 years’ experience relieving all types of pain, including: headaches, female problems, digestive problems and more.

KOVAR CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER

John S Kovar, DC 29 G Miracle Strip Hwy SW, FWB 850-244-1200 • DrKovar.com Experience the many benefits of acupuncture. Restoring health naturally to patients for more than 30 years, Dr. Kovar also offers chiropractic care, nutrition response testing with designed clinical nutrition, and massage.

ACUPUNCTURE FACELIFT DR SHERYL ROE

Acupuncture Physician Navarre • FWB 850-225-3460 • DrSRoe.com Acupuncture works. Learn how it can work for you at the Navarre, Destin or Mary Esther. Treating all types of pain, addiction, sleep disorders, stress, fibromyalgia, PTSD. Feel better soon. See ad, page 28.

ACUPUNCTURE VETERINARIAN CHRIS LEWIS DVM, CVA

Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist 2101 N Palafox St • 850-433-2812 LewisDVM09@gmail.com Specialized in acupuncture for animals to treat issues involving pain management, arthritis, anxiety, hip dysplasia, skin and other conditions not responding to c o n v e n t i o n a l Ve t e r i n a r i a n Medicine as well as providing traditional Veterinarian medical support. See ad, page 39.

DR ANAYA PALAY, DAOM

Advertise in

Natural Awakenings’ May Women’s Health Issue

Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Calhoun Chiropractic 16600 Back Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach • 850-230-1288

Using ancient wisdom to holistically treat today’s illnesses. Specializing in: Women’s Health including painful or heavy periods, fertility, pre- and post-natal care, peri-menopause and beyond.

112 Beal Pkwy SW, FWB 850-244-2665 • EmeraldAirFWB.com To greatly improve system e f f i c i e n c y, e q u i p m e n t performance, and longevity, eliminate filter-changing inconveniences and provide you home with the purest, healthiest air. Choose Everclean Green. See ad, page 18.

DR SHERYL ROE

Acupuncture Physician Navarre • FWB 850-225-3460 • DrSRoe.com

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

Acupuncture works. Learn how it can work for you at the Navarre, Destin or Mary Esther. Treating all types of pain, addiction, sleep disorders, stress, fibromyalgia, PTSD. Feel better soon. See ad, page 28.

850-987-0826 44

AIR CONDITIONING EMERALD AIR SERVICES, L.L.C. HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

www.NWFNaturally.com

AYURVEDA EMERALD COAST FUNCTIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE Peter Kozlowski, M.D. 850-830-7517 • DocKoz.com DockOzMD@gmail.com

Emerald Coast Functional Family Medicine offers food sensitivity testing, functional medicine and healthy aging consultations, hormone replacement therapy, medical detoxification, nutrition, prenatal care, primary care, pediatrics, second opinions and specialized testing. See ad, page 5.

BEAUTY BRAVA HAIR STUDIO, DAY SPA & BOUTIQUE BravaHairStudio@gmail.com 850-833-3003 • BravaHairStudio.com

Shampoos and conditioners incorporate pure aromatherapy essential oils which are beneficial to your hair and also your well being. Continued education and frequent training allow us to provide the most up to date trends and techniques. See ad, page 40.

BODYWORKERS CARING TOUCH

Janet Hardy, LMT Board Certified since 1994 Myofascial Release Therapist Expert Level Santa Rosa Beach • 850-231-9131 CaringTouchTherapy.net In her 20+ years of massage therapy Janet has found the John F. Barnes’ Approach® to be the most effective and holistic treatment for the relief of pain and optimal health. MA17333. See ad, page 28.

SALON VEDAT

Janice Skene 114-B Benning Dr, Destin • 850-837-2690 SalonVedat@gmail.com • SalonVedat.com Organic Salon Systems started a revolution of healthier, natural, organic, better performing professional products. Beauty without sacrificing health. Coloring and smoothing treatments for silky, healthy hair. No SLS, ammonia, parabens, plastics. See ad, page 10.

HEALING WATERS PAIN THERAPY 215 Mountain Dr, Ste 112, Destin Bill 850-461-0058, Ryan 850-624-8742 HealingWatersPainTherapy.com HealingWatersPainTherapy@gmail.com

Fast and effective body healing through combining use of the Myokinesthetic System™ and the MPS (microcurrent point stimulation). Most problems are nearly pain-free in four treatments. See ad, page 11.

