EE R F
HEALTHY
LIVING
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PLANET
Grateful LIVING The Path to a Better World
HAPPY SWEET THYROID DREAMS Seven Ways to Keep it Humming
Putting Insomnia to Rest
ZENFUL EATING
Mindful Meals in Quiet Gratitude
November 2019 | Jacksonville / St. Augustine | 386-736-3838
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letter from publisher
In so many ways November awakens and sharpens our
focus on gratitude. Cool mornings remind us to be grateful for shelter and warm clothes. Social gatherings reinforce our connection with beloved friends and family. The abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables is a reminder that goodness thrives when planted and nurtured. For me, the season of gratitude arrives in October and lasts through the end of the year. My usual happy attitude gets a lift and affects everything around me. Mindful appreciation affects our body and mind at the molecular level, reinforcing and increasing the good feelings generated by gratitude.
HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET
JACKSONVILLE / ST. AUGUSTINE EDITION PUBLISHER Rebecca Young Publisher@NAJax.com MANAGING EDITOR Melanie Rankin Editor@NAJax.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION FullCircle Publications
This edition is packed full of tips for creating and maintaining an attitude of thank-
GRAPHIC DESIGN Wendy Wilson
fulness through the holiday season and into the fabric of everyday life through the year.
DISTRIBUTION Dan Dickerson
You’ll enjoy Ronica O’Hara’s tips on instilling this trait in children. With all the challenges our youth face today, a foundation of gratitude will serve them well. Our very own wellness partner Melissa Fenton, Ph.D. and licensed mental health counselor, shares actionable ways to jumpstart a daily practice of gratitude. Read about it on page 19.
How would you describe the energy at your holiday table? Do you have traditions
that bring to mind all the reasons for thankfulness? Are special recipes, linens or serving pieces reminders of loved ones? Do you have a time of remembrance for those that have crossed over? The holidays are often a poignant reminder of precious friends and family in the spirit world. Remembering the ways they blessed us eases the sadness brought on by reminiscing. Honoring those that have touched our lives by sharing memories can be part of a family gratitude practice.
Rituals around food are important in most spiritual practices. Cooking itself can be a
meditation involving all our senses. It’s an act of love and generosity. My family knows the time I spend in the kitchen is both a creative outlet and one of many ways I nurture my children and grandchildren. Gifts of food were a tradition in my childhood and everything was made from scratch, often from our backyard garden. Rethink your views on meal preparation and eating as you explore Zenful Eating by April Thompson on page 22. You’ll enjoy the Zen Master recipes following the article.
The extra demands of the holiday season can cause anxiety, which may exaggerate
insomnia. Discover natural and holistic approaches to relaxation and sleep in Chasing Zzzzzs, on page 12. Resetting your body’s circadian rhythm will regulate all bodily functions, resulting in a better night’s sleep. From your team at Natural Awakenings Northeast Florida, we wish you a November to remember, filled with precious family and friends.
Rebecca Young, Publisher
CONTACT US Natural Awakenings Jacksonville / St. Augustine Ads@NAJax.com Editor@NAJax.com Office: 386-736-3838 P.O. Box 731466 Ormond Beach, FL 32173
NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman COO/FRANCHISE SALES Joe Dunne NATIONAL EDITOR Jan Hollingsworth MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Kara Cave Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com © 2019 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although so me par ts of this public ation may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.
Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines
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November 2019
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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 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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Contents 12 CHASING ZZZZZs How to Put Insomnia to Rest
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16 THE HAPPY THYROID Seven Ways to Keep It Humming
18 KIDS WITH GRATITUDE Making Thankfulness Second Nature
20 ANTIQUES RISING Discovering the Green in ‘Brown’ Furniture
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22 ZENFUL EATING
Mindful Meals in Quiet Gratitude
25 ENOUGH FOR ALL In Pursuit of Grateful Living
22 ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise in Natural Awakenings, please call 386-736-3838 or email Ads@NAJax.com. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email calendar events to: Editor@NAJax.com. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets. Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets, call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities, call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. NAJAX.COM – COMING SOON 4
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DEPARTMENTS 5 news briefs 7 event spotlight 8 health briefs 11 global briefs 16 healing ways 18 healthy kids 20 green living 22 conscious
eating 25 inspiration 26 calendar 30 resource guide
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news briefs
Yoga Philosophy Weekend at Yoga Den Mandarin
Y
oga Den is offering a two-day study, Ancient Yoga Philosophy Decoded, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 9 and 10, at their Mandarin location. The weekend with Liam and Radha Gillen explores the wisdom of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras for practical application in our modern world. The art and science of yoga is dedicated to creating union between body, mind and spirit. The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is considered a sacred text, describing with its eight limbs—Yama and Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi—the art of right living. These eight limbs form a sequence from the outer to the inner, designed to foster an awareness of ourselves as individualized beings, intimately connected to the unified whole of creation. This training module decodes these enduring teachings, making them relevant for today’s practitioner in their quest for living in peace, good health and harmony. 20 CEUs are available. Cost: $300. Location: 8789 San Jose Blvd, Mandarin. For more information, call 904-268-8330 or visit Yoga-Den.com. See ad, page 14.
Learn How to Grow Medical Marijuana Indoors
H
ydroponic Unique Goods is offering their popular How to Grow Indoors 101 class at 4 p.m. on November 3. The class is designed to benefit anyone with a medical card who would like to prepare for a changing of the Florida laws that will allow medical card holders to grow for themselves. Seats are limited, so RSVP is required, either by phone or online, and registration and payment can be made online. Attendees should arrive at 3:45 p.m. to sign in and receive a swag bag filled with growing information about different products. Cost: $20/person. Location: 8622 Baymeadows Rd., Jacksonville. For more information and to RSVP, call 904-829-4847 or visit JaxHugs.com. See ad, page 2.
November 2019
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event spotlight
Persephone Healing Arts Center Hosts Holiday Potluck
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ersephone Healing Arts Center, the office of Dr. A. SchafferPautz, M.D., board certified in both Integrative and Internal Medicine, warmly invites readers to their annual Holiday Potluck from 6 to 8 p.m., December 13, at their Jacksonville Beach center. This is an evening of celebrating the season, nurturing, heart-to-heart, fun, good conversation and thanksgiving. Dr. Pautz explains, “This holiday Dr. A. Schaffer-Pautz season is always a reminder of heartto-heart nurturing, looking within ourselves and also reaching out to our surroundings. On a heart level, each holiday season, beginning with Thanksgiving, is another opportunity to practice the kindness and gentleness of this season. Different religious systems have celebrations at this time of the year to remind us that we are all here to grow stronger towards the light. Each year we can get a little better.� Newcomers are welcome to the potluck, offering existing patients the opportunity to introduce friends and other family members to Persephone, and past attendees have brought an abundance of varied dishes. Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP to 904-246-3583 with their favorite dish they want to share. Families with children are welcome, as long as the children are embraced and taken care of. Persephone Healing Arts Center also invites those interested in their medical services to an open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on November 12, and again on December 10. This is a sit-down circle where Dr. Pautz explains her philosophy that she practices within a unique blend of integrative, conventional and anthroposophic medicine, with a great emphasis on personalized, one-on-one care. She sees patients of all ages. Location: 485 6th Ave. N., Jacksonville Beach. For more information, call 904-246-3583 or visit DrPautz.com. See ad, back cover. November 2019
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Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is much more than a brilliant scarlet tropical flower: New laboratory research from Canada’s University of Windsor found that a hibiscus flower extract selectively kills off triple-negative breast cancer cells. This is one of the most difficult to treat types that affects 15 to 20 percent of breast cancer patients. Hibiscus is particularly effective when combined with chemotherapy, researchers say, and works as well with very low doses of the chemicals as with higher doses. The flower’s low toxicity and precise targeting of cancer cells also offers hope for long-term treatment. Previous studies have shown hibiscus to be effective on prostate cancer, leukemia, gastric cancer and human squamous cell carcinoma.
Caffeine has been the subject of controversy among the one in six adults worldwide that suffer from periodic migraines: Some say it triggers symptoms, while others report it wards them off. A new study from Harvard and two other teaching hospitals of 98 migraine sufferers used six weeks of daily journals to investigate the link and found that drinking up to two servings of caffeinated beverages a day had little effect, but three or more raised the odds of a headache that day or the next. Among people that rarely drank such beverages, even one or two servings increased the odds of having a headache that day. A serving was defined as eight ounces or one cup of caffeinated coffee, six ounces of tea, a 12-ounce can of soda or a twoounce can of an energy drink.
Supapornkh /Shutterstock.com
Take Hibiscus to Fight Breast Cancer
Say No to the Third Cup of Joe to Avoid Migraines
artjazz/Shutterstock.com
health briefs
Older people with dementia, often viewed as being passive and immobile, responded to simple dance movement lessons with visible humor and imagination and reported a higher quality of life after six sessions, say researchers from New Zealand’s University of Otago. The 22 participants between the ages of early 60s and mid-90s had dementia ranging from mild to advanced. They took 10 weekly classes in which the music was “reminiscent” and the movement routines were intuitively easy. “Positive responses such as memory recalling, spontaneous dancing and joking with each other were observed in every session,” reports lead author Ting Choo. 8
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bergamont/Shutterstock.com
Dance to Improve Quality of Life With Dementia
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Eat Organic to Shed Insecticides
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Try Acupuncture for Pain-Free Sleep Chronic pain, affecting 10 to 25 percent of adults, disturbs sleep for two-thirds of them, increasing the risk of depression and aggravating pain symptoms. Chinese researchers analyzed nine studies of 944 chronic-pain patients and found that acupuncture treatments were significantly better than drugs at helping patients sleep. It also improved their quality of sleep as self-measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and lowered their scores of perceived pain.
Switching to organics has quick payoffs, reducing agrochemicals in the body by 94 percent within a month, Japanese researchers report. They tested the urine of study participants looking for six neonicotinoid insecticides and another substance generated as a result of their decomposition in the human body. “I think the research results are almost without precedent and are highly valuable in that they present actual measurement values showing that you can dramatically reduce the content levels of agrochemicals in your body simply by changing the way you select vegetable products,” commented Nobuhiko Hoshi, a professor of animal molecular morphology with the Kobe University. Another study from researchers at the University of California at Berkeley studied 16 children and showed that one week after switching to an organic diet, malathion pesticide urine levels were reduced by 95 percent; clothianidin pesticide levels by 83 percent; and chlorpyrifos pesticide levels by 60 percent.
Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you. ~Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Help Avoid Skin Cancer With Vitamin A Using the three-decade longitudinal health records of about 123,000 men and women from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, researchers from Brown University found that people with diets rich in vitamin A had a significantly reduced risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) skin cancer, which occurs in 7 to 11 percent of the population. “We found that higher intake of total vitamin A, retinol and several individual carotenoids, including beta cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin, was associated with lower risk of SCC,” wrote the authors. November 2019
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Seven years without a cold?
had colds going round and round, but not me.” Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” Some users say copper stops By Doug Cornell nighttime stuffiness if used just before cientists recently discovered time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7 bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had a way to kill viruses and years since. in years.” bacteria. He asked relatives and friends to try Copper can also stop flu if used early Now thousands of people are using it it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians to stop colds and flu. he patented CopperZap™ and put it on placed 25 million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. No viruses were found alive Colds start the market. soon after. when cold viruses Soon hundreds Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams get in your nose. of people had confirming the discovery. He placed Viruses multiply tried it and given millions of disease germs on copper. fast. If you don’t feedback. Nearly “They started to die literally as soon as stop them early, 100% said the they touched the surface,” he said. they spread and copper stops colds People have even used copper on cause misery. if used within 3 cold sores and say it can completely In hundreds hours after the first prevent outbreaks. of studies, EPA sign. Even up to New research: Copper stops colds if used early. The handle is and university 2 days, if they curved and finely researchers have confirmed that viruses still get the cold it is milder than usual textured to improve and bacteria die almost instantly when and they feel better. contact. It kills germs touched by copper. Users wrote things like, “It stopped picked up on fingers That’s why ancient Greeks and my cold right away,” and “Is it and hands to protect Egyptians used copper to purify water supposed to work that fast?” you and your family. and heal wounds. They didn’t know “What a wonderful thing,” wrote Copper even kills about microbes, but now we do. Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper quickly kills deadly germs that Scientists say the high conductance colds for me!” cold viruses. have become resistant of copper disrupts the electrical balance Pat McAllister, 70, received one to antibiotics. If you are near sick in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in for Christmas and called it “one of the seconds. best presents ever. This little jewel really people, a moment of handling it may keep serious infection away. It may even Tests by the EPA (Environmental works.” save a life. Protection Agency) show germs die Now thousands of users have simply The EPA says copper still works fast on copper. So some hospitals tried stopped getting colds. even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of copper for touch surfaces like faucets People often use CopperZap and doorknobs. This cut the spread of preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci different disease germs so it can prevent serious or even fatal illness. MRSA and other illnesses by over half, used to get colds after crowded flights. CopperZap is made in America of and saved lives. Though skeptical, she tried it several pure copper. It has a 90-day full money The strong scientific evidence gave times a day on travel days for 2 months. back guarantee. It is $69.95. inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she Get $10 off each CopperZap with he felt a cold about to start he fashioned exclaimed. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when code NATA14. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call gently in his nose for 60 seconds. people are sick around her she uses “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold CopperZap morning and night. “It saved toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. never got going.” It worked again every me last holidays,” she said. “The kids ADVERTORIAL Jacksonville / St. Augustine NAJax.com 10
Copper in new device stops cold and flu
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global briefs
Golden Rules
SOMMAI/Shutterstock.com
Lone Wolf Photography/Shutterstock.com
Moms Launch Eco-Friendly Certification
The nonprofit MomsAcrossAmerica.org (MAA) has launched its Moms Across America Gold Standard, a multi-tiered verification program for food, beverages and supplements that creates a simple, trustworthy resource for consumers while encouraging best practices by suppliers. It will be awarded to those brands that have achieved superior levels of organic practices and eco-friendly procedures, and is intended to make it simple for people to choose the healthiest products and use their wallets to take a stand against unhealthy alternatives and unethical business practices. The standard also provides a path for companies that know better and do better to prosper by shifting the buying power of millions of dedicated mothers behind their products.
Jaws of Life
Svetlana Foote/Shutterstock.com
California Bans Fur Trapping
California has enacted a ban on fur trapping for animal pelts, making it the first state to outlaw a centuries-old livelihood that was intertwined with the rise of the Western frontier. The Wildlife Protection Act of 2019 prohibits commercial and recreational trapping on both public and private lands. Legislators are considering proposals to ban the sale of all fur products, including fur coats, and to outlaw the use of animals in any circus in the state, with the exception of domesticated horses, dogs and cats.
Species Setback
EPA Weakens Protective Regulations
The U.S. Department of the Interior is effecting significant changes that weaken how the Endangered Species Act is implemented, a move critics fear will allow for more oil and gas drilling on land that is currently habitat-protected, and will limit how much regulators consider the impacts of the climate crisis. The changes affect how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration consider whether species qualify for protections, as well as how the agencies determine what habitats deserve special protections. It could make it more difficult to factor in the impact of climate change on species.
Abandoned Crops Economics Drive Farm Food Losses
Farmer Cannon Michael left more than 100 acres of ripe cantaloupes unharvested last year because he couldn’t sell them for enough to cover the cost of labor, packing and shipping. According to a new study from Santa Clara University, in California, about one-third of edible produce remains unharvested in the fields, where it rots and gets plowed under. Most research on food loss and food waste has focused on post-harvest, retail and consumer levels. The new study offers a far more accurate look at on-farm food loss by relying on in-field measurements. ReFED, a coalition of nonprofits, businesses and government agencies that fight food loss and food waste, estimates that 21 percent of water, 18 percent of cropland and 19 percent of fertilizer in the U.S. are dedicated to food that is never eaten. November 2019
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In reality, going to bed is the best me-time we can have.
CHASING ZZZZZs How to Put Insomnia to Rest by Marlaina Donato
T
ossing and turning most of the night while obsessing about the need for sleep is a torture we all go through every now and then, but for the 40 percent of Americans dealing with current or chronic insomnia, it can be a regular nightmare. In fact, 50 to 70 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of sleep disorder, according to the American Sleep Association. The causes are multi-faceted: stress, pharmaceutical side effects, hormonal imbalances, chronic pain, anxiety and too much caffeine all fuel the insomnia loop. Add to that the overstimulation from 24/7 technology, social pressures and unresolved emotional pain, and it’s easy to see why long, hard, sleepless nights have become a worldwide epidemic. The effects are profound. Compromised sleep not only leads to decreased quality of life, malnourished relationships, a heightened risk of accidents and inferior job performance, but also lowered immunity and chronic inflammation, raising the odds of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, weight gain and diabetes. About 90 percent of people diagnosed with depression also experience sleep deprivation, and many antidepressant medications can disrupt the ability to fall asleep and dream. However, a number of natural and holistic approaches can provide lasting 12
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results without undesirable side effects. Along with tried-and-true methods like acupuncture, therapeutic massage and changes in diet and exercise, the National Sleep Foundation recommends mindful breathing and meditation. New options are emerging to help foster quality sleep, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), non-psychoactive CBD oil and lifestyle changes supporting a healthy circadian rhythm.
Body and Mind, a Tangled Web
Psychological, emotional and physical health all play a role in our ability—or inability—to get a good night’s rest. “Not sleeping well is a sign of a deeper imbalance that needs to be addressed. So, if we’re masking the problem with medication, the underlying cause remains unaddressed,” says Elina Winnel, a sleep coach who works online with clients at TheSleepExpert.com. “Insomnia is a complex issue that has psychological components, but is also affected by deeper mechanisms, including an imbalance between the two main branches of the autonomic nervous system.” The intricate connection between emotion and sleep-robbing stress hormones explains why insomniacs are often caught in an undertow of racing thoughts and preoc-
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cupations. Says Winnel, “Stress has become the norm, and most people don’t even realize they’re in that state. This produces stress hormones and can prevent the natural process of sleep from occurring.” Stress also depletes vitamin B and magnesium levels necessary for quality sleep, she adds. Cindy Davies, owner of the Holistic Sleep Center, in Ferndale, Michigan, has similar views on the role emotion plays in troubled sleep patterns. “We’re chronically suppressing our feelings throughout the day. Our inability to address these emotions culminates in a night spent in bed awake with fears and worries,” she says. “Pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion can help defend ourselves against dealing with feelings or memories, but impairs our ability to sleep restfully or restoratively.”
Resetting Inherent Rhythms
Circadian rhythm, our biological clock, is a cellular marvel that is affected by light and internal changes in temperature. Stephanie Silberman, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, explains that it’s helpful to have a circadian rhythm aligned with societal norms so that we’re sleepy at bedtime and active during daylight hours. “When a person’s circadian rhythm is delayed, they will have trouble falling
Ljupco Smokovski/Shutterstock.com
~Cindy Davies
asleep at a regular bedtime, and when it’s advanced, experience sleepiness too early in the evening and then [have] early morning awakenings.” Circadian rhythm regulates digestion, cellular repair, hormones and many other functions. It also slows down the metabolism during night hours, helping us to stay asleep. “The circadian rhythm can be disrupted by many factors, including traveling to a different time zone, shift work and exposure to blue light late at night while binge-watching your favorite series,” says Winnel. Our natural hormonal rhythms are wired to release melatonin at certain times, allowing us to rest frequently during the day. Davies explains that an adult’s body is designed for periods of rest every 90 minutes. “Most people don’t have the opportunity to rest every 90 minutes, but if we were able to, we’d be going to bed in a state of rest, instead of exhaustion,” she says.
Our bodies start producing melatonin around 9 p.m., when we should already be winding down, but too often we push ourselves to stay up to watch TV or have “me-time”, says Davies. “In reality, going to bed is the best me-time we can have.” Herbalist and licensed psychotherapist Jenn J. Allen, in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, adds, “People spend up to 10 hours a day on electronic devices, which directly impacts melatonin production and stimulates the fight-or-flight response system in the brain.”
Two Sides of Every Brain
Smartphones and social media have piled even more on our plate, even if we enjoy them. “We’re expected to be constantly ‘on’ and reachable 24/7,” observes Winnel. “This leads to an excessive reliance on our sympathetic nervous system and difficulty switching brainwave states from beta—associated with alertness—to theta and
Sleep Tips Ljupco Smokovski/Shutterstock.com
For healthy circadian rhythm and melatonin cycles, try:
4 Shutting off all screen devices, including the TV, two hours before going to bed 4 Going to bed when you get that 9 p.m. slump and just taping a favorite show 4 Walking barefoot and feeling the earth 4 Spending quality time outside in sunlight, preferably in a natural setting 4 Taking nourishing baths with natural soaps, lavender essential oil or herbs 4 Designating certain time slots to not answer the phone or answer emails 4 Exercising regularly and not within three hours of bedtime 4 Taking a break from work every 90 minutes for two minutes of slow, deep breathing 4 Breaking the caffeine habit by replacing coffee and tea with healthier alternatives
For emotional components of insomnia, try:
4 Going on a “worry fast” for five or 10 minutes, and then practice doing it for an hour or a full day 4 Reserving time with loved ones for in-person conversations and get-togethers 4 Checking in with yourself and acknowledging all emotions and fears without judgment 4 Setting aside ambitions for a day to recharge 4 Sleeping in without guilt—shopping and running errands can wait 4 Choosing not to compare your life with others
delta, which we experience during sleep. Through practice and specific exercises, it can become easier for us to reach the state of mind needed to nod off.” To support healthier sleep patterns, Winnel emphasizes the importance of using both hemispheres of the brain while awake. “Particularly in our professional lives, logical and rational processes are rewarded, while creativity is seen as optional. This can cause a chronic imbalance in the way we use the two hemispheres of our brain. Optimal sleep requires equalized functioning in the neurological structures that are unique to each hemisphere.” Mindful breathing and alternate-nostril yogic breathwork can also bring harmony to both hemispheres of the brain and promote deep relaxation.
