Natural Awakenings Emerald Coast November 2013

H E A L T H Y

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H E A L T H Y

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P L A N E T

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Fast Track to Personal Growth A Wealth of Resources Help You Improve Your Life

Superpower Your Kids’ Immune Systems Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu Season

TRULY WILD WORKOUTS

Animal Exercises Make Us Fit and Strong

All We Need is

‘THANKS’

The Simple Word that Uplifts Our Life

November 2013 | Emerald Coast Edition | www.NWFNaturally.com Okaloosa/Walton/Bay County natural awakenings

November 2013

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Phenomenal Monthly Circulation Growth Since 1994.

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TURN YOUR PASSION INTO A BUSINESS Own a Natural Awakenings Magazine!

contact us PUBLISHER Daralyn Chase Publisher@NWFNaturally.com 850-279-4102, office 888-228-8238, toll free 888-370-0618, fax CO-PUBLISHER/ DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Scott Chase, (ext. 702) Scott@NWFNaturally.com COMMUNITY LIAISONS (Okaloosa/Walton County) Emily Schultz, (ext. 704) Emily@NWFNaturally.com (Pensacola/Gulf Breeze/Navarre) Judith Forsyth, (ext. 701) Jude@NWFNaturally.com

• Low Investment • No Experience Needed • Great Support Team with Complete Training • Work from Home • Online Marketing Tools • Meaningful New Career As a Natural Awakenings publisher, you can enjoy learning about healthy and joyous living while working from your home and earn a good income doing something you love!

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To determine if owning a Natural Awakenings is right for you and your target community, call us for a free consultation at:

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Editor Martin Miron STAFF WRITER Jude Forsyth NATIONAL AD SALES 239-449-8309 FRANCHISE SALES 239-530-1377 © 2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $24 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

contents 10 7 newsbriefs 10 healthbriefs 12 globalbriefs 15 ecotip 20 healingways 22 greenliving 12 24 consciousgiving 27 wisewords 28 consciouseating 30 inspiration 32 naturalpet 15 36 fitbody 38 healthykids 41 calendar 43 classifieds 43 resourceguide

advertising & submissions how to advertise Pricing is available online on our Advertising page. To advertise with Natural Awakenings call 850-279-4102 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.

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

16 FAST TRACK TO

Transform Your Life with Mentors, Books, Workshops and Online Courses

by Bess J.M. Hochstein

20 THE PATH TO

INNER PEACE

12 Steps to Spiritual Awakening

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by Michael A. Singer

22 CRAFTING A

GREEN HOLIDAY

Happy Ways to Deck the Halls

by Avery Mack

27 THE MIRACLE OF MIDLIFE

Being Exactly Who We Need to Be

by Marianne Williamson

28 GRAIN FREE &

BRAIN BRIGHT

How Wheat, Carbs and Sugar

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are Affecting Your Brain Health

by Linda Sechrist

32 SAVING ANIMALS SAVES PEOPLE

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.

Rescue You, Rescue Me

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.

Moving Like Animals Can Wildly Improve Fitness

NWFNaturally.com

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PERSONAL GROWTH

by Sandra Murphy

36 JUNGLE GYM

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by Debra Melani

38 SUPERPOWER KIDS’

IMMUNE SYSTEMS

Natural Health Experts Share How

by Jenna Blumenfeld

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Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

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newsbriefs Sunshine Yoga is Destin's Newest Studio

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aving recently completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in India, Kim Mosby has opened Sunshine Yoga at 211 Main Street, Suite E., in Destin. She says, “Over the summer I enjoyed giving private sessions and teaching group classes at the park. Although I loved practicing yoga in the natural environment, I felt the need for a permanent space so my students Kim Mosby could have dependability.”

Sunshine Yoga offers a variety of yoga classes to suit adults and children of all ages and fitness levels, including Gentle Yoga, Kids Yoga, and Baby & Me Yoga. New additions, such as Yoga for Arthritis, meditation classes and scheduled workshops, are planned.

Sunshine Yoga is a cozy space with all the comforts of a yoga studio and added flair such as local art, handmade local jewelry and furnishings from local consignment shops.

Students can begin class with a cup of organic tea and end by relaxing in savasana with a blanket and eye pillow.

For more information and schedule, call 850-687-8603 or visit SunshineYogaStudio.com.

New “Whole Animal Approach” Veterinarian in Santa Rosa Beach

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r. Tonia Shatzel, DVM, a veterinarian for more than 15 years, has opened a new pet clinic, 30A Vet, that uses the latest technology to care for pets. 30A Vet is a full-service animal hospital for dogs and cats, providing state-of-the-art services such as digital X-ray, non-anesthetic dentistry and preventive wellness blood work.

Shatzel has developed a “whole animal” philosophy and intuition that Dr. Tonia Shatzel is fundamental to the care and treatment of her patients. She just doesn’t treat the symptom, but tries to find the root problem. Originally from the metro Atlanta area, Shatzel has been visiting the area for years until finally deciding to stay permanently and open a clinic. She volunteers at Alaqua Animal Refuge, in Freeport, and understands that her patients are regarded as members of the family by their owners. She couples compassion with knowledge and wisdom to provide the best possible service, and bases her practice on partnering with the pet’s owners to make the best treatment plan.

Location: 56 Spires Lane, in the shops at Gulf Place, next to Furry Fanatics, in Santa Rosa Beach. For more information, call 850-660-1892 or visit 30AVet.com.

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newsbriefs Sample the Season’s Organic Bounty

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he Golden Almond Health Store, in Fort Walton Beach, will be conducting a preThanksgiving tasting, from noon to 5 p.m., November 14, of their organic wine and apple cider selections that will be carried all through the autumn season.

The Golden Almond has been providing organic foods, including vegan and gluten-free options, nutritional supplements and natural pet products for three decades. The owner, Diana Drain, is a registered nurse with more than 30 years of experience in the health care field, and believes in a proactive approach to maintaining one's own health and wellness through the use of organic, natural foods and nutritional supplements.

Location: 339 Racetrack Rd. NW. For more information, call 850-863-5811, email Contact@GoldenAlmond.com or visit GoldenAlmond.com.

Firm, Hydrate, Protect and Repair with new MicroRetinol Facial

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cean Elements Day Spa is now offering a MicroRetinol Facial with Peel from Pevonia Botanica. With this new treatment, clients will see immediate results with no down time. It improves hyperpigmentation, sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles and minor scarring.

The MicroRetinol Facial contains no parabens or fillers. An active form of vegetable-derived vitamin A, retinol is a cellular membrane protector and stimulant. Pevonia's MicroRetinol is different because it contains a special enzyme that makes the particles much smaller and therefore more available for the skin to absorb and process.

Smoothing, strengthening and rejuvenating, it stimulates cell growth and cell turnover.

Location: 90 Spires Lane, Santa Rosa Beach. To make an appointment, call 850-267-1011.

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Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

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Get an Apple A Day from Off the Vine Organic

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ff the Vine Organic Produce loves their fresh new fall apple crop apples and wants to share them with customers. If a family of four eats one apple a day, they will need 120 apples per month.

The Spitzenburg apple variety is named after the settlement of Esopus, in Ulster County, New York, and was rumored to be Thomas Jefferson's favorite apple. It was widely planted in the USA in the 19th century and used for both dessert and culinary purposes. The apples have an excellent flavor, which improves with storage.

The Honey Crisp apple is a crisp and sweet, modern variety developed by the University of Minnesota specifically for growers in cold climates. It is one of the most cold-hardy of apple varieties. The Golden Delicious apple is not only one of the most important apple varieties of the 20th century, but is also used as breeding stock for many other varieties.

In Memoriam

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ohn R. Voell, father, author and visionary co-founder of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation, has served as a mentor to our family of publishers for 15 years. During John’s time with us, the Universe responded to his faithful living of the principle to love God, one’s self and others by providing fertile soil for the big ideas he relished nurturing. His John R. Voell, Jr. books, Cancer: How to Heal It— How to Prevent It and Cancer Report, as well as his latest development project, United We Can, were just a few of the ways that John allowed himself to be an instrument of the Divine in helping humankind.

John was passionate about the success of our magazine, pleased and proud that the now 90-strong family of Natural Awakenings franchise publishers touch the lives of millions of readers each month. He’s known around here for saying, “I don’t know what your spiritual beliefs are, but I believe that when I leave this world, I’m going to somehow measure my success by those I’ve helped along the way.” Those that knew and worked with him would say that he more than succeeded—he soared.

To place an order, call 850-374-2181 or visit OffTheVine.org.

Jingle Bell Fun in Fort Walton Beach

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he 21st annual Jingle Bell Run/ Walk for Arthritis Fort Walton Beach will commence at 9 a.m., December 7, at Gulfside Pavilion at Brooks Landing, in Fort Walton Beach. There will be a professionally timed 5K and 10K run

and 5K walk, with one-mile fun run.

The sixth annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Pensacola Beach will commence at 8 a.m., November 30, at Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach. There will be a professionally timed 5K and 10K run and 5K walk, with a Santa Chase for children 8 and under.

All proceeds from both events benefit the Arthritis Foundation and their quest for a cure.

For more Pensacola information, call Linda Knauss at 850471-1541 or visit 2013jbrpensacolabeach.kintera.org. FWB location: 205 Brooks St. For information, call Patricia Faber at 850-797-1449 or visit 2013jbrfortwaltonbeach.kintera.org.

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newsbriefs

healthbriefs

Mindful Meditation Relieves Inflammation

There’s An App For That

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aving access to the best choices for a healthy and green lifestyle is now mobile, thanks to the new local Natural Awakenings iPhone/iPad and Android app (search for NWF Naturally), available as a free download at the Apple iTunes Store and Google Play.

Find events, activities, practitioners, services and products dedicated to healthy living, at your fingertips while on the go. Catch up on local stories and news on the latest practical, natural approaches to nutrition, fitness, creative expression, personal growth and sustainable living.

After downloading the app, push notification will alert you about event changes and new happenings.

Advertisers’ special offers and coupons will also be distributed through our app. Also, calendar events and ads can be submitted directly from mobile phones, pads or tablets.

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new University of Wisconsin-Madison study shows that meditation, a proven reducer of psychological stress, can also lessen stress-caused inflammation and thereby relieve the symptoms and pain of certain diseases. Long-term stress has long been linked to inflammation, an underlying cause of many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, bowel disease, asthma, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Meditation study volunteers were divided into two groups—an eight-week mindfulness meditation course or a stress reduction program of supportive nutrition, exercise and music therapy that did not include meditation. The meditation group focused attention on the breath, bodily sensations and mental content while seated, walking or practicing yoga.

Immune and endocrine data was collected before and after training in the two methods and meditation proved to be more effective. Melissa Rosenkranz, a neuroscientist with the university’s Center for Investigating Healthy Minds and lead author of the report, concludes that, “The mindfulness-based approach to stress reduction may offer a lower-cost alternative or complement to standard treatment, and it can be practiced easily by patients in their own homes whenever needed.”

Tanning Beds Invite Melanoma

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s summer tans fade, some might feel tempted to use tanning beds to keep a “healthy glow”, but they may be less than healthy. A recent multi-country meta-study published in the British Medical Journal confirms that exposure to a tanning bed’s intense doses of ultraviolet light significantly increases the risk of cutaneous melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.

Of the 64,000 new melanoma cases diagnosed each year in Europe, more than 5 percent were linked by researchers to tanning bed use. Users experience a 20 percent increased relative risk of all types of skin cancer compared with those that have never used one. This risk doubles if indoor tanning starts before the age of 35, and the risk increases with every session.

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

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Walnuts Strengthen Sperm

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dding a handful of walnuts to a man’s daily diet might just increase the chance of pregnancy for couples with fertility problems. Scientists attribute male infertility as the central issue in 30 to 50 percent of the 70 million couples worldwide experiencing such difficulties.

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, investigated whether increasing intake of the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish, flax seed and walnuts that are critical for sperm maturation and membrane function would increase sperm quality in men consuming a typical Western-style diet. They found that less than three ounces of walnuts added to a man’s daily diet improved sperm strength, size and motility (swimming ability). The men eating the walnuts also showed fewer chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm.

The Killer Called Sugar

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new animal study from the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, reports daunting results.

Female mice that consumed the equivalent of a human drinking three cans of soft drinks a day doubled their death rate from all causes. The study further showed that fertility rates dropped dramatically in male mice and their innate ability to defend their territory diminished. All of the sugar-saturated mice performed poorly on cognitive tests.

The lab mice received a diet in which 25 percent of their total calories came from sugar (not high fructose corn syrup, which carries substantial additional health risks). That’s an amount commonly consumed in the Standard American Diet, easy to do in one sitting via a super-sized soft drink.

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

Giving Group

Millennials Devote Time, Talent, Treasure Much is rightly written about how and why “millennials”, or “Generation Y”—the young people heading into the 21st century—spend their time and money.

This generation is redefining the way we think about business, and conscious consumerism is now its own form of philanthropy. This age group is leading the charge by extending the premise of a moral compass to for-profit enterprises and looking for ever-more meaningful opportunities to have an impact. The trend carries fresh implications for the nonprofit sector, too, because millennials lead the way in forwarding worthy causes.

When The Case Foundation partnered with Achieve, a thought leader in nonprofit millennial engagement, to produce the Millennial Impact Report, researchers surveyed more than 2,500 millennials ages 20 to 35. They found that last year, 83 percent gave a financial gift to an organization supporting a cause that resonates with their interests. Seventy-three percent volunteered for a cause that they were passionate about or felt created impact, and 70 percent are raising money for their causes both online and offline.