BREAST SCREENING HEND-RX NUTRITION & LABORATORIES Dr. Garry Hendricks, N.D. 205 Kelly Ave NE, Ste A, FWB 850-736-5700 • HendRx@Live.com

Screening with thermography can detect abnormalities in the very earliest stages cardiovascular, breast thyroid, hormonal digestive, diabetes, TMJ. Also offering personalized healthcare assessments and organic botanical supplements. See ad, page 10.

CHIROPRACTIC BLUEWATER CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER

April Lee, DC 4400 Hwy 20 E, Niceville 850-897-1177 • BluewaterChiropractic.com Natural and holistic healthcare. Offering chiropractic care, lumbar decompression, physical therapies, massage therapy, nutritional education and supplementation. Allow the body to heal the way it was designed.

SILA BEAUTY AND HEALTH

P.O Box 761, Pensacola 850-542-7102 SilaBeautyAndHealth.com SilaBeautyAndHealth@gmail.com Sila is an all natural dietary supplement for optimal hair growth that restores hair vitality and supports the natural production of collagens ability to increase hair thickness and strength. See ad, page 38.

BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE THERAPY NITIN BAWA, MD

Panama City: 850-534-4170 Santa Rosa Beach: 850-534-4170 Destin: 850-424-7320 • DrBawa.com

General medicine with a holistic wellness approach and specialized services in bio-identical hormone therapy, weight loss, food allergies, nutritional analysis and anti-aging procedures. Most insurance accepted. See ad, page 9.

MIKE ORTEGA, LMT & REIKI MASTER TEACHER

THE Healing Clinic of Fort Walton Beach 850-217-2771 TheHealingClinicFWB.com Mike uses use massage therapy techniques and Reiki energy movement to enhance the nerves, muscles, glands and circulation within for balance and well-being. Mondays w/ Mike just $55 for 1 hour. MA75894.

BOUTIQUE BRAVA HAIR STUDIO, DAY SPA & BOUTIQUE BravaHairStudio@gmail.com 850-833-3003 • BravaHairStudio.com

Brava Boutique is full of fun and exotic gifts from all over the world. Everything from organic pastas from Italy to Charles Viancin echo friendly lids for healthy food storage. See ad, page 40.

HENARD FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC Dr Karen Henard, DC 4566 Hwy 20 E, Ste 205, Niceville 850-897-1105 • HenardChiro.com

A second generation chiropractor, Dr. Henard is committed to chiropractic wellness for the family, improving health naturally. More than 16 years’ experience in pediatrics, sports and automobile injuries. Most insurance and affordable cash plans.

KOVAR CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER

John S Kovar, DC 29 G Miracle Strip Hwy SW, FWB 850-244-1200 • DrKovar.com Practicing locally for over 30 years, expertise in treating pain conditions, auto injury and restoring health naturally through nutrition response testing, clinical nutrition, acupuncture, massage and chiropractic wellness care.

natural awakenings April 2015

PRO-ACTIVE CHIROPRACTIC Dr Brian Schuessler 850-279-4913 4591 Hwy 20 E, #201 Pro-ActiveChiro.com

Adjustments Chiropractic Massage Therapeutic Exercise Ultrasound. Cryotherapy (cold compress). Custom Foot Orthotics Interferential Electro Stimulation Manipulation under Anesthesia (MUA) (When available). See ad, page 25.

DR SUSAN WELCH, FAGD

106 Wright Pkwy SW, FWB 850-243-1534 WrightParkwayDentalCenter.com Healthy digestion, well aligned physical structure, proper breathing and a good nights sleep begin with a healthy mouth. We treat sleep disorders, TMJ, headaches, snoring, and sleep apnea. Plus, crowns, teeth whitening, bridges, veneers, mplant restorations, allgner orthodontics, cleanings, digital x-ray imaging, laser periodontal treatment. No mercury fillings. See ad, page 15 (Emerald Coast Editon).

COLONIC THERAPY SKINDEEP CLINIC WELLNESS CENTRE

Cindy Butler, Owner/Therapist 4012 Commons Dr W, Ste 120, Destin 850-269-1414 • SkinDeepDestin.com Colonics, ionic footbaths, infrared saunas. Organic non-surgical facelift, weight loss (lose 20 lbs in 40 days), body wraps, massage, teeth whitening, airbrush tan, makeovers.

