Natural Awakenings Metro Phoenix & Northern Arizona, January 2022 Edition

EE R HEALTHY LIVING F

HEALTHY

PLANET

THE HUMANIZING OF DOG AND CAT FOOD

HOW PETS ARE EATING IN 2022

HEALTHY NEW YEAR TRENDS • LOWERING OUR CO2 FOOTPRINT CANNABIS ON THE RISE • PL ANT-BASED COFFEE ALTERNATIVES PETER RUSSELL ON LETTING GO • CALM-DOWN CORNERS HELP KIDS TO RESET January 2022 | Metro Phoenix & Northern Arizona Edition | NaturalAZ.com

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Metro Phoenix & Northern Arizona Edition

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Nature’s Nature’s Virus Killer

nota asniffle!” sniffle!”she sheexclaimed. exclaimed. not Businesswoman Rosaleen says when Businesswoman Rosaleen says when people around her show signs of cold people around her show signs of cold or or flu,she sheuses usescopper copper morning and night. flu, morning and night.

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“Thekids kidshad hadcrud crud going round “The going round andand round,but butnot notme.” me.” round, AttorneyDonna Donna Blight tried copper Attorney Blight tried copper for her sinus.

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I use copper in the through his nose at night tried copper natural way to kill germs fast.

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The strong scientific evidence gave presents ever.

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“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The days for 2 months.

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Carrots

Contents

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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16 HEALTH IN

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THE NEW YEAR

10 Top Wellness Trends for 2022

19 WHY WORDS MATTER 20 THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE REVOLUTION

Moving Toward an All-EV Future This Year

22 ZEN ZONE FOR KIDS Create the Perfect Calm-Down Corner at Home

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24 HERBAL TEAS The Original Superfoods

26 A BETTER

MORNING JOLT

Healthy Coffee Alternatives and Hacks

28 PET-PLEASING FOOD TRENDS

What Dogs and Cats Will Eat This Year

30 WHOLE-PERSON

32

FITNESS

Current Trends in Wellness Tools

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS

32 HIGH TIMES FOR THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY

HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please email PhoenixAds@NaturalAZ.com.

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Emerging Trends with a COVID-19 Caveat

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

on the Healing Power of Letting Go

Go to NaturalAZ.com/pages/contact to inquire about editorial opportunities. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month.

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34 PETER RUSSELL DEPARTMENTS 10 business spotlights 12 health briefs 13 eco tip 14 global briefs 19 inspiration 20 green living 22 healthy kids 25 visit us online

26 28 30 32 34 35 37 38

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

Grateful

D

PHOENIX & NORTHERN ARIZONA EDITION

reflecting on what I’m grateful for—not just for the past 12 months, but over my

life in general. After reading this month’s Healthy

PUBLISHER Tracy Patterson, BSc, MES

Kids article on page 22, I couldn’t help but think how

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Vegetorium, LLC

incredibly grateful I am for the childhood I had. It was a special time and place—both of which afforded me

COPY EDITOR Sara Gurgen DIGITAL PLATFORMS Hass Solutions Locable

uring this time of year, I find myself

what seemed like endless freedom to play, explore, imagine and create!

My family certainly didn’t have money, but, wow, what a rich “world” I lived in. Every outdoor place was magical, whether it was my yard; the field down the street; the place where my horse was boarded; the street in front of our house where we played games; the

CONTACT US Natural Awakenings – Phoenix 17470 N Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Tracy@NaturalAZ.com NaturalAZ.com

schoolyard where we played at recess; the mountains where we hiked and camped—there was a limitless abundance of outdoor joy to be had.

And my indoor world was also my playground, starting with my own room where I would often build a “fort” on my brass bed; an unfinished basement with its multitude of toys and free space to create and have fun; and the rest of the house, also a target for my creative imagination (perhaps doing some “fishing” in the hallway).

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My friends and I were constantly on the move, usually outdoors, with our nonstop energy and creative minds always at work. We weren’t entertained by our parents or technology.

For us, it was all physical, hands-on activity with our busy minds working as hard as our busy bodies. Bored? Never—there was too much to do!

Needless to say, times have changed a lot since those days, and parents seem to have a lot more to contend with, especially with technology on the scene. I don’t believe it’s realistic to think that kids could have the kind of childhood today that I experienced—the freedom to play and create and roam at will. However, I do believe there still has to be a way for children to savor some parts of childhood in a way that I did back then; it just might look a

© 2022 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.

little different in today’s world.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please contact us to find a location near you.

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

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

DEADLINE REMINDER! Please note that all deadlines (advertising and editorial) are the 10th of the month prior to the edition being published.

For example, January 10 is the deadline for all February edition submissions.

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Metro Phoenix & Northern Arizona Edition

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January 2022

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business spotlights

Sacred Life Designs Co-Creating Life Designs Through Sacred Intention and Ceremony

by Katherine Koch

S

acred Life Designs creates a sacred environment for clients to find clarity; clear unknown and unwanted energetic patterns; and ultimately co-create with Spirit a life of meaning, intention and highest potential. Shamanic wisdom has been passed down for thousands of years through the Earth, storytelling, healing and fire ceremonies. A gifted shaman is able to navigate both the unseen realms of the underworld and the heavens. It is here we have access to the chambers of our soul and of our destiny. We do not have to live a life of fate created for us by our ancestral lineage. We can live a life of intention and co-creation—

a life with deep meaning and purpose.

Ultimately, we are here for the growth and transformation of our soul. When in embodiment we have the highest ability for that transformation to take place. Souls are lined up waiting for bodies. When we are in embodiment, it is a cherished opportunity.

As a shaman, I help my clients communicate with the soul, recognize the lessons from this lifetime and others, clear energies that do not belong to us, and find the soul’s purpose for this lifetime.

It is very easy to get lost in the cycle of life, death and rebirth. The shaman has the ability to help us remember where we are in space

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and time, where we have been, and identify our individual goals. In time, we are able to die without losing spiritual consciousness and break the cycle of rebirth if we so choose.

Katherine Koch’s own healing journey brought her to the teachings of The Four Winds and Alberto Villoldo. It was in her darkest places that she discovered her greatest gifts. She has learned that the opportunities of self-healing are a gift to herself and others.

Her path has led her to the purpose of sharing the ancient wisdom and helping people step into new truth and power. It is in this space she believes we co-create with Spirit for our highest destiny, as well as having a greater vision for ourselves and the planet. We can “dream our world into being.”

For more information, call 612-232-9881, email KatherineCornelius@mac.com, or visit ShamanicDestiny.com or @ShamanicDestiny on Instagram. See ad, page 31.

Advertorial

Standard Process Leading in Whole Food Supplements Since 1929

S

tandard Process has been a familyowned leader in whole food nutritional supplements since 1929. President and CEO Charlie DuBois started his career at Standard Process in 1983. He was elected president by the board of directors in 1995.

In 1996, the DuBois family became the third generation to own Standard Process, with DuBois carrying on the legacy of his great uncle, Dr. Royal Lee. He is honored to lead a company that is committed to carrying out Lee’s whole food philosophy so that healthcare professionals and their patients will continue to receive the best in whole food nutrition. Although they have been in business for more than 90 years, Standard Process continues to pursue the vision of the founder, Lee, who recognized nutritional deficiencies caused by processed foods and industrial food production. Standard Process is based in Palmyra and is proud to call Wisconsin home.

What benefits do you bring to your customers?

Quality is at the heart of all that we do. Our methods—everything from juice extraction to packaging—exceed industry standards so that our products maintain their vital nutrients and convey their intended benefits. In addition, our scientists run as many as 2,000 tests every week so that we can be sure that what is on the label reflects what is in the bottle.

Kettle Moraine’s rich farmland, and have never wavered on our organic and regenerative farming practices: no pesticides, no herbicides and no genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We cultivate ingredients from seed to soil to supplement so that they’re presented in their ideal form.

Tell us more about your partnerships with providers.

We go to great lengths to fulfill our mission with a product line that contains more than 300 nutritional supplements—all of which have the potential to change lives.

In addition, our practitioner partnerships help ensure the best outcomes for patients, which is something we find very special.

approach to health care and help patients continue on the path to optimal health.

What sets you apart from other supplements?

Our competition—like the majority of American nutrition—utilizes ingredients that travel hundreds or thousands of miles before they reach their destination. The great majority of the raw ingredients we use to make our products are grown right here in Wisconsin on our certified organic farm, which is located about a mile away from our headquarters. We take advantage of the

What is next for Standard Process?

Standard Process has been changing lives for more than 90 years, and we’re just getting started. Our belief in the power of nutrition continues to grow stronger, and our commitment to patients and holistic health care gets deeper every day. We have a proven history behind us and a vibrant future in front of us. We’ve got a number of exciting initiatives and products planned for 2022; the best way to keep up with them all is by following us on social media or visiting StandardProcess.com. See ad, page 6.

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Why are your products important for improving nutritional health?

We recognize that the relationship between food and health is more important than ever due to the lack of nutrients found in the standard American diet. We also realize that nutritional supplementation works best when provided with professional guidance. We partner with qualified healthcare practitioners who believe in a systematic

Check website for service times.