Frack Attack

Controversial Drilling Threatens Pacific Ocean Federal regulators have approved at least two hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, operations on oil rigs in the Santa Barbara Channel off the coast of California since 2009 without an updated environmental review that critics say may be required by federal law. Environmental advocates are concerned that regulators and the industry have not properly reviewed the potential impacts of fracking in the Pacific outer continental shelf.

Fracking, a subject of heated debate, is a method of drilling that forces water, chemicals and sand deep beneath the Earth’s surface at high pressure to break up underground rock and release oil and gas.

Offshore fracking is currently used to stimulate oil production in old wells and provide well-bore stability.

In California, the oil company Venoco has been using fracking technology to stimulate oil production in an old well off the coast of Santa Barbara— where the public memory of the nation’s third-largest oil spill in 1969 lingers—since early 2010. Another firm recently received permission for fracking in the Santa Barbara Channel, home to the Channel Islands Marine Reserve.

So far, offshore fracking is rare, but officials expect that other firms may seek to utilize the environmentally damaging technology on offshore rigs in the future.

Source: Tinyurl.com/PacificFracking 12

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

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Holy Eco-Crisis!

Deadly Fungus Destroying Bat Colonies White-nose syndrome, a disease spread by a soil fungus, G. destructans, and thought to have been carried to North America from Europe, is devastating bat colonies in the U.S. and Canada. First identified in 2006 in a population of common little brown bats in a cave 150 miles north of New York City, the malady has claimed 98 percent of the bat population there by causing them to awaken prematurely from their normal hibernation and then die from lack of food and exhaustion.

A single reproductive female little brown bat can eat her weight in insects each night. A recent Canadian study valued crops potentially lost to insects that would otherwise be devoured by bats at $53 billion a year. Without the bats to keep insect numbers down, farmers may turn to greater use of pesticides.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Pass Go

Cooperation Rules in New Board Game Monopoly is a traditional, popular board game that provides fun for the whole family as players ruthlessly strive to outwit each other, form a monopoly and take ownership of all the real estate, houses, hotels and money. If that doesn’t seem like a pastime that teaches values of fairness and social justice, there’s a new game in town—Co-opoly.

In the 21st-century game, invented by the Toolbox for Education and Social Action (ToolboxForEd.org), players develop cooperative businesses using a team effort. Sharing knowledge and creating cooperative strategies determine whether everyone wins or loses. Instead of encouraging players to grab up all the wealth and bankrupt others, it showcases the economic success that can result when people work together.

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globalbriefs Bamboozled

Bamboo Fabric a Product of Greenwashing At least one dealer in sustainable products has taken a stand against bamboo fabric, which most people associate with bamboo lumber, a rapidly renewable resource that requires fewer pesticides to grow than other crops.

Laura Mathews, of Eco Promotional Products, Inc., in Washington state, cites the Federal Trade Commission’s report: “The truth is, most bamboo textile products, if not all, really are rayon, which typically is made using environmentally toxic chemicals. While different plants, including bamboo, can be used as a source material to create rayon, there’s no trace of the original plant in the finished rayon product.”

Mathews says that her company has discontinued selling bamboo clothing and all other items made from bamboo fabric. She notes, “It’s the responsibility of everyone to vet these and other similar terms to ensure that the eco-friendly product you’re putting your purchasing power behind is actually eco-friendly.”

Source: EcoPromotionsOnline.com

Second Verse

Kids Turn Trash into Musical Instruments photo courtesy of Landfill Harmonic

Young musicians from the village of Cateura, Paraguay, a town of 2,500 families that make a living by mining the 1,500 tons of solid waste daily dumped in a local landfill, have started making musical instruments from the debris.

Favio Chávez, an ecological technician and trained musician, was inspired to teach the local children to play music in an orchestra.

He says, “The world sends us garbage, we send back music.” A documentary, Landfill Harmonic, is in production and a 30-member Recycled Orchestra has performed in Argentina, Brazil and Germany.

The message is that like other natural resources, children living in poverty have redeeming value and should not be deemed worthless.

Watch videos at Tinyurl.com/ChavezOrchestra and Facebook.com/landfillharmonicmovie.

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Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

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ecotip Digital Detox

Unplug to Cut Stress, Up Success Whether it’s extreme texting, tweeting, Googling, posting or blogging, the phenomenon of being caught in the web of the Web is real. Rationalizations range from coping with today’s information overload to fear of missing out (FOMO). Yet, detriments of such continual digital connectedness range from the stifling of family and social bonds to a lack of life skills that only face-to-face communication fosters.

In 2011, The New York University Child Study Center reported that 8-to-18-year-olds average more than six hours of daily media use and that school grades of a surveyed group that considered themselves “heavy” users were considerably lower than their “light” use counterparts. Stanford Communications Professor Clifford Nass, author of The Man Who Lied to His Laptop, remarked in a 2013 NPR interview that people that do extensive media multitasking “can’t filter out irrelevancy, can’t manage memory and are chronically distracted. They say they are productive and can ‘shut it off’, but can’t keep on task and focus on one thing.”

Fortunately, programs to unplug are catching on. More than 400 middle and high schools in 20 U.S. states plus Canada took a Digital Blackout Challenge to refrain from using electronic devices for one week during the 2012-2013 school year (DigitalBlackout.org). From Chief Sealth International High School, in Seattle, Washington, senior Marissa Evans says the experience informed her “there’s a balance between ‘too much’ and ‘just enough’” in being connected, and classmate Alex Askerov terms the Challenge “a breath of fresh air.”

For the 2013 documentary film, Sleeping with Siri, Seattle-based journalist Michael Stusser underwent a one-week, self-assessed “techno gorge”, followed by a digital detox of the same duration. During stage one, he said his blood pressure went up 40 points after four days. He found, “You’re always waiting for a response.” He subsequently enjoyed being disconnected.

Foresters, a Toronto, Ontario-based life insurance provider, asks families to take a Tech Timeout pledge for at least one hour every day and make Sundays entirely non-tech, packed with family activities and socializing.

Learn more at TechTimeout.com.

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Transform Your Life with Mentors, Books, Workshops and Online Courses

by Bess J.M. Hochstein

Our capacity for self-examination distinguishes us from other animals.

We feel compelled to ask: “Who am I? What am I here for? How can I attain my full potential?” The quest for answers has engaged humans for millennia.

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opular books that have helped people on this journey span centuries, from Wallace Wattles’ The Science of Getting Rich (1910), Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich (1937), Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People (1937), Abraham Maslow’s Motivation and Personality (1954) and Dr. Thomas Anthony Harris’ I’m OK, You’re OK (1967) to Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret (2006).

The personal growth genre is a cornerstone of the publishing industry.

Companies like Hay House, founded by motivational author Louise Hay, have flourished. Hay teaches, “No matter where we live or how difficult

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our situation seems to be, we have the ability to overcome and transcend our circumstances.” The success of her 1984 book, You Can Heal Your Life, a New York Times bestseller well into the 21st century, led to her publishing empire, which includes authors such as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss and Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. One of its recent top sellers is Pam Grout’s E-Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality.

Hay House has expanded its messages of hope and healing through online courses, films, conferences, special events and other opportunities to meet leading thinkers and peers.

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Courtesy of Doug Ellis/Esalen Institute

Fast Track to Personal Growth

Such expansion is essential as more of those pursuing the examined life seek personal interaction in community and find that inward exploration frequently translates into outward action to improve the world.

Perched on the cliffs of Big Sur, in California, the Esalen Institute, established in 1962, helped birth the modern human potential movement. It exists to help individuals grow through education, experience and research, with the conviction that positive personal and social transformation go hand-in-hand.

Today, Esalen offers about 600 workshops a year, serving around 12,000 participants. Popular programs range from dance and yoga to couples workshops and psychology courses.

Cheryl Fraenzl, director of programs, explains the appeal: “For most of us, life can be challenging and messy. Gaining the insight, skills and tools to move through the challenging times with more ease and grace while creating more love for yourself and those around you seems like a good investment of time and energy. Being consciously kind and relationally wise ripples out and changes the world.

The effort has to start with the individual, like paying it forward; imagine if we all were doing it?”

The largest holistic retreat center in North America, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, attracts 35,000 participants to 800 programs annually. According to Denise Barack, the nonprofit’s director of program development, current workshops in high demand include qigong, Buddhist meditation, mindfulness and yoga nidra. She also notes a growing interest in diverse dimensions of yoga, dance and “authentic movement” for

is not worth living for a human being. ~ Plato healing, addiction recovery, releasing trauma and energy medicine.

Psychotherapist and yoga teacher Stephen Cope, founder and director of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living, the Center’s yoga research department, notes that many guests first come to Kripalu “… as a result of some form of suffering. Then they engage in a period of self-exploration—perhaps learning some form of contemplative practice to help them manage themselves more effectively. Almost always there is a turn outward, back toward the world, and a longing to bring the healing power of contemplative practice into their own domain.”

Once someone has experienced the benefits of contemplative practices such as yoga, meditation, breathing and other healthy lifestyle routines, notes Cope, a powerful aspiration typically arises to share these practices and perspectives. “These practices all lead to a sense of union, relatedness and sameness with others,” he says, “and this burgeoning consciousness of sameness compels us to share what we’ve learned.”

In Rhinebeck, New York, the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies offers similar self-empowering and reflective opportunities. Dr. Stephan Rechtschaffen and Elizabeth Lesser founded Omega in 1977 as a “university of life.” Through working with prominent Zen masters, rabbis, Christian monks, psychologists, scientists and others, Lesser has found, “By combining a variety of religious, psychological and healing traditions,

Courtesy of Omega Institute for Holistic Studies

Courtesy of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

The unexamined life

each of us has the unique ability to satisfy our spiritual hunger.”

Based since 1981 in a former camp on a lake with more than 100 buildings on 200-plus acres, Omega hosts more than 23,000 guests in up to 500 programs between mid-April and October, plus special programs in Costa Rica and New York City. Director of Rhinebeck Programs Carol Donahoe notes the rising interest in workshops on dietary cleansing, detox and juicing, such as “Reboot with Joe Cross: A Jump Start to Health and Weight Loss,” led by the filmmaker of Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. Personal transformation and mindfulness programs led by teachers like Jon Kabat-Zinn, Saki Santorelli, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Byron Katie and Pema Chödrön are perennial favorites.

“As humans, we continue to be fascinated by the big questions in life,” observes Donahoe, “like, ‘Where do we go when we die? Who are we if we are not our thoughts?’ People seem particularly drawn to hearing about it from those that have always lived their lives in a left-brain, logical way, and then come to believe the unexplainable through an extraordinary life experience, and now view the world through a completely different lens.”

As examples, she cites neurosurgeon Dr. Eben Alexander, who recounts his near-death experience in his bestselling book, Proof of Heaven, and neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, author of the bestselling memoir My Stroke of Insight. Taylor’s 2008 TED talk was ranked the nonprofit’s second most-watched for the past two years.

Both of these cutting-edge thinkers have given presentations at Omega, which, like at Esalen and Kripalu, helps bring ideas and practices that

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Bess Hochstein is a freelance writer enjoying bicoastal bliss in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and Sonoma County, California. Connect at BessHochstein.com.

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Courtesy of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

Photo by Ali Kaukas / Wanderlust Festival

once seemed on the fringe—from yoga and meditation to complementary medicine and sustainability—into mainstream consciousness. Particularly innovative initiatives include helping military veterans heal from post-traumatic stress disorder; the women’s leadership center; the center for sustainable living; and pioneering programs on mindfulness in the workplace, education system and at-risk urban youth communities.

“We recognize that because we live in an interconnected world; the behavior of one can contribute to creating changes that benefit the whole,” says Donahoe. “Doing both the inner and outer work can awaken the best in the human spirit, and so provide hope and healing to individuals and society.”

For those unable to travel great distances for a holistic immersion experience in community with like-minded seekers, Wanderlust Festivals may offer an answer. Four-day regional summits, primarily held at ski resorts during the off-season, feature teachers like Shiva Rea, Elena Brower and Gurmukh; stimulating discussions; yoga; music and adventure, amidst stunning vistas.

Wanderlust co-founders Sean Hoess and Jeff Krasno strive to create an expansive space for personal growth and mindful living. One common element at every gathering—now including urban and exotic locales—is Seane Corn and Suzanne Sterling’s Off the Mat program, mobilizing yoga students toward activating social change.

The Shift Network is dedicated to creating an online community that shares the tools of self-actualization, empowering a global movement of people creating an evolutionary shift of consciousness that leads to a more enlightened society, built on principles of sustainability, peace, health and prosperity. This new model for the human

potential movement has roots in the grandfather of retreat centers; The Shift Network’s founder, Stephen Dinan, both worked at Esalen and contributed to Esalen’s Center for Theory & Research.

Dinan explains that at a meditation retreat, he received a detailed vision of “a large global transformation network that would be helping to usher in a shift to the new era.” The Shift Network now offers free teleseminars and online summits on subjects ranging from meditation and parenting with presence to enlightened business practices and cultivating peace.

“We started with The Sacred Awakening Series—40 days with 40 spiritual leaders—and 30,000 people signed up in 21 days,” says Dinan. The Inspiring Women Summit attracted 25,000 participants. Since 2010, more than 400,000 people from 160 countries have participated in free teleseminars; 18,000 have paid for online courses such as Barbara Marx Hubbard’s Agents of Conscious Evolution, Andrew Harvey’s Christ Path and Thomas Hüebl’s Authentic Awakening.

The Shift Network has already reached profitability and donated more than $50,000 to nonprofits. Dinan’s vision includes providing education program certifications; building a multimedia platform of e-zines, mobile phone apps and web TV broadcasts; and eventually building facilities and intentional communities to model the possibilities of a more healthy, peaceful, sustainable way of life.

From reading a book on meditation to attending a yoga intensive or tapping into a multifaceted community striving to change the world, we have myriad opportunities to lead an examined life.