Promising Plant Allies
Chronic pain can also prevent sound sleep. Allen stresses, “It’s important to understand what is actually causing pain and what type of pain it is. Some chronic pain comes from postural issues or injuries, so massage, chiropractic or gentle movement like yoga can help to drastically reduce the intensity of pain.” Identifying nutritional deficiencies and supporting the nervous system is also key. “Plants work both physiologically and energetically. Gentle nervine herbs like oats or chamomile can help to soothe the nervous system, and are effective for children and teens. Adaptogenic plants are known historically for helping the body to resist physical, chemical or biological stresses. Tulsi and ashwagandha, when taken consistently, can be useful in helping adults to combat stress,” Allen says, reminding us to also check with a healthcare professional to avoid contraindications. Going for that extra cup of coffee during the day or pouring a drink or two in the evening are habits that only exacerbate sleep issues. “Caffeine suppresses our body’s ability to feel tired, not by giving us energy, but by increasing the production of adrenaline and suppressing the production of melatonin. Alcohol, like some prescription medications, can interfere with our ability to fall asleep, sleep deeply and experience dreaming states,” cautions Davies. November 2019
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CBD oil derived from the cannabis plant is an effective pain-reducer and helps to regulate healthy sleep patterns. Cannabidiol (CBD), which does not contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical substance in marijuana responsible for inducing a high, is available as capsules, inhalers and tinctures.
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Many sleep-seeking people are reaping the benefits from cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). The American College of Physicians recommends it as the first-line therapy for insomnia ahead of medication, citing that it improves sleep and daytime functioning in 70 to 80 percent of treated persons, often without supplemental medication. A meta-analysis published in The Journal of the American Medical Association in 2015 shows that CBT-I can resolve insomnia for 35 percent of people with sleeplessness linked to existing medical and psychiatric conditions such as fibromyalgia or PTSD. CBT-I helps to change long-held patterns. “CBT includes keeping sleep logs, improving sleep hygiene, learning ways to decrease anxiety and how to associate the bed as a place where we sleep well, instead of the maladaptive thinking that it’s a place to toss and turn,” says Silberman. CBT can also be helpful for chronic pain and other physical problems when underlying issues are treated in conjunction. A good night’s rest is indeed possible. Davies says, “In order to really change our ability to sleep, we need a complete cultural mindset shift that prioritizes sleep and our need to rest.” Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
Know Your Grower
other products. We will sell the flower in our store and make oils for our tinctures. We may also start making our own lotions this year.
Does your “know your grower” setup improve your CBD’s quality?
A Conversation with Sarah DeVore, Owner of RootsCBD
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ootsCBD is a family-owned business that operates a cannabis farm in Williams, Oregon, a retail store in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and an online shop at RootsCBDshop.com. All of their products contain less than .3% THC, with high CBD content.
What led you to cannabis farming?
Our story is pretty simple. Even though my husband, Shane Ayrsman, owned a bike shop for 20 years, he lived and worked on many farms in Oregon and Ohio, and he always had a green thumb. I was a schoolteacher for 20 years and always lived a pretty simple and resourceful life, but I found it hard to fully embrace working outside the home. I became really sick about six years ago, with rheumatoid arthritis, and finally had to quit teaching about two years ago. We decided to buy a farm and stop putting all of our energy into other people’s projects.
How did your Jacksonville Beach store come about?
Our store happened by accident when we spent winter in Florida last year and realized cannabis really wasn’t in Florida yet, like it is in Oregon. As cannabis growers, we
realized that we had a unique opportunity to create an Oregon-farm-to-Florida-table experience. We decided to open the store this past April, and I spent the summer getting it set up.
What makes your farm ideal for growing healthy cannabis?
Our farm is 100 percent off-grid and run by solar power. We grow everything organically and will be licensed as an organic farm as soon as we own it for a few years, since licensure takes time. But all of our practices are GMO- and pesticide-free. We have a small farm compared to a lot of operations, which is a huge benefit to getting high-quality flower, with no mold and no seeds. It has been a rough season for many bigger farms because of the weather; mold and seeding are happening a lot this year, so be cautious out there in the market.
What is your cannabis farming process?
We plant in June, and harvesting begins three months later and runs through part of October. Once we harvest the plants, we hang them in containers and dry by wood heat. Then we take the big flowers off and trim them down. The rest is sold as biomass, which people make into oil or
Absolutely. Having gone through the harvest process, I understand how important it is to really know where your cannabis products come from. It is super easy for things to be skipped or missed. Mold, for example, is toxic for your body and could easily be mixed into an oil or smoked in the flower. Not all CBD is tested for pesticides, and it should be. If we offer product in our store that comes from a grower other than ourselves, we use only companies that are located in Oregon and use the same farming practices that we do. We know everyone personally, so you can trust you’re getting good, clean products.
What cannabis strains do you offer?
This is our first season growing our own CBD, so we decided to keep it simple and grow only four strains: Dog Lifter, Lifter, Siskiyou Gold and Cherry Wine. Each strain is unique, so I encourage people to try everything and see what you like. Also, everyone experiences each strain differently, because our own cannabinoid systems are all different; plus, we are all at different places with stress. The best thing is to do your research. At our store, we know that knowledge is important, and reliable, informative customer service is a top priority. Store location: 524 3rd St. South, Jacksonville Beach. For more information, call 904-420-7550 or visit RootsCBDshop.com. See ad, page 23. November 2019
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3 The Happy Thyroid Seven Ways to Keep It Humming
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by Ronica O’Hara
uch of our day-to-day wellbeing—how energetic we feel, how clear our thinking is and how our body processes food—is governed by the activity of the butterflyshaped, thumb-sized thyroid gland at the base of the throat. When it’s working as it should, life is good. However, about one in eight Americans suffers from a malfunctioning thyroid, and women are five to eight times more likely than men to face the consequences. It’s a delicate balancing act. A thyroid that produces too few hormones makes us feel sluggish and constipated. We gain weight easily, have muscle cramps and experience heavy periods. Hypothyroidism, as it’s called, is linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, infertility and autism in newborns. A 2013 study published in Annals of Neurology found that pregnant women deficient in thyroid hormone are four times more likely than healthy women to produce a child with autism. If the thyroid produces too many hormones, we suffer from hyperthyroidism with a racing heart, irritability, light periods, unexplained weight loss and insomnia; it can lead to hardening of the 16
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arteries and heart failure later in life, according to a study in Circulation Research. The good news is that there are simple and effective strategies that can optimize thyroid function and avoid these potential health setbacks, say experts. Their recommendations:
Filter drinking water. “Fluo-
ride and chlorine are elements that can block the absorption of iodine into the thyroid,” says Elizabeth Boham, M.D., a functional medicine doctor at the UltraWellness Center, in Lenox, Massachusetts. A reverse-osmosis filter or a high-end pitcher filter will remove chlorine, as well as fluoride, which British researchers have linked to a 30 percent higher rate of hypothyroidism.
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Detox cosmetics. Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in cosmetics, nail polish and shampoos; they are also in plastic toys, and 3-year-old girls exposed to phthalates have shown depressed thyroid function, Columbia University scientists report. Research cosmetics and find toxin-free alternatives at the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. (ewg.org/skindeep).
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Keep up mineral levels. The
thyroid needs iodine to churn out hormones, and usually iodized salt or sea salt with natural iodine can supply most of our daily needs of 150 micrograms. Sardines, shrimp, seaweed, yogurt, eggs and capers are also rich in iodine. However, too much of a good thing can tip the balance in the other direction, so practice moderation with super-charged iodine foods like cranberries: A fourounce serving contains twice the daily requirement. In addition, our thyroids need selenium (one or two Brazil nuts a day will do it) and zinc (nuts, legumes and chocolate) to function optimally.
Eat fermented foods. About 20
percent of the conversion of inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into active hormone (T3) takes place in our gut,
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Wake up easy. About 85 percent of thyroid diseases involve an underactive thyroid, says Beaman, adding that it is often the body’s pushback against frenzied, stressful lifestyles: “The thyroid is literally slowing down—our body is saying, ‘Slow, slow, go slow.’” For a low-key start to the day, she suggests not using an alarm clock if possible, and then doing some long, slow stretching and deep breathing. “It takes just five minutes, and you’re starting the day not in fightor-flight mode, but in a fully relaxed and fully oxygenated body.” Talk it out. In Eastern philoso-
phy, the thyroid in the throat is located at the fifth chakra, the energy center of expression and communication, Beaman says. If we find ourselves either
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which makes “good” bacteria critically important. Andrea Beaman, a New York City health coach and author of Happy Healthy Thyroid: The Essential Steps to Healing Naturally, recommends probiotics like cultured vegetables, kimchi, sauerkraut and sourdough bread, as well as prebiotics like root vegetables, plantain, burdock and dandelion root.
healing ways
regularly shouting or choking back our words, “it helps, if you want to support your thyroid on a deep emotional level, to express yourself somehow, some way, to someone somewhere,” such as to a therapist, family member or good friend.