January 2022

11

Try Lavender and Valerian to Ease Heart Fatigue

health briefs

Consider Basil to Fend Off Alzheimer’s

Karolina Grabowska/Pexels.com

A natural compound called fenchol, found in basil and other plants, may help to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by preventing toxic proteins from accumulating in the brain, report researchers from the University of South Florida. In a new study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, researchers reported that a sensing mechanism called the FFAR2 receptor on short-chain fatty acids in the gut microbiome reduces neurotoxicity in a brain with Alzheimer’s. After screening more than 144,000 natural compounds to find those that activate that receptor, they discovered that the fenchol in basil bound to it the best. Fenchol was also found to clear harmful amyloid protein from the brain much faster than other compounds and to prevent the formation of halfdead, inflammatory “zombie cells” found in deteriorating brains. Future research will focus on on whether fenchol is best delivered through basil itself, a nasal application spray or a pill.

new africa/AdobeStock.com

Eat More Fiber to Avoid Liver Fat

alexmat46/AdobeStock.com

In a recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition, researchers at Seattle’s Children’s Hospital tested 1,682 adults from multiple ethnic groups and compared their diets to their levels of liver fat, which is linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. They found those that ate more red meat and saturated fat, and drank more coffee had higher levels of liver fat, while those that ate more fiber and produce containing vitamins C and E had lower levels of liver fat.

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iStock.com image

Stock up now for relief wh

People with chronic heart failure often struggle with fatigue, making simple daily tasks difficult, but a new Iranian study suggests that lavender and valerian may help counter this symptom. Researchers divided 120 patients with heart failure into three groups that were given either a 530-milligram valerian root capsule, lavender aromatherapy or routine care. In a two-week period, people taking either of the herbal therapies reported significantly less fatigue than the control group.

• • • •

Herpes Cream Provides Natural Relief Lelia Cahill, founder of Royal John, is pleased to offer natural relief for those that suffer from genital herpes.

Royal John’s Genital Herpes Cream is comprised of allnatural ingredients including echinacea, lady slipper, purslane, golden seal, lemon balm, witch hazel, licorice, tea tree and black cumin.

“Thirty-five percent of American adults have genital herpes,” says Cahill. “While there is not currently a cure, it is important to find comfort and relief from symptoms naturally with a product you can trust.”

The plant-based, antioxidant-rich formula is designed to soothe sores and temporarily relieve pain and swelling due to genital herpes. This cream-based formula is chemical-free and easy to use for management of bothersome symptoms.

Cahill brings more than 28 years of expertise in development and research. She has worked with the National Development and Research Institute as well as many brilliant doctors.

“Statistically speaking everyone knows someone who has herpes, but not many people talk about it; a big reason is the stigma it carries. It’s a normal, non-life-threatening part of a lot of people’s lives. My hope is to remove the stigma of genital herpes and give relief to the symptoms until we find a cure,” says Cahill.

VISIT RoyalJohn.com

For more information or to order, visit RoyalJohn.com or email Info@RoyalJohn.com. Also available on Amazon. See ad, page 39.

Advertorial

Getting Personal About CO2 Tools to Help Track Our Carbon Footprint The mixed results of the recent COP26 climate summit in trying to forge worldwide cooperation to reduce carbon emissions show that personal action is necessary, although doing so may seem daunting and confusing because it means reevaluating many everyday activities.

To help, Graham Hill, who founded the sustainability website Treehugger.com in 2004 and the small-living consultancy LifeEdited.com in 2010, recently launched TheCarbonauts.com to teach us how to reduce our carbon footprint and lead a lower-carbon lifestyle.

In August, Hill told Treehugger he viewed the venture in part as “a great way to make a difference to do two things—change your behavior and pressure corporations and governments to change, as well.”

Hill and former Treehugger editor Meaghan O’Neill offer a free one-hour course titled Personal Sustainability Plan that teaches people how to use a carbon calculator. They also offer a six-week course on Zoom that focuses on carbon footprint calculation; renewable energy; plant-rich diet and food waste; electric vehicles; optimizing flying and carbon offsets; and goal setting and personalized resources.

TheCarbonauts.com also recommends composting and waste storage products and helpful books and films. In partnership with Terrapass, it offers netrun78/AdobeStock.com

iStock.com image

eco tip

You Are Invited…

Free Zoom Event • Public Welcome An Open ECK eBooklet Discussion You may participate without the book!

opportunities to participate in carbon offset programs on a one-time, monthly or annual basis.

Other helpful carbon-reducing guides can be accessed via the apps United Nations Carbon Footprint Calculator and The Capture. Other personal actions may include: ■ Buying goods that are pre-owned or secondhand, renting or sharing items and having broken items repaired instead of buying new, all of which cut emissions from product manufacturing.

■ Considering family staycations instead of flying and taking long road trips.

■ Choosing Rainforest Alliance-certified products, including coffee, bananas, tea and chocolate. Doing so maximizes the yield from existing cropland of farms that use responsible growing methods, which, in turn, protects and restores forests that sequester carbon.

■ Walking, biking or taking mass transportation instead of driving.

Taking such basic steps can also help influence others. As Treehugger writer Sami Grover says in his book We’re All Climate Hypocrites Now, riding a bike not only cuts down on our personal carbon footprint, but also sends “a signal to politicians, planners, businesses and fellow citizens.”

Saturday, January 15th 4:00 to 5:00 pm

T

he creative imagination is vital in that it gives people a way to help bring the greatest spiritual blessing into their lives. This free book is available for download on www.eckankar.org/ebooklets/.

Secrets of Divine Creativity Contact welcome @ eckankararizona.org or call 877-300-4949 to receive Zoom link/dial-in info.

Copyright ©2021 All rights reserved. Presented by the Arizona Satsang Society, Inc., A Chartered Affiliate of ECKANKAR.

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Bad Actors

global briefs

Poachers Upsetting Ecological Balance

Never Forget

Approximately 90 percent of the elephants in the present-day Gorongosa National Park, called one of the “last wild places” by National Geographic, were poached for ivory to finance the civil war in Mozambique from 1977 to 1992. Before the conflict, less than one-fifth of females were born without tusks. Now the number is closer to 50 percent. A study published in Science Friday reveals “smoking-gun evidence for genetic changes,” according to University of Victoria (Canada) conservation scientist Chris Darimont.

He believes the study helps us understand how humans can have a major influence on evolution.

The same phenomenon has also been observed in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya after periods of intense poaching. Although female and male elephants can be born with tusks, tusklessness occurs at around 2 percent in a well-protected population. Study co-author and Princeton evolutionary biologist Robert Pringle thinks the changes are reversible as the population recovers, saying, “There’s such a blizzard of depressing news about biodiversity and humans in the environment, and I think it’s important to emphasize that there are some bright spots in that picture.”

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peter betts/AdobeStock.com

Tuskless Elephants Adapting to Poaching Scourge

In a paper published in Biological Conservation, researchers from the University of Adelaide and an international team of experts have concluded that illegal global wildlife trade impacts species, ecosystems and society in unsustainable ways. Co-author Dr. Oliver Stringham states, “The trade in wild vertebrates alone is estimated to involve a quarter of terrestrial species, while the trade in ocean life, invertebrates, plants and fungi remains considerably overlooked and poorly documented. As a threat to targeted species, the trade represents one of the five major drivers of biodiversity loss and extinction at global scale.”

The incidental effects of wildlife harvesting include disrupted interactions between species and ecosystem structure, altering species composition, functioning and services such as seed dispersal, pollination and carbon storage. Other secondary effects are decreases in eco-tourism and increases in pandemics that originate in wildlife. Co-author and Ph.D. candidate Adam Toomes notes, “A large diversity of species are not protected by international regulation and are traded without any formal documentation process, making it incredibly difficult to evaluate the associated costs and benefits.” Tools available to curb the trade include bans, quotas, protected areas, certification, captive breeding and propagation, education and awareness.

Bottoms Up

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Climate Change Affects Coffee Quality

A review published in Frontiers in Plant Science outlines the vulnerability of coffee quality to environmental shifts. Researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and Montana State University looked at the effects of 10 prevalent environmental factors and management conditions associated with climate change and adaptation as detailed in 73 published articles to form this analysis.

Their findings have implications for farmers’ livelihoods and consumer experiences.

Coffee is grown on 12.5 million mostly small farms comprising more than 27 million acres in more than 50 countries. Some of these regions are feeling the impact of climate change, which leads to consequences for coffee’s taste, aroma, nutritional quality, yield and sustainability. Farms at higher altitudes were associated with better coffee flavor and aroma, while too much light exposure correlated with a decrease in overall quality. Coffee quality is also susceptible to changes due to water stress and increased temperatures and carbon dioxide, although more research on these specific factors is needed. Current efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change include shade management to control light exposure, selection and maintenance of climate-resilient wild coffee plants, and pest management, but innovative solutions to support bean growth at all elevations still need to be devised.

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Health in the New Year 10 Top Wellness Trends for 2022

wayhome studio/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

E

very new year marks the convergence of endings and beginnings—an opportunity to assess where we’ve been and anticipate where we’re going. As this dynamic relates to our health, this year promises an intensification in the development and adoption of several trends that have been years in the making.

Plant-Based Foods Take Center Stage The consensus among researchers is that filling our plates with colorful vegetables and fruits improves health and reduces our risk of developing a number of chronic degenerative diseases.

“This approach, along with eating less meat and avoiding sugar, is wonderful to control blood sugar, lower uric acid and nurture your microbiome, which is fundamentally important to reduce inflammation, increase your body’s production of antioxidants and 16

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vitamins and help maintain the integrity of the gut lining so that you don’t get leaky gut and, therefore, inflammation,” says boardcertified neurologist David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain and four other New York Times bestsellers.

Awareness of the devastating effects of industrialized meat production is also accelerating. “Avoiding animal products is probably the first and most important ethical choice one can make,” says Princeton University bioethics professor Peter Singer, author of the seminal Animal Liberation. “That’s going to dramatically lower your carbon footprint. You will no longer be complicit in the suffering of tens of billions of factory-farmed animals, and you won’t be contributing to the increasing risks of viruses being bred in factory farms.”