DETOXIFICATION EMERALD COAST FUNCTIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE Peter Kozlowski, M.D. 850-830-7517 • DocKoz.com DockOzMD@gmail.com

CRAFTS & GIFTS STONE SOUP

Intuitive Spiritual Center 700 Beal Pkwy, Unit D, FWB ShadowBonus@gmail.com • 850-533-6565 Fort Walton’s newest eclectic intuitive center. Locally made crafts by local artisans. Intuitive readings, jewelry, paintings, incense, crystals, pottery, semi-precious stones, wind chimes, diaper cakes, hand painted furniture. See ad, page 24.

DENTISTRY DR DAYTON HART, DMD

IAOMT Protocol 225 W Laurel Ave, Foley, AL 251-943-2471 • DrDaytonHart.com

DINING SYNERGY ORGANIC JUICE BAR AND CAFÉ 120 Miraclestrip Pkwy SE 850-865-4919 SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com

Juice Bar and Café offers farm-to-table meals prepared with regionally sourced organic produce and pantry items; glutenfree, dairy-free. Whole food cooking, juicing, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and raw food classes are available. See ad, page 29.

EMOTIONAL HEALING BACK TO BASIC WELLNESS

Susan Giangiulio, MEd, CECP, CLP 850-240-2279 Back-To-Basic-Wellness.com Certified Lifeline Technique™ and an Emotion Code Practitioner applying kinesiology, known as muscle testing, to communicate with subconscious thoughts. Re l e a se t r a p p e d e m o tio n s , eliminate personal obstacles and limiting behaviors.

ENERGY CONSERVATION EMERALD AIR SERVICES, HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

112 Beal Pkwy SE, FWB 850-244-2665 • EmeraldAirFWB.com To greatly improve system e f f i c i e n c y, e q u i p m e n t performance, and longevity, eliminate filter-changing inconveniences and provide you home with the purest, healthiest air. Choose Everclean Green. See ad, page 18.

GULF COAST INSULATION Serving the Emerald Coast 850-685-9709 GulfCoastInsulation.com info@GulfCoastInsulation.com

Locally owned and operated company committed to providing quality installation and products making homes and businesses healthier, more comfortable, and less expensive to operate. Call or click for a free estimate and consultation. See ad, page 25.

FLORIDA PACE

Veronica Cross Outreach Coordinator 866-558-3180 • FloridaPace.gov Florida PACE program is a sustainable energy funding program that provides up to 100% financing for energy saving efficient projects based on property equity and repayment through tax rolls.

Free book: Mercury Free Dentistry. Ozone, laser no-suture gum surgery, test for compatible materials, cavity-causing bacteria. Examine for gum disease bacteria. Laser cavity diagnoses, saliva, ph check, oral galvanic screening; no fluoride.

Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. ~Francis of Assisi

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

www.NWFNaturally.com

FARMERS’ MARKET SEASIDE FARMERS’ MARKET

Saturdays 9am-1pm, Downtown Seaside (behind “Raw & Juicy” at the amphitheater) jlkuntz@mac.com or on Facebook Comprised of local growers and crafts people who offer locally grown produce and farm products that are healthy and environmentally conscious.

GOLDEN ALMOND HEALTH FOOD STORE

339 Racetrack Rd NW, Ste 3 850-863-5811 • GoldenAlmond.com Hours: M-F 9-6, S 10-4, Closed Sun Natural and organic foods. Largest selection of herbs and supplements in the area. Enjoy our new fresh juice bar, open weekdays 10-4. Knowledgeable and personable staff. See ad, back cover (Emerald Coast Edition).

MOUNT OF OLIVES HEALTH FOODS

FOODS & SUPPLEMENTS BODY-B-HEALTHY

2227 Ferdon Blvd, Crestview 850-682-8893 Find us on Facebook Knowledgeable staff and cutting edge digital health assessments. Dairyfree and gluten-free food items, supplements, homeopathic solutions and anti-aging products, plus delicious nutritional smoothies. See ad, page 15 (Emerald Coast Editon).

ESTHER’S GARDEN OF HEALING, LLC 8184 Navarre Pkwy • Navarre 850-499-3670 EsthersGardenOfHealing@live.com

A unique establishment specializing in 150+ bulk herbs, 40+ loose teas, homeopathic remedies and our herbal skincare line. Find us on Facebook for an updated schedule of our weekly workshops. See ad, page 31.

850-784-9001 728 W 23rd St, Panama City

MountOfOlives.com Featuring quality products we stand behind. Gluten free foods, non GMO, bulk foods, refrigerated/ frozen organic foods, raw foods, cosmetics, organic pet food. See ad, back cover (Panama City Edition).