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Do yoga asanas. “Poses such as plow pose, fish pose, boat pose and cobra can improve blood circulation to the thyroid gland, which is imperative for its health,” says Stacy Thewis, a registered nurse, certified wellness coach and gut-brain expert in Mellen, Wisconsin. In a study in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 22 women with hypothyroidism that practiced yoga for six months needed significantly less thyroid medication. Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based natural-health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
Health for a Troubled Thyroid U
nfortunately, one in five women are affected by thyroid dysfunction, and half of these women are undiagnosed. To verify a possible thyroid condition, request a complete set of thyroid tests beyond just the standard thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test. Additional tests include thyroid antibodies for autoimmune reactions, such as TPO, TBG, TSI and TBII. Further testing would include Free T4, Free T3, Free Thyroxin Index, T7 and Reverse T3 (rT3). The standard pharmaceutical approach for hypothyroidism is a synthetic hormone called Levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid and Unithroid) that elevates T4 production, but it can cause depression and weight gain due to the inability to achieve optimal levels, per Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center Report and The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Optional pharmaceuticals include Armour Thyroid or NP derived from animal thyroids that contain both T3 and T4 and are often preferred by functional medicine doctors and naturopaths. There are myriad causes, such a vitamin or mineral deficiency and also gluten sensitivity (celiac disease or nonceliac gluten sensitivity). Gluten may provoke an autoimmune response, and a gluten-free diet for six weeks—while monitoring for signs of non-celiac sensitivity such as headache, bloating, gas or brain fog—may be very helpful. A nonaggressive means of managing thyroid dysfunction with complete objective testing will heal the root cause. Source: Steven M. Nickels, DC, DACBN, DCBCN., Science Based Wellness & Chiropractic, 10033 Sawgrass Dr. West, Ste. 204, Ponte Vedra Beach. Diplomate/Board Certified. Florida License # CH0006361. See ad, page 14. November 2019
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healthy kids
The good news about gratitude is that it is one of the more growable character strengths—and it’s never too late. ~Giacomo Bono
Kids With Gratitude Making Thankfulness Second Nature by Ronica O’Hara
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his Thanksgiving, there’s something to be especially thankful for—gratitude itself. Emerging research shows gratitude to be one of the easiest, most effective ways to kickstart happiness and well-being. “The good news about gratitude is that it is one of the more growable character strengths—and it’s never too late,” says Giacomo Bono, Ph.D., an assistant professor at California State University, in Dominguez Hills, and co-author of Making Grateful Kids: The Science of Building Character. It’s also never too early to “plant” it: Even toddlers love to parrot, “Thank you.” Research by Bono and others shows kids that are grateful are happier, more engaged and studious, and less envious, depressed, materialistic and prone to violence. It can be taught: After one week of daily 30-minute lessons on gratitude, 8- to 11-year-olds wrote thank-you notes for a PTA presentation that were 80 percent longer than notes by kids that didn’t have the lessons. To instill gratefulness in a child:
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Be grateful and show it.
“Kids are more likely to do something if they see adults around them doing
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it,” says Bono. “Being specific with your words helps, too, because it shows what behavior mattered to you and why.” Adds psychologist Mary Jo Podgurski, founder and president of the Academy for Adolescent Health, in Washington, Pennsylvania: “If we express our gratitude by making eye contact, with sincerity and by providing an example of how much we are appreciative, the words are empowered. Telling the grocery clerk, ‘I really like the way you packed my berries on top. Thanks for taking the time to be careful with my purchases,’ will light up the clerk’s face.” That can translate into a child not simply saying, “Thank you” to a grandparent for birthday money, but also explaining how excited they are about the game they plan to buy with it.
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Enact a small daily ritual.
“It’s also good for families to come up with gratitude rituals,” says Bono. “Everyday conversations about the good things and people we have or encounter in life, and being specific with words, helps young children understand the connection between kindness and feeling grateful better.” For writer Judy Gruen’s family in Los Angeles, this means a morning prayer:
“When we wake up in the morning, the first words we say are those of gratitude that we have awakened and have the opportunity for a new day.” At dinner time, some families play “a rose, a thorn, a bud”— with each person saying what happened that day that they’re grateful for, what problems came up and what they’re looking forward to. As a bedtime ritual, Heidi McBain, a counselor and author in Flower Mound, Texas, follows a routine with her two children that includes “reading, checking in about their day—the good/bad/ugly—and at least one thing they are grateful for from their day. And I often share mine, as well!”
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Make gratitude fun.
By getting creative, we can make kids’ expressions of gratitude even more enjoyable. Business coach Kristi Andrus, in Denver, says that her family toasts a lot at mealtime, raising their glasses and clinking them. “Our toasts are simple, ‘Today I’m grateful, thankful, or happy to share ________.’ [fill in the blank]. The kids love it and the parents always smile at what the kids bring up.” Charlene Hess, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, a blogger and homeschooling mom to seven kids, has set up a gratitude door with a sticky note added each day from each child. “This really helps the kids become more aware of all the good things in their lives, particularly as time goes on and they have to get more creative with their responses.” “A rampage of appreciation” is what Jeannette Paxia, a motivational speaker and children’s book author in Modesto, California, does with her five children: “We spend 10 minutes walking around and appreciating all we see. My children love it!” In the home of northern New Jersey therapist Shuli Sandler, when one family member shows gratitude to another, a coin is put in a jar. “When it is full, the whole family can go out and do something together, like grab ice cream or something fun—remembering of course to say thank you,” she says. Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based natural-health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
Gratitude, Happiness and the Holidays by Melissa Fenton
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esearch proves that our thoughts impact both our happiness and health. But is it possible to “think ourselves happy”? Dr. Aaron Beck theorized that, generally, “happy” people think positive thoughts and “sad” people think negative thoughts. Neuroscience further affirms that our brain’s reward centers are positively reinforced at the molecular level the more we think happy thoughts. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and expressing appreciation for the things in one’s life that are meaningful and valued. Sometimes this gets overlooked, as we can get caught up in focusing on what we don’t have, such as a bigger home, fitter body or loving partner. However, focusing on the positive in our everyday lives lifts our mood and allows richer interactions with those close to us. Thanksgiving, the holiday of gratitude, is around the corner. We can experience and express being thankful, allowing love and gratitude to flow, by looking at where we choose to place our focus. Even in crisis, there is always something, as small as it may be, for which we can be grateful, although it might be overshadowed by pain, worry or fear. Like all things, gratitude comes with practice. These are three things we can do to jumpstart our gratitude.
Daily gratitude journaling: Write down three things for which you are grateful.
Go through the motions: Smile; saying thank you and using kind words will trigger the positive emotions of gratitude. Do a gratitude inventory: Focus on what is good, such as health, friends, a beautiful breeze/sunset or a tax refund.
Happiness is our birthright, as is the emotion of gratitude, but it is a choice that can progress from a mindset to a way of life. Positive thoughts and energy attract the positive to us. Practicing and expressing gratitude transforms our brains, hearts and lives. Melissa Fenton, Ph.D., LMHC, is founder of Mind Body and Beyond Center. Currently located at 13500 Sutton Park Dr. S., Ste. 203, in Jacksonville, the center is expanding and soon will be moving to a new location in Pablo Professional Park, adjacent to Mayo Clinic. For more information or to register for events, call 904-9929930, email Info@MBAndBCenter.com or visit MindBodyAnd BeyondCenter.com. See ad, page 21. November 2019
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green living
ANTIQUES RISING Discovering the Green in ‘Brown’ Furniture
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by Yvette C. Hammett
ast food and fast fashion are common in this amped-up world. There’s also fast furniture—the kind that often comes in a box, assembly required. It’s made of particle board held together by toxic chemicals; it is often flimsy and it’s consuming forests at an alarming rate. But millennials love it. That’s why they’re sometimes called the IKEA generation. “Your grandmother’s big sideboard and armoire are hard to sell,” says Todd Merrill, owner of the Todd Merrill Studio, a furniture and design gallery in New York City. “We have changed the way we live. Our houses are laid out differently— no more formal dining rooms. I think people are less inventive about how to repurpose, reuse and restore.” Grandma’s treasures, once passed down for generations, are largely passé. The new word for antiques is “brown furniture”; prices have plummeted 60 to 80 percent in two decades, say industry experts. The youngsters want no part of them, even though they are hand crafted out of solid wood extracted from old-growth forests that took centuries to mature. Large retail chains cater to strong consumer demand for disposable furniture, and it is driving a great deal of deforesta-
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tion, according to the Alliance of Leading Environmental Researchers & Thinkers (ALERT). IKEA’s own figures show that it uses 1 percent of the world’s commercial wood supply a year to manufacture these throwaway pieces. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that 9,690 tons of furniture—both fast and slow—ended up in the nation’s landfills in 2015, the latest year for which statistics have been published. The trend is at odds with millennials’ notable environmental sensibilities—and they do put a premium on authentic, handmade items and companies with social impact—so experts say the tide may be turning. Like the growing Slow Food movement, “slow” furniture enjoys a sense of character and provenance that doesn’t come in a box. When Merrill opened his furniture studio in 2000, it consisted of half pristine antiques and half mid-century modern furniture. He quickly saw a trend of people snapping up the mid-century and leaving the handcrafted antiques behind. “I pulled things out of trash heaps in the Upper East Side. People came in and started snatching up all the vintage modern.” Merrill’s vintage offerings now focus on mid-century modern and
upcycled, repurposed furnishings, something the millennials have taken to. The kids will continue to come around, he says. “If you go around Brooklyn, people are reusing and recycling antique furniture. With the antique market hitting bottom, it is hard to ignore it. As it bottoms out, kids are going to come back to these things.” There can be a cool factor in reusing something that is old, unique and odd, he added. “Oddity and ugliness is kind of in fashion right now.” Alex Geriner, of Doorman Designs, in New Orleans, began upcycling out of necessity. He had little money to furnish his 19th-century apartment. His need quickly became a business when the furnishings he created out of old wood pieces began flying out the door. “I think for millennials—I am a millennial—they want something with a story tied to it, some sort of bigger meaning. My generation is all about experiences. If they can say, ‘I found this in a dumpster’ or ‘in a roadside flea market,’ any story is an investment for millennials.” Terry Gorsuch, whose side business in Dolores, Colorado, Rustique ReInvintage, involves salvaging old theater chairs, church pews and other novel items, upcycling them and selling them for a tidy profit, says, “There is nothing special about a coffee table from IKEA. All our pieces have a story. They’re from a 1936 theater or an 1895 Grange Hall where farmers and ranchers met.” Gorsuch says he already has some “hipster” millennials buying items like old lockers or other odd pieces that they mix and match. “When you take something and put it back to use, you get a feeling of satisfaction,” he says. “The informality of today allows for the mix-and-match thing,” Merrill says. “Take an old door and repurpose it … Put it up in your house or upcycle it into a table. “What we are missing in our homes is character,” he says. “Repurposing is a very good thing to do.” Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. Connect at YvetteHammett28@hotmail.com. November 2019
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~Gesshin Claire Greenwood
ZENFUL EATING Mindful Meals in Quiet Gratitude
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by April Thompson
n Zen monasteries, the head cook (known as the tenzo) is one of the most important positions a monk can hold; Eihei Dogen, founder of Soto Zen, one of the longest-established sects of Buddhism, said this is “because the position requires wholehearted practice.” In the 13th-century volume Instructions for the Zen Cook, Dogen wrote, “In preparing food, it is essential to be sincere and to respect each ingredient, regardless of how coarse or fine.” Rituals around food are an important element of Buddhism, as with many spiritual traditions. But we don’t have to be a Buddhist or a practiced meditator to learn how to cook more mindfully, enjoy meals more fully and eat in better balance. “Cooking can be a meditation. We cook with all our senses: We taste, touch and listen to determine if the pan is hot enough. You just have to be mindful,” says Jean-Philippe Cyr, author of The Buddhist Chef: 100 Simple, Feel-Good Vegan Recipes. “Cooking is an act of love and generosity, so cooking should be done with care—taking the time to consider the ingredients and overall flavors of the meal, storing the vegetables properly, paying
attention while you chop. These things are the foundation of a great meal,” says Gesshin Claire Greenwood, an ordained Zen priest in San Francisco. Greenwood trained in Buddhist monasteries in Japan for more than five years, experiences she draws from in her recent memoir and cookbook Just Enough: Vegan Recipes and Stories from Japan’s Buddhist Temples. While vegetarianism is encouraged in all schools of Buddhism and most monasteries abstain from meat, it is not a strict requirement. Cyr, a vegan and practicing Buddhist of 20 years, takes seriously the concept of ahimsa, or “do no harm”, as a chef. “Veganism and Buddhism share the common value of compassion—compassion towards animals, as well as the Earth. Climate change caused by meat consumption causes a lot of harm, too,” says Cyr, of rural Quebec, Canada. The “middle way” is an important Buddhist principle in the kitchen—striking the balance between indulgence and deprivation—the “just enough” in Greenwood’s cookbook title. “It’s important to use enough salt so that the food tastes good, but not so much that it’s overpower-
Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. 22
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ing. When we shop for food or eat a meal, we can also pay attention to when we’ve had enough,” she says.