According to market analysis firm CB Insights, “As COVID-19 spread across the globe, shifting consumer behavior and virus

outbreaks in factories has “Core concepts like being present in the moment or only trending now, but will dealt major blows to the increase quite dramatically meat supply chain, with the taking in the other person in an empathetic way are as consumers push to learn rippling out into so many aspects of life.” beef industry alone facing more about themselves,” an estimated $13.6 billion –Leslie Davenport Perlmutter predicts. “No in losses.” Several U.S. meat longer is this information processing plants were forced to close their doors. going to be siloed in the doctor’s office. People are becoming In response, a growing inventory of plant-based alternative more and more empowered to learn this data about themselves proteins is emerging, offering new products that seek to mimic and act on it.” the experience of eating a juicy hamburger (Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods) or crispy chicken nugget (Simulate). Banza Learning to Improve Genetic Expression makes high-protein pasta from chickpeas. Retail sales of plant“Our evolving understanding of epigenetics—how we can change based meals in the U.S. have grown by 25.5 percent over the past our gene expression—is bringing more people on board to the idea two years, and other manufacturers joining the field are Plantible that our lifestyle choices matter,” Perlmutter says. “When I went to Foods, Rebellyous Foods, Livekindly and InnovoPro. A recent medical school, we thought our DNA was locked in a glass case and survey found that 36 percent of consumers intend to increase their that it would determine everything about us. Nowadays, we know consumption of alternative protein sources in the near future. that the expression of more than 70 percent of our DNA that codes Perlmutter cautions, “Just because they’re plant-based doesn’t for health and longevity is under our control and influenced by our give them full sanction. They may contain unfermented soy, which may not be non-GMO or organic, and per an article in the lifestyle choices. The food we eat, whether or not we slept well last New York Times, their carbon footprint may be a lot higher in night, the stress in our lives, whether or not we spent time in naproduction of these products than we have been led to believe. ture—all of these things, moment-to-moment, change our gene exDo a little research on these manufactured foods and go for pression. Holy Toledo! We now know that certain lifestyle choices plant-based options that aren’t processed. Shop the periphery of are good for you because they favorably change gene expression. the grocery store.”

They teach it in med school now. It’s a breathtaking reality.”

Telemedicine Will Continue After the Pandemic According to management consultants McKinsey and Company, when COVID-19 began, the level of telemedicine increased in America 78-fold, peaking in April 2020. Although it has been declining since then, the use of telemedicine is still at a 38-fold increase compared to pre-pandemic times. “While it has leveled off, we are going to see persisting use of telemedicine in situations that involve basic communication with a patient,” says Perlmutter, citing compelling attributes such as cost savings, convenience and a lower carbon footprint because people don’t have to commute to a doctor’s office.

Wearable Devices and Home Testing Empower Patients Perlmutter also anticipates an amplification of the use of wearable devices and home testing to provide biometric data that informs people about their health status and inspires them to modify lifestyle choices. The Oura Ring records the time it takes to get to sleep, how many times the wearer awakens during the night and how much time they spend in REM and deep sleep. This information enables people to modify day-to-day activities to improve the quality and quantity of sleep.

Apple Watch aficionados are increasingly relying on the device’s biofeedback features, including its newest metric, blood oxygenation, while diabetics and non-diabetics alike employ continuous glucose monitoring systems to pinpoint how lifestyle choices like food, exercise and sleep affect blood sugar levels. “That is not

Harnessing the Power of Low-Level Stress Life hackers and high-performance junkies are looking to leverage something called hormesis, which involves introducing low-level stress to the body for a positive outcome, so that when the body repairs itself from that condition, it doesn’t just repair back to the previous level, but to a new one with an advantage. This includes exposing the body to a hot sauna or cold exposure through cryotherapy, as well as intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating. “People are starting to see how good things happen when we engage in things that push us in places that are perhaps a little bit uncomfortable, activating mechanisms that help with metabolic health, immunity, cognitive function and even the growth of new brain cells,” Perlmutter explains.

Mental Health Destigmatized When U.S. gymnast Simone Biles dropped out of the 2021 Summer Olympic Games citing mental health challenges, she created an opening for other people to speak up. If a world champion could reveal her vulnerability on the global stage when the stakes were so high, certainly so could they. Her compelling story is emblematic of an emerging trend: Mental health is gradually becoming destigmatized.

“It’s becoming acceptable to talk about our feelings and ask for help, and this trend is shattering unhealthy cultural myths, like the erroneous assumption that if we talk about our emotions we’re going to fall into a pit of despair and sadness,” says Licensed Integrative Psychotherapist Leslie Davenport, the author of Emotional January 2022

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Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. “There’s a boldness among younger generations that are challenging the status quo and demanding to be accepted as they are. Tucking away anything that might not be socially acceptable is a part of the past. Kids want their families and adults to accept and love them exactly as they are.” On Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, #itsoknottobeok is a popular hashtag.

Mental health surveys show that eco-anxiety in particular is prevalent among the young. Late last year, scientists at the University of Bath, in England, interviewed 10,000 youth between the ages of 16 and 25 across 10 continents. In the U.S., 68 percent said that the future was frightening. Almost half admitted that they had distressing feelings related to climate change on a daily basis, 42 percent believed that the things they valued most would be destroyed and 35 percent feared that their family security would be threatened.

A Surge in Coaching According to Davenport, “In addition to therapy becoming more acceptable, I’ve seen coaching become more common as another option in which people don’t have to examine their past and can instead look forward. A coach can help them make sense of their life, set goals and hold them accountable.”

Mindfulness Becomes Ubiquitous

Therapy and Meditation Apps Abound Redefining the conventional, in-person therapy session that is 50 minutes in a quiet room, therapy apps allow people to have short phone calls, video chats or text exchanges with a therapist for a low monthly fee. Notable therapy apps include BetterHelp. com, OnlineTherapy.com, BrightSide.com and Calmerry.com. For meditation, Calm.com, InsightTimer.com and HeadSpace.com are dominating the field.

Virtual Experiences Are Here to Stay Many people that were devastated by isolation and loneliness during the pandemic sought social engagement via streaming and app-enabled webinars, exercise routines or art classes. Suddenly, virtual conferences attracted participants from all over the world.

Davenport relishes the fact that she was able to take tap dancing classes from a renowned New York City teacher, even though she lives in Washington State. “In a surprising silver lining, we’ve come to appreciate the convenience of these virtual experiences, which we likely wouldn’t have attended in person before the pandemic.”

Sandra Yeyati is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

prostockstudioo/AdobeStock.com

In a few decades, mindfulness practices have catapulted from Buddhist monasteries to corporate boardrooms and have become a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. with an 11 percent annual growth rate. “Mindfulness has been emerging for a while, but at

this point, it’s a household word,” Davenport says. “People are talking about mindful eating or mindful conversations. Core concepts like being present in the moment or taking in the other person in an empathetic way are rippling out into so many aspects of life.”

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inspiration

Why Words Matter

F

loran4a/AdobeStock.com

by Marlaina Donato

rom witchy incantations in Shakespeare’s Macbeth to ancient Sanskrit mantras; from the stirring speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the divinely inspired poetry of the Sufis, words have bridged the chasm between the visible and the invisible since the dawn of human language. They have the capacity to conjure change, rock the boat, manipulate mood and alter the inner landscape.

According to language research center Ethnologue, there are more than 7,000 languages in the world. We use words every day to communicate, to learn, to teach, to bond with kindred souls and to win opinion wars on social media. We can use words as medicine or weapons, and we too often forget their power.

Many religious texts draw attention to the spoken word, especially in creation stories and the creative capacity of deity. In the Vedanta Sutra, an ancient Vedic text, the phrase anavritti sabdat translates to “by sound vibration, one becomes liberated.” Consider what it would be like if we each made a daily commitment to use everyday words as a conscious tool for healing—a practical form of spiritual discipline from which everyone might benefit.

In our age of rapidly developing technology and jam-packed schedules, the spoken word is becoming a casualty in the daily blur of abbreviated texts and emojis. Forty percent of the world’s languages are on the threshold of extinction, and so is the language of everyday courtesy and compassion. “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” the old saying goes, but words do hurt, chipping away at our mental health in the classroom, on the checkout line at the supermarket and in our social media newsfeeds.

Negativity-overwhelm has become the norm. If the mystics of old are correct regarding the energetic impact of our words, thoughts and self-talk, incredible power awaits on the tip of our tongues. With a little bit of attention and intention, there’s so much we might be able to create for ourselves and others.

Words are seeds, and we can sow life-sustaining gardens for generations to follow.

Consider what to plant today.

Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer of visionary music. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

January 2022

19

green living

The Electric Vehicle Revolution Moving Toward an All-EV Future This Year

photo by Chevrolet

by Jim Motavalli

A

lmost certainly, electric cars are in everyone’s future. Not only are automakers— from General Motors and Volvo to Rolls-Royce and Bentley—pledging to stop producing gas and diesel cars, but a long list of countries in Europe and Asia plus three U.S. states are planning to ban them by 2040 or earlier, often citing climate change imperatives.

This wouldn’t be happening if electrification technology was standing still. Instead, it’s made rapid progress to the point that electric vehicles (EV) are more often than not better cars than their internal combustion counterparts. A range of 300 miles or more (the top model of the luxurious Lucid Air claims 520) has become commonplace, and the inherent properties of electric motors—such as lots of low-end torque—means they’re very fast off the line. The Rimac Nevera, an EV supercar, reaches 60 mph in an incredible 1.85 seconds.