SYNERGY ORGANIC JUICE BAR AND CAFÉ 120 Miraclestrip Pkwy SE 850-865-4919 SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com

VIDA HEALTH FOODS

850-238-7368 5908 Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach VidaHealthy@gmail.com Panama City Beach’s only natural Health Food Store. Clean all natural products. Supplements, Paleo, vegan protein, health and beauty and functional beverages. See ad, page 14 (Panama City Edition).

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE EMERALD COAST FUNCTIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE Peter Kozlowski, M.D. 850-830-7517 • DocKoz.com DockOzMD@gmail.com

GEOTHERMAL EMERALD AIR SERVICES, HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 112 Beal Pkwy SE, FWB 850-244-2665 • EmeraldAirFWB.com

To greatly improve system e f f i c i e n c y, e q u i p m e n t performance, and longevity, eliminate filter-changing inconveniences and provide you home with the purest, healthiest air. Choose Everclean Green. See ad, page 18.

Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done. ~Amelia Earhart

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Convenient Locations

WaterColor The 30A Farmers' Grand Coastal Farmers Market, in the Rosemary Boulevard Market Beach Community Farmers' Market

Sundays: Year Round Thursdays: (March-Labor Day) Cerulean Park • 9am-2pm

Sundays: Year Round Thursdays: (Memorial Day-Labor Day) 9am-1pm

Saturdays: Year Round Wednesdays: (Memorial Day-Labor Day) 9am-1pm

These charming, European and coastal-inspired markets feature local farmers, makers, bakers, and specialty vendors set up around beautiful green lawns, wide cobblestone walkways, shade trees and park benches, all surrounding a stunning water feature that creates an inviting market experience.

Contact: Diane Kolopanas • 850-499-4697

natural awakenings April 2015

HEALING ARTS MICHAEL BRANT DEMARIA, PHD

Psychologist, Yoga/Meditation Teacher Sound Healing Artist, Speaker, Author Info@ontos.org • MichaelDemaria.com

GULF COAST HOLISTIC PRIMARY CARE Raquel Skidmore, MD 850-640-1530 756 Harrison Ave, Panama City GulfCoastHolisticPrimaryCare.com

At GCHPC, your health comes first. A philosophy that joins holistic and conventional medical care where we treat the whole human…. mind, body and spirit. Prescreening for medical marijuana. See ad, page 15 (Panama City Edition).

Free meditation series at Youtube. com/MBDemaria; upcoming events at PeaceWithinNow.com. Ongoing meditation/yoga classes at Sanders Beach Community Center. 850-436-5198. Healing music available on iTunes, Amazon.com, CDbaby.com.

HEALING PATH, ALICE MCCALL

Transformational Energy Healer/Counselor BS Psychology, MBA, Hypnotherapist 850-585-5496 • HealingPath.info Phone sessions to heal serious health issues, unwanted patterns, and more. Authored Wellness Wisdom on natural health and healing; inspired by her journey with cancer.

HYPNOSIS DESTIN HYPNOSIS

Tom Mueller, CMC, CHt 850-865-0285 • DestinHypnosis.com Facebook.com/DestinHypnosis Certified hypnotherapist and master life coach. Hypnosis is powerful anytime a change in feeling, thinking or behavior is desired. My mission is your success. Call today. See ad, page 8.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE NITIN BAWA, MD

Panama City: 850-534-4170 Santa Rosa Beach: 850-534-4170 Destin: 850-424-7320 • DrBawa.com General medicine with a holistic wellness approach and specialized services in bio-identical hormone therapy, weight loss, food allergies, nutritional analysis and antiaging procedures. Most insurance accepted. See ad, page 9.

INTUITIVE ARTS THE HEALING CLINIC OF FORT WALTON BEACH Felicia McQuaid 850-217-2771 TheHealingClinicFWB.com

Certified Advanced Angel Reader through Doreen Virtue. Connect with your Angels to receive love filled guidance and clarityabout specific questions and areas of life. Sessions available in person or via skpe or facetime.

