May 2021 Jacksonville St. Augustine Natural Awakenings Magazine by Jacksonville St. Augustine Natural Awakenings Magazine

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

PLANET

NATURAL MAMA

FEEDING

BABY HEALTHY FOODS

YOU CAN MAKE

HOLISTIC

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY ECO-BEAUTY Sustainable

Makeup Choices

HOMEOPATHY TO THE RESCUE

Create a Family First-Aid Kit

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letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

ello, and welcome to our May edition. We’re enjoying one of the longest spring seasons in memory, with bright, breezy afternoons and cool evenings. Though my vegetable garden isn’t as far along as I’d like, the cooler weather can stay as long as it pleases. Women’s health is our main theme this month, with integrative wellness and the top five health concerns for women taking center stage. Dr. Christine Yastrzemski owner of A Way of Life Acupuncture discusses how acupuncture benefits women’s issues including fertility, hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, stress and exhaustion. Women and men benefit from bioidentical hormone therapy. Bestselling author and hormone scholar, Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson, offers insight on long-term health benefits of plant-based BHT. Holistic pregnancy is featured in our Healthy Kids section. From choosing organic foods to engaging a doula for emotional support, expectant mamas will find lots of great advice. Healthy homemade baby food is easy and rewarding to make. Large batches may be preserved by freezing or canning. It is incredibly rewarding to make your baby’s first solid foods from quality, organic ingredients. Guest writer Megan Weigel, DNP and owner of First Coast Integrative Medicine discusses post-Covid complications that linger for many after recovering from the original infection. Megan offers several treatment suggestions for Post-Acute Covid-19 Sequelae. Our Inspiration section offers support for facing difficult emotions. These uncertain times challenge our hearts and nervous systems. Cultivating resilience requires learning to welcome difficult emotions. Author and Ph.D. Shauna Shapiro offers steps to process struggles and sorrows that seem more prevalent now. Preparedness is top of mind for many during uncertain times. Our Healing Ways section explains how to create a homeopathy first-aid kit. Plant based cures may benefit a variety of conditions including muscle strain, minor burns, swelling, allergic reactions and even puncture wounds. With 6 million cats diagnosed with cancer each year, cat owners will want to dive into our Natural Pet article discussing prevention, diagnosis and treatment options. Cats are extremely resilient and respond well to complementary treatment. As the community continues to recover from the pandemic, our event calendar grows a little each month. I hope to meet many readers at this month’s events. With light and love,

JACKSONVILLE / ST. AUGUSTINE EDITION

Publisher Rebecca Young Publisher@NAJax.com

Writer Erin Floresca

Editor Sara Gurgen

Calendar Editor Sara Peterson

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May 2021

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 8 INTEGRATIVE

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do

13 ACUPUNCTURE AND WOMEN’S HEALTH

14 MASSAGE

Healing Benefits of Bodywork

16 THREE STEPS FOR

FACING DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

17 POST-ACUTE

COVID-19 SEQUELAE

In It for the Long Haul

18 HOMEOPATHY TO THE RESCUE

Create a Family First-Aid Kit

20 DEVAKI LINDSEY BERKSON on Bioidentical Hormones for Long-Term Health

22 NATURAL MAMA

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 NaturalAwakenings.com. NAJAX.COM 4

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Holistic Approaches to a Healthy Pregnancy

24 BABY BITES

Healthy Homemade Food for Tiny Tummies

26 CURBING CANCER IN CATS

Ways to Keep a Feline Healthy

DEPARTMENTS 5 news briefs 6 health briefs 7 global briefs 12 eco tip 14 fit body 16 inspiration 18 healing ways

20 wise words 22 healthy kids 24 conscious eating 26 natural pet 28 calendar 30 resource guide

news briefs

Local Massage Studio on Top 15 List

aring Palms Healing Arts, in Jacksonville, has been rated as one of Expertise.com’s Top 15 massage establishments in Jacksonville for 2021. The studio, which has previously accepted this award, was chosen out of 204 local businesses. Expertise.com aims to connect the community with exceptional local experts. “They scored Jacksonville massage therapists on more than 25 variables across five categories and analyzed the results to give the community a hand-picked list of the best,” explains Caring Palms owner Brian Dean, licensed massage therapist, reiki master and instructor. “After reviewing 204 therapists, Expertise.com curated 128 of them, and determined the Top 15 from that list.” Categories included availability, qualifications, reputation, experience and professionalism. Caring Palms earned an A rating in the reputation category. “We’re honored to again receive this identifying mark of excellence,” says Dean. “Now you know when you come here, you are getting the best.” Location: 476 Osceola Ave., Jacksonville Beach. For more information, call 904-246-2206 or visit CaringPalms.com. See ad, page 12.