But there’s more. Fuel and service costs have been dramatically reduced with EVs. A 2018 University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute study pegged the average cost to operate an EV at $485 a year, compared to $1,117 for a gas-operated car, and battery packs and electric motors take up less space than engines, transmissions and radiators. This means larger passenger compartments with more legroom and no center “hump”, and storage up

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front (the so-called “frunk”), as well as behind. Designers are even able to ditch the grille—a feature shared by all but a few aircooled cars on the market.

EVs Get More Affordable The high cost of EVs has been off-putting.

The Tesla Model S Plaid Edition, made in California, starts at $129,990, the Arizonaproduced Lucid sells for up to $170,000, and the Croatian-made Rimac costs $2.4 million. That’s one reason EV penetration is low—accounting for only 2 percent of U.S. sales in 2020. By last year, there were almost 1.8 million EVs on American roads—three times the number of 2016—but affordable

cars would make the numbers grow much faster. The federal $7,500 federal income tax credit for EVs helps, but it has a 200,000unit sales cap, and General Motors and Tesla have already met it. Some states, and especially EV-friendly California, have generous additional incentives, and a proposed increase in the tax credit from $7,500 to $12,500 is under consideration by Congress.

Battery pack costs—the key reason EVs are expensive—went down an average of 16 percent per year between 2007 and 2020, the University of Pennsylvania reports. And that has created cheaper electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Bolt ($31,995), Hyundai Kona ($34,000), Mini Cooper SE ($30,750), Nissan Leaf ($32,620) and Tesla Model 3 ($41,190).

The big news for truck fans is that the country’s bestselling vehicle for many years, the Ford F-150 pickup, will have a battery electric variant called the Lightning on the market this spring with a price under $40,000.

For some people, hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles are a better choice. They’re certainly cheaper. Toyota’s long-lived Prius (with 58 mpg city/53 highway) starts at $24,525. And there’s an appealing Ford hybrid truck, too—the Maverick—at $19,995.

It went on sale late last year.

These “green” trucks are undoubtedly better for the environment than their gas and diesel counterparts. Greenhouse gas production is directly tied to fuel economy, and some versions of the current F-150 pickup get only 15 mpg combined. The only emissions from its EV counterpart and battery trucks like it will be from the generation of the electricity to run them.

The Maverick hybrid gets 40 mpg in city driving.

In 2020, researchers in England and Holland said that driving an EV is better for the environment in 95 percent of the world— the exception would be in areas with very dirty coal-based grids. For a complete lifecycle analysis, it’s necessary to factor in the effects of manufacturing, the mining of rare earth minerals, the makeup of the local grid, end-of-life recycling and other factors.

EVs do have slightly higher greenhouse gas production from recycling (1.8 tons versus 2.4 tons) because of battery processing, a

Chinese study says. But that same study reports that complete lifecycle emissions for EVs are 18 percent lower.

The good news is that many of the factors that go into lifecycle analysis are getting better for EVs. Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source, and the amount in the U.S. grid increased 100 percent between 2000 and 2018. Lithium is essential for modern EV batteries, and both General Motors and BMW have invested in more sustainable methods of extraction.

Integrating with the Home Another EV cost is the installation of 240volt electricity for home charging. But in 2020 the International Code Council (ICC) set new voluntary guidelines for new homes that would make all of them “EV-Ready”.

Installing the necessary wiring when the house is built would cost $920, compared to $3,550 for a retrofit, says the ICC. Some municipalities, such as Seattle, already require EV wiring for new homes with offstreet parking.

Increasingly, EVs are being equipped for two-way power, meaning they can power homes or construction sites. That’s one part of the appeal of Ford’s Lightning, which has 9.6 kilowatts of power available to keep the lights on during a power outage. It can provide full-home electricity for three days.

highly affordable, with good ones costing about $7,000. But its range is poor, just 73 miles. While some older Teslas have credible range, they’ve also retained their value pretty well. In general, buying new—which includes claiming the federal income tax credit—is a better idea.

First-time EV buyers worry about high prices, range, finding public chargers (although the $7.5 billion allocated to build them in the recent infrastructure bill may help), the considerable time needed to recharge at home, compromised interior space and replacing the expensive battery packs. These are all legitimate concerns, but the lower-priced, roomy, fast-charging EVs coming on the market now—and a network of more than 41,000 public chargers—go a long way toward addressing them.

Jim Motavalli, a Connecticut-based journalist, writes about the environment, cars and music.

He can be contacted at JimMotavalli.com.

What to Expect Buying an EV will require some lifestyle changes, most but not all of them positive.

Passing up gas stations is a plus. Studies show that 80 percent or more of EV charging will be done at home, mostly at night. Regular servicing for tuneups and oil changes will become a distant memory, and so will the financial bite. AAA says EVs will cost on average $949 less per year to maintain.

Many of today’s electric cars have range limitations, and this needs to be factored into trip planning. The 2021 Volkswagen I.D. 4 Pro can travel 260 miles on a charge, perhaps not enough to get to grandma’s house. The 2021 Nissan Leaf only has a 150mile range, although the Leaf Plus increases that to 226.

Buying used is tempting, because some EVs—such as early Nissan Leafs—are January 2022

21

healthy kids

Zen Zone for Kids Create the Perfect Calm-Down Corner at Home

by Marlaina Donato

C

hildren and teens are sensitive beings, and like adults, they need daily tools to offset the stresses of life. Whether a child is overwhelmed by COVID-19 protocols at school, is on the autism spectrum or is highly sensitive or anxious, creating a special place to decompress can help manage big emotions. “Children, including teens, often don’t recognize the combination of sensory stimuli that is causing anxiety, irritation or exhaustion that can then lead to emotional reactivity in the form of anger, outbursts, silence, crying, inappropriate laughing or teasing,” says occupational therapist April Christopherson, owner of ExplorationTherapy.com, in Gunnison, Colorado.

Peace, Not Punishment

Crystal Sing/AdobeStock.com

A calm space can be an inviting corner, a designated room or a place outdoors. “Sensory processing is a blanket term for how our brains and bodies integrate and use the sensory information/input around us. This is mostly environmental,” says Christopherson. Triggers may include uncomfortable room temperature, noise, inadequate or intrusive lighting, even

scratchy clothing. Unlike time-out spaces that prompt kids to process actions and think about behavior, calm-down spaces can soothe a nervous system in overdrive and quell uncontrollable meltdowns.

“It’s common for kids with sensory processing needs to be misunderstood and labeled as overly sensitive or explosive.

Creating a space that meets your child’s sensory needs gives them a safe space to retreat to when they’re feeling overwhelmed,” says Alisha Grogan, a Pittsburgh occupational therapist and creator of YourKidsTable.com for picky eaters.

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Calming Nerves, Engaging the Senses Kids’ tranquil areas can be simple or elaborate, but part of the magic formula is including objects that soothe the senses. “The calm space can contain items that allow time for stress hormones to decrease,” says certified autism specialist Cara Koscinski, of Jacksonville, Florida, founder of PocketOccupationalTherapist.com, an online source for parents, therapists and students. She recommends including sensory allies such as bean bags, therapy putty or dough, slow or classical music, a white noise machine, books, emotion identification cards and fidget toys (squishy or gel-filled balls, tangle toys or a Rubik’s Cube). A weighted blanket or stuffed animal, especially for younger children, is also a good option.

“Time to refocus and allow deep breathing can make a world of difference,” says Koscinski, recommending cards with cues or instructions for deep breathing.

Sarah Norris, founder of the coaching website SensoryCoach.org, with offices in Denver, Atlanta and Chicago, believes we can all benefit from sensory strategies. “Using sensation is a powerful way to change how you feel without much thought or expression,” she says. “Sensory objects can often be used in more than one way, which allows you to discover how to help yourself feel better in a fun, nonjudgmental way.” She recommends including scented items with calming essential oils and drawing pads, as well as ageappropriate coloring books.

Grogan’s sensory picks are stress balls, kinetic sand, noise-cancelling headphones, scented teddy bears and chewy necklaces for a child to bite on. “Families may want to have a variety of sensory tools and toys available so a child can choose what’s helpful for them,” she says. Ambient lighting, including lava lamps and yearround holiday lights, can set the mood of any sensory space.

Tranquil Possibilities Setting up stress-free zones at home doesn’t have to be a onesize-fits all approach. Norris favors going outside the box. “If you have the space to set up a reading nook or a semi-permanent pillow fort, your kids will love you for it. Don’t overlook the possibility of using outdoor spaces as places to promote calm. Being in nature can be very regulating, especially if there is a comfy seat or fun swing to enjoy.” If making an area at home doesn’t work for some families, Norris suggests highly effective portable kits that can come along in the car or to doctor’s appointments.

Christopherson encourages creative options like a comfortable beanbag at the bottom of a closet, a rocking chair with a heavy blanket or an outside fort or tree house. For multi-sibling homes, Grogan recommends a pop-up tent in a corner or in smaller spaces or a blanket thrown over a table for an instant fort.

Whatever the setup or individual needs, calm spaces encourage kids to find their center and claim their space in a chaotic world.

“All kids should be given what they need for success,” underscores Koscinski.

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

Happy New Year!

Everyone at SW Herb, wish you & yours a

Herby, Happy & Healthy 2022

SW Herb has great things planned for 2022: FREE seminars: Jan. 15; February 6 and 12 3-day Intensive Cert Class, January 28-30 5-week Cert class, Sat morns, starts Feb. 26th Advanced Formulation, once-a-year, April 30/May 1 Which one do you want to take?