JUICE BARS GOLDEN ALMOND HEALTH FOOD STORE

SYNERGY ORGANIC JUICE BAR AND CAFÉ 120 Miraclestrip Pkwy SE 850-865-4919 SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com

LASER THERAPY PRO-ACTIVE CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Brian Schuessler 850-279-4913 4591 Hwy 20 E, #201 Pro-ActiveChiro.com

EMERALD WATERS

Mauricia Stanton, PhD, ARNP, BC 850-279-6815 1005 College Blvd W, Ste B, Niceville Dr. Stanton, a PhD in Natural Health, sees patients for all types of health concerns. Specializing in women’s care and children 12 years and up. Always accepting new patients. Find on Facebook. See ad, page 20.

JUL CONSTANTINE

Psychic Connections by Juls 850-533-9448 JulConstantine@gmail.com PsychicConnectionsByJuls.com Intuitive, medium, author and teacher. More information on Jul’s website. Discover your intuitive abilities by signing up for a Psychic Development Workshop. Readings are in person or by phone.

LIGHT THERAPY LIGHT FOR LIFE

Buddy Bowman Quantum Light Energy Coach 28 Racetrack Rd NW Inside Grace-Bowman Orthodontics 850-582-4929 • BuddyBowman.com Healing light and energy photons reduce stress and bring bodies into balance. Promotes natural healing, as the body was designed and nature intended. Inside GraceBowman Orthodontics. Painless, convenient, noninvasive, drugfree. See ad, page 39.

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. ~Abraham Lincoln 48

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

www.NWFNaturally.com

MASSAGE THERAPY BLUEWATER CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER

April Lee, DC 4400 Hwy 20 E, Niceville 850-897-1177 • BluewaterChiropractic.com Sports and rehabilitation massage therapy. Natural and holistic healthcare. Chiropractic care, lumbar decompression, physical therapies, nutritional education and supplementation. Allow the body to heal the way it was designed.

MEDITATION

ORGANIC FOOD

THE ZEN CENTER • WAIEST QIGONG OF PANAMA CITY

SYNERGY ORGANIC JUICE BAR AND CAFÉ

3901 W Hwy 390 • 850-248-8997 TheZenCenter.net • Waiest.com

A unique location offering meditation, qigong and other relaxation and stress relief disciplines, Aromatherapy and Yoga supplies, loose leaf exotic teas, herbs and Holistic products & gifts. See ad, page 16.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE EAST OF EDEN RETREAT AND SPA 234 Dog Hobble Ln Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 850-797-4754 EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com

The ultimate destination for health and beauty in Northwest Florida, provides a wide range of spa services and holistic treatments to revitalize your body, mind and spirit. Massages, facials, advanced anti-Aging skin care, hair styling & makeup, naturopathy and acupuncture are offered in synergy to make your inner & outer beauty shine through. See ad, page 3.

INDIGO EARTH SPA

443 Grace Ave, Panama City 850-303-3669 IndigoEarthSpa.com

Enjoy an earthfriendly, socially responsible, holistic day spa with a unique earthy style, warm and welcoming to all. Our treatments are from sustainable, organic, and naturally derived ingredients, handcrafted for every guest. We have services to balance everyone’s needs. lic #31358/ # 69341. See ad, page 33 (Panama City Edition).

CARING TOUCH

THE HEALING CLINIC OF FORT WALTON BEACH Laura Tyree 850-217-2771 • MA68035 TheHealingClinicFWB.com

Laura is a highly skilled therapist under the John Barnes technique. Under her extraordinary care clients find relief from long held pain and tension that lasts. This gentle technique of quiet pressure and stretching relieves pain from the restriction of connective tissue. See ad, page 15.

34904 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Unit #132 Destin • 850-650-8500 99 Eglin Pkwy, Unit #5B, Uptown Station FWB • 850-301-2000 MassageEnvy.com Looking for professional, customized massages and facials? Our professional massage therapists and estheticians will customize massage and facial to fit your needs. Make Massage Envy your spa. Two convienent locations in Destin and Fort Walton Beach. See ad, page 11.

PAIN MANAGEMENT HEALING WATERS PAIN THERAPY 215 Mountain Dr, Ste 112 Destin Bill 850-461-0058, Ryan 850-624-8742 HealingWatersPainTherapy.com HealingWatersPainTherapy@gmail.com

Fast and effective body healing through combining use of the Myokinesthetic System™ and the MPS (microcurrent point stimulation) Most problems are nearly pain-free in four treatments. See ad, page 11.