While the seeker may have a personal goal in mind, each mode of self-inquiry can expand outward toward making the world a better place.

Hay encourages us all. “You’ve been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”

Seeding Growth

P

ersonal growth can be advanced by activities that improve selfknowledge and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and employability, enhance quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations.

It’s worth investing in: Consider these core universal benefits.

Self-Awareness

Growing self-awareness enables an individual to live a life by design, instead of one marred by feelings of mediocrity, discontent or being a victim of circumstance. When elevated awareness becomes one’s modus operandi, it brings infinite spiritual riches to life.

Happiness

Successful growth requires taking personal responsibility for each choice we make in shaping and responding to circumstances and other people. Most of us are happier when we feel that we have some control over creating our own reality. Feeling empowered supports self-worth and increases our confidence to make even more of the changes we desire to comfort and nurture us and keep us safe.

Success

True success isn’t about the dollars and cents of financial worth—it’s realized via living a life of balance and fulfillment in our health, family life, social relationships, career and contributions to our community and world.

Source: Inspired by FinerMinds.com

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healingways

The Path to Inner Peace 12 Steps to Spiritual Awakening

by Michael A. Singer

S

pirituality is meant to bring about harmony and peace. But the diversity of our philosophies, beliefs, concepts and views about spiritual matters often leads to confusion or even conflict. The fact is that the very act of seeking spiritual freedom causes notions of success and failure, and these notions serve only to bind us to our own self-judgments: Am I growing? Have I done anything wrong? Am I meditating enough?

Truth is only complicated because we pass it through our habitual thought patterns. When we step back from ourselves, truth becomes simple. There are not many paths to freedom; there is only one. In the end, no matter what particular patterns of thought we have managed to build in our minds, freedom always means transcending these personal thought patterns.

So how does one go about transcending the personal self and awakening to spiritual freedom? What is needed for this journey are succinct steps that are so universal that they can echo through the halls of any religion as well as support intellectual understanding.

The following is a universal road map to Self-Realization.

1

Realize that you are in there. You must first come to realize that you are in there. From deep inside, you are experiencing this world. You are experiencing your physical body, your

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thoughts and your emotions. You are conscious and you are experiencing what it is like to be human.

2

Understand that you are not okay in there. Look to see what’s going on inside. If you want to understand why you’ve done everything you have ever done, if you want to see what’s really going on, just observe your mind and emotions—just experience your inner state. If you objectively look, you will see that you are never completely at peace. You will see that you are not okay in there.

3

Notice that you’re always trying to be okay. At any point when you look at the state of your inner being, you will see that something is bothering you. You will then notice that this causes urges, drives and impulses to do something about it. You will find yourself constantly trying to either get something or avoid something. All of this is done in an attempt to be okay.

4

Watch as your mind strives to figure out how everything needs to be for you to be okay. If you watch, you will see that your mind is always telling you what you should and should not do, what others should and should not do and how things should and should not be. All of this is the mind’s attempt to first create a conceptual model of what would make you

okay, and then try to get the outside world to match it.

5

Realize that the process of defining how the outside needs to be is not going to make you okay. You must seriously look at this process of trying to be okay. You’ve been at it your entire life—you’ve just tried different things at different times. While it’s true that sometimes you manage to make it better for short periods of time, you know that you’ve never even come close to reaching a state of permanent peace.

Watch very closely how you react to the things your mind has preferences about. You will see that if your mind gets what it wants, you feel joy; if it doesn’t get what it wants, you feel disturbance. Likewise, when your mind experiences what it doesn’t want, you feel disturbance, and when it avoids what it doesn’t want, you feel relief. You will never be okay playing this game because the world will never match the conceptual model your mind has made up. Eventually, you will come to see that struggling to be okay does not work. At some point, you will try to find a different way to be okay in there.

6

Learn to not participate in the mind’s struggle to be okay. This step is about learning to sit in as the witness, the part of you that notices the inner urges to be okay. You must become comfortable with sitting in there and not participating in the inner energies.

You learn to relax in the midst of them.

You come to see that there is a habitual process in which the moment you feel inner disturbance, you are drawn into doing something about it. You must learn to sit inside and not participate in this process. If you truly understand that going outside to try to be okay inside doesn’t work, then you’ll be willing to sit inside and simply allow the disturbance to pass through. It is not difficult.

If you can do this, all disturbance will cease by itself.

7

Go about your life just like everyone else, except that nothing you do is for the purpose of trying to be okay. If you aren’t so preoccupied with trying to be okay, you will be free to sit inside and quietly love, serve and

honor whatever naturally unfolds in front of you. When you reach this point, you are no longer living for yourself.

You are interacting with life, but not for the purpose of being okay.

8

As you sincerely let go of the inner energies you are watching, you begin to feel a deeper energy come in from behind. Up to this point, everything you were watching inside was in front of you. But now that you are no longer being drawn into those personal energies, you’ll realize that your inner universe is actually very expansive. You will begin to feel Spirit flow in from behind. It lifts you and brings you great love and joy.

9

Your inner experience becomes so beautiful that you fall in love with the energy flow, and you develop a very deep and personal relationship with it. It will become completely clear to you that there is a direct trade-off between your personal energies and the amount of Spirit that you feel. The more you get drawn into your personal energies, the less Spirit you feel; the less you participate in your personal energies, the more Spirit you feel. You now have a direct relationship with the spiritual energy, and you will find yourself constantly longing to experience it.

10

You begin to feel the energy pulling you up into it, and your entire path becomes letting go of yourself in order to merge. Will is no longer needed. Now your path is strictly about releasing yourself into the pull of the higher energy. You must surrender deeply enough to be able to overcome the fear of losing your connection to the

personal self. You must to be willing to die to be reborn.

11

Once you get far enough back into the energy, you realize that your personal life can go on without you, leaving you free to become immersed in Spirit. This is the greatest miracle: You’ve surrendered and your entire life is about Spirit, yet people, places and things continue to interact with you. The difference is that these interactions require none of your energy. They happen naturally, by themselves, leaving you at peace and absorbed in Spirit.

12

Now you are truly okay and nothing inside or outside of you can cause disturbance—you have come to be at peace with it all. Because you are now completely okay, you don’t need anything. Things just are what they are. At this point, you know yourself as Self. The world, mind and heart cannot disturb you. You’ve transcended them all. What is more, instead of feeling drawn into Spirit, you now actually experience yourself as Spirit. You have no boundaries in time or space. You have always existed and you will always exist. You have no form, shape, gender or body. You simply are, have always been and will always be— Infinite Spirit.

Michael A. Singer is the author of The New York Times bestselling book, The Untethered Soul – The Journey Beyond Yourself (UntetheredSoul.com), which is the basis for this article. He is the founder of the Temple of the Universe, a yoga and meditation center established in 1975 in Alachua, FL.

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greenliving

CRAFTING A GREEN HOLIDAY Happy Ways to Deck the Halls

by Avery Mack

Conjure a Norman Rockwellesque holiday fantasy of family members gathered around a home-cooked meal, creative gifts and decorations in place as stories of holidays past mingle with memories in the making.

Cue the strolling carolers.

The reality tends to be more of a distracted and exhausting race to the finish line. Available time, energy and money all play into what’s possible to get done by the big day. Some tips can make easy eco-decorations a feel-good part of the merriment.

L

ow-maintenance, childand pet-friendly colored seashells make a sustainable alternative to outdoor mulch.

Choose from 22,000 Sherwin-Williams nontoxic, water-based hues to brighten any landscape. Hide a fallow flowerbed under a waterproof tarp, cover with light-colored shells as background. Then design a Christmas tree, wreath, menorah, multihued snowman or another original design with colored shells. After the holidays, the tarp can envelop the shells and be put away for easy storage.

Visit ColoredShells.com.

Canadian Laura Watt, owner of the ethical seed company Cubit’s Organics, in Toronto, made a felted wool wreath for a front door from an old jacket. A worn-out blanket will also work. “It only took one long baby nap to make,” says Watt, who gave new life to the wire base from an old wreath by using bits of yarn to stitch flowers. Find instructions at Tinyurl. com/FeltWreath.

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A little VOCfree paint, some repurposed mini-decorations and recycled toilet paper rolls could become an indoor wreath to be proud of. “I’m a television producer, blogger and mother of 2and 4-year-old daughters, so it had to be easy and quick,” says Karri-Leigh Mastrangelo, in Los Angeles. “We’ll do it again this year.” See how at Tinyurl.com/TPWreath.

Spice up table décor using unexpected items. Lay a base of an organic cotton tablecloth, runner and napkins.

Top with a centerpiece base comprising a pie pan, clear flower vase or Mason jar filled with bits of fresh evergreens and accented with small ornaments or beads from repurposed and recycled jewelry. Colored shells can line the bottom. Add a stable soy candle positioned in a bit of water for easy cleanup of dripped wax.

To continue the theme from the front door to the table, fashion leftover felt from the wreath into candle rings, using the same method, but on a smaller scale.

Add spirals of garland made of star-shaped, dried orange peels handcrafted by Colombia’s Sapia artisans. The green, yellow and orange colors, backed with a soft white, provide a citrusy fragrance that lasts months. Learn more at Tinyurl. com/CitrusGarland.

Beeswax candle kits are kid-friendly and come with enough supplies to make 20 candles.

Order red and green wax sheets for Christmas, blue and white for Hanukkah or purple and pink for Advent.

The beeswax is rolled around the wick to make an eight-inchtall, one-inch-diameter

taper. The honeycomb texture creates a festive look.

Beeswax is natural and free from the petroleum-based chemicals commonly used in conventional candles.

It burns brighter, hotter, cleaner and longer, while emitting negative ions that clean the air of odors, pollen, smoke, dust, dust mites and allergens.

No time for a do-it-yourself project?

Many ready-to-use beeswax and floating candles in the shape of poinsettias, holly leaves and snowflakes are available at ToadilyHandmade.com.

Angela Price has created handblown glass terrarium ornaments for her small-space garden design company and boutique, Eden Condensed, in greater Los Angeles, California. The ornaments range from two to four inches in diameter and include live succulents, dried moss and miniature, holiday-inspired repurposed items. Price says, “Decorating the tree or the table, they’re easy to maintain and can be enjoyed for many months beyond the holidays.”

See Tinyurl.com/Decorative Terrariums for inspired ideas.

Place cards add an elegant, personal touch to any holiday table. Kids can make snowflake ornaments from recycled paper. Print a holiday greeting on one side of the snowflake and inscribe a name and personal message on the other for family gatherings. Tied with a ribbon, the snowflakes can also be hung in the window or on the tree.

Preprinted snowflakes made of recycled paper with soy ink at Tinyurl. com/PlantableSnowflakes are embedded with a variety of wildflower seeds for future planting.

Mail them in lieu of traditional greeting cards or as more formal place cards for a simple way to prosper green holiday wishes.

Mixing mindful shopping with creative touches embroiders a memorable day with family fun and the satisfaction that we’ve celebrated the holidays in sustainable style.

Connect with Avery Mack via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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Local Guide to

W

e know it as the most wonderful time of the year, yet too often the holiday season pushes wellness to the back burner and heightened consumption trumps efforts to go green. For this year’s gift-giving season, Natural Awakenings has gathered meaningful and practical gift ideas from local businesses to ease the stress of holiday shopping.

To make gifting even simpler, pair our findings with creative themes that initiate new traditions. Try the four-gift rule with kids: one thing they want, one thing they need, one thing to wear and one thing to read. Consider shopping throughout the year when inspiration strikes, and then store items in a gift closet; it cuts down on holiday todos. Or, turn from packaged products altogether to gift certificates, prepaid memberships and healthier treats.

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Accessories with a Conscience

If jewelry is on a loved one’s wish list, look for pieces that are made of sustainable or recycled materials or that raise funds for a worthy cause.

Rock Hard Designs, (RockHardDesigns.com), located at Monet Monet, Grayton Beach and Downtown Pensacola, is an award-winning designer passionate about the deeper meaning of jewelry produced by most ancient cultures versus the generic, meaningless styles mass-produced today under sweatshop conditions in Third-World countries.

Presents that Pamper

With busy calendars and long to-do lists, everyone can use a little pampering this time of year. For a gift that keeps on giving, give a year’s member-

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ship for monthly massages or facials.

Massage Envy Spa, (Massage Envy. com), in Destin, offers a variety of massages and facials for different needs and desires at an affordable price.

Pets can be pampered, too. Esther’s Garden of Healing (Facebook.com/ pages/Esthers-Garden-of-Healing/138) is expanding their Holistic Pet Care section. After more than 10 years of treating their own animals holistically, owners Esther Terns and Diana Pereira are helping animals to get healthy or stay healthy through the use of homeopathics, nutrition, and herbal care.

Gift certificates for organic hair coloring, hair products, and skin care.

Salon Vedat, (SalonVedat.com) a fullservice salon, provides hair coloring and smoothing processes with Organic Salon Systems and KeraGreen products. No toxin, chemicals, or unpleasant odors. Products are environment friendly and use no animal products or byproducts, with no animal testing.

Healthy Holiday Eats

Indulge your guest and feel good by sharing organic, vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free side dishes, holiday treats and libations.

Ever’man Natural Foods (Everman. org) and Golden Almond Health Food Store, (Golden Almond.com) showcase some of the finest organic libations this time of year, as well as healthier choices for baking and cooking items to have on hand during the holidays.

Off The Vine (OffTheVine.org) brings in organic produce from local regional farmers. Find seasonal holiday favorites, order weekly and pick up at convenient locations throughout Northwest Florida.

Pensacola Natural Foods (PensacoalNaturalFoods.com), among other conscious eating products, sells organic free-range turkeys available by advance order during the holiday season.

At Synergy Organic Juice Bar and Café (SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com), treat your holiday guest and family to a delicious meal where all is prepared for you and someone else does the dishes.