Call (480) 694-9931 to RSVP

Hours: TUES-FRI 11a- 5p; SAT 10a- 3p, Closed Sunday & Monday Online store: www.SWHerb.com/shop

January 2022

23

Eazy-Peazy Tea to Sleep By

Herbal Teas

The Original Superfoods

by Kathleen Gould and Madalyn Johnson

D

id you know that 1 cup of highquality herbal tea has about 300 milligrams (mg) of all the calcium, magnesium and bone-building minerals we need for a strong, healthy body? The traditional dosage of this simple yet profound superfood is 1 cup of tea, three to four times daily. So that would give us between 900 and 1,200 mg of these life-giving minerals in a completely absorbable medium each day. In addition, there are tons of vitamins and trace minerals to go along with those amazing minerals.

Herbal teas—unlike popular teas such as green tea, oolong tea and black tea—are not from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, herbal teas are derived from a variety of dried plants and weeds. This makes for a huge variety of options when it comes to choosing teas for a health benefit or simply for taste. And they are caffeine-free!

Here are a few of the many classifications of herbs that can be made into a simple tea. Herbs that may help you relax—think chamomile, lemon balm, blue lotus and passion flower. Herbs that provide large amounts of minerals (among many other properties)—oat straw, nettle and alfalfa.

Herbs that may help you sleep—catnip, passion flower, skullcap and valerian.

Herbs that can nourish your liver—dandelion, burdock and milk thistle. Herbs for seasonal allergies—elder flowers, nettle and goldenrod. Herbs that may be pain relieving—meadowsweet, feverfew, turmeric

24

and kava kava. Herbs that may ease tummy pain—calendula, ginger and chamomile.

And the list goes on.

You can make your tea in your soup pot (makes 1 to 1½ gallons of tea depending on the size of your pot) and store in your refrigerator so that you only have to make it once or twice a week. Here in Arizona most of us carry a quart-size water bottle with us much of the time, so we can simply substitute that quart of water with herbal tea.

Let’s put some of these together for delicious-tasting teas. Herbal teas can have both a short- and long-term effect. Give one … or two a try and see how you feel.

Tasty Chai Tea

2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces 4 peppercorns (smashed to release their goodness) 5 cloves 7 cardamom seeds 4 anise stars (optional) 1 cup rooibos tea 2 cups milk of your choice Honey to taste Place herbs in a pan with your milk choice.

Bring to a simmer. Take off heat, add tea and stir. Put a lid on it and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain herbs, add honey to taste, sprinkle a bit of nutmeg or cinnamon on top and enjoy! There are so many options when making a chai tea; feel free to personalize this as you like.

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123rf.com/ yuliadavidovich (follow)

1 oz chamomile flowers ½ oz lemon balm ½ oz cinnamon chips ¼ oz orange peel Honey to taste (but you might not need it) Put all ingredients in a pot and cover with water (about 3 to 4 cups). Cover pot and bring to a simmer. Take off stove and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain, add honey if needed and enjoy. Sweet dreams!

Blood Red Heart Tea

1 oz hibiscus 1 oz rosehips ½ oz hawthorn leaves and flowers ½ oz cinnamon chips ¼ oz orange peel Honey to taste (but you might not need it) Put all herbs in a pot and cover with water (about 3 to 4 cups). Cover pot and bring to a simmer. Take off stove and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain, add honey if needed and enjoy.

Some of the side effects you will experience after drinking herbal teas daily for a week or two include sustained energy; better sleep; stronger hair, skin and nails; normalization of the bowels; and more balanced moods.

With a new year upon us, what better time to try something healthy, affordable, easy and oh so yummy. The more you drink, the better you feel.

Here’s to a happy, herby new year!

Kathleen Gould, registered herbalist, and Madalyn Johnson are proprietors of SW Herb Madalyn Johnson (left) and Shop and Kathleen Gould (right) Gathering Place. Gould has been an herbalist for 30-plus years and has extensive experience in herbal medicine. For more information, call 480-694-9931, or visit SWHerb.com or Store.SWHerb.com. See ad, page 23.

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conscious eating

A Better Morning Jolt

HEALTHY COFFEE ALTERNATIVES AND HACKS

freedom lifeAdobeStock.com

by April Thompson

M

ost Americans enjoy a daily dose of coffee, and an increasing body of research indicates it’s not a bad habit to have. Meanwhile, a growing number of people are adapting their morning drink rituals to incorporate ingredients ranging from matcha to mushrooms in search of additional health benefits.

“After many years of research, we have concluded that coffee can be a fantastic additive to the diet. Coffee consumption is associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality, risk of cardiovascular death and stroke,” says Claudia Hleap, a registered dietician nutritionist in Philadelphia.

Regular coffee consumption is also correlated with a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, potentially due to its naturally containing polyphenols, which are plant compounds with protective antioxidant properties. The caffeine in coffee, as well as in tea and cocoa, can also boost short-term metabolism and brain function.

As with most things in life, moderation is key; overconsumption of coffee can result in insomnia, irritability, gastrointestinal issues

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and other short-lived side effects. “Caffeine intake may negatively impact sleep duration and quality, which is essential for optimal health,” says Hleap. “Coffee can also serve as a vessel for added sugars and unhealthy fats in the diet if you are adding sweeteners and artificial creamers.”

Many java drinkers today are experimenting with healthy alternatives and add-ons to shake up their routine morning pickme-up. Chicory-based drinks, made from roasted ground chicory root, are a favorite for Lauren O’Connor, a Los Angeles registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Healthy Cooking for One. “Chicory is caffeine-free, acid-free and a gut-friendly alternative to coffee,” she says. “It also has a robust, roasted taste that can satisfy those who desire more than an herbal tea. Date ‘coffee’, made from date seed, also has a deep, rich flavor.”

Some chicory tea blends also incorporate roasted dandelion root, which has been used by herbalists for centuries to enhance the body’s detoxifying functions, particularly of the liver. Golden milk, a traditional Indian beverage associated with Ayurvedic

Rather than swap out coffee altogether, some java lovers are bettering their beloved beans with healthy add-ons such as powdered mushrooms, ghee and spices.

freedom lifeAdobeStock.com

A Better Bean Rather than swap out coffee altogether, some java lovers are bettering their beloved beans with healthy add-ons such as powdered mushrooms, ghee and spices. “A healthy addition to coffee can include coconut oil, collagen or butter. These can add some fat and protein content, which will provide more energy while also jumpstarting your metabolism at the beginning of the day,” says holistic health coach Virginia Gruhler. Ghee, a clarified butter that originated in ancient India, has been touted as a “keto-friendly” way to help neutralize the acidity of coffee while adding healthy fats and nutrients.

Spices like cinnamon and cardamom have been added to coffee and black tea for centuries in the Middle East and Asia to enhance both flavor and health. Cinnamon, for example, may help lower blood sugar, in addition to having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Mushroom coffee is another popular “coffee-plus” beverage which combines the flavor and energy boost of java with the benefits of medicinal fungi like turkey tail, lion’s mane and chaga, boosting the immune system and potentially warding off serious health conditions like dementia and cancer.

Because caffeine can stay in the bloodstream for up to 10 hours, staying clear of all caffeinated drinks in the later hours of the day will help ensure a better night’s sleep. When a midafternoon slump hits, a brisk walk followed by a cup of a flavorful herbal tea like Rooibos or lemongrass can wake up the body and the brain naturally.

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

photo provided by deanna, homesteadandchill.com

medicine, is another flavorful alternative with numerous health benefits. Recipes vary, but golden milk is typically prepared by heating milk or a plant-based milk alternative along with turmeric, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, honey, vanilla and/or cardamom.

“These warming spices go above a simple caffeine replacement to provide powerful anti-inflammatory benefits,” says Trista Best, a registered dietitian in Dalton, Georgia.

Best also recommends matcha, a traditional Japanese drink made from powdered, young, green tea leaves whisked in water as a coffee alternative with less caffeine and other added benefits. Because the tea leaves are essentially consumed in powder form rather than just steeped in water, matcha contains more catechins, an important antioxidant, than a typical preparation of green tea. “The L-theanine, an amino acid, in matcha is known to improve brain health, which shows itself through improved memory, attention and reaction time,” notes Best.

Turmeric Golden Milk yield:

2 mugs

3 cups organic, natural milk such as oat, almond, coconut, hemp or another 2 tsp ground turmeric powder ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 Tbsp coconut oil (skip if using a full-fat coconut cream or milk) ¼ tsp ground ginger powder Dash of black pepper Maple syrup, agave syrup or honey to taste Optional, but luxurious and delicious: Pinch of ground cardamom (about ⅛ tsp or just under) Dash of vanilla extract or vanilla powder Pinch of ground nutmeg (about ⅛ tsp or just under) Gently heat milk of choice in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat. Once it’s warm, add the suggested spices, oil and sweetener.

Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients. Depending on the type of milk used, vigorous whisking may create a nice, latte-like “foam”. Continue to heat for about five minutes, whisking occasionally. Serve immediately and enjoy it warm.

Golden milk is also delicious cold over ice, although oil is not recommended to use in this case. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat leftovers on the stovetop (rather than in a microwave) to preserve maximum nutritional value.

Source: Deanna, creator of HomesteadAndChill.com.

January 2022

27

natural pet

Pet-Pleasing Food Trends What Dogs and Cats Will Eat This Year

by Ronica O’Hara

D

gists. Only a few decades ago, most dogs slept in doghouses rather than in bedrooms, and most cats were free-range explorers of the outdoors. Today, two in three American households have a pet, and the animals are increasingly part of the family—sometimes even more beloved than human family members.

One study, for example, found young children more likely to confide in a pet than in a sibling.

A mattress company survey found that 71 percent of pet owners sleep with their furry friends. The forced togetherness of the pandemic drew pets and owners even closer. “Today, pet owners want to reward their pets in every way possible to let them know how grateful they are for the

unconditional love and companionship they provide,” says Osborne.