PHYSICAL THERAPY HEALING WATERS PAIN THERAPY 215 Mountain Dr, Ste. 112 Destin Bill 850-461-0058, Ryan 850-624-8742 HealingWatersPainTherapy.com HealingWatersPainTherapy@gmail.com

PILATES STUDIOS NATUROPATHY

MASSAGE ENVY SPA DESTIN & MASSAGE ENVY SPA FWB

120 Miraclestrip Pkwy SE 850-865-4919 SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com

HEND-RX NUTRITION & LABORATORIES Dr Garry Hendricks, ND 205 Kelly Ave NE, Ste A, FWB 850-736-5700 • HendRx@Live.com

PILATES BY THE SEA-LAURIE BECK

Two Locations Gulf Place Town Center on 30A & 95 Laura Hamilton Blvd, C5, Santa Rosa Beach 850-502-6630 LaurieBeck.com A full Pilates studio for all ages and fitness levels anyBODY can do. Fitness, rehab, sports training, post natal. Best teachers on the Emerald Coast with over 30 years combined experience. See ad, page 11.

natural awakenings April 2015

PRANIC HEALING ENERGY ALCHEMY

12118 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Ste 10 Panama City Beach Lorah Buchanan • 850-527-1514 EnergyAlchemyLorah@gmail.com PranicHealingLorah.com Kathy Johnson • 731-608-1470 EnergyAlchemyKathy@gmail.com

RETREATS EAST OF EDEN RETREAT AND SPA 234 Dog Hobble Ln Santa Rosa Beach 32459 850-797-4754 EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com

BravaHairStudio@gmail.com 850-833-3003 • BravaHairStudio.com

Your Spa Destination 855-393-7227 303 Poarch Rd, Atmore, AL awarren@WindCreekHospitality.com WindCreekAtmore.com Experience our lavish fullservice spa offering you an abundance of amenities to awaken, de-stress and beautify you inside and out.

A serene space for meditation, healing and spirituality. Offering weekly group meditations, healing clinics, yoga combined with energy healing, private Pranic Healing sessions, and Pranic Healing training. Be happy, be well, be blessed. See ad, page 24.

REIKI FELICIA MCQUAID, LMT

Master Reiki Teacher THE Healing Clinic of Fort Walton Beach 850-217-2771 TheHealingClinicFWB.com

Massage has been prized for centuries as the most effective treatment for relieving stress and therapeutic for eliminating toxin. Great for all over well being. See ad, page 40.

EAST OF EDEN RETREAT AND SPA WIND CREEK ATMORE

348 Miracle Strip Pkwy, #27 (behind IHOP) FWB Call or Text 850-543-1970 LightEnergyDancing.com

BRAVA HAIR STUDIO, DAY SPA & BOUTIQUE

Spend few days of decompression, away from the noise of the daily life. Explore our three comfortable short-term rental accommodations on our website. Complementary sauna, wet steam room, salt-water pool. Discounted spa services & daily yoga classes are available to our retreat guests. See ad, page 2.

Turning imbalance into balance through the use of Pranic Healing, Meditations/Pranic Healing clinics open to the publi. Private Pranic Healing sessions by appointment.

LIGHT ENERGY DANCING

SPA TREATMENTS

234 Dog Hobble Ln Santa Rosa Beach 32459 850-797-4754 EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com

SCHOOLS BEACHSIDE SCHOOL OF MASSAGE AND BEAUTY 362 Beal Pkwy, #201, FWB 850-226-7874 BeachsideMassageSchool.com

Enjoy a

Explore the possibilities of a new career massage therapy, skin care or nail specialty. Now enrolling new students. See ad, page 24.

True Holistic Spa

Felicia McQuaid has been offering Reiki healing services since 2005. She offers regular trainings in all levels of Traditional Usui Reiki Ryoho and Karuna Reiki. Felicia is known for her insight, grace and compassion while working with students and clients. MA61060

SHANNON FAULK, LMT, ESTH, NT

Ocean Elements Day Spa, Lic# MM19166 850-598-7945 90 Spires Ln, #8-A, Santa Rosa Beach Holistic and organic, massage, facials, peels, natural nails, gentle waxing, body treatments. Reiki, crystal and aromatherapy sessions, ear candling, detoxification and wellness. Call for appointment.