Learn to create your own organic vegan and vegetarian delights from home by attending one of many classes and workshops offered.

The Perfect Fall Apple Salad

Crisp and Juicy Apple Recipes Off The Vine No-Cook Apple Pie Pecan-Date Pie Crust 8-10 dates, pitted 2 cup pecans, walnuts or macadamia nuts or mixture to ½ cup water (to blend) 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp each of ground nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until uniform (if it’s still a little chunky that’s okay).

Place the mixture in a pie pan; (I will line mine with fitted parchment paper first) press firmly at bottom and around edges.

Raw Cinnamon Apple-Pear Pie Mixture 4 fresh firm apples, very thinly sliced on the mandolin 1 ripe pear, very thinly sliced on the mandolin (let slices drain for a few minutes) ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp cinnamon and cloves 1 Tbsp honey ¼ cup golden raisins ½ cup lemon juice ½ tsp vanilla extract Mix together ingredients with the apples and pears. Lay the mixture on the pie crust and evenly distribute. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving (create different fruit combos for variety).

Cinnamon adds just a bit of warmth and spice to this crunchy salad.

1 apple 1 head romaine 1 medium onion 14 walnuts, halves ¼ cup raisins or dates 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp agave or honey 2 Tbsp lemon juice 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar pinch of cinnamon salt and pepper to taste.

Chop the romaine and core and slice the apple.

Toss with sliced onions, walnuts halves and raisins.

In a small cup, whisk together the olive oil, agave, lemon juice, vinegar and cinnamon for the dressing.

Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Recipes provided by Off The Vine. For more reciepes and information on purchaseing organic produce call 850374-2181 or visit OffTheVine.org.

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wisewords

The Miracle of Midlife Being Exactly Who We Need to Be

by Marianne Williamson

H

ow would we live, were we not afraid of death? How would we live if we gave ourselves permission to give to life everything we’ve got?

In The Longevity Factor, Lydia Brontë, Ph.D., observes that we’ve added 15 years to our lives… but in the middle, not at the end. No longer identifying ourselves as “over the hill” at whatever age, we are simply removing the hill.

We are forging a different conversation and a new vision to take us beyond the limited thought forms that have defined the parameters of age for generations.

For the first time in history, we can realistically view the first half of life as a kind of gestation period, preparing us for an even more productive second half. Midlife is like a second puberty, a point at which one persona falls away and another comes to take its place.

What happens then is up to us.

Some begin a long, slow cruise toward death at that point, allowing memories to become more meaningful than the present. Others, remembering that the spirit within us never ages, see the moment of midlife as a rebirth—the time to put our engines into high gear.

Whomever it is we were born to be, whatever our soul was coded to accomplish, whatever lessons we are here to learn; now is the time to seriously get going. We may regret that we’re no longer young, but we’re ecstatic that we’re no longer clueless.

We must be disciplined, though.

We want to become precision instruments now, focused on exactly what we want to do and being exactly who we need to be. This requires separat-

ing from the person we were before to whatever extent that person was not who we know in our hearts we were created to be.

There’s no more time for five-year detours. No more time for relationships that don’t serve us or for staying in situations that aren’t true to who we are. No more time for pettiness, false pride or whatever other dysfunctional roadblocks obstruct our higher destiny and the joy that’s meant to be ours.

Our life might not be as fabulous as it used to be in some ways, but in other ways it’s even more fabulous. The Universe is constantly and infinitely elastic, responding not to our past, but to our present state of mind. As we learn to reprogram thoughts—atoning for our mistakes of the past and embracing the endless miraculous possibilities of the present—we step into a time when we have every reason to look forward with genuine excitement to what happens next.

Individually and collectively, we are now fitted to fearlessly forge new ground, wielding the power of what life has taught us so far and laying claim to the possibility of redemption, not only for ourselves, but also for the entire world. The planet needs a new story, aligned with a larger consciousness, and so do we.

What we need now are imagination and courage. Many of us feel we’ve forever carried around a secret dream, rarely validating it even to ourselves and often denying its reality. Yet it has refused to go away and is ready to be born at last. Individuals that have spent decades achieving one thing or moving in one direction often take up something else

entirely that gives them far more psychic satisfaction. They see achievements that were the height of their material success as preparation for an even greater one; the means by which they learned the skills ultimately needed to make their biggest contribution to the world.

Divine law guarantees that the power of “now” presents an endless fount of miraculous opportunities. In God, there are no limits to how high we can go, ever. In God, there is no time… only the call of the soul. It is not too late; we are right on time and we are better than we know.

Now, having visited so many other places in our journey of life, we seek our place within the collective heartbeat of holiness. When enough of us stand in the light of our higher purpose, seeking to be ever-greater servants of love, each consciously dedicated to creating a more loving world, then a new field of collective possibility will emerge among us. All that is not love will begin to fall away of its own dead weight. A profound moment of planetary renewal will occur then, after our having allowed it first to occur within us.

Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed inspirational author and lecturer. Six of her 10 books have been New York Times bestsellers, including The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife, the basis for this article.

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consciouseating

GRAIN FREE &

BRAIN

BRIGHT How Wheat, Carbs and Sugar are Affecting Your Brain Health

by Linda Sechrist

A

lzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia and a general term for memory loss and other intellectual disabilities serious enough to interfere with daily life, affects 5.6 million Americans. According to The Lancet Neurology, a well-respected medical journal on brain research, Alzheimer’s, which presently has no cure, is preventable.

“Lifestyle choices, like aerobic exercise and eating plenty of healthy fats and reducing carbohydrates, affect overall brain health, as well as the risk of Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist and author of the new bestselling book, Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar—Your Brain’s Silent Killers.

Food is a powerful epigenetic modulator—it can enable or hamper our DNA, thus regulating the expression of many genes. Experts have only begun to understand the damaging consequences of wheat consumption.

“Grain Brain is a timely wake-up call about how we are increasingly challenging human physiology by consuming what we are not genetically prepared to process, like the 133 pounds of wheat the average American eats annually,” says Perlmutter. He believes that one of the main culprits for the decline in brain health in modern times has been the introduction of wheat into the human diet. Today’s modernized and hybridized wheat crops share little genetic, structural or chemical similarity to the wild einkorn variety of grain our ancestors consumed in small amounts.

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“A hallmark of what I term grain brain is that brain dysfunction is predicated on the inflammation from consumption of gluten, as well as the long chains of sugar molecules known as carbohydrates.” ~ Dr. David Perlmutter

In the West, 20 percent of calories come from wheatbased food. Perlmutter is among those that regard this as a dangerous statistic, especially since Dr. Alessio Fasano, a pediatric gastroenterologist and research scientist who leads the Center for Celiac Research & Treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, found that the gluten in wheat leads to the production of zonulin in the gut.

Zonulin increases the permeability of the intestinal wall, allowing proteins to leak from the gut into the bloodstream, explains Perlmutter. These proteins, which would normally remain within the digestive system, then challenge parts of the immune system, the macro fascia and certain other types of white blood cells that increase production of inflammation-related chemicals. “Zonulin is the cornerstone of diseases characterized by inflammation in the brain—Alzheimer’s, autism, Parkinson’s and attention deficit disorders—as well as autoimmune diseases,” advises Perlmutter.

Fasano’s research shows that such a reaction to zonulin is present in 100 percent of humans—not just in the 1.8 percent of the population that have celiac disease or 30 percent that are gluten sensitive. “A hallmark of what I term grain brain is that brain dysfunction is predicated on the inflammation from consumption of gluten, as well as the long chains of sugar molecules known as carbohydrates,” says Perlmutter. “This includes fruit, which also was consumed in limited quantities by our ancestors.” He cites a published analysis by Loren Cordain, Ph.D., author of The Paleo Diet.

A diet high in carbohydrates has been directly related to atrophy, or brain shrinkage, according to a recent German study by University of Bonn researchers, published in Neurology. A blood test for hemoglobin A1C, the standard laboratory measurement to assess average blood sugar, is frequently used in studies that correlate blood sugar control to disease processes like Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment and coronary artery disease. The researchers conclud-

ed that elevated hemoglobin A1C is directly associated with brain shrinkage, says Perlmutter.

He further notes, “The function of the brain, which is 60 to 70 percent fat and maintained by the fats you consume, depends on its environment.” Grain Brain recommends a diet that’s aggressively low in carbohydrates (60 grams per day) and bountiful in supportive brain fats. These include extravirgin olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, ghee, almond milk, avocados, olives, nuts, nut butters, cheese and seeds such as flaxseed, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and chia. It is also rich in above-ground vegetables such as kale, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and salad greens, while relatively low in below-ground vegetables like beets, carrots and potatoes, which are higher in carbohydrates. It also calls for reduced fruit consumption.

“Having two to four servings of fruit every day, based on America’s present food pyramid, is not helpful. More in line with avoiding brain drain is an apple or a handful of berries, or about 100 calories worth of any fruit. In my opinion, the pyramid needs to be stood on its head,” advises Perlmutter.

“We should eat a diet similar to what our ancestors survived on for 2.6 million years and reprogram support of our genetic destiny for the better.”

Dr. David Perlmutter is a board-certified neurologist, Fellow of the American College of Nutrition and author of Grain Brain. For more information on his 2013 PBS Grain Brain series, visit DrPerlmutter.com.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

Visit ItsAllAboutWe.com for the recorded interview.

Open your eyes, look within.

Are you satisfied with the life you’re living? ~Bob Marley

natural awakenings

November 2013

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inspiration

LIVING GRATITUDE

A Taproot of Happiness

by Leo Babauta

I

“

f the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘Thank you,’ that would suffice,” a maxim first voiced by mystic Meister Eckhart, has held true through the centuries. Why should this simple act mean so much?

Expressing gratitude works wonders.

ward to thank others.

Gratitude reminds us to recognize good people in our life. They range from loved ones to those that render a kindness to a stranger. Treasuring goodness in every form brings more of it into our experience.

Show thanks. Sometimes we think about something helpful or kind that someone did for us recently or long ago. Make a note, call them up or even better, tell them in person with sincere conviction why you continue to be grateful and appreciative. Another option is a thank-you card or email—keep it short and sweet.

Gratitude turns bad things into good things. Having problems at work? Be grateful to be employed and serving others. Challenges keep life interesting, enhance judgment and strengthen character.

Gratitude reminds us of what’s important. Being grateful to have a healthy family and friends, a home and food on the table puts smaller worries in perspective.

Gratitude reminds you to say, “Thank you.” Call, email or stop by to say thanks… it takes just a few minutes to express our reason for doing so. People like being appreciated. It creates a satisfying beam of mutual happiness that shines on.

Habit-Forming Tips

Here are some ways to overcome any initial discomfort felt in stepping for30

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Create a morning gratitude session.

Take a few minutes each morning to close your eyes, silence the to-dos and give thanks to whomever and whatever is cause for gratitude.

See the silver lining even in “negative” situations. There are always two ways to look at something. We can perceive something as stressful, harmful, sad, unfortunate and difficult, or look for the good embedded in just about everything. Problems held in a positive light from a different perspective can be opportunities to grow and to be creative in devising a solution.

Learn a gratitude prayer. Many songs and prayers, religious or not, serve to remind us to be grateful. Find or write a special one and post it in a highly visible spot.

Leo Babauta is the founder of the simplicity blog, ZenHabits.net, and author of bestselling e-books Focus, The Little Guide to Un-Procrastination and Zen to Done.

Be Thankful Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times, you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings. ~ Author unknown natural awakenings

November 2013

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naturalpet

Saving Animals

Saves People Rescue You, Rescue Me

by Sandra Murphy

Like water, grace seeks its own level. In rescuing animals, the rescuer is often also rescued. Both lives change for the better.

B

“

uster came to us for a reason,” says Amy Burkert.

“My husband, Rod, and I were walking our Shar-Pei, Ty, in our Philadelphia neighborhood when a man warned us about ‘a big, black dog’ in the alley. The friendly fellow came home with us and after a fruitless search for his family, we decided to make him part of ours.”

In 2009, when the couple encountered difficulty finding a vacation hotel that would accept their new 70-pound German shepherd as an overnight guest, they decided to launch GoPetFriendly.com, a website that assists in finding travel accommodations for families with dogs and other pets.

Selling their house in Pennsylvania and hitting the road in a 24-foot-long RV, they’ve now traveled to 47 states to research and qualify content for the website; Rod works from “home” and Amy writes the weblog. Their travel schedule flexes, with most stops lasting one to three weeks.

“It’s not the life two accountants were banking on, but we couldn’t be happier,” she says, “and we owe it all to Buster.” The site now lists more than 60,000 hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, beaches, dog parks and activities across the U.S. and Canada, plus a road trip planner.

“I woke up one morning and thought, ‘I can’t find a husband, so I’ll get a dog,’” says BJ Gallagher, a sociologist and award-winning author. “I’d lived in my Los Angeles house for 16 years and knew none of the neighbors. Within six months of adopting Fannie from a shelter, I’d met them

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Humans rescue animals, but animals show up for a reason—most humans can use some rescuing, as well. all. Thanks to her, I’ve become a full-fledged member of my community.” Fannie’s Chinese heritage includes chow and Pekingese breeds.

Transformations can come from more unusual pets, as well. Soon after Susan M. Tellem, a registered nurse in Malibu, California, gifted her husband, Marshall, with two tortoises for his birthday, the couple discovered there was no national protection program for the reptiles. They started American Tortoise Rescue (Tortoise.com), an organization that has been rescuing, rehabilitating and providing sanctuary to more than 3,000 water turtles and land tortoises since 1990. Their education and awareness initiatives for humane treatment have gone international, as well.