The urge to lovingly pamper pets starts at the food dish with many emerging trends.

Custom Tailoring

According to market analyst firm Mintel, three in five U.S. pet owners are willing to pay more for foods that are customized to their pet’s specific dietary needs, a trend being eagerly met by more than 700 brands and 10,000 products. Today, a dizzying array of foods are tailored to pets’ ages, breeds and physical and emotional conditions.

Obese dogs can chomp down on high-protein, low-fat foods; anxious pups can mellow out with foods that contain hemp and CBD oil; and dogs prone to kidney stones

chendongshan/AdobeStock.com

og and cat food is becoming ever more humanized in the U.S. Market researchers and veterinarians report that consumers are increasingly demanding for their pets what they want for themselves: high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients that are free of questionable byproducts. “Organic, gluten-free and even vegan are now mainstream when it comes to Fido and Fluffy,” says integrative veterinarian Carol Osborne, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “Fancy foods, gourmet treats, even personal pet chefs have become the norm.” In a turnabout on animal testing, some companies advertise that their pet food products are tested on humans.

It’s the logical outcome of an evolution in how pets are regarded, say psycholo-

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may find relief on a renal-support formula. Consumers unable to purchase pricey, specialized formulas are making kibble less boring by adding flavorful mix-ins and toppers such as shredded tuna and lamb liver flakes.

Going Plant-Based

The slow but sure rise in the number of Americans that eat natural, plant-based diets has its parallel in animal diets. Organic pet food free of pesticides, antibiotics and chemicals constitute a robust, $22-billion-a-year business in the U.S., and vegan pet food sales are predicted to grow globally by 12 percent a year. Ancient grains like amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat and millet are included in glutenfree formulas to satisfy a small but growing market. To make plant-based chow more appealing, pet food makers are adding savory flavors and substituting chemical enhancers with kitchen ingredients like vinegar.

Rethinking Meat

Some manufacturers are replacing chicken and beef with more adventurous, gamey proteins such as rabbit, venison, bison and wild boar. “Products are advertising how you can bring out their inner wolf by feeding them that food, because it is more natural to their instincts,” says Heather Venkat, the acting public health veterinarian for Arizona. Revenues are predicted to nearly double from $277 million in 2018 to $525 million in 2025 for a growing favorite: raw meat in the form of freeze-dried kibble.

Ethical Buys

Consumers are examining labels to find pet food that is sustainable and responsibly sourced. “‘Made in the USA’ remains a popular claim and feature that may even be increasing, along with a demand for ethical claims, sustainability concerns and cause marketing,” writes Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. In a survey of U.S. dog and cat owners conducted by Packaged Facts in early 2020, 69 percent reported concern about the treatment of animals raised for use in pet food.

Cautionary Notes

When buying pet food, veterinarians urge pet owners not to be overly swayed by advertising claims. “For example, the words ‘holistic’, ‘ancestral’, ‘instinctual’, ‘gourmet’ and ‘premium’ are really just marketing. On the other hand, ‘organic’, ‘natural’ and ‘human-grade’ all have specific definitions when they are applied to pet foods,” says veterinarian Jennifer Coates, of Fort Collins, Colorado, author of The Dictionary of Veterinary Terms.

“Most importantly, watch how your pet does while eating a particular food. If your pet is maintaining a healthy weight and has normal digestive function (firm stools, no vomiting), good energy levels, normal amounts of shedding and that ‘glow’ of good health, the diet you’ve picked is probably a good match,” she says.

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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January 2022

29

fit body

WHOLE-PERSON FITNESS Current Trends in Wellness Tools

by Maya Whitman

I

nsiders agree that the idea of fitness is changing, and this means an exciting wave of trackers and apps that go beyond achieving the ultimate six-pack abs. “So many of us want a nice exterior, but now more than ever, we realize how important it is that the interior match that exterior,” says Dominic Kennedy, a Los Angeles trainer and founder of the Dominic Effect, an app that provides fitness workouts, customized meal plans and mind-body tools like meditation, yoga and affirmations.

The industry of wearable technology has been expanding since the advent of the FitBit Tracker in 2014, and the trend is not slowing down. Current fitness wearables even include rings that offer more detailed biometric data including blood pressure, heart rate, sleep and calories burned. With some smartwatches now priced under $50, it’s clear why the business marketing firm Grandview Research predicts significant annual growth for such products for the next six years.

foto helin/AdobeStock.com

Making it Personal

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For this year, fitness and wellness choices will focus more on practical effectiveness within the new normal. “I see that most don’t want to spend hours in the gym. The way life is now, we do things differently: home gyms, home office, home childcare,” notes Kennedy.

The world of fitness is extending beyond the gym, taking inventory of all the aspects that factor into maintaining wellness. “This year, fitness is all about making workouts work for you and your lifestyle. Whether it be wearable technology, customized online personal training apps or mindset workouts that work on getting your mind in

gear, 2022 has me excited,” says Stephanie Mansour, a Chicago-based fitness coach and host of the national PBS fitness and wellness show Step it Up with Steph. “I think we’re going to be focusing on habits and other areas of life like food, sleep and mindset that contribute to the effectiveness of workouts.”

She also foresees people picking up inspiration from hardcore fitness devotees that share more of their personal daily habits such as journaling, affirmations and how they stay committed to investing in health.

Bringing a water bottle to a yoga class or slipping on activewear is becoming digitalized, making it easier to target overall health. Staying hydrated based on individual needs is effortless using a Thermos app-connected hydration bottle with a smart lid that tracks daily intake. Mansour’s favorite fitness ally is clothing inlaid with resistance bands. “You can actually get in a workout while doing everyday activities with this resistance apparel. I love

how resistance bands are built into these pants so my daily walk, yoga session or washing dishes and doing laundry turns into a workout because my muscles engage and work harder,” she says.

More Support, Less Pressure Kennedy sees a sense of community taking root since the start of pandemic, especially via online forums and groups centered on health and fitness. “We spend so much time on the internet and social media, and during the pandemic, it was a huge outreach that will continue to grow since you can do it right from your computer or phone.”

New Jersey-based fitness trainer Nadia Murdock sees a trend of prioritizing ourselves without all-too-common feelings of guilt. The founder of Core Program, designed to help entrepreneurial mothers take charge of their health and fitness, she warns about the possible trigger effect of digital trackers that use pop-up screens or reminders about daily steps. “I would

suggest asking yourself why you want to use a tracker. Once you have identified the reason, you can now seek out alternative options that may cause less pressure,” she says. To stay accountable without mental anguish, she suggests using a multisport watch that offers the perk of real-time audio coaching.

Kennedy concurs, saying, “The point is not to cause any more anxiety and to create a safe space. We should not be obsessing about weight and putting ourselves down, but finding a space that will lift our spirits.”

Despite the benefits of the latest technology and extras, Mansour reminds us to adhere to “tried and true methodologies like regular workouts that you enjoy, eating nutritious foods and taking care of your mental health through meditation, stress-reduction techniques and getting adequate sleep.”

Maya Whitman writes about natural health and living a more beautiful life. Connect at Ekstasis28@gmail.com.

January 2022

31

foxyliam/AdobeStock.com

healing ways

High Times for the Cannabis Industry Emerging Trends with a COVID-19 Caveat

by Jim Motavalli

I

t’s fair to say that the cannabis industry has arrived. Recreational marijuana has now been approved in 17 states, and 37 have allowed marijuana for medical purposes. “We have CBD!” proclaim store signs selling the buzz-free cannabidiol. In 2020, more than 240,000 people worked in cannabis-related jobs.

The Brightfield Group says the medical cannabis industry will reach $16 billion in annual U.S. sales by 2025. Cannabis market research firm Headset predicts this will be “a year of positive growth” for the industry.

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Legalization and expansion are strongly in line with public sentiment: Two-thirds of Americans believe marijuana should be legal, says the Pew Research Center. Opposition has fallen from 52 percent in 2010 to just 32 percent by the end of 2019.

“Dispensaries and cannabis cafés are as commonplace as Starbucks, and ordering edibles is as easy as getting pizza,” reports marketing firm Grassfed Media. The National Retail Federation noted a 700 percent increase in the demand for CBD-based products in 2019.

powers, and that the worst thing CBD/THC legal violators can expect from the agency is a warning letter posted on the FDA website.

Gregg Sturz, co-founder of Florida-based CBD Hemp Experts, a leading wholesale provider of cannabis-derived products, says he expects the FDA to eventually approve CBD for use in dietary supplements. “I don’t think they’re trying to shut the industry down, just come up with some clear guidelines,” he says.

The legal status of THC is such a question mark that, according to Investopedia’s Marijuana Investing Guide, large banks “are currently afraid of money-laundering charges they may face if they work with these businesses … The American Bankers’ Association has been pushing for more legal clarity.”

Newman, who studies the medicinal uses of CBD, notes that in some cases it’s being marketed as a topical analgesic for pain relief, when actually the other proven ingredients in analgesics—including methanol and camphor—are doing the heavy lifting. This situation has also produced FDA warning letters, because if CBD is claimed to relieve pain, then it is required to go through a new drug application process for efficacy.

In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, an oral solution with CBD as an active ingredient, used for the treatment of rare and severe forms of epilepsy. While it’s the only approved product so far, studies suggest CBD might be useful for anxiety, insomnia, skin protection and addiction.

McGinness sees the major growth area for cannabis-related products not in CBD, but in industrial hemp fiber. As hemp growers gear up in the Midwest after decades of federal bans, they’re likely to expand beyond cottage clothing companies into such areas as auto and industrial parts and building materials, he says.