Mind Over Mouth
Mindful eating can open up a beautiful new relationship to food, says Jan Chozen Bays, a Zen Buddhist priest and co-abbot of Great Vow Zen Monastery, in Clatskanie, Oregon. “This country is in an epidemic of out-of-balance eating. People are stressed out and fearful about eating, but cooking and eating should be inherently pleasurable human activities,” says Bays, the author of Mindful Eating: A Guide to Rediscovering a Healthy and Joyful Relationship with Food. “In Zen practice, mindful rituals help us learn to be present and peaceful during meals.” Mindful eating is not about restrictions, but rather about curiosity and investigation—an adventure for the senses, says Bays. “Research shows that diets don’t work, as they rely on external sources rather than helping you to go inward and tap into the innate wisdom of your body.”
Tuning In at Mealtime
Rushing through meals mindlessly, we’ve become deaf to our body’s own signals of satiety, says Bays. “Go to the supermarket when you’re hungry, and head to the perimeter where the real food is and stop and ask your body, ‘Would you like oranges? Would broccoli be good for us?’ Tune into your cellular hunger,” she says. At the Great Vow Zen Monastery, the first morning meal is conducted in silence, along “with a prayer to bring gratitude for the food and to all living beings whose life flows to us in our food,”
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Cooking is an act of love and generosity, so cooking should be done with care—taking the time to consider the ingredients and overall flavors of the meal, storing the vegetables properly, paying attention while you chop.
conscious eating
photo by by Samuel Joubert
says Bays, adding that research shows ceremonies and moments of reflection lead to more mindful, healthy eating. “Instead of talking on the phone, try cooking in silence. Drawing your awareness to details like the smell of basil, the color of tomato and the touch of the spoon brings so much richness to the act of cooking,” says Bays. Such a focus leads to a sense of appreciation for the ingredients of meals and life, says Myoju Erin Merk, a priest at the San Francisco Zen Center. “Making a meal is an active extension of our ‘sitting’ (meditation) practice.” Connect with Washington, D.C. freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.
The Zen of Food
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ere are a few simple tips from Buddhist priests and cooks on making mealtime more mindful. Have a mid-meal gut check, suggests Jan Chozen Bays. “When your stomach feels three-quarters full, have a conversation with a friend or have something to drink before continuing to eat. Often you will find after 20 minutes you are actually full,” says the author and priest. Myoju Erin Merk, a priest at the San Francisco Zen Center, suggests setting a phone timer in the kitchen to mark it as a practice time to tune into the senses. “Try to slow down and notice what’s happening as you cook. Try to stay with the sensory experience and not judge everything, like whether the carrot is cut right. It can be a very relaxing and peaceful way to work in the kitchen.” Make the first few sips or bites of a meal mindful, spending the first few moments in silence if possible, says Bays. “Working quietly with that pile of carrots or onions, you have space to focus on just one task,” adds Merk. Incorporating all of the five tastes of Buddhism—salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami (savory)—is another way to bring meals in balance, according to author and priest Gesshin Claire Greenwood. “Having all of these flavors represented makes a meal feel balanced and satisfying.”
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Cooking Like a Zen Master For the dressing: 1 (¾-inch) piece fresh ginger, minced 1 clove garlic, minced Pinch of sea salt 2 Tbsp tahini 1 Tbsp soy sauce 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 Tbsp maple syrup 1 Tbsp olive oil Garnish: Pumpkin seeds Microgreens Preheat the oven to 350° F. Place the sweet potato and figs in a baking dish.
Buddha Bowl Cookbook author Jean-Phillippe Cyr says, “I love bowl recipes: they’re generous and colorful, and they let us get creative. Layer grains or cereals, vegetables, legumes and dressing, and voilà! That’s all there is to it.” Pumpkin seeds are an incredible source of protein, and tahini contains more protein than milk. Healthy cooks will be sure to keep this tahini dressing recipe close, because they can use it in everything. Yields one bowl 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced 2 dried figs, sliced 2 Tbsp olive oil Salt, to taste 1½ cups cooked quinoa ¼ cup frozen shelled edamame, cooked
Drizzle with oil, then season with salt and bake for 30 minutes. Place the ginger, garlic and salt in a mortar (preferred) or blender, then mash the ingredients together. Transfer to a bowl and add the tahini, soy sauce, lemon juice, maple syrup and oil. Stir to combine. Place the sweet potatoes and figs in a large serving bowl. Add the quinoa and edamame. Drizzle with the dressing and garnish. Serve immediately.
3 Tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced 1 tsp mustard seeds 1 tsp celery seeds 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp dried oregano ½ tsp turmeric 1 clove garlic, minced 8 cups vegetable broth 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes 1 (19 oz) can green lentils, rinsed and drained 2 yellow-fleshed potatoes, peeled and diced 2 carrots, diced 1 Tbsp harissa paste 3 bay leaves Salt and black pepper, to taste In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil, then add the onions and sweat for 4 minutes. Add the mustard seeds, celery seeds, cumin, coriander, oregano, turmeric and garlic. Continue cooking for 2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaves. Serve hot. Excerpted with permission from The Buddhist Chef, by Jean-Phillippe Cyr.
Tip: For those that can’t digest raw garlic, don’t use it, or cook it before adding it to the dressing.
“This is hands-down my favorite soup,” says Cyr. “It reminds me of a Moroccan tajine, a savory stew made with vegetables and spices. The name tajine comes from the particular type of roasting dish in which Moroccan stews are cooked. There’s no need to buy any special equipment to make this recipe, but you will want to hunt down harissa, a North African chili paste you can find in most grocery stores nowadays. Be careful, though—it’s hot!” Yields 8 to 10 servings 24
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photo by by Samuel Joubert
Hearty Moroccan Soup
inspiration
Branch Out with Upledger CranioSacral Therapy Aaron Amat/Shutterstock.com
CranioSacral Therapy 1 (CS1) Jacksonville, FL January 16-19, 2020 TRAIN NOW - $100 PER MONTH!
Upledger.com | 800-233-5880
ENOUGH FOR ALL In Pursuit of Grateful Living
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by Brother David Steindl-Rast
rateful living is the awareness that we stand on holy ground— always—in touch with mystery. Jewish sages interpret the words of Genesis 3:5 in a way that is of great relevance to grateful living. “Take off your shoes; the ground on which you stand is holy ground.” The soles of your shoes are leather—dead animal skin. Take off the deadness of being-used-to-it and your live souls will feel that you are standing on holy ground, wherever you are. It is pretty evident that greed, oppression and violence have led us to a point of self-destruction. Our survival depends on a radical change; if the gratitude movement grows strong and deep enough, it may bring about this necessary change. Grateful living brings in place of greed, sharing; in place of oppression, respect; and in place of violence, peace. Who does not long for a world of sharing, mutual respect and peace? Exploitation springs from greed and a sense of scarcity. Grateful living makes us aware that there is enough for all. Thus, it leads to a sense of sufficiency and a joyful willingness to share with others. Oppression is necessary if we want to exploit others. The more power you have, the more efficiently you can exploit those
below you and protect yourself against those above you. But grateful people live with a sense of sufficiency—they need not exploit others—thus, oppression is replaced by mutual support and by equal respect for all. Violence springs from the root of fear—fear that there may not be enough for all, fear of others as potential competitors, fear of foreigners and strangers. But the grateful person is fearless. Thereby, she cuts off the very root of violence. Out of a sense-of-enough, she is willing to share, and thereby tends to eliminate the unjust distribution of wealth that creates the climate for violence. Fearlessly, she welcomes the new and strange, is enriched by differences and celebrates variety. Grateful eyes look at whatever is as if they had never seen it before and caress it as if they would never see it again. This is a most realistic attitude, for every moment is indeed unique. Adapted from an interview, with Brother David Steindl-Rast that originally appeared in Greater Good, the online magazine of the Greater Good Science Center. For more information, visit Tinyurl.com/ ABetterWorldThroughGratitude.
To Promote the Religion, Science and Philosophy of Spiritualism British Style Ongoing Psychic Medium Spiritual Development classes See Calendar Section & website for information 407-247-7823 ~ ifsk.org
Coming Next Month DECEMBER
EarthFriendly Holidays plus: Uplifting Humanity
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calendar of events
to become a medium. No former mediumship training is required. $199 includes attending two free practice circles on Tuesday nights. The Karma Castle, 1437 N US Hwy 1, Ste C8, Ormond Bch. No walk-ins allowed. Register by 11/3: CarlSeaver. com/book to register.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Manifestation Workshop – 1-4pm. With QHHT practitioner, Laura Bogen. Learn several methods to manifest abundance and create your own reality. $26. 301-B 10 Ave N, Jacksonville Bch. Register: CaringPalms.com or pay at the door.