It was a bird that rescued April Leffingwell. She had been dealing with a severe back injury that necessitated pain medication and kept her from regular work for six months when she and her husband visited a local Los Angeles pet store, “to get out of the house.” She was touched by seeing a large Moluccan cockatoo that was afflicted with a damaged claw. Her husband recognized how she related to the bird’s condition and brought Izzi home the next day.

Now with just one leg, Izzi has learned to sleep while lying down to rest his other limb. “Izzi and I found each other when we were both broken,” she says. “We’ve become each other’s source of strength. If he can live with only one leg, I can live through pain.”

When members of the armed forces deploy, they often have to find alternate living arrangements for pets and may not always be successful. Kimberly Gauthier, a blogger at KeepTheTailWagging.com, and her ex-Army partner are securing funding and laying plans to foster dogs for deployed soldiers. Emailing updates and Skype visits will aim to boost the morale of both the dog and serviceman or woman. The couple lives on five acres in Marysville, Washington.

An animal-enriched environment has proved to be helpful for author Kathy Rowe, a 20-year veteran retired from the military, and her husband, Scott, who also retired from Air Force service that included Special Forces duty. They have chosen to live on a 100-acre farm in Tyner, Kentucky. Kathy believes their variety of resident rescued animals, including dogs, cats, chickens, turkeys and a potbelly pig, all help Scott in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Riding, working with and grooming his horse, Quint, is particularly helpful. “My husband is less frustrated, has better focus, is less jumpy and has fewer flashbacks than he used to,” relates Rowe. “Knowing that our rescue dog, Lola, is guarding the farm, he feels he can sleep better because she has his back.”

Humans rescue animals, but animals show up for a reason—most humans can use some rescuing, as well.

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy of St. Louis, MO, at StLSandy@mindspring.com. natural awakenings

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Treat Pets with Herbs Safe Effective Alternatives for Pet Ailments

by Diana Pereira

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ido has ear mites or an upset digestive system, and immediately we reach for the nearest product that promises to get rid of our animal companion’s ailments; but at what cost?

There is an alternative that will help to heal Fido or Fifi without the side effects of conventional veterinary medicine.

Most herbs that are commonly used in veterinary medicine are much gentler than most drugs, yet they still demand respect. Many times feeding our pet a nutritionally sound diet and adding supplementary herbs, depending on the individual pet’s needs, will be enough to prevent most ailments. To boost immune support and for overall good health, try adding a general herbal dietary tonic consisting of spirulina, nettle, dandelion leaf, alfalfa and ground flaxseed to a pet’s daily diet.

This formula can be fed to any canine by one teaspoon daily and any feline by one-half teaspoon daily and will supply large concentrations of easily absorbed protein, vitamin C, B complex, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids, and is much less expensive than most supplements in capsule form.

Although many animals do enjoy riding in vehicles, there are those that suffer from acute nervousness and anxi34

ety when they have to be transported to any new place. For these times, herbs can be helpful for gently calming the animal. In circumstances where fear and anxiety prohibit an otherwise passive animal from relaxing, valerian may induce just enough sedation to allow napping. If the animal’s anxiety is causing them to hiss, spit, bite or make other demonstrations of potential violence, a dose or two of passionflower, lemon balm or catnip may help defuse the situation.

If nervousness is causing trembling or hypersensitivity to touch and sound, skullcap or oat straw, combined with either valerian or passionflower, can be very effective. However, before reaching for valerian or any other herb, try giving the pet a few drops of Bach’s Rescue Remedy, as this may be all they need to calm down.

It’s normal for a healthy animal to vomit or get diarrhea on occasion.

Dogs and cats may intuitively induce vomiting by eating grass or other plants. This action serves to cleanse the stomach. Sometimes digestive upset does not remedy itself and needs the aid of the pet’s caretaker. In this case, if the animal is experiencing chronic diarrhea, vomiting or constipation but shows no other signs of illness, try changing their diet. Often, when a pet

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is placed on a natural diet, adding in probiotics or digestive enzymes, the symptoms will diminish greatly or disappear altogether.

If not, then the first course of remedial action is to aid in the elimination of excess gas and help reduce pain and spasms in the stomach and colon.

Chamomile, fennel, dill, catnip or peppermint are all good choices for this. If also dealing with inflammation or acid indigestion, slippery elm, marshmallow root, goldenseal and nettle will come to the rescue. If a parasitic, bacterial, or fungal infection is part of the problem, consider combining goldenseal tincture equally with licorice tincture (1 ml for each 20 pounds of body weight, twice daily). This will inhibit the invading microbes while speeding the healing of digestive mucosa.

The standard symptomatic approach to diarrhea is to inhibit the entry of fluid into the intestinal tract, which is usually accomplished through the use of astringent herbs such as uva ursi or white oak bark. These quickly shrink the intestinal membranes, prohibiting the release of excess fluid, and firm up the stool. These should only be used for the duration of two or three days at a time, though. Gentler astringents to try first include plantain, slippery elm or raspberry leaf. When assisting an animal with constipation, strong laxatives such as senna, aloe or cascara sagrada should only be used when all else fails.

Try yellow dock first, strengthening its effects with the addition of liver tonic herbs such as dandelion root.

Is the pet shaking their head or rubbing their ears on everything in sight? Ear problems are most commonly found in the form of bacterial or fungal infections, mites, fleas or foreign objects lodged in the ear canal. Mullein flower, garlic oil and Oregon gape root are all strong antimicrobials with a strong affinity toward the inhibition of mites and pathogens that may cause ear problems. The slippery, oily mucilage of marshmallow root provides soothing relief and a protective, antimicrobial barrier on inflamed tissues of the outer ear. For a multipurpose ear oil that is antimicrobial and anti-parasitic, combine equal amount of oil infusions from mullein flower, Oregon grape root, garlic and marshmallow root. Put six to

12 drops of this oil on any affect areas of the earflap or ear canal.

Elderly animals sometimes have chronic problems as a result of poor or incomplete nutrition and may need some herbal aide in strengthening their body systems. Nothing can compare with spirulina or other forms of bluegreen algae for tonic nutritional support of an aging body. Astragaus is a general tonic that provides immune system support while also strengthening the animal’s resistance to stress. To support liver and digestive functions, the addition of liver stimulants such as dandelion or burdock root is highly recommended. Marshmallow root, fed fresh, dried, or in any form of lowalcohol liquid, aids in the passage of stool by providing a protective, antiinflammatory and lubricating barrier to the intestinal mucosa.

To increase urinary efficiency and help strengthen mucous membranes in the urinary tract, a tea of dandelion leaf, nettle, cleavers or parsley leaf can be added to the animal’s drinking water every day. Oat straw serves

as an excellent nervous system tonic that can be fed daily to help improve and regulate nerve transmission. Blood circulation and neurological functions of the brain can be assisted and sometimes improved with the use of ginkgo, gotu kola or peppermint. Aches, pains and loss of mobility that result from joint and connective tissue degeneration may be relieved with supplements of horsetail or yucca root. In cases of arthritis flare-ups, licorice, devil’s claw or boswellia may bring symptomatic relief. Cardiovascular efficiency can be supported with daily supplementation of hawthorn berries. If circulatory impairment is evident in the legs, ears or tail of the animal, ginkgo, yarrow or cayenne may be of assistance.

And the day came, when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anais Nin

Diana Pereira is co-owner of Esther’s Garden of Healing, in Navarre , who has traveled a long health journey resulting in herbal knowledge that can be applied to persons and animals alike. For more information find Esther’s Garden on Facebook or email at EsthersGardenOfHealing@live.com.

natural awakenings

November 2013

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fitbody

Jungle Gym

A Natural End to a Natural Life.

PERFECT!

Green Natural Funerals Natural setting/ embalming fluid free/ biodegradable elements/ cost-effective funeral arrangements

Moving Like Animals Can Wildly Improve Fitness

www.glendalenaturepreserve.org

Glendale (850) 859-2141 Memorial 297 Railroad Ave., Defuniak Springs Nature Located just off of U.S. Highway 83 Preserve About 10 miles north of DeFuniak Springs

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact. ~William James

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by Debra Melani

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itness seekers across the country are finding their wild sides by crouching like cougars, leaping like leopards and crawling like crabs.

Although it might seem like they’ve let silliness encroach on their fitness goals, these adventurous types might be on the right track, realizing more of the rippled muscles and exceptional agility of our four-legged complements.

“It’s getting people back into their own bodies,” says Mike Fitch, creator of Animal Flow, one of several fitness programs offered in health clubs around the country that enable participants to make the most of their inner beast. “People are tired of being injured and doing the same old workouts. They need a more well-rounded, holistic approach to their health.”

Fitch, founder of Global Bodyweight Training, in Miami, Florida, incorporates fluid movement (including parkour, break dancing and gymnastics) in his routines.

Animal-related workouts are proving to be a fun form of natural bodyweight training—named a top fitness trend for 2013 by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Men and women are mimicking animals to attain

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stronger, leaner and more agile bodies that perform better in life. Whether building arm strength by swinging their lower bodies sideways, feet-to-hands, like a gorilla, or toning thigh muscles by stalking forward inches from the ground like a panther, animal workout converts are toning their bodies in challenging ways without the use of heavy weights or equipment.

“The bear crawl is another good example,” advises David Nordmark, author of Animal Workouts: Animal Movement Based Bodyweight Training for Everyone. With hands and feet on the ground and rear end raised in the air, the bear crawl involves scrambling quickly forward and backward—a popular high school football and karate agility drill for years. He contends, “Even if you think you are in shape and do it for a minute, you’ll be amazed at how much more of a workout your arms get.”

Neal Pire, a New Jersey-based strength trainer and ACSM fellow, agrees the movements are intense and strength building, but wonders if an evolved, two-legged animal is meant to mimic four-legged species. “It’s a very tough workout,” says Pire. “You’re

loading muscles where typically you don’t have very much leverage, so your muscles are doing all of the work; yet some moves might be overloading to certain people’s joints.”

Fitch claims the overall result is increased muscle endurance. He cites a study published in the journal Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism of women that found whole-body, aerobic resistance training like what’s applied in his program supplies a cardiovascular workout similar to endurance training, but with the added benefits of increased balanced muscle strength and perceived enjoyment.

“I call it body balance, working your body as a unit,” Nordmark says, citing pushups, which activate specific muscle groups, as a more traditional example. He notes, “I think it gives people a more natural and attractive look than bodybuilding, more like dancers or even martial artists or gymnasts.”

Working out like animals keeps human cores activated, especially when combining the exercises together for a sustained routine. In addition to tightened abdominal muscles, it boosts

“Even if you think you are in shape and do it for a minute, you’ll be amazed at how much more of a workout your arms get.” ~ David Nordmark on “the bear crawl” exercise calorie consumption and leads to enhanced core and overall strength. Fitch points to a relevant study of college football players that demonstrated the strength connection, published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Pire concurs that sustained exercises at a moderate range, as with animal workouts, is an effective calorie burner. Firming up a flabby middle also works to improve balance, as another study in the same journal showed, involving sedentary women performing fitness ball exercises.

Moving the body in many directions in intense, but flowing, almost dance-like workouts, naturally improves

stability, agility, flexibility and balance, as exhibited in the animal kingdom.

“Challenging the body as it moves in all directions uses the body the way it was intended to be used,” maintains Fitch.

Nordmark also points to similarities in yoga poses resembling animal postures that have contributed to physical and spiritual health for millennia.

Nordmark and Fitch believe that animal themes provide many more bodyweight movements that can keep workouts fresh and be mastered for life, keeping bodies strong and functional as people age. “If you meet an old bear in the woods, he’s not walking around with a walker,” Nordmark observes. “He’s still a formidable animal, and you don’t want to mess with him.” Plus, adds Fitch: “The workouts are great fun.”

Watch animal moves in action at Tinyurl.com/AnimalFlowVideo.

Freelance journalist Debra Melani writes about health care and fitness from Lyons, CO. Connect at Debra Melani.com or DMelani@msn.com.

natural awakenings

November 2013

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Coming Next Month

Awakening Humanity Join in Raising Up Our World with the December issue of Natural Awakenings

healthykids

Superpower Kids’ Immune Systems Natural Health Experts Share How

by Jenna Blumenfeld

M

any experts admit there is no definitive reason that people sniffle more during colder months. Some speculate it’s because we’re spending more time indoors and missing out on resupplying vitamin D, which makes us more susceptible to disease. Others say that when the temperature drops, the body uses more energy to stay warm instead of to fend off infection. What health practitioners do know is it’s possible to maintain immunity naturally with diet, lifestyle and a proper whole foods supplement routine.

Consider these tips from three experts to stave off illness and shorten its duration.

NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR Christopher Johnson, Doctor of Naturopathy Thrive Naturopathic, Arlington, Virginia

For For more information about about advertising and and how how you you can can participate, call call

850-687-0826 000-000-0000 38

Incorporate immunity-boosting foods. Ginger and garlic contain antioxidants such as vitamin C and selenium, and have antimicrobial qualities. Add minced ginger to teas or marinades; roast garlic with carrots and squash. Aim to eat one to two cloves of garlic and 250 milligrams of ginger daily.

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Try elderberry extract. Elderberry has strong antiviral properties. Consuming the plant’s extract may prevent virusbased illnesses and alleviate both the symptoms and duration of a cold. Adults can take one to two teaspoons twice daily for prevention; increase dosage to four times a day if feeling sick. Use less for youths, based on size.

Make exercise and rest priorities. Daily physical activity rids the body of toxins, increases blood circulation and lowers stress levels. A simple 30-minute cardio routine three to four times a week strengthens immunity. Adequate rest helps the body recover and regenerate cells. Adults need a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night; children may need up to 13.