HERBella Apothecary & Wellness INDIGO EARTH

SPA

443 Day Grace at Ocean Elements spa Ave, Panama City 850-303-3669

SOLAR POWER

Massage therapy • OrganicIndigoEarthSpa.com facials • Rain Drop Therapy Organic Herbs & essential oils • Natural nail services Cold pressed organic plant oils • Aromatherapy • Reiki

Enjoy an earthfriendly, socially All Products free of paraben, synthetic dyes, harmful Serving NW Florida responsible, holistic chemicals, perfumes and irritants. All products are 850-439-0035 day spa with a unique vegetarian based, some are vegan and gluten-free. CompassSolar.com earthy style, warm Group workshops, classes, and spa packages are also available. Since 1989 Compass Solar has and welcoming to all. Our treatments are from (850)598-7945 provide the area withLocated reliable in the 30-A sustainable, community of Gulf Place organic, and naturally derived ingredients, handcrafted for every guest. We have solar electric, solar water 90 Spires Ln, Unit #8A • Santa Rosa Beach heating, solar pool heating and services to balance everyone’s needs. Lic #31358/ OceanElement-Spa.com solar attic fans powered solely by the Sun. An approved # 69341. See ad, page 15 (Panama City Edition). PACE funding contractor. See ad, page 3.

COMPASS SOLAR ENERGY

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. ~Audrey Hepburn 50

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

www.NWFNaturally.com

WIND CREEK ATMORE

Your Spa Destination 855-393-7227 303 Poarch Rd, Atmore, AL AWarren@WindcreekHospitality.com WindcreekAtmore.com Experience our lavish fullservice spa offering you an abundance of amenities to awaken, de-stress and beautify you inside and out.

WEIGHT-MANAGEMENT NITIN BAWA, MD

SPIRITUAL CENTERS UNITY IN FORT WALTON BEACH 1797 Hurlburt Rd, FWB 850-864-1232 • UnityInFWB.org

We w e l c o m e a l l interested in seeking an inner awareness of God. We promote love, joy and peace through our thoughts, words and deeds.

UNITY OF PANAMA CITY

1764 Lisenby Ave, Panama City 850-769-7481 PanamaCityUnity@knology.net Committed to helping people find the way to their own understanding and experience of God and offering positive, practical resources for an abundant and meaningful life. See ad, page 27.

THERMOGRAPHY HEND-RX NUTRITION & LABORATORIES Dr. Garry Hendricks, N.D. 205 Kelly Ave NE, Ste. A, FWB 850-736-5700 • HendRx@Live.com

WELLNESS CENTER LIGHT ENERGY DANCING 348 Miracle Strip Pkwy, #27, (behind IHOP), FWB Call or Text 850-543-1970 LightEnergyDancing.com

Yoga, meditation, energy therapy, Pranic Healing, - Young Living Essential Oils. Reduce stress, release resentment and clarify your goals. Let us be your cheerleaders and guides as you move towards a happier, healthier you. See ad, page xx.

YOGA STUDIOS DRAGONFLY YOGA STUDIES Downtown FWB 850-244-0184 • (MM16502) DragonFlyYoga.com

Serene environment for the study and practice of hatha yoga. Certified instructors. Owner/ Director Laura Tryee, E-RYT 500. See ad, page 21.

EAST OF EDEN RETREAT AND SPA 234 Dog Hobble Ln Santa Rosa Beach 32459 850-797-4754 EastOfEdenRetreatAndSpa.com

Our Yoga Dome offers a variety of yoga styles combined with the healing effects of Chromatherapy. Immerse yourself in the healing light while practicing Hatha, Vinyasa, Bhakti, Yin and yoga for beginners with our inspiring certified yoga instructors. Our Yoga Dome is home to educational workshops and community acupuncture events. See ad, page 2.

SUNSHINE YOGA

211-E Main St, Destin 850-687-8603 • SunshineYogaStudio.com This cozy yoga studio located in the heart of Destin offers a variety of classes to suit the whole family. Owner/Instructor Kim Mosby, RYT 200.

YOGAJUNKIE STUDIO

850-279-6980 1157 John Sims Pkwy, Niceville YogaJunkieStudio.com Yoga, hot yoga, warm yoga and prenatal yoga, gentle, beginners, Pilates, Hatha and flow. Kristy Souto and Teri Harnett owners previously at Barefoot Yoga. See ad, page 24.

Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action. ~Mother Teresa natural awakenings April 2015

Panama City’s Premier Health food store

Featuring quality products we stand behind Gluten Free Foods • Non GMO • Bulk Foods • Refridgerated/Frozen Foods Organic, Raw Cosmetics • Organic Pet Food

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850-784-9001 • mountofolives.com

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

www.NWFNaturally.com

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