Achieve Inner Peace and Wellness with Transcendental Meditation

aren and Herb Bandy, directors of the Jacksonville Transcendental Meditation Center, are excited to announce four upcoming opportunities to learn about Transcendental Meditation (TM). Three videoconference opportunities will take place on April 29, May 13 and May 27. Plus, one in-person talk is being held on May 22 in St. Simons Island, Georgia. “We’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision about learning this highly effective technique for reducing stress and improving health,” assures Karen. A quote from the Cleveland Clinic states: “Transcendental Meditation doesn’t focus on breathing or chanting, like other forms of meditation. Instead, it encourages a restful state of mind beyond thinking... A 2009 study found Transcendental Meditation helped alleviate stress in college students, while another found it helped reduce blood pressure, anxiety, depression and anger.” Forbes magazine had this to say about TM: “Perhaps its greatest benefit is that it’s relatively quick to learn and easy to master. No waiting weeks or months of practice before you see results: TM cuts right to the chase, taking only days—or for some, minutes—before one feels reprieve from their painful and overwhelming thoughts.” “The TM technique is effective for everyone and comes with a satisfaction guarantee,” adds Herb. Cost: Free. In person location: Room 112, Postell Market, Casino Bldg., 530 Beachview Dr. (by Neptune Park), St. Simons Island, GA. To register, call 904-375-9517 or email Jacksonville@TM.org. See ad, page 27. May 2021

health briefs

People in the “poorest of the poor” communities in which money is not a high value can feel as happy as people in high-income Scandinavian countries, concludes new research from Canada’s McGill University. For the study published in PLOS One, interviewers studied 678 people living in Bangladesh and the Solomon Islands, both extremely low-income countries. People in remote fishing villages with subsistence-level incomes reported very high levels of “subjective well-being”, which they attributed to spending lots of time with family and being in nature. Villagers that had migrated to urban areas for work were more likely to gauge their well-being by economic and social factors, and reported lower feelings of wellbeing, leading researchers to speculate that monetization, especially in its early stages, may be detrimental to happiness. “When people are comfortable, safe and free to enjoy life within a strong community, they are happy—regardless of whether or not they are making any money,” says Chris Barrington-Leigh, a professor at McGill’s Bieler School of the Environment.

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Don’t Rely on Money for Happiness

As convenient as store-bought baby food is, it can pose hidden dangers for infant brains, say U.S. congressional investigators. A report issued by the House of Representatives on February 4 found “dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals,” including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, in baby foods made by major companies Hain Foods, Gerber, Beech-Nut and Happy Family Organics. Walmart, Campbell Soup Company and Sprout Organic Foods refused to cooperate with the investigation. On March 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pledged to enact new standards, increase inspections and testing, and support research to lower baby food contaminants. Low levels of exposure to heavy metals can cause serious, irreversible damage to children’s brain development, studies show. Naturally present in the environment, they enter baby foods through soil, water and air; companies attempt to minimize this impact through processing. In one example, Hain Celestial, which makes Earth’s Best Organic, says it no longer uses brown rice, which can harbor arsenic.

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Nix Baby Foods that Harbor Toxic Metals

A natural, non-pharmaceutical remedy for anxiety disorders that affect 40 million Americans is as close as our beds, say University of California at Berkeley researchers. In Nature Human Behaviour, they reported that a sleepless night can trigger up to a 30 percent rise in anxiety levels, but a full night of slumber stabilizes emotions. The type most apt to calm and reset the anxious brain is deep sleep, also known as non-rapid eye movement, slow-wave sleep during which neural oscillations become highly synchronized and heart rate and blood pressure drop. The researchers used brain scans to identify anxiety levels in 48 volunteers after nights of deep or restless sleep. “Without sleep, it’s almost as if the brain is too heavy on the emotional accelerator pedal without enough brake,” says the study’s senior author Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology. A second survey of 280 people online found that the amount and quality of sleep people experienced from one night to the next predicted how anxious they would feel the next day. Even subtle nightly changes in sleep affected anxiety levels. 6