ACUPUNCTURIST AND CHINESE HERBALIST Marco Chung-Shu Lam, Licensed Acupuncturist Mandala Integrative Medicine Clinic, Boulder, Colorado Practice deep-breathing exercises. Practicing yoga or t’ai chi several times each

week can deepen the breath, allowing organs to function more efficiently and boost immunity. Concentrate on pranayama, a focused and controlled type of yogic breathing: Slowly inhale and exhale through the nostrils, expanding the belly, rather than the chest.

Add herbs. Incorporate the root herb astragalus in a daily whole foods supplement routine, especially important for older adults. Used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine, astragalus supports the immune system by stimulating immune cell activity with its high polysaccharide (complex carbohydrate) content. Simmer the short, flat herb in soups or add to long-cooking grains like brown rice.

Eat seasonally. Our body naturally drives us to eat heartier foods like sweet potatoes, beets and winter squashes in colder months—foods that support immunity by providing both fiber and vitamins A and C. Eat warming foods like stews, beans and miso; avoid raw foods, which cool the body and stress the immune system.

body, creating an environment in which bacteria thrive. Eat at least 10 servings of alkalizing foods each day to optimize the body’s immune response and overall functioning. Spinach, broccoli and cauliflower are excellent choices, along with almonds, olive oil and grapes.

Drink plenty of water and green tea to keep acid in check.

Up the antioxidants. Antioxidants help the body resist illness because they protect cells against harmful free radicals and oxidative stress. Berries are particularly beneficial and maintain their nutrients even when frozen; blend half a cup into a morning smoothie. As a diet supplement, consider adding 400 to 600 milligrams of curcumin—the active ingredient in turmeric, an antioxidant and antiinflammatory spice—to meals.

DIETITIAN Barbara Bapst, Registered Dietitian Carolina Nutrition & Wellness, Charlotte, North Carolina

Focus on kids’ immunity. Although it’s tricky to get children to eat enough immune-supporting fruits and vegetables every day, encouraging them to sit down at the table for meals can help. Get kids excited about eating healthy foods by involving them in vegetable gardening, planting herbs in windowsill pots and preparing dinner. Incorporate pumpkin and carrot purées into sauces or stews to increase their nutritional power.

Balance bodily pH. The typical American diet of fast food, sugary treats and refined snacks produces acid in the

Jenna Blumenfeld is a managing editor with New Hope Natural Media, in Boulder, CO.

®

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November 2013

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Local Produce & Farm Resources CSAS & FOOD CO-OPS EVER’MAN NATURAL FOODS 315 W Garden St, Pensacola 850-438-0402 • Everman.org

We offer a large variety of natural and certified organic products, vitamin supplements, local and organic produce, environmentally friendly products, and hot, wholesome lunches from the deli. Mon-Sat. 7am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm.

OFF THE VINE ORGANIC PRODUCE

850-374-2181 • OffTheVine.org We are the original Organic Box Program.

All organic – all the time! 100% Guaranteed.

We bring the Farmer’s Market to you. Simply check our weekly list every Friday.

Mixed Fruit and Vegetable shares, All Fruit shares and Juicing shares. Local pick up locations or delivery available.

FARMS and FARm Tours ANITA & MARK’S HAPPY BOVINE & SWINE FARM 8770 Redfish Point Rd Lillian, AL • 251-942-2126

All natural beef and hogs, free roaming grain and grass fed. Meet the farmer, know exactly what you getting and choose your dinner. Taking orders now.

ARROWHEAD BEEF

Chipley, FL tony@floridagrass-fed.com 850-270-8804 Grass-fed beef: No hormones, no antibiotics, no corn. Raised right and sent off good.

Selling individual cuts at the markets of Seaside and Rosemary.

CAMBRIDGE FARMS

3200 Deloach Ln, Milton, FL 850-855-6420 Cambfarm@gmail.com CambridgeFarms.web.com State of Florida Certified grower. We grow and sell natural fruits and produce. Pesticide free. Fresh and safe to eat. Farmer’s Market Program. Ongoing educational classes.

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Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

THE GREEN MAN’S GARDEN

Local Pesticide Free Produce Saturdays at SeaSide Farmers Mkt 850-218-6998 Local, sustainable, exclusive, clean produce.

Nutrient dense grown in healthy soil. Bio dynamically influenced practices. Call for seasonal harvest. Serving Okaloosa & Walton.

KATAHDIN GRASS FED LAMBS

American, All Natural Grass Fed Florida.KatahdinHairSheep@gmail.com KatahdinGrassFedLambs.com 850834-3333 Exceptional flavor, low fat content, high in omega-3s and CLA. Available year round.

Delivered to processor no charge. Dresses 50% of live weight. Visitors welcome.

MOONLIGHT MICRO FARM

6618 Beach Dr Panama City Beach, FL 850-624-7075 Chandra@MoonlightMicroFarm.com We are dedicated to community & environmental Stewardship. Offering heirloom and organic gardening & sprouting seeds and permaculture design. Visit us at Seaside Farmers Market, we ship.

FARMERS’ MARKETS 30A FARMERS’ MARKET @ ROSEMARY BEACH

Rosemary Beach Town Center Sunday, Year Round 9am-1pm Thursday, Memorial Day through Labor Day from 9am-1pm.

Rain or Shine.

Local fresh produce, eggs, meats, seafood, honey, baked goods, artisan breads, gelato, cheeses, jams, preserves. Market will have an International flair. Manager – Diane Kolopanas. 850-213-0577.

DESTIN’S MAIN STREET MARKET

Saturday 9am-1pm Destin Water Users (Parking Lot) 218 Main St, Destin Facebook/Destins-Main-Street-Market Fresh baked goods, local produce & honey, organically grown herbs & lettuces, farm fresh eggs. Art, jewelry, crafts & collectables. Wild and handcrafted jams, jellies, soaps, scrubs and body care. Vendor space available. Tom & Amy Holt. 850-855-6384.

www.NWFNaturally.com

FORT WALTON BEACH FARMER’S MARKET

2nd Saturday beginning April 13 8am-12pm Lots of fresh produce, olive oils, jams, jellies, dips, sauces, baked goods, homemade baked doggie treats, juice bar, local honey.

Ferry Rd (Fluid surf shop) & 201 Miracle Strip Pkwy S.E. rear lot.

NICEVILLE FARMERS MARKET

1st Saturday Monthly 7am-12pm 120 Partin Dr N, Niceville 850-729-2120 Facebook/NicevilleFarmersMarket Local fresh produce, local honey, baked goods, bread, fresh eggs, meats and seafood, wild crafted soaps and body scrubs and more. Open for new vendors. Hosted by One 20 a Modern Bistro.

PALAFOX MARKET

Saturdays 8am-2pm Open Air Farmer & Art Market MLK Jr. Plaza, Palafox St (between Garden & Wright Sts) Sponsored by the Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board, the Palafox Market offers fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques. Items originate directly from onsite vendors.

SEASIDE FARMER’S 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.

MEET UP gROUPS REALFOOD, PANAMA CITY Meets Every 3rd Saturday 850-747-7055 Unity, 1764 Lisenby Ave, Meetup.Com/Realfood-GroupPanama-City

RealFood Panama City promotes the development of an informed community through open and inclusive food awareness opportunities focused on health and wellness through locally grown, nutrient dense, sustainably produced, whole foods.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29

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.

Memory Café – 2-4pm. This event is for families whose lives are affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. It’s open to individuals, family members, care givers; refreshments and entertainment provided. Free. Synergy Organic Juice Bar & Cafe, 120 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, FWB. 850-865-4919.

SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Fall/Winter Weekend Cleanse – Nov 1-3. Fri, 6-8pm; Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, by appt. Workshop on seasonal cleansing diet. Fri, dinner and talk on cleansing w/Q&A. Sat, retreat day with organic cleansing juices, juice class, yoga, sauna, foot baths, organic facials and essential oils. Sun, by appointment. Attend full weekend or one day only. Synergy Organic Juice Bar & Cafe, 120 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, FWB. 850865-4919. SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com.

Sample the Season’s Bounty – 12-5pm. A preThanksgiving tasting of the organic wine and apple cider selections available at The Golden Almond through the autumn. Owner Diana Drain, a registered nurse with long experience in healthcare, believes maintaining one’s health and wellness through organic, natural foods and supplements. Golden Almond Health Food Store, 339 Racetrack Rd, NW #3, FWB. 850-863-5811. GoldenAlmond.com.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Soap Making: Hot Process – 6:30pm. Learn to make natural vegetarian-based soap products that can be used for all sorts of cleaning in your home. Begins with a review of basic soap making and then create both hot process bar soap and hot process liquid soap. $25. Esther’s Garden of Healing, 8184 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre.

850-684-3230. EsthersGardenOfHealing@live.com.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Fitness Club – 6pm. Body mind and fitness club with Amy and Nicole. Free. The Landing behind Synergy Organic Juice Bar & Cafe, 120 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, FWB. 850-865-4919. SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Health Seminar – 6-7pm. Dr John Kovar’s seminar, Getting a Handle on Indigestion, will teach how to naturally reduce the unpleasant symptoms of heartburn, gas, bloating and pain. Free. Kovar Chiropractic & Natural Wellness, 29 G Miracle Strip Pkwy, Liza Jackson Plaza, across from St Simon’s, FWB. 850244-1200. Kovar@DrKovar.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Personal Trainer Certification – LMTs get 35 CEs. $849, $600/FSMTA members. Career Institute, 1008 Airport Rd, Unit C, Destin. Info, Teresa: 904-3239913. CareerInstituteDestin@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Guided Healing Meditation – 6-7pm. Become empowered with Alice McCall. Let go of the victim’s way of thinking and being, and become an empowered spiritual being. Transform the old habits way for a healthier way. $15, reservation required. Via teleconference. 850-585-5496. Alice@healingpath. info. HealingPath.info.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Bee Keeping – 6:30pm. The benefits of raw, local honey for allergies and other ailments is unrivaled.

The workshop covers the details of bee keeping that you need to start your own hive; enjoy your very own honey and be one step closer to a self-sustained lifestyle. $10. Esther’s Garden of Healing, 8184 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre. 850-684-3230. EsthersGardenOfHealing@live.com.

savethedate November 15-17 MAHABHUTA YOGA FESTIVAL YEAR OF THE WATER SERPENT Sanders Beach Community Center 913 S I St Pensacola, FL 32502

www.mahabhutayogafestival.com

24 regional yoga studios, 24 workshops, LED Hoop performances, a kids tent, a marionette show, henna artists, organic & vibrant food, numerous artists and yoga-inspired vendors all open free to the public.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 PTSD Class – Bodywork for PTSD 1. $300, $200/ FSMTA members. Career Institute, 1008 Airport Rd, Unit C, Destin. Info, Info, registration: 850-543-4919.

CareerInstituteDestin@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Benefits of Chiropractic and Acupuncture – 6:30pm.

Learn from Dr Likens of Pickett Chiropractic the benefits of chiropractic and acupuncture, and how they complement a healthy lifestyle. If you have ever feared acupuncture, the workshop’s demonstration of acupuncture will dispel fears. Chiropractic is not just for when you have an accident. $20. Esther’s Garden of Healing, 8184 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre.

850-684-3230. EsthersGardenOfHealing@live.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22

Family Fun Yoga – 11am-12:15pm. Bond with your child(ren) while you explore the many aspects of a healthy yoga lifestyle. This class is ideal for children ages 3 and up, but all are welcome. More than one child per adult is okay. Free, preregistration appreciated. Sunshine Yoga, 211-E Main St, Destin. Kim: 850-687-8603. SunshineYogaStudio.com.

Reiki 2 Training - 11:30am-6:30pm. Receive the 2nd level of the attunement process; learn healing techniques for working with self and others, including distance healing; receive information on the symbols of Reiki. Expand your knowledge of the energy body and techniques for healing. 8 CE hours for massage therapists. $250. Home Studio of Felicia McQuaid, 233 Sotir St NW, FWB. 850-217-2771.

TheHealingClinicFWB.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 Harness Your Spiritual Gifts – 6-7pm. A guided healing meditation to tap into and expand on your natural spiritual gifts. Grow your spiritual hearing, sight, and knowing. $15, reservation required. Via teleconference. 850-585-5496. AliceMcCall@earthlink.net.

HealingPath.info.

Candle Making – 6:30pm. Learn how to make chemical-free candles out of numerous media that you can then scent with essential oils instead of synthetic scents that may lead to breathing difficulties, asthma and allergy symptoms. Make some for yourself or for heartfelt gifts. $25. Esther’s Garden of Healing, 8184 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre. 850-6843230. EsthersGardenOfHealing@live.com.

savethedate Saturday, DecemBER 7 The World Becomes What You Teach, Creating a Sustainable, Just, and Healthy World Through Education – 10am-3pm. Forum open to the general public, academia and government. Guest speaker Zoe Weil, worldwide leader in humane education, and president, Institute for Humane Education. $25.

Downtown Library, 239 N Spring St, Pensacola.

Mary Gutierrez: 850-549-7472. EarthEthics.us.

Heart Healthy Holiday Cooking – 6-8pm. Heart healthy holidays cooking class. $55. Synergy Organic Juice Bar & Cafe, 120 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, FWB. 850-865-4919. SynergyOrganicCafeFWB.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Lower Lumber Transformation – 3-4pm. A guided healing meditation focused on the health of your lower back. Clear what you are holding onto emotionally or mentally that is limiting your lower back’s health. $15, reservation required. Via teleconference. 850-585-5496. AliceMcCall@earthlink.net.

HealingPath.info.

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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.

A Course in Miracles – 6:30pm. Complete selfstudy spiritual thought system to the way of universal love and peace. Ongoing group. Love offering.

Unity of Panama City, 17964 Lisenby Ave, Panama City. 850-769-7481. UnityOfPanamaCity.org.