“Hemp products made in a green way create fewer emissions,” McGinness says. “And the bioplastics made from hemp are lighterweight, which increases fuel efficiency. I expect we’ll see heartland industrial hemp grow so much it will make CBD look like a niche.”

Jim Motavalli is a Connecticut-based journalist who writes about the environment, cars and music. He can be contacted via JimMotavalli.com.

jan nakhonkae/AdobeStock.com

One caveat, however, is COVID-19. Ron Newman, a sustainable development analyst with Lee Enterprises Consulting, says the hemp/CBD business was flat during 2020 because of the pandemic.

“With the economic situation, people were buying only essentials,” he says. “But we’re seeing the business start to come back now.”

With COVID-19 recovery, more growth is certain, and here are some upcoming trends.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient in marijuana that gets the user high. The natural compound CBD—said to have healing and pain/anxiety relief properties—is being heavily marketed in the form of oils, edibles (including gummy bears and lollipops), oral sprays, creams and pills. The third-most popular food-related Google search term in 2018 was “CBD gummies”.

CBD dietary supplements are the biggest category, followed by topical applications and third, food and beverage additives.

THC is still illegal in many parts of the U.S., but CBD cultivation and sales were legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill. California offers a model for the states in regulating cannabis. Both medicinal cannabis and adult recreational use are legal, but the industry is strictly regulated by the Department of Cannabis Control to ensure that businesses operate safely and that products are free from contamination, properly labeled and kept away from children.

Research into cannabis is an emerging field, with 23,000 papers published since 2010, and Grassfed believes that some future products will be based on “other cannabinoids and terpenes such as CBN, CBG, THCA and THCV.” In addition, strains labeled indica, sativa or hybrid, or with names like Gorilla Glue and Wedding Crasher, may increasingly be replaced by a scientifically supported classification system.

Bar & Restaurant magazine wants its bartenders to know there might be THC-free CBD cocktails on their future bar menus. It reports that these drinks are “a legal grey area; federally they’re illegal, but some states have their own CBD-related laws.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says flatly, “It is currently illegal to market CBD by adding it to a food or labeling it as a dietary supplement,” but the agency has said it is considering relaxing this prohibition.

There’s a Wild West quality to the CBD/hemp industry today.

An FDA study found many CBD products to be mislabeled, with either more or less CBD than indicated. A significant number contained THC. And then there are the laws, with federal prohibitions and state regulations, that can be quite different. For instance, New York bans CBD products with more than 0.3 percent THC, and bans CBD from any alcohol or tobacco product. So determining whether any specific product is “legal” or not in different locations is complex.

But marketing benefits are plain. Wynk alcohol-free seltzer says it has “2.5 milligrams of THC and 2.5 milligrams of CBD in every can.” However, Wynk is not widely available. Casey Coughlin, Wynk brand manager, says, “We only sell Wynk through the dispensary channel, which is highly regulated on a state-by-state basis.

So, although CBD and THC beverages are not federally legal, they are at the state level under regulation.”

Jody McGinness, executive director of the Hemp Industries Association, says the FDA doesn’t actually have strong enforcement

January 2022

33

wise words

Peter Russell on the Healing Power of Letting Go

by Linda Sechrist

well as immersing in A Course in Miracles and the writings of contemporary teachers including Eckhart Tolle and Ram Dass.

I

photo by Peter Russell

What exactly do you advise us to let go of?

n Letting Go of Nothing: Relax Your Mind and Discover the Wonder of Your True Nature, Peter Russell reminds readers what lies at the heart of all spiritual traditions. Based on his half-century of practicing Transcendental Meditation and applying the lessons of ancient and contemporary spiritual teachers, he offers a new perspective on the age-old practice of letting go, which involves not being attached to outcomes, surrendering desires, accepting the present, opening to a higher power, relinquishing the ego and practicing forgiveness. He traces the seeds of many ideas in the book to his time in India studying with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, as

34

While the thought-provoking title suggests that individuals might be asked to let go of a situation, possessions or a relationship, the fundamental theme running through the book is not the letting go of things themselves, but rather letting go the things that only exist in the mind—thoughts, interpretations, fixed beliefs, points of view, expectations of the future, attachments to possessions and relationships, judgements, grievances, assumptions about how things should or should not be. These things in the mind are the lens through which the things of the world are experienced. For example, looking at things through blue-tinted spectacles gives everything a blueish tinge.

But the lens itself is not part of the world you see. In a similar way, the lens through which we see our world is not another thing we see. In this sense, we are letting go of the “non-things” that color our view of the world.

What led to your understanding of this?

The questions “Is there another way of seeing this?” and “Could there, just possibly, be another way of seeing this?” occurred spontaneously, without an effort on my

Metro Phoenix & Northern Arizona Edition

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part. With an open, curious attitude and without trying to find an answer or even assuming there was one, my inner knowing was able to shine through and reveal another more helpful way of seeing things.

What benefits have you experienced from letting go?

I’m more in touch with my intuition and my feelings and less consumed by my thoughts. I feel better, experience more peace and am content. Discontent is largely self-created by thinking how things should or should not be. When discontent drops away, contentment becomes more prevalent. No one walks around wonderfully enlightened all the time. Letting go is a lifetime process. Noticing where I get caught up, pausing, coming back to the present, to what is, has a feeling of “Ahhh.” It’s a sense of coming home to my inner home.

The world pulls us outward, taking us out of ourselves. When we step back from it and let go for a while, it’s like coming home to our self.

How can we better savor each moment?

In just pausing and noticing what is in the present moment of experience, you’ll simply be stopping and withdrawing your interest from the thoughts that showed up when you paused. If you notice that your attention relaxes and if there is a sense of ease, a gentle sense of happiness or joy or a quality of spaciousness and clarity, savor it. Later, when it occurs to you, pause again and again. But don’t let the practice of pausing become routine or a ritual. Instead, make each pause a fresh inquiry into the moment and be curious about what it feels like, as if it were the first time, because it is the first and only time you will savor “this” moment.

Linda Sechrist is the Natural Awakenings senior staff writer. Connect at Linda Sechrist.com.

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Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Business Directory, email PhoenixAds@NaturalAZ.com or visit NaturalAZ.com and download our media kit.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE DR. CHERYLEE LISONBEE

Chiropractic Physician, Neurotherapist 928-242-4389 • DrLisonbee@yahoo.com DrLisonbee.com

Appointments remotely or in person in Tempe and the White Mountains. Life-changing natural protocols for supporting you in improving health challenges with Fatigue, Type 2 Diabetes, Stress, Immune System, Childbirth, Pain, Sleep and more. See ad, page 31.

QUANTUM WELLNESS ADVOCATE

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NATURAL MEDICINE & DETOX

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We offer professional medical assistance with one of our Doctors of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, MD(H), or Classical Homeopaths. We also have several self-elect options for our many detox services. Please call to schedule a free 15-minute consult to learn what service might be the best option. See ad, page 31.

NATURAL PAIN TREATMENT AND DETOX

MacKenzie Kalt, Owner 4050 E Greenway Rd, Ste 5, Phoenix 480-594-5052 • NatPainTreat.com

Providing some of the most advanced natural technologies for those struggling with chronic pain, injuries, stress, migraine headaches, PTSD, insomnia, Lyme disease, autoimmune disorders, skin conditions, and much more. Visit our website to learn more. See ad, inside front cover.

SW HERB SHOP & GATHERING PLACE

148 N Center St, Mesa 480-694-9931 • SWHerb.com Store.SWHerb.com

Kathy Gould and Madalyn Johnson, herbalists and proprietors, offer medicinal bulk herbs and specialty tea blends, herbal extracts, certification classes, community and therapist rental space, medicine-making supplies, and more. See ad, page 23.

ART CLASSES WATERCOLOR ART CLASSES

Allura Westly 3611 E Sunnyside Dr, Phoenix AlluraWatercolor@cox.net 602-469-0524 • AlluraWaterColor.com

Allura Westly, master teacher, opens her sanctuary studio to all levels, beginner to advanced. Learn fluid color technique, drawing and composition. Small class of eight students. No talent required, just a desire to create.

CLEANING SERVICES BENNETT’S CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

Valleywide Service • 480-994-4988 BennettsCarpetCleaningAZ.com

Eco-friendlycarpet and upholstery cleaning. Featuring organic cleaners and odor removal products derived from renewable seed and vegetable sources. No perfumes, solvents or other hazardous products. No phosphates.

Products also available for in-home use. Licensed and owner operated since 1974. See ad, page 19.

WHITE STAR

Internationally Acclaimed Psychic Healer, Life Coach 617-697-8924 (Scottsdale) DivineLightMinistries.com

White Star is a Spiritual Elder, Mystic, Medium and Master Psychic and Healer with 40 years' experience. She offers profound clairvoyant readings covering any subject. She can heal many conditions and restore emotional and spiritual wellness. Classes and trainings on psychic development and many healing modalities are available in person and online.

DENTISTS MILLENNIUM DENTAL ASSOCIATES

Nicholas J. Meyer, DDS, DNM 5705 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste D-110, Scottsdale 480-948-0560 MillDental.com

Millennium Dental offers more than 40 years’ experience in holistic dentistry, including advanced general dentistry and an extraordinary knowledge of services found in complementary medicine. See ad, page 9.

MY DENTIST

Dr. Michael Margolis and Dr. Stephen Kovar 2045 S Vineyard Rd, Ste 153, Mesa 480-833-2232 • MyDentistAZ.com

A holistic and biological approach to your dental needs and overall health. Bio-compatible dentistry, esthetic dentistry lumineers/veneers, family dentistry and much more. See ad, page 3.