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Sleep Deeply to Reduce Anxiety

global briefs

Fuel Fight

Gas Utilities Knock Electric Appliances

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As cities phase out the installation of gas lines in new buildings to cut down on methane emissions, gas utilities have been staging adversarial campaigns nationwide. In Santa Barbara, California, residents received warnings that a gas ban would dramatically increase their bills. The Pacific Northwest group Partnership for Energy Progress, funded in part by Washington state’s largest natural gas utility, Puget Sound Energy, has spent at least $1 million opposing heating electrification in Bellingham and Seattle, including $91,000 on bus ads with the slogan, “Reliable. Affordable. Natural Gas. Here for You.” In Oklahoma, Arizona, Louisiana and Tennessee, the industry has worked aggressively with state legislatures to pass laws to prevent cities from passing cleaner building codes. The American Gas Association even has a website (aga.org) dedicated to promoting cooking with gas. Surveys have found that most people are open to switching water heaters and furnaces from gas to electric versions, so gas company advertising has made gas stoves a symbol of wealth, good taste and status for consumers, builders and realtors. Gas connections in American houses are at an all-time high, but as Americans realize that natural gas is a powerful contributor to climate change and source of air pollution, at least 42 cities have strengthened building codes to discourage expanding gas hookups in new construction.

Artificial Intelligence Joins Fight Against Marine Litter aliaksandr marko/AdobeStock.com

MARLIT, an open-access web app based on a deep-learning artificial intelligence algorithm, will promote the detection and measurement of floating plastics in the sea with a reliability of over 80 percent, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Pollution conducted by experts at the Biodiversity Research Institute of the University of Barcelona. Floating macro-litter is a threat to the conservation of marine ecosystems worldwide. The largest density of floating litter is in the great ocean gyres (systems of circular currents that spin and catch litter), but polluting waste is also abundant in coastal waters and semi-closed seas such as the Mediterranean. The analysis, using artificial intelligence techniques and more than 3,800 aerial images of the Mediterranean coast along Catalonia, will permit researchers to detect the presence, density and distribution of plastic pollutants in seas and oceans worldwide. Historically, direct observation by boats and planes formed the basis for assessing the impact of floating marine macro-litter, but the massive area of the oceans and the amount of data required have made it hard in the past for researchers to progress with new monitoring studies.

Fitting End

Composting Human Remains is a Reality

Frustrated with the limited options for environmentally friendly burial services and the rampant use of embalming in most funeral homes, which turns these sites into major groundwater polluters, environmental activist Katrina Spade founded Recompose (Recompose.life), the country’s first human composting funeral home, in Seattle. Formaldehyde, one of the most common embalming chemicals, is a carcinogen. Inspired by Spade’s idea, Governor Jay Inslee passed a bill legalizing composting as a form of human burial in 2019. Before then, the only legal and eco-friendly burial options were natural burial sites, of which there are only one or two hundred in the country. Both cremations and traditional burials cause environmental damage. Recompose offers an innovative funeral service that turns human remains into healthy soil. It gives Washington state and surrounding residents a chance to make a positive environmental change through their death, as well as their life. The process is said to save a metric ton of CO2 in the burial process, and the facility is accepting clients throughout the Northwest.

photo courtesy of recompose.life

Great Minds

May 2021

INTEGRATIVE

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Five Top Health Concerns and What to Do by Ronica O’Hara

nyone walking into a U.S. hospital today will notice something that was inconceivable 50 years ago—one in three practicing physicians is a woman, and among physicians under age 35, it’s three in five. That compares to one in 14 in 1970. For women needing health care, that fact can change everything. “Research says that female physicians provide better care to female patients than male physicians do,” says Harvard Medical School Associate Professor Alice Domar, Ph.D., a pioneer in women’s mind-body medicine. “They are more likely to listen carefully and take complaints seriously.” That’s just one factor in how health care is improving for women. Only three decades ago, women were simply considered “small men” in medical research and rarely included as subjects in clinical studies. Today, after a 1993 federal mandate ensured their inclusion, it’s been well established that women metabolize drugs differently than men, respond to health threats with a more robust immune system and are more likely to experience side effects. These findings have helped spur major changes for women in standards, dosages, medications and procedures—resulting in fewer cancer deaths, better treatment of autoimmune disorders and more nuanced cardiac care strategies. Although much has improved about women’s health, much more remains to be done.