Fall-o-Wing the Whispering Wings: Guided by Your Light Workbook Session – 1:30-3:30pm. Join to identify with the vibration of angels, spirit guides and explore associated color. Connect to their guidance and knowledge to receive personal guidance. $20. 56 N Halifax Dr, Ormond Bch. Info: 386-503-4930 or Rev.Judi.Weaver@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 How to Grow Indoors 101 – 4pm. This class will benefit those with a medical card that would like to prepare for the changing of the Florida laws that will allow Medical Card holders to grow for themselves. $20/person. Hydroponic Unique Goods, 8622 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville. RSVP: 904829-4847 or register: Jaxhugs.com “Grow Class”.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Taoist Tai Chi: Pain Relief – 10-11:30am. Thru Dec 19. The Taoist Tai Chi Society internal arts and methods incorporate stretching and turning into a sequence of movements that reduce tension, improve circulation and balance and increase strength and flexibility. This senior’s class covers the first 17 moves at a much slower pace over an eight-week period. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 5616 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville. Info: 904-7338180, Jacksonville.Fl@Taoist.org. TaoistTaiChi. org/find-a-class-main. Living the Joyous Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita: “The Song of God.” – 10am-noon. Also Nov 14 & 21. The universal teachings of India’s most well-known scripture give us a joyous road-map for self-unfoldment through dynamic living, to manifest the best and highest within ourselves here and now. Class includes meditation, explanation of essential verses, discussion of practical application. Led by Swamini Radhikananda with 30 years experience teaching (non-dual) scriptures for the western seeker. Center for Spiritual Living, 1795 Old Moultrie Rd, St. Augustine. Info: 904-692-4121. cslstAugustine.org. Transcendental Meditation (TM) – 6:30pm. The TM technique is a uniquely simple, natural, effortless procedure that is scientifically proven to reduce stress, maximize mental clarity and improve health. This introductory talk gives all the information you need to make an informed decision about learning the TM technique. Free. Transcendental Meditation Center, Orange Park. Address and directions will be sent by email after registration. Register: 904- 3759517 or Jacksonville@TM.org.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Meet Up Group – 6-8pm. Wanted – like-minded people for open topic discussion and questions. Love donation. Mystical Expressions of Paradise LLC, 1014 Reed Canal Rd, S Daytona. RSVP: 386274-0038. Facebook: @MysticalExpressionsLLC. Healers Under God (HUG) – 7pm. All are welcome as attendees are guided by spirit to extend hands on healing. Love offering. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com.
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Jacksonville / St. Augustine
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Workshop – Nov 9-10. Karen Squillante, Certified Holistic Coach and EFT Practitioner, explains how it works, walks you through basic and intermediate techniques, live demonstrations and then several practice sessions. EFT is an effective energy psychology modality that helps to move you past emotional and spiritual blocks to live a happier more connected life. Opportunity for certification. $195. Nuwati Bodywork Education Center, 350 Tremonte Dr, Orange City. 386-561-9588. RSVP: Mama Gaia’s: 386-366-4385. Ancient Yoga Philosophy Decoded – Nov 9-10. 8am-5pm. With Liam and Radha Gillen. A study of the wisdom of the ancient sutras of Patanjali for practical application in the modern world. 20 CEUs. $300. Yoga Den Mandarin, 8789 San Jose Blvd, Mandarin. 904-268-8330. Yoga-Den.com. Reiki I Class – 10am-5pm. Topic: Healing Self and Others. $150 ($75 deposit is required). 6 CEUs available for NCBTMB and FL massage therapists. Caring Palms Healing Arts, 301-B 10 Ave N, Jacksonville Bch. Info/register: 904- 246-2206 or Brian@CaringPalms.com. CaringPalms.com. The Yoga of Life: Joyous Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita for Everyday Living – 11am – 12:30pm. Bring the peace, balance and clarity of your yoga practice into your daily life through the universal teachings of India’s most well-known scripture. Make your life itself yoga, a perfect union with the divine and all beings and situations around you. Led by Swamini Radhikananda with 30 years experience teaching Vedantic scriptures for western seekers. Explanation of essential verses and discussion of practical application offered. Soluna Yoga & Spa, 2105 Park St, Ste 1, Jacksonville. Info: 904-6924121. SolunaYogaSpa.com.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Experience HU: the Sound of Soul – 11am-noon. HU is woven into the language of life. It is the sound of all sounds for people of all faiths. Learn how this sacred sound can help bring more peace and happiness into your life. Followed by light refreshments. Gift of contemplation CD at event. Courtyard Marriott (meeting room) at 4670 S Lenoir Ave, Jacksonville. Info line: 904-725-7760. Meetup. com/Jacksonville-Florida-Eckankar. The Essentials of Mediumship Workshop – 12:30-5:30pm. This intensive one-day workshop will provide you with the essential steps of how
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Channeled Spirit Circle – 6:30-8pm. Also Nov18th. Join to tap in beyond our knowing for a series of universal exploration with Rev. Judi Weaver, psychic channel. She will provide divine messages and guidance from universal light beings within this sacred circle. Questions are encouraged and all sessions will be audio recorded. Grace gratitude provided through a universal earth healing guided meditation. $20/class. 386-503-4930. RSVP: Rev. Judi.Weaver@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Guided by Your Light - Spirit Circle – 6-7:30pm. Join Judi for this spirit circle where she will call in universal light beings and channel messages to the group. The gathering will provide information, healing energies and personal guidance for a more peaceful and balanced life. Grace and gratitude provided through a universal guided meditation. $20/class. Hot House Yoga, 400 Parque Dr, Ormond Bch. Info: Rev.Judi.Weaver@gmail.com. 386-503-4930. Open House – 6-7:30pm. Meet Dr. Pautz and learn about her practice and philosophy. Ask questions, learn about the services offered and decide if their unique blend of integrative and conventional medicine can benefit you through integrative, conventional, and anthroposophic medicine with a great emphasis to personalized one-on-one care. Taking patients of all ages. 485 6th Ave N, Jacksonville Bch. 904-246-3583. DrPautz.com. Meet Up Group – 6-8pm. Wanted – like-minded people for open topic discussion and questions. Love donation. Mystical Expressions of Paradise LLC, 1014 Reed Canal Rd, S Daytona. RSVP: 386274-0038. Facebook: @MysticalExpressionsLLC.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Experience HU: The Sound of Soul – 7-8pm. HU is woven into the language of life. It is the sound of all sounds for people of all faiths. Learn how to sing HU and tap into your potential for greater happiness, love, and understanding. Followed by light refreshments. Gift of contemplation CD at event. Pablo Creek Public Library, 13295 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville. Info line: 904-725-7760. Meetup. com/Jacksonville-Florida-Eckankar. .
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 All About Crystal Grids – 6:30-8pm. Certified Crystal Healer and Certified Life Coach Karen Squillante will share her knowledge on crystal grids. Learn how to create one from intention to manifestation. $39 includes instructions, a flower of life grid pattern and a set of six crystals. Mama Gaia’s 104 W Rich Ave, Downtown Deland. RSVP: 386-366-4385.
55 Tibetan Healing Bowls – 2-5pm. Free meet/ greet and see the bowls from 10am-noon. With essential oils and chakra chocolates. Sound healing chakra experience with Dr. DREAM & his Band of Angels. Sacred economic agreement spanning three countries, supporting 1,500 bowl-makers in rebuilding their lives in two villages in Nepal. $20-$25/presale; $33/door. Unity of Jacksonville Beach, 106 6th St N, Jacksonville Beach. Tickets at TourOfLove.com.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Transcendental Meditation (TM) – Noon. The TM technique is a uniquely simple, natural, effortless procedure that is scientifically proven to reduce stress, maximize mental clarity and improve health. This introductory talk gives all the information you need to make an informed decision about learning the TM technique. Free. Pablo Creek Library (conference room), 13295 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville. Register: 904-375-9517 or Jacksonville@TM.org. 55 Tibetan Healing Bowls – 6:30-9:30pm. With essential oils and chakra chocolates. Sound healing chakra experience with Dr. DREAM & his Band of Angels. Sacred economic agreement spanning three countries, supporting 1,500 bowl-makers in rebuilding their lives in two villages in Nepal. $20-$25/presale; $33/door. Unity of Jacksonville Beach, 106 6th St N, Jacksonville Beach. Tickets at TourOfLove.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Ecstatic Community Dance – With Danielle and Ian Cleary of Heartspace 432. Join on the dance floor in a safe space to experience transformational healing and meditation through dance and music. Here, the dance floor is considered sacred and attendees are encouraged to move freely without fear or judgment. Access to a quiet room for meditation will also be available. $20. 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686. Seventh-Wonder.com. Spiritual Video Harold Klemp 2019 Fall Seminar – 11am-noon. Come hear Harold Klemp author of more than 75 books on spirituality and spiritual leader of Eckankar as he shares wisdom and spiri-
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Pranayama Class – 10-11am. With Elizabeth Henrichson. Pranayama is the conscious awareness of breath. Through guided breathing you will increase the oxygen to your brain and all your internal organs which facilitates physical healing. $20. 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686 or Seventh-Wonder.com. tual insights. Video features recent fall seminar in Minneapolis, MN – Realize Your Divine Dream. Free. Spiritual Experience Guidebook available. Pablo Creek Public Library, 13295 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville. Info line: 904-725-7760. Meetup. com/Jacksonville-Florida-Eckankar. Transcendental Meditation (TM) – Noon. The TM technique is a uniquely simple, natural, effortless procedure that is scientifically proven to reduce stress, maximize mental clarity and improve health. This introductory talk gives all the information you need to make an informed decision about learning the TM technique. Free. Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd, Community Rm B, Jacksonville. Register: 904-375-9517 or Jacksonville@TM.org.