NATURAL DENTAL PARTNERS

Dr. Ingo Mahn 3134 W Carefree Hwy, Ste 9, Phoenix 602-775-5120 • MyNaturalDentist.com

Dr. Mahn takes the time to listen to your concerns and uses his extensive experience to help you achieve better health. Author of A Healthy Mouth—The Missing Link to Optimal Health, he utilizes the latest advances in dentistry (low-dose digital X-rays and single-visit biocompatible restorations) to deliver the highest level of holistic dental care.

Check the calendar of events page on his website for upcoming seminars. See ad, page 5.

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MONTHLY PLANNER february

DOCTORS BUTTERFLY HOLISTIC CENTER

Melanie Icard, NMD 1430 E Missouri Ave, Ste B127, Phoenix 480-599-8370 • PhoenixAntiAging.com

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Dr. Icard specializes in holistic anti-aging medicine, pain reversal, natural and traditional aesthetics, ozone therapy, and sexual health regeneration. She has extensive training in biological medicine, peptides, PRP, aesthetics and ozone therapy. See ad, page 10.

ENERGY HEALING ALORALOTUS AWAKENINGS SOUL HEALING STUDIO

1202 East Maryland Ave, Ste 2C-2, Phoenix LorinaQuigley.EnergyHealer@gmail.com 917-202-3289 • LorinaqEnergyHealer.com

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Lorina Quigley is a psychic clairvoyant healer, teacher and empath who has honed her skills over many years.

Sessions usually consist of energy reading, clearing and healing with past-life information about wounds and gifts and life purpose. She also helps to create a greater connection to higher self, guides and soul reconnection. See ad, page 10.

HEALTH PRODUCTS SCNM MEDICINARY

2152 E Broadway Rd, Tempe 480-970-0001 • Shopscnm.com

The SCNM Medicinary is the largest natural medicinary in Arizona, providing a wide variety of vitamins, E V I DE NCE - BASE D, N ATURALLY. nutritional supplements, books, herbs, homeopathic remedies, tinctures and other health products. Order by phone at 480-9700001 or visit us today – we offer shipping and curbside pickup! See ad, page 14.

STANDARD PROCESS

Michael Smith Sr. Account Manager MSmith@StandardProcess.com StandardProcess.com

Standard Process is a Wisconsin-based, family-owned company that has been a leader in making whole food-based nutritional supplements since 1929, and is committed to changing lives by partnering with healthcare practitioners to support optimal health through nutrition. See ad, page 6.

PEST CONTROL KIM CARTER, MA, HTCP

15215 S 48th St, Ste 154, Phoenix Kim@IntuitiveKim.com IntuitiveKim.com

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Kim is an Intuitive and Healing Touch Certified Practitioner offering guidance when you feel out of alignment with your authentic self. Stress, fear, anxiety and grief/loss throw us off balance, making it challenging to access inner wisdom. Sessions include reading and clearing your energy field; and simple, practical self-healing tools to keep you balanced and grounded.

GLUTEN FREE GLUTEN FREE CREATIONS BAKERY

LEARN ABOUT MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES AT:

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Vern Lang, Owner 10880 N 32nd St, Ste 39, Phoenix 602-626-7458 • GFCBakery.com

Delicious 100% gluten-free products. Many other food allergens and choices available, i.e., vegan, dairy free and grain free. Over 18 years of serving people with medical conditions or enjoying various food lifestyles. See ad, page 21.

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ARIZONA ORGANIC PEST & TERMITE CONTROL

Organic Pest Control 602-923-1457 • ArizonaOrganic.com

Avoid being exposed to dangerous chemicals when all-natural and safer alternatives work just as well and last longer. See ad, page 31.

PET CARE ANDREA SOBOTKA, AKA “CRITTER DOC”

ASAM, Sh. Reiki, HTAP Animal Communicator and Counselor 602-317-1543 • CritterDoc1@cox.net SpiritAnimalWisdom.com

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REAL ESTATE FENG SHUI REAL ESTATE

Jennie Richau, Associate Broker, CFSP Brokers Hub Realty, Phoenix 720-975-7070 • JennieRichau.com

As a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner, Jennie utilizes principles of Classical Feng Shui to find you a home where you will thrive, or sell your home quickly for the highest value. A truly unique way to buy or sell real estate! See ad, inside back cover.

SCHOOLS SOUTHWEST INSTITUTE OF HEALING ARTS

1538 E Southern Ave, Tempe 480-994-9244 Info@swiha.edu • swiha.edu

Nationally accredited college offers holistic health and wellness degrees, diplomas, certificates of excellence, continuing education and personal development, oncampus and online. Financial aid available. See ad, outside back cover.

SPIRITUAL CENTERS ECKANKAR

The Path of Spiritual Freedom 1-877-300-4949 • EckankarArizona.org Eckankar.org • HearHU.org Facebook.com/EckankarArizona

Eckankar is an active, individual, creative spiritual practice. A companion and roadmap for your journey home—to the heights of SelfDiscovery and God-Discovery, and beyond. Come along and discover the most secret part of yourself. The key to spiritual freedom lies within you. Explore life as a Soul Adventure. See ad, page 10.

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Classifieds: $39/month (50 word max. including title and contact info.).

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Local Farmers’ Markets

Tempe Meadows Farmers’ Market 1490 E Weber Dr Saturdays & Sundays 8am-2pm TempeMeadows.com The Barn at Power Ranch 3685 E Autumn Dr, Gilbert Wednesdays 4-8pm RaysMarket.com

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The Capitol Farmers’ Market 1700 Adams St, Phoenix Thursdays late Nov-Apr 10:30am-1:30pm ArizonaCommunityFarmersMarkets.com

NOTE: Please check market websites and ArizonaCommunityFarmersMarkets.com for more information on days and hours, and any restrictions.

Ahwatukee Farmers’ Market 4700 E Warner Rd, Phoenix Sundays Oct-May 9am-1pm Jun-Sep 8am-11am Facebook.com/AhwatukeeFarmersMarket Anthem Farmers’ Market 41703 N Gavilan Peak Pkwy Sundays Oct-May 9am-1pm Facebook.com/AnthemFarmersMarket Care 1st Farmers’ Market 328 W Western Ave, Avondale Tuesdays Jul-Oct 8am-noon ArizonaCommunityFarmersMarkets.com Carefree Farmers’ Market 1 Sundial Circle Fridays Oct-May 9am-1pm Jun-Sep 8am-11am Facebook.com/CarefreeFarmersMarket Downtown Chandler Farmers’ Market 3 S Arizona Ave Saturdays Oct-May 9am-1pm Jun-Sep 7am-10:30am Facebook.com/ChandlerFarmersMarket Gilbert Farmers’ Market 222 N Ash St Saturdays Oct-Mar/Apr 8am-noon Apr/May-Sep 7am-11am GilbertMarket.com Goodyear Farmers’ Market 3151 N Litchfield Rd Saturdays Oct-May 8am-noon ArizonaCommunityFarmersMarkets.com

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High Street Farmers’ Market 5415 E High St, Phoenix Sundays Oct-May 10am-1pm Facebook.com/Farmers-Market-on-HighStreet-2244771575799425 Mesa Farmers’ Market and Flea 526 E Main St Saturdays 8am-1pm (winter hrs) 7am-noon (summer hrs) MesaFarmersMarketAndFlea.com Momma’s Organic Market Park West, 9744 W Northern Ave, Peoria Saturdays 9am-2pm MommasOrganicMarket.com Old Town Scottsdale Farmers’ Market 3806 N Brown Ave Saturdays 7am-11am ArizonaCommunityFarmersMarkets.com Phoenix Public Market 721 N Central Ave Saturdays Oct-Apr 8am-1pm May-Sep 8am-noon PhxPublicMarket.com Power Road Farmers’ Market 4011 S Power Rd, Mesa Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm | Sunday 9am-4pm PowerrdFarmersMarket.com

Uptown Farmers’ Market 5757 N Central Ave, Phoenix Wednesdays Oct-Apr 9am-1pm & May-Jun 8am-noon Saturdays Nov-Apr 9am-1pm & May-Oct 8am-noon UptownMarketAZ.com Verrado Community Farmers’ Market N Market Pl & W Main St, Buckeye Sundays Oct-Jun 10am-1pm Facebook.com/VerradoCommunityFarmersMarket Vincent’s Saturday Market 3930 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix Saturdays late Oct-early May 9am-1pm VincentsOnCamelback.com

NORTHERN ARIZONA Flagstaff Community Farmers’ Market 211 W Aspen Ave, City Hall Parking Lot Sundays May-Oct 8am-noon FlagstaffMarket.com Prescott Summer Farmers’ Market Yavapai College, Parking Lot D 1100 E Sheldon St Saturdays May-Oct 7:30am-noon PrescottFarmersMarket.org Prescott Winter Farmers’ Market Prescott High School, 1050 Ruth St Saturdays Nov-May 10am-1pm PrescottFarmersMarket.org

Roadrunner Park Farmers’ Market 3502 E Cactus Rd, Phoenix Saturdays Oct-May 9am-1pm | Jun-Sep 7am-11am Facebook.com/RoadrunnerParkFarmersMarket

Sedona Summer Community Farmers’ Market Tlaquepaque/Creekside, 336 Hwy 179 Fridays May-Oct 8-11:30am Sedona-Farmers-Market.com

Sun City Farmers’ Market 16820 N 99th Ave Thursdays Oct-May 9am-1pm Facebook.com/Sun-City-Farmers-Market631299790224049

Sedona Winter Community Farmers’ Market Wells Fargo Bank Parking Lot 2201 W State Rte 89A, West Sedona Sundays Oct-May noon-4pm Sedona-Farmers-Market.com

Metro Phoenix & Northern Arizona Edition

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