Community Yoga – 6:30-7:45pm. Class led by Power Core Vinyasa instructor Kendall Andrew. $10 or donation. Yoga Elements, 108 Carillon Market St, Panama City Beach. 850-866-2199. YogaElements108.com.

thursday sunday Urban Zen Yoga Class – 10:30am. In a world of over-stimulation and over-work, these practices can offer you a meditative sanctuary. No yoga experience necessary. $15 drop-in and packages available.

Dragonfly Yoga, 184 Brooks St. FWB. 850-2440184. DragonflyYoga.com.

Meditation – 12-1pm. Renew yourself.. Unity of Panama City, 1764 Lisenby Ave, Panama City. 850769-7481. UnityOfPanamaCity.org.

Yoga for Charity – 4:30pm. $5 donation to Paws.

Dragonfly Yoga, 184 Brooks St. FWB. 850-2440184. DragonflyYoga.com.

monday Vinyasa Flow Yoga Classes – 9:30am. See schedule online for additional classes and times. $12/drop in, $10/with a package. Pure Pilates, 221 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze. 850-932-3424. Info@purepilatespensacola.com. PurePilatesPensacola.com.

Pilates Equipment Class – 9am. See schedule online for additional classes and times. $28/drop in, $220/10 classes. Pure Pilates, 221 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze. 850-932-3424. Info@purepilatespensacola.com. PurePilatesPensacola.com.

Yoga for Women – 10am. A time to be at ease and enjoy. A class tailored to the needs of today’s woman. $10. Dragonfly Yoga, 184 Brooks St SE, FWB. 850-244-0184. DragonFlyYoga.com.

Kids Martial Arts Combat Class – 4:45pm (ages 4-8); 5:45 (ages 9-13). Mon/Wed/Fri. Friendly family oriented with small classes, all levels. Great for fitness, confidence, and camaraderie. Free introductory class. No contracts. Martial Arts Combat Academy, 1605 N. Partin, Niceville. 850-797-9429.

Student Massages – 6:30-8pm. Student clinics offering reduced cost massages. $35. Call for an appointment. Career Institute, 1008 Airport Rd, Unit C, Destin. Appt: 850-543-4919. CareerInstituteDestin@gmail.com.

tuesday Personal Nutritional Consultation – 1st and 3rd Tues. Dr. Kenawy, Ph.D. provides in-depth nutritional evaluations and consultations. $50. 634 W. 23rd St, Panama City. Call for an appt. 850-763-8871.

OliveLeavesPC.com.

Yoga – 8:45am. Restorative Yoga for beginners and

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experienced. Love offering. Unity of Panama City, 1764 Lisenby Ave, Panama City.

Baby and Me Yoga – 11am. Bond with your baby or toddler while teaching them the importance of body awareness. This intimate class is for parent and child age 0-4. SunshineYogaStudio, 211-E Main Street, STE E, Destin. 850-687-8603. Kim@ sunshineyogastudio.com. SunshineYogaStudio.com.

Free Light Energy Therapy Seminar – 5:306:15pm. Stress will shorten your life.Learn how to reduce stress and pain the natural way without drugs. Free. Limited seating, 24 hour advanced RSVP required. 850-864-4281. consultant@cox.

Blossom Yoga Center, 315-A Racetrack Rd NE, FWB. BuddyBowman.com.

Open Mike at Crestview Library – 6-7:45pm. 2nd Tues. Poetry & Music Jam is an open-mic for poets and musicians to read, perform, improvise and play together. Everyone is welcome, even if you don’t write poetry or play music. Free. Crestview Library, 445 Commerce Dr., Contact Esther, 850-682-4432 or Rick Sanders 850-585-6399. Visit the library’s Facebook page or tumblr blog.

Meditation & Pranic Healing Clinic – 6:157:30pm. Promoting general wellness, stress reduction, mental focus. Healing clinic offered after Twin Hearts guided meditation. Free. Bodyworx Fitness & Wellness Center, 115 Gregory Sq, Pensacola.

850-221- 2381. PranicHealingOasis@gmail.com.

PranicHealingCentralGulfCoast.com.

Personal and Planetary Peace – 7pm. Meditation, stress release, energy work, Reiki sharing and certification, networking, healthy food support. Free.

Crystal Cottage, 7338 Hwy 2301, Panama City.

Darce Blakely, Reiki Master. 850-763-4504.

Teen and Adult Martial Arts Combat Class – 7pm.

Tues, Thur. Ages 15 and up. Friendly family oriented with small classes, all levels. Defense techniques, fitness, confidence, and camaraderie. Free introductory class. No contracts. Martial Arts Combat Academy, 1605 N Partin, Niceville. 850-797-9429.

wednesday Gentle Flow Yoga with Felicia McQuaid – 10am.

Beginner based therapeutic movement combined w/ breath awareness. Dragonfly Yoga. 850-217-2771.

FeliciaMcquaid.net.

Meditation Circle – 11am. A weekly meditation offered to all those interested in learning meditation or if you meditate on a regular basis. Typically led

by Darce Blakely. Love offering. Unity of Panama City, 1764 Lisenby Ave, Panama City. 850-7697481. UnityOfPanamaCity.org.

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

www.NWFNaturally.com

Nutritional Live Blood Analysis - See what’s happening inside your body today. It’s educational and helpful for planning your health and wellness nutrition and activities. Call for a 30 min appointment. $60. Destin Athletic Club, 868 Harbor Blvd, Destin. 850-368-1296. Zolanagy1980@gmail.com.

ZoltanHealth.com.

Fit Camps and Wellness Evaluations – All ages and levels are welcome. Bring a mat and some water. Workouts are usually 30-45 mins. Free. Core Nutrition, FWB. 222B Miracle St Pkwy SE, 850362-8888. CoreNutritionFWB.com.

Yoga for Beginners – 5:30pm. Here’s a class at the right pace for those just starting to enjoy yoga.

Simple and fun. Dragonfly Yoga, 184 Brooks St. FWB. DragonflyYoga.com.

friday Breastfeeding Support Group – 9:30am. With lactation counselor. Free. Growing Green Bums, 296 Bayshore Dr, Niceville. 850-279-6647.

GrowingGreenBums.com.

Friday Yoga with Felicia – 10am. This fun upbeat class is what Friday is all about. Join Felicia to move, breathe and enjoy the moment. $15 drop in or packages available. Dragonfly Yoga Studies, 184 Brooks St #1, FWB. 850-217-2771. FeliciaMcQuaid.net.

saturday Calm Water Tai Chi Class – 9am. Designed for self-defense, realize the health benefits, stress reduction and strength improvement with gentle movement. New class. All ages and levels. Free introductory class. No contracts. Martial Arts Combat Academy, 1605 N. Partin, Niceville.

850-797-9429.

Gentle Flow Yoga – 9am. Classes are beginner friendly. Focus on gentle, therapeutic movement, breath awareness and meditation.. $10 drop in military/student/senior. Dragonfly Yoga, 184 Brooks St #1, FWB. 850-217-2771. FeliciaMcQuaid.net.

Teen and Adult Martial Arts Combat Class – 10:30am-12pm. Ages 15 and up. Friendly family oriented with small classes, all levels. Defense techniques, fitness, confidence, and camaraderie.

Free introductory class. No contracts. Martial Arts Combat Academy, 1605 N. Partin, Niceville.

850-797-9429.

Aerial Yoga – 11am-12:30pm. A challenging, empowering, restorative and fun yoga off the mat in a hammock. Yoga Elements, 108 Carillon Market St, Panama City Beach. 850-866-2199. YogaElements108.com.

classifieds

communityresourceguide

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.

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 visit our Advertise web page at NWFNaturally.com.

classes/Training GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH & WELLNESS Gift certificates available for nutritional coaching; personal, group, & family training; blood analysis.

850-368-1296. ZoltanHealth.com.

HEALTHCARE PROVIDER - Heartsaver, First Aid, AED classes and skills check-offs conducted monthly.

LifeMatters Education and Therapy can do individual or group classes and even bring the course to you or your business. Email lifemattersed@gmail.com or contact Amy 850-603-0317 for more information.

NUTRITION AND FITNESS COACH - Don’t let the turkey burn you. Get the tools you need to thrive this holiday season. 850-368-1296. ZoltanHealth.com.

OPEN ENROLLMENT MASSAGE THERAPY, SKIN CARE AND NAIL CARE CLASSES – Call today to enroll. Day and night classes avail. Class size is limited. Career Institute of Health and Esthetics. 1008 Airport Rd. Unit C, Destin. 850-543-4919.

CareerInstituteDestin@gmail.com.

help wanted MASSAGE ENVY DESTIN LOCATION – hiring licensed massage therapists. We invite you to be part of making a difference in those you touch. National franchise with competitive compensation. Earn a great living in a professional supportive environment in which to practice your art. Front desk associate positions also available. Email resume to: Clinic0941@ MassageEnvy.com.

SALON PROFESSIONALS NEEDED – with valid Florida Cosmetology License for training in Organic Color Systems, to fill positions as Color Specialists.

Only Serious candidates should apply.

Salon Vedat, Destin: 813-841-4890.

pRODUCTS 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 Store. 339 Racetrack Road, NW. FWB. 850-863-5811. GoldenAlmond.com GRASS-FED BEEF. Now carrying Arrowhead grassfed beef from Chipley, FL. Golden Almond Health Store. 339 Racetrack Road, NW. FWB. 850-863-5811.

GoldenAlmond.com.

SERVICES LET ONE OF OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF MEMBERS HELP YOU with your questions on 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

ACUPUNCTURE

Beauty

DR. SHERYL ROE

LAURA BALTES-MASTER STYLIST

Acupuncture Physician Navarree • FWB • Destin 850-225-3460 • DrSRoe.com

Acupuncture Works! Learn how it can work for you at either office (Navarre Healing Center in Harvest Village, Mary Esther Blvd, Skin Deep Destin). Treating all types of pain, addiction, sleep disorders, stress, fibromyalgia, PTSD. Feel better soon. See ad, page 12.

714-348-5962 LauraBalt9@msn.com New Location Coming Soon

Master stylist with 27 years’ experience, trained extensively at the Vidal Sassoon Academy and other wellknown beauty schools. Expert at cutting, styling and coloring. Every client receives full consultations before any work begins, ensuring a great styling experience and fantastic results. Call today.

SALON VEDAT

KERRY ABACO

Acupuncture Physician 2633 Hwy 77, Suite B, Panama City 850-628-8412

Panama City’s premier acupuncturist treating lower back, knee, neck and shoulder pain, emotional disorders, gastrointestinal, gynecological, musculoskeletal, addictions, allergies, arthritis, migraines and other conditions. Practitioner of oriental medicine and provider of Chinese herbs. See ad, page 8.

KOVAR CHIROPRACTIC & NATURAL WELLNESS CENTER John S. Kovar D.C. 29 G Miracle Strip Hwy SW, FWB 850-244-1200 DrKovar.com

Janice Skene 114-B Benning Dr, Destin 850-837-2690 cell: 813-841-4890 SalonVedat@gmail.com • SalonVedat.com

Organic Salon Systems has started a revolution of healthier, cleaner, natural, organic, and better performing professional salon products. Beauty without sacrificing health. Coloring and smoothing treatments for silky, healthy hair. No SLS, ammonia, parabens or plastics. See ad, page 3

blood analysis Zoltan “Zoli” Nagy

Experience the many benefits of acupuncture. Restoring health naturally to patients for over 30 years.

Dr. Kovar also offers chiropractic care, nutrition response testing with designed clinical nutrition, and massage. See ad, page 28.

Rebecca Freeman, AP, MAOM 60 2nd st. Ste 202, Shalimar 850-651-0160

Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with over 12 years’ experience relieving pain, stress, fatigue, allergies, digestive disorders, depression. Age gracefully inside and out with Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupunture. See ad, page 17.

TORTOISE CLINIC

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Waterside Business Center, SRB 850-267-5611 • TheTortoiseClinic.com

Serving the Emerald Coast for over 20 years. Currently offering multiple styles of acupuncture, bodywork, hypnotherapy, diet counseling and the area’s largest raw herb pharmacy. See ad, page 37.

In Destin Athletic Club 868 Highway 98 East Destin, FL 32541 850-368-1296 zolanagy1980@gmail.com www.zoltanhealth.com

Certified Live Blood Analyst, NBAR, Certified Holistic Health Coach, IIN, Certified Personal Trainer, ACE A drop of blood is analyzed under a microscope then computer processed for recommended nutrition and supplements.

See ad, page 13.

BODYWORKERS Caroline Cook

Holistic Practitioner (MA54501) THE Healing Clinic of Fort Walton Beach, LLC 850-217-2771 thehealingclinicfwb.com

Caroline’s years of experience translate into her compassionate healing touch through Massage and Reiki therapeutic work. Visit her at THE Healing Clinic for Relief and WELL-Being. See ad, page 36.

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Felicia McQuaid

Director & Holistic Practitioner (MA61060) THE Healing Clinic of Fort Walton Beach, LLC 850-217-2771 thehealingclinicfwb.com

Felicia is a Transformation healer that offers a unique blend of Reiki/Massage Therapy sessions. Her insight and understanding in the language of Energy will amaze you. See ad, page 10.

KOVAR CHIROPRACTIC & NATURAL WELLNESS CENTER John S. Kovar D.C. 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, and massage as well as chiropractic wellness care. See ad, page 28.

Laura Tyree

Holistic Practitioner (MA68035) THE Healing Clinic of Fort Walton Beach, LLC 850-217-2771 www.thehealingclinicfwb.com

Laura’s hands share experience, knowledge, clarity and grace. She specializes in Massage, Led Light Therapy and specializes in Raindrop Technique with Young living oils. See ad, page 36.

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.See ad, page 27.