Yoga Nidra Class – 11:15-12:15pm. With Elizabeth Henrichson. Yoga nidra is a guided meditation. Nidra is a Sanskrit term meaning “sleep.” In yoga, yoga nidra is a meditation practice that induces a state of deep, conscious relaxation. The goal is to achieve a state of samadhi (intense concentration), enlightenment or bliss. $20. 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686 or Seventh-Wonder.com.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Group Past Life Regression – 6:30-8pm. Led by Julie Dietrich. Experience past lives and bring discovered strengths into your current life. $25 or $20 with a friend. Mind Body & Beyond Center, 13500 Sutton Park Dr S, Ste 203, Jacksonville. 904-9929930. MindBodyAndBeyondCenter.com.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Twin Hearts Meditation – 6-7pm. With Falli Shah. This advanced meditation technique was developed by Master Choa Kok Sui and is aimed at achieving illumination of universal consciousness. Phases: physical exercise, invoking divine blessings, relaxation/cleansing and energizing, self-introspection and inner reflection, activating the heart chakra, activating the crown chakra, achieving illumination, releasing excess energy and expression of gratitude and thanks. Free. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686 or Seventh-Wonder.com.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 Balance, Dizziness and Vertigo Workshop – 6:307:30pm. Presented by John Goetze Physical Therapy of Jax Beach and Innovative Physical Therapy of Ponte Vedra Beach. Does the room spin when you lie down at night? Is your balance putting you at risk for falls? Learn the symptoms, causes, and treatments for dizziness and vertigo so you can get back to your active lifestyle! John Goetze Physical Therapy 1400 Marsh Landing Pkwy, Ste 112, Jacksonville Bch. Register: 904-280-2001. An Intimate Evening of Mediumship, Messages and Connections from The Spirit World – 7-8:30pm. With International Psychic and Mediums Carl Seaver. This event is limited to 20 seats; secure your seat by prepaying for your ticket. $30/pre-paid or $40/door. The Karma Castle, 1437 N US Hwy 1, Ste C8, Ormond Bch. Tickets: CarlSeaver.com/events. Psychic-Medium Spiritual Development Class – 7-9:30pm. Designed as an ongoing class. Includes meditation, lesson and hands-on practice to develop your personal skills. $30. Marilyn Jenquin, International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. Held in private home, call for location. 407-247-7823. IFSK.org.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Wire Wrapping, Weaving and Jewelry Basics – Karen Squillante of Mama Gaia’s will teach the basics of making wire jewelry. Learn how to make wrapped loops, ear wires, basic wire cages for pendants and an intro to weaving. Supplies are included. Bring your own jewelry tools. $45 includes three different kinds of wire. Bring stones to wrap or purchase at the shop. Mama Gaia’s, 104 W Rich Ave, Deland. Info/register: 386-366-4385. Psychic-Medium Spiritual Development Class – 1-3:30pm. Designed as an ongoing class. Includes meditation, lesson and hands-on practice to develop your personal skills. $30. Marilyn Jenquin, International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. Held @ Caring Palms Massage & Reiki, 301-B 10th Ave N, Jacksonville Bch. 407-247-7823. IFSK.org. Journey Through the Chakras – 6:30-8pm. Led by Irene Schrank. Learn the meaning and function of each chakra and discover your gift from a past life in this guided meditation. $150/person. Mind Body & Beyond Center, 13500 Sutton Park Dr S, Ste 203, Jacksonville. 904-992-9930. MindBody AndBeyondCenter.com. Crystal Bowl Meditation – 7pm. Allow the beautiful sounds and vibrations of 12 crystal bowls intuitively played by Bill Wuerfel, LUT to wash through you bringing deep peace and inner balance. Love offering. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com.
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Psychic-Medium Spiritual Development Class – 7-9:30pm. Designed as an ongoing class. Includes meditation, lesson, and hands-on practice to develop your personal skills. $30. Marilyn Jenquin, International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. The Noble School, 419 5th Ave N, Jacksonville Bch. 407-247-7823. IFSK.org.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Transcendental Meditation – 1pm. The TM technique is a uniquely simple, natural, effortless procedure that is scientifically proven to reduce stress, maximize mental clarity and improve health. This Introductory Talk gives all the information you need to make an informed decision about learning the TM technique. The talk is free and lasts about 90 minutes. Peck Center (reception room), 510 S 10th St, Fernandina Bch. Register: 904- 375-9517 or Jacksonville@TM.org. Fundraiser Luncheon for Orphans and Widow – 2-5pm. Local Advanced Rolfer Derek Gill and his school, Global SI, are hosting a fundraising luncheon for an Indian charity that supports orphaned children and widows (GetEducationTrust. org). Derek and Global SI became involved with this charity during trips to India to teach Structural Integration (SI). Indochine Restaurant, 21 E Adams St, Ste 200, Jacksonville.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Replacing Fear with Love – 11am-noon. Join for an Eckankar Light and Sound Service. People from all walks of life come together to celebrate a life lived in harmony with divine spirit. Dynamic speakers and original creative arts demonstrate the gifts to be found through daily practice of the spiritual principles of Eckankar. The service includes singing HU, a sacred name for God, which opens the heart to divine love. Followed by light refreshments. Free. Contemplation CD and Spiritual Guidebook. Courtyard Marriott (meeting room), 4670 S Lenoir Ave, Jacksonville. Info line: 904-725-7760. Meetup. com/Jacksonville-Florida-Eckankar. Transcendental Meditation (TM) – 1pm. The TM technique is a uniquely simple, natural, effortless procedure that is scientifically proven to reduce stress, maximize mental clarity and improve health. This introductory talk gives all the information you need to make an informed decision about learning the TM technique. The talk is free and lasts about 90 minutes. Postell Market, 530 Beachview Dr, Rm 112 St. Simons Island, GA. Register: 904- 375-9517 or Jacksonville@TM.org.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Reiki Level I Course – 9:30am-4pm. Led by Reiki Master Irene Schrank. Learn how to attune to universal life force energy in a nurturing and healing environment. $150/person. Mind Body & Beyond Center, 13500 Sutton Park Dr, S Ste 203, Jacksonville. 904-992-9930. MindBodyAndBeyondCenter.com.
plan ahead TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 Open House – 6-7:30pm. Meet Dr. Pautz and learn about her practice and philosophy. Ask questions, learn about the services offered and decide if their unique blend of integrative and conventional medicine can benefit you through integrative, conventional, and anthroposophic medicine with a great emphasis to personalized one-on-one care. Taking patients of all ages. 485 6th Ave N, Jacksonville Bch. 904-246-3583. DrPautz.com.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 Holiday Potluck – 6-8pm. The office of Dr. A. Schaffer-Pautz, MD, board-certified in both integrative and internal medicine, invites the community to an evening of celebrating the season, nurturing, heart-toheart, fun, good conversation, and thanksgiving. This is an opportunity for existing patients to introduce friends and other family members to Persephone. Bring your favorite dish to share. Families with children welcome under your supervision. Persephone Healing Arts Center, 485 6th Ave N, Jacksonville Bch. RSVP: 904-246-3583. DrPautz.com.
markyourcalendar CranioSacral Therapy 1 January 16-19 Offered by Upledger Institute International, a healthcare resource center known worldwide for its extensive education programs, advanced treatment options and products. The institute offers classes in more than 110 countries, with more than 125,000 alumni to date. Contact Upledger for information regarding tuition and early registration savings, prerequisites and class times.
800-233-5880 • Upledger.com
ongoing events
daily Yoga Den Studio Classes – Sun-Sat. All day. Join for a variety of class styles and traditions at one of seven locations. Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, prefer non-heated classes or love the heat, there is something for everybody. Schedule: Yoga-Den.com.
sunday A Course of Love – 9am. Led by Mesha Brightwood. All are welcome. Love offering. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com. A Positive Path for Spiritual Living Sunday Service – 10am. Unity-Isle of Light, American Beach Community Center, 1600 Julia St, Fernandina Bch. 904-518-8987. Unity Church for Creative Living Sunday Service and Youth Groups – 10:30am. Join as we travel the journey of spiritual unfoldment together. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com. Unity of Jacksonville Beach Service – 10:30am. Come as you are to a conscious community exploring universal spiritual principles. New location: Players by the Sea Theatre, 106 6th St N. 904-2461300. UnityOfJacksonvilleBeach.com.
monday Kundalini Yoga – 9-10am. With Ashley Ireland. This session will include tuning in, warm ups, pranayama (breathing techniques), kriya (set of exercises), deep relaxation and meditation. It is suitable for all ages and stages. $15. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686. Seventh-Wonder.com. Readings – 10am-4pm. Tarot, psychic, mediumship, astrology. Walk-ins welcome Mon & Sat. $65/30 min, $125/1-hour. Ask about $20/$40 specials. Schedule a reading during the week. Mystical Expressions of Paradise LLC, 1014 Reed Canal Rd, S Daytona. Appointments/RSVP: 386-274-0038. Facebook: @ MysticalExpressionsLLC.
Psychic Development Circle – 7-9pm. An ongoing circle with fun and exciting, yet challenging exercises offered each week. No experience necessary; all levels of development are welcome. $20. The Karma Castle, 1437 N US Hwy 1, Ste C8, Ormond Bch. Check schedule to confirm: TheKarmaCastle.com/calendar.
tuesday Twin Hearts Meditation – 6pm. 1st & 3rd Tue. Developed by Master Choa Kok Sui, this advanced meditation technique is aimed at achieving illumination of universal consciousness. This is a free service to bring more positive awareness and harmony to the community. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686. Seventh-Wonder.com. Mediumship Development and Practice Circle – 7-8:30pm. This practice circle is open to mediums that are able to exhibit prior mediumistic training or instruction. Email to confirm requirements. $20. The Karma Castle, 1437 N US Hwy 1, Ste C8, Ormond Bch. Carl@CarlSeaver.com. Register: TheKarma Castle.com/events. Parent Support Group – 7-8:30pm. For parents of a child with a mental health disorder, including depression, bipolar and schizo-affective disorder. Beaches Resource Center, 700 Seagate Ave, Neptune Bch. 904-270-8200.
thursday Psychic/Medium Spiritual Development Class – 1-3:30pm. One Thursday per month. With Marilyn Jenquin, International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. $30. 301-B 10th Ave N, Jacksonville Bch. 407-247-7823. IFSK.org.
friday
wednesday
Hemming Plaza Farmers’ Market – 10am-2pm. Local and fresh plants, flowers, fruit, vegetables, jewelry and live entertainment. Monroe St and N Hogan St, Jacksonville.
Mid-Week Market – 3-6pm. Featuring local, healthy, fresh and green foods. Bull Park, 716 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Bch. Tinyurl.com/a4xegwv.
Last Call AA – Midnight. 12-step program. Unity Church of Jacksonville, Riverside, 634 Lomax St. 904-355-5100.
Vinyasa Intermediate and Gentle Yoga – 5pm & 6:30pm. Seven class series. $40. Riverside Park UMC, 819 Park St. 904-355-5491. Preregister: CommunityClassesRP.com.
saturday
Spiritual Enrichment Classes – 7pm. Visit website for class information. Love offering. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com. Psychic/Medium Spiritual Development Class – 7-9:30pm. One Wednesday per month. With Marilyn Jenquin, International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. $30. Held in private home; call for location. 407-247-7823. IFSK.org.