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Cancer

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About one in three women is diagnosed with cancer in the course of a lifetime, and they have better survival rates than men, of which one in two receives that diagnosis. Between 2001 and 2017, the overall cancer death rate for women declined by 1.4 percent each year as diagnoses and treatments became more refined and targeted. The number one cancer killer for women is

lung cancer, although 19 percent diagnosed have never smoked. The next most deadly are cancers of the breast, colon/rectum, pancreas and ovaries. Breast cancer deaths have dropped by 40 percent since 1989, thanks to greater awareness, early detection and better treatments. “Women learned from the AIDS crisis that making noise gets results,” says Domar. “Look at how far breast cancer research and treatment has come in the past 10 to 20 years, how powerful Breast Cancer Awareness Month is, and that everyone recognizes that pink ribbon.” Common symptoms: Bowel changes, lingering sores, fatigue, lumps, unusual discharge, difficulty digesting or swallowing, nagging cough or hoarseness, belly or back pain. New research: An international research team has identified a direct molecular link between meat and dairy diets and the development of antibodies in the blood that increases the chances of developing cancer. Medical advances: Painful, invasive biopsies may become a thing of the past. Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a simple blood test that detects more than 50 types of cancer, as well as their location within the body, with a high degree of accuracy, and the City of Hope Cancer Center, in Los Angeles, has developed a urine test that analyzes cell-free fragments of DNA to detect cancer. Preventive strategies: Vitamin D supplementation lowers the risk of mortality across all cancers, German researchers found, estimating that if all Germans older than 50 took such supplements, up to 30,000 cancer deaths per year might be avoided. A 10-year study found that people between 55 and 74 that took a low-dose aspirin at least three times each week lowered their risk of all types of cancer by 15 percent and overall mortality by 19 percent.

One in three American women die from heart disease, more than all cancers combined. “Unfortunately, awareness that heart disease can and does happen to women remains low, and this results in delay of care,” says cardiologist Nicole Harkin of Whole Heart Cardiology, in San Francisco. “Women tend to seek medical care later in the course of their heart attack and with more risk factors, resulting in poorer outcomes, and they are more likely than men to die of their first heart attack.” Women have different symptoms of heart disease than men, are often misdiagnosed and have a 20 percent greater risk of dying within five years of a heart attack. Pregnant women that develop hypertension are two to five times more likely to later develop cardiovascular disease. Common symptoms: Heart pressure, fatigue, breathlessness and pain between the shoulder blades. New research: Eating more than seven servings per day of refined grains like croissants and white bread increased the risk of heart disease by 33 percent and stroke by 47 percent, concluded a study

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Heart Disease

May 2021

fibromyalgia, lupus, celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to genetics, environmental triggers, some medications, obesity, injuries and stress. Common symptoms: These vary widely, but may include achy muscles, fatigue, recurring low-grade fever, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abdominal pain and swelling, hair loss, swollen glands and tingling in hands and feet.

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New research: Eating significantly fewer foods containing the amino acid methionine, found at high levels in meat, fish, dairy and eggs, could slow the onset and progression of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis in high-risk individuals, reports a study in Cell Metabolism.

in The British Medical Journal. In a Stanford study, participants that ate plant-based meat for eight weeks had improved markers of heart health, lower LDL levels and lost two pounds compared to those eating meat. Medical advance: To successfully fix a floppy mitral valve that’s hampering blood flow in the heart, doctors can guide a catheter up a patient’s leg vein and staple the troubled parts of the valve with a tiny clip, a safer and less invasive procedure than openheart surgery. Preventive strategies: Eating nuts several times a week lowers by 30 to 50 percent the risk of heart attacks, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease, four large cohort studies have shown. Older women with high fitness levels have one quarter the risk of dying from heart disease as women that are out of shape, report Spanish researchers.