MASSAGE ENVY SPA DESTIN

34904 Emerald Coast Pkwy #132 M-F 8am-10pm, Sat 8-6,Sun 10-6 850-650-8500 • MassageEnvy.com

Stress relief is one of the first benefits that come to mind when thinking of massage therapy. Clinical studies show that even a single 1 ½ -hour session can significantly lower heart rate, cortisol levels and insulin levels, you’ll feel, look and simply be healthier far into the future. See ad, page 7.

CHIROPRACTIC

compounding pharmacy Emerald Coast Compounding Pharmacy Pharmaceuticals Built For You, Because You Are Unique 1719 S County Hwy 393 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 850-622-5800 • ECCPharmacy.com

Pharmaceutical Compounding that can formulate your prescriptions to meet your individual needs. Providing ompounding for Hormone and Thyroid Replacement Therapy, Dermatology, Pain Management and other areas. Regina Jaquess, Pharm D. See ad, page 8.

BLUEWATER CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER

April Lee, DC 4400 Hwy 20 E, Niceville 850-897-1177 • BluewaterChiropractic.com

Natural and holistic health care. Offering chiropractic care, lumbar decompression, physical therapies, massage therapy, nutritional education and supplementation. Allow the body to heal the way it was designed.

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

As a second generation chiropractor, Dr. Henard is committed to lifetime chiropractic wellness care for the entire family, improving their health naturally. Over 16 years’ experience in pediatrics, sports and automobile injuries.

Most insurance accepted and affordable cash plans.

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MACK BAYOU COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

Kevin Bandy, RPh • Amy Frazier, PharmD 82 Mack Bayou Loop, Ste B, Santa Rosa Beach 850-622-0730 • Fax 850-622-0755 MBCPharmacy.com MackBayouPharmacy@yahoo.com

Pharmaceutical compounding is a useful tool in varied areas of medicine. We work with patients and physicians to customize a medication to meet their specific needs. Personalized prescription compounding may be just what you need. Call today to speak with a pharmacist. See ad, page 3.

Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

www.NWFNaturally.com

DENTISTRY DR. DAYTON HART, DMD

IAOMT Protocol 225 W Laurel Ave, Foley, AL 36535 251-943-2471 • DrDaytonHart.com

Free book for new patients: Mercury Free Dentistry. Ozone, Laser NoSuture 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. See ad, page 9.

FITNESS & TRAINING MARTIAL ARTS COMBAT ACADEMY 1605 N. Partin Dr, Niceville 850-797-9430 MartialArtsCombatAcademy.com

Adult and teen modern day selfdefense. Kid’s classes tournament base with an emphasis on “Stranger Danger” and introductory week and no contracts.

FOODS & SUPPLMENTS ARROWHEAD BEEF

Chipley, FL tony@floridagrass-fed.com 850-270-8804

Grass-fed beef: No hormones, no antibiotics, no corn. Raised right and sent off good. Selling individual cuts at the markets of Seaside and Rosemary.

See ad, page 36.

BODY-B-HEALTHY

2227 Ferdon Blvd, Crestview 850-682-8893 Find Us on Facebook

Knowledgeable staff and cutting edge digital health assessments. Dairy free and gluten free food items, supplements, homeopathic solutions and anti-aging products, plus delicious nutritional smoothies. See ad, page 31.

ESTHER’S GARDEN OF HEALING, LLC 8184 Navarre Parkway Navarre, FL 32566 850-499-3670 Esthersgardenofhealing@live.com

A unique establishment specializing in over 150 bulk herbs, over 40 loose teas, homeopathic remedies, and our own herbal skincare line. Find us on Facebook for an updated schedule of our weekly workshops. See ad page 35.

GOLDEN ALMOND HEALTH FOOD STORE

339 Racetrack Rd NW # 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 (M-F,10-4). Knowledgeable and personable staff. See ad, page 2.

OFF THE VINE ORGANIC PRODUCE

Serving Panama City, Rosemary Beach, Destin, Crestview, Niceville, FWB 850-374-2181 Support@OffTheVine.org • OffTheVine.org

All organic – all the time! We bring the farmers market to you.

Check our new selection every Friday and pick up the following Wed. Pick up or delivery available. See ad, page 13,

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, including gluten-free and dairy-free. Whole food cooking, juicing, glutenfree, vegetarian, vegan and raw food classes are available. See ad, page 23.

healing arts HEALING PATH, ALICE MCCALL Transformational Energy Healer and 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.

JEWELRY

Holistic health coach

ROCK HARD DESIGNS

Zoltan “Zoli” Nagy

Beyond Fit, LLC in Destin Athletic Club 868 Highway 98 East Destin, FL 32541 850-368-1296 zolanagy1980@gmail.com ZoltanHealth.com

Certified Kettlebell Coach, IKFF, Certified Holistic Health Coach, IIN. Ex-Pro Hockey Player gives a new spin on health and fitness. Experience powerful change inside and out. See

Grayton Beach: 100 E. Co. Hwy 30A • 850-534-4534 Downtown Pensacola: 16 N. Palafox St. • 850-438-5119 RockHardDesigns.com

International award winning jewelry designs. Museum style gallery. Finest diamond collection in the region.

Over 6,000 ergonomic original designs. Certified harmony green metal, refined not mined. Certified ethical gems. See ad, page 24.

ad, page 13.

HYPNOSIS BRENDA Q. BISCHOFF, CLC, CHT CI

Hypnosis, Hypnobliss™, Life Coaching, NLP 850-637-1631, 850-501-3662 Brenda@TransformYourLife.net TransformYourLife.net

Time Line Therapy, Certified NGH Hypnosis Instructor. Imagine living the life you have already dreamed of. Take the first step now. Call for a free consultation.

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 47.

INTUITIVE ARTS TERESA BROWN

3 W Garden St, Pensacola 850-206-1853 TeresaBrown.net

LIFE COACHING TERRI AMOS-BRITT,

Former Miss USA Spiritual Coach + Energetic Healer 4012 Commons Dr W, Ste 120, Destin 850-654-9946

Abundance coaching for yourself, your relationships and career. Let me empower you with tools to deal with life’s situations. I’ve coached globally from moms to CEOs for over 10 years. See ad, page 22.

LIGHT THERAPY LIGHT FOR LIFE

Buddy Bowman, Quantum Light Energy Coach 315-A Racetrack Rd, FWB 850-582-4929 • BuddyBowman.com

Experience the soothing healing light and energy photons to gently reduce stress and bring your body into balance. Promotes natural healing of the body by itself, the way it was designed to do and nature intended. Located inside Blossom Yoga. Painless, convenient, affordable, noninvasive and drug-free. See ad, page 11.

Experienced intuitive medium, public speaker, and author. Find peace, healing and renewal of energy through energetic clearing, past life regression and spiritual counseling.

Consultations in person or phone.

On the Go? Get Mobile.

Find events, classes, workshops, products and providers on Northwest Florida’s Natural Awakenings’ App. To Download our local app, search “NWFNaturally” on App Store or Google Play.

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NAIMA ABDEL-GHANY, M.D.

Massage Therapy

Board Certified Physician Panama City: 850-271-0019 Lynn Haven: 850-814-1472

BLUEWATER CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER

Preventative Medicine, Holistic Medicine, Immune Therapy, Chelation Therapy, Anti-Aging Medicine. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men and Women.

April Lee, DC 4400 Hwy 20 E, Niceville 850-897-1177 • BluewaterChiropractic.com

Sports and rehabilitation massage therapy. Natural and holistic health care. Chiropractic care, lumbar decompression, physical therapies, nutritional education and supplementation. Allow the body to heal the way it was designed.

NITIN BAWA, MD

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

NATURAL BURIAL

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 6.

GLENDALE MEMORIAL NATURE PRESERVE

297 Railroad Ave, DeFuniak Springs 850-859-2141 GlendaleNaturePreserve.org

A Natural End to a Natural life.

Green natural funerals. Natural setting. Embalming fluid free. Biodegradable elements. Cost-effective funeral arrangements. Located off U.S. Highway 83, 10 miles north of DeFuniak Springs. See ad, page 36.

PILATES PILATES CORE TRAINING Barbara Bruni, Owner 2130 Summit Blvd, Pensacola 850-287-5836 PilatesCoreTraining.com Gift Certificates Available

Physical therapy

Mat, Yoga, cycle, Gyrokensis, and equipment classes or private session for a personalized experience. Website lists instructors, class schedule and prices.

Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy Center, LLc Bob Seton, PT 12671 Hwy 98 W, Ste 213 Destin 850-650-4186 TherapyBob.com

Fitness and Rehabilitation Pilates Classes & Private Sessions tailored to individual needs

Innovative pain treatment, differ• GYROKINESIS Classes & Private Sessions on RETIREMENT LIVING the GYROTONIC Pulley Tower ent than anything you’ve tried • Massage Therapy including the John F. Barnes Technique of Myofascial Release before! Specializing in Primal THE BLAKE AT GULF BREEZE • Cranial Sacral Therapy (#MM27450) Reflex Release Therapy.• • Cycle From Your Core Classes Find re- Brooke Hicks Yoga lief today from injuries,• We use Young Living Essential Oils arthritis, 850-934-4306 • BlakeLiving.com 2130 Summit Blvd. l Pensacola, FL 32503 headaches, muscle strain, postpilatescoretraining.com l 850-287-5836 A retirement, assisted livsurgical pain. See ad, page 6. ing, and memory care community inspiring wellness in an enriched physician environment. Also, shortterm respite program for caregivers to have their EMERALD WATERS loved one stay as a guest; enjoy the many services Mauricia Stanton, PhD,ARNP,BC and personalized care. See ad, page 33.

850-279-6815 1005 College Blvd W ,Ste B, Niceville RETREAT & SPA Find & Like Us on FACEBOOK. Dr. Stanton holds a PhD in Natural OCEAN ELEMENTS DAY SPA Health and sees patients for all types Located in the 30-A community of health concerns. Specializing in of Gulf Place Womens care and children 12years 850-267-1011 and up. Always accepting new OceanElementsDaySpa.net patients. See ad, page 20.

Holistic Spa Therapies. Massage Therapy. All Natural Facials.

Botanical Peels. Aluminum Free Microdermabrasion. Therapeutic- Natural Nail Services.

Gentle Waxing. Body Treatments, Scrubs & Wraps.

Reiki. Chakra Balancing. Tuning Forks. Aromatherapy. Herbs. Wellness Consultations and Supplements. See ad, page 12. ®

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Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida

www.NWFNaturally.com

ROLFING NANETTE SAVAGE CERTIFIED ADVANCE ROLFER MA-0028169 850- 621-6101

Let me help you achieve greater balance and mobility by creating a more lifted and symmetrical alignment. Appointments made for 75-minute session. See ad, page 21.

SCHOOLS BEACHSIDE MASSAGE SCHOOL

381 Santa Rosa Blvd, Ft Walton Beach 850-226-7878 beachsidemassage@gmail.com beachsidemassages.com

Looking for that new career in the growing field of massage therapy?

No waiting for a new class to start, begin immediately at beachside massage school. See ad, page 36.

CAREER INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND ESTHETICS 1008 Airport Rd. Unit C, Destin 850-543-4919 CareerInstituteDestin@gmail.com CareerInsituteDestin.com

Career Institute offers a comprehensive program in Nail Care, Skin Care and Massage.

Enroll today! Also, offer CEs and Student Clinics for all programs. See ad, page 17.

learning rx, Pensacola 4300 Bayou Blvd. Ste 34 850-466-4999 LearningRX.com/Pensacola

Train the brain. Get smarter, Guaranteed.. With a faster, smarter brain, life is easier. And that’s something to smile about. Call us today and schedule a FREE brain training demonstration for you and your child. See ad, back cover.

sKIN CARE OCEANA NATURALS, LLC Michael J Russ 866-242-3776 PureSunscreen.com

MelanSol® is certified chemical free skin care that brings hope and peace of mind to everyone who wants to enjoy a safe relationship with the sun. See ad, page 39.

spiritual center UNITY IN FORT WALTON BEACH 1797 Hurlburt Rd, FWB 850-864-1232 • UnityInFWBFL.org

We welcome all 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.

TWELVE OAKS RECOVERY CENTER 2068 Healthcare Ave, Navarre, FL 850-939-1200 TwelveOaksRecovery.com

Twelve Oaks, a 102-bed, drug and alcohol treatment center, specializes in treatment of addictions and co-occurring disorders. Call for a free, confidential assessment. See ad, page 30.

YOGA STUDIOS

Drop in.

Dragonfly Yoga

211-E Main Street, Destin, FL 32541 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, RTY 200.

YOGA ELEMENTS, LLC

DRAGONFLY YOGA STUDIES Downtown Ft Walton Beach 850-244-0184 (MM16502) DragonFlyYoga.com

Sunshine Yoga

108 Carillon Market St, Panama City Beach 850-866-2199 Hello@YogaElements108.com YogaElements108.com

A professional yoga studio offering a serene environment for the study and practice of Hatha yoga. Certified instructors.

Owner/Director Laura Tryee, E-RYT 500. See ad, page 14.

Yoga offered: mat (earth), Standup Paddleboard & in pool (water) and Aerial (air). Dawn Brooks, RN, RYT-500, LauraLynn Jansen, MHEd., CPCC, RYT.

850 244 0184

WELLNESS CENTERS

downtown brooks st

ft. walton beach

dragonflyyoga.com

SKINDEEP CLINIC WELLNESS CENTRE

Cindy Butler, Owner/Therapist 4012 Commons Dr W, Ste 120, Destin 850-269-1414 • SkinDeepDestin.com

Colonics, ionic footbaths, infrared sauna. Organic non-surgical facelift, weight loss (lose 20 lbs in 40 days), body wraps, massage, teeth whitening, airbrush tan, makeovers.

MM27113. MA49032. See ad, page 27.

natural awakenings

October 2013

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