Readings – 10am-4pm. Tarot, psychic, mediumship, astrology. Walk-ins welcome Mon & Sat. $65/30 min, $125/1-hour. Ask about $20/$40 specials. Schedule a reading during the week. Mystical Expressions of Paradise LLC, 1014 Reed Canal Rd, S Daytona. Appointments/RSVP: 386-274-0038. Facebook: @ MysticalExpressionsLLC. Beaches Green Market – 2-5pm. Jarboe Park, 301 Florida Blvd, Neptune Bch. 904-270-0273.
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to open up.”
Clairvoyant, International Color Therapist, Reiki Master Teacher
community resource guide
HEALING CENTER
Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email Ads@NAJax.com to request our media kit.
END-OF-LIFE SERVICES
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
THE SACRED SERVANT
SCIENCE BASED WELLNESS & CHIROPRACTIC
Nada Frazier, End of Life Doula 904-402-7061 • TheSacredServant.com
Dr Steven M Nickels 10033 Sawgrass Dr W, Ste 204 Ponte Vedra Beach, 904-834-2337• ScienceWellness.net
Certified end-of-life doula (nonmedical, holistic) services, training EOL doulas, and supporting people, family and caregivers around illness and end of life issues. Planning and guidance through times of transformative change.
Dr. Nickels is a Board Certified Nutritional Physician and Chiropractic Physician. Our testing identifies weakness and provides a science based plan for better health. This is real preventative healthcare. Call to get tested today. See ad, page 14.
FLOAT BE STILL FLOAT STUDIO
1050 Riverside Ave, Ste A, Jacksonville 904-619-9615 • BeStillFloat.com
BOOKS • CREATIVE ARTS • GIFTS & MORE
Relaxation services and alternative therapies for pain, stress and recovery. Help lower blood pressure, muscle tension and stress/anxiety levels in a peaceful environment. See ad, page 8.
MYSTICAL EXPRESSIONS OF PARADISE, LLC
1014 Reed Canal Rd, S Daytona 386-274-0038 MysticalExpressionsOfParadise.com Facebook: @MysticalExpressionsLLC Open daily 10am-4pm; closed Thurs & Sun (open by appointment). A unique experience of natural stones and crystals, sage/ blends, cones/stick incense, singing bowls, pendulums, runes, tapestries, organite, ceramics, tarot cards, jewelry, Himalayan salt lamps, chaga and more. Classes, chakra healings, reiki attunements. Readings: tarot, psychic, mediumship and astrology.
CBD HYDROPONIC UNIQUE GOODS
8622 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville 904-829-4847 • JaxHugs.com Hemp is all relaxation without intoxication, research shows numerous health benefits. Garden and hydroponic supplies: Leading brands of soil, nutrients, grow tents and LED Lights. See ad, page 2.
ROOTSCBD
524 3rd St S, Jax Beach 904-420-7550 • JaxRootsCBD.com
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE JACKSONVILLE HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER Dr Jon Repole, DC, CFMP 9957 Moorings Dr, Suite 403 Jacksonville (Mandarin) 904-268-6568 • DrRepole.com
Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. Find the cause of your health challenge. Our office will create a doctor supervised custom-tailored health program that will include the following: meal planning, supplemental prescriptions, detoxification guidance, food/lifestyle coaching, exercise prescriptions, accountability, on-line patient portal, and more. We utilize the most advanced diagnostics testing available to aid both our diagnoses and treatment. See ad, page 21.
Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life. ~Omar Khayyam
RootsCBD is a family business providing high quality CBD products supplied by farms they know. They will soon sell products grown on their own farm. See ad, page 23.
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Jacksonville / St. Augustine
in the ch well-bei By the e give tre overall s certifica
– Irene Schrank
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Stop by Mind Body & Beyond Center to receive a complimentary 15-minute chakra reading! MIND BODY & BEYOND CENTER
13500 Sutton Park Dr S, Ste 203 Jacksonville • 904-992-9930 904-992-9930 MindBodyAndBeyondCenter.com
Ca
mindbody
Comprehensive. Integrative. Mind Body & Beyond Transformative. Strategies for
d e v e l o p i nSutton g a w a r ePark n e s s aDr. n d Sou 13500 understanding. Harmonize the Jacksonville, FLspirit 32224 mind and the body and will follow. Wellness tips, customized Owner: Melissa D. Fenton meal plans, healthy recipes that are adaptable for the entire family, Serving Jacksonville for 15
cooking classes & fitness professionals to help you meet your goals. Find greater intuitive and creative ability, have a fuller expression of love, enhance your sense of self-worth and bring spiritual qualities into your life. #MM35640 See ad, page 21.
HERBS LAURENCE LAYNE, LMT, HERBALIST Healing Waters Clinic & Herb Shop St Augustine 904-826-1965 • HealingWatersClinic.com MA0010746 MM005595
A holistic center specializing in pain relief and chronic health issues. Certified in neuromuscular and deep tissue bodywork, myofascial therapy, craniosacral balancing, east-west herbalism. Offering attunement energy healing since 1978. See ad, page 18.
HOLISTIC WELLNESS SPA SEVENTH WONDER HOLISTIC SPA 4236 St John’s Ave, Jacksonville 904-381-8686 • Seventh-Wonder.com
A true sanctuary away from the stresses of the world since 2002. Offering: Ayurveda consultation and services, natural alternatives to facelift, massages, facials, eyebrow threading/tinting, reiki, pranic healing, ear coning, sauna, and a Himalayan salt room.
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE A. SCHAEFFER-PAUTZ, MD
Board Certified in Internal and Integrative Medicine Persephone Healing Arts Center 485 6th Ave N, Jacksonville Beach 904-246-3583 • DrPautz.com Medical practice emphasizing highest quality personalized care, integrating spiritual, emotional and physical. Practicing naturopathy, homeopathy, anthroposophic medicine. Monthly open house and lecture. See ad on back cover.
FIRST COAST INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
Megan Weigel, DNP 135 Professional Dr, Ste 105 Ponte Vedra Beach • 904-543-3510 FirstCoastIntegrativeMedicine.com
NUTRITION/KINESIOLOGY HEALTH BY DESIGN
Dr Kristy A Harvell 2002 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville 904-363-3374 • HealthByDesignFL.com
A holistic, heart-centered and evidence-based approach to care for people living with neurological conditions and symptoms. Dr Weigel has nearly 20 years experience in neurology and neurological care. See ad, page 5.
MEDITATION TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION CENTERS
• Karen & Herb Bandy, Certified Teachers 904-375-9517 • Jacksonville@TM.org • Regine de Toledo & Richard Pinto, Certified Teachers 904-826-3838 • StAugustine@TM.org The TM technique is an effortless, non-religious, evidence-based practice for eliminating stress, increasing well-being and expanding consciousness. Certified Teachers give individual instruction and ongoing support. See ad, page 17.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD CERTIFIED MEDICAL MARIJUANA DOCTORS 10695 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville 904-299-5300 2085 A1A S, St. Augustine 904-299-7373 CMMDR.com
Patients with a qualifying medical condition can become a Florida medical marijuana patient in two easy steps and gain access to Florida Medical Marijuana Dispensary discounts, deals and special savings. License number OS8874. See ad, page 27.
MEDIUM CARL SEAVER
Carl@CarlSeaver.com CarlSeaver.com Carl Seaver is an international psychic medium. Services include one-on-one private mediumship session, psychic readings, mediumship demonstration events (with audiences), private house parties, and psychic/mediumship development classes. All sessions are by appointment and are as effectively done over the phone as in-person.
Nutrition Response Testing™ gets to the underlying cause of your condition by testing for food sensitivities, heavy metals, and chemical toxins. A Clinical Nutrition Program will be designed for your individual needs. See ad, page 9.
PSYCHIC CHANNEL REV JUDI WEAVER
Heart 4 Souls Inc, Ormond Beach Rev.Judi.Weaver@gmail.com 386-503-4930 • Heart4Souls.com
energy distance.
Channeled spirit messages, crystal light healer, divine personal guidance, shamanic practitioner, spiritual counseling, guided meditations, home/property blessings, vision quest journeys. For individuals or groups—in person, virtual/on-line, phone or
SPIRITUAL CENTERS
UNITY OF JACKSONVILLE BEACH 106 6th St N, Jacksonville Beach (at Players by the Sea Theatre) 904-246-1300 UnityOfJacksonvilleBeach.com
Unity of Jacksonville Beach honors all paths to God. Unity welcomes those who might call themselves spiritual but n o t r e l i g i o u s . We welcome seekers and people of all faith traditions. Sunday services at 10:30 am, silent meditation at 10:10 am. Unity explores spiritual teachings through metaphysical study, prayer, meditation and more… Join us! See ad, page 19.
SPIRITUAL HEALING SHANNON MACDONALD
Divinity Speaks, LLC 1437 N US Hwy 1, Ste C8, Ormond Beach DivinitySpeaks.com Shannon@DivinitySpeaks.com Spiritual healing unites the holistic practice of energy healing with the harmonizing vibration of Source Energy to help activate the innate, self-healing abilities we all possess. The love, which emanates from Divine Consciousness, opens a path for positive transformation for mind, body and spirit.
THE KARMA CASTLE
A Center for Spiritual Growth and Intuitive Development 1437 N US Hwy 1, Ste C8, Ormond Beach TheKarmaCastle.com Classes, workshops and events include psychic and mediumship development, mediumship demonstrations, spiritual healing, guided meditations, psychic fairs and more. See ad, page 17.
UNITY CHURCH FOR CREATIVE LIVING IN ST JOHNS 2777 Race Track Rd, St Johns 904-287-1505 • UnityInJax.com
Unity offers positive, practical teachings that support spiritual evolution and abundant living. They take an extremely positive approach to life, emphasizing our Oneness in God and the goodness in people and all life. Join to travel the journey of spiritual unfoldment together. See ad, page 20.
TAI CHI TAOIST TAI CHI
Classes held throughout the city Nights and Saturday morning Info: Jacksonville.fl@TaoistTaiChi.org or 904-733-8180 TaoistTaiChi.org/find-a-class-main The ancient Chinese believed that true health comes when body, mind and spirit work together in harmony. Taoist Tai Chi® grew out of this tradition and is a way to develop a body that is strong, yet supple, balanced and energetic, a mind that is calm and clear, yet creative and dynamic, and a spirit that is light and peaceful, yet resilient.
YOGA YOGA DEN
Mandarin | Fleming Island | Southside | Avondale | Golf Village | San Pablo | Bayard | Yoga-Den.com Founded in 2002, all Yoga Den teachers are graduates of YogaDen’s nationally accredited 200-hour TT Program. Members may use their key tags at all locations with Passport Membership. Hundreds of weekly classes. Our philosophy is No Judgement, and all levels will feel welcome. See ad, page 14.
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