Autoimmune Diseases

The prevalence of autoimmune diseases has grown by one half in two decades, even as medications and targeted therapies have kept more patients active and out of wheelchairs. “Where it used to be the norm for many physicians to consider women with some autoimmune illnesses to be neurotic, that approach is now being recognized as being abusive and unacceptable. This is a critical step towards recovery,” says chronic fatigue expert Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic! About 80 percent of the 23 million Americans that suffer from debilitating autoimmune diseases are women, and those conditions tend to develop during childbearing years. The eighth-leading cause of death among women, these illnesses shorten lifespan by an average of eight years. The 80-plus diseases, including 10

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Medical advance: Evidence is mounting that low doses of naltrexone, a substance-abuse treatment drug, can treat conditions like lupus, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis by normalizing the immune system and relieving pain with few side effects. “It costs only about 70 cents a day, is made by compounding pharmacists and is remarkably beneficial for a host of autoimmune conditions,” says Teitelbaum. Preventive strategy: To fight inflammation, take a daily turmeric or curcumin supplement that includes piperine (black pepper) for better absorption. A University of Houston meta-study in Nutrients found that curcumin supplements improved symptoms in 14 osteoarthritis, two ulcerative colitis and eight Type 2 diabetes studies.

Hormonal Imbalances

The past 20 years has seen significant improvements in the studies and treatments of female hormonal issues. “There are now treatment options that allow women to transition into menopause, options for prevention of osteoporosis and momentous changes in fertility,” says Stephanie Seitz, a naturopathic family physician in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the same time, she adds, “I have seen environmental toxins rising in my female population. I see young girls coming in with polycystic ovary syndrome, early menarche and painful menstrual cramping; women having trouble getting pregnant for unknown reasons; the rise of fibroids, premature ovarian insufficiency and endometriosis.” Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers, regulating processes ranging from hunger to blood pressure to mood and playing a key role in reproduction. They have come under assault from endocrine disrupters, thousands of largely unregulated perand polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS. These “forever chemicals” are found in everything from plastics to cushions to canned foods, and are in the blood of 98 percent of Americans. Studies have linked them to girls experiencing puberty one year earlier than 40 years ago; to rising cases of infertility, miscarriages and low birth weight; to menopause occurring two to four years earlier; and to obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and breast cancer. Common symptoms: Because hormones regulate all of the body’s processes, symptoms of imbalance run the gamut and may

include fatigue, weakness, erratic menstrual cycles and weight gain or loss. New research: Early menstruation increases the likelihood of hot flashes and night sweats decades later at menopause, according to a University of Queensland study. Eating five teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil daily reduced women’s moderate to severe menstrual cramps by 83 percent in two months, Iranian researchers found. Medical advance: A major study of 9,000 postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer showed 94 percent that received hormonal therapy, but not chemotherapy, did not have recurrences. Preventive strategies: To avoid toxic chemicals, buy organics; replace plastic kitchen containers with glass; replace Teflon pans with ceramic or cast-iron; use chemical-free cosmetics and shampoos; nix air fresheners and chemical cleaners; and check out food and care products at the Environmental Working Group (ewg. org). To help detox the body, consider working with a naturopathic doctor to develop a program that may include cleansing foods, herbs, saunas, elimination diets and chelators such as activated charcoal and algae.

Depression

Common symptoms: Sadness, anxiety, flat feeling, loss of motivation or feelings of pleasure, change of eating or sleeping patterns, low energy, difficulty concentrating or headaches. New research: Sleeping irregular hours, doing night shifts and working for more than nine hours a day have been shown to put women at higher risk of depression, while eating more dietary fiber in produce, grains and legumes significantly lowers this risk. Medical advances: For the estimated one in four people with depression that doesn’t respond to medication or therapy, emerging approaches offer fresh hope. Low doses of the anesthetic drug ketamine lifted the depression of 70 percent of hard-to-treat subjects by targeting specific serotonin receptors, Swedish researchers report. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the prefrontal cortex, lifts symptoms for 50 to 60 percent of subjects, studies show. Preventive strategies: Eating at least two servings a week of wild-caught, oily fish or a daily 1,000-to-2,000-milligram fish oil supplement with a 60-to-40 EPA to DHA ratio has been shown to be effective for symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and postpartum depression. Taking a brisk daily walk in nature with a friend or dog lowers four factors linked to depression: a “nature deficit”, physical inactivity, low vitamin-D levels and isolation. Natural health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression, with one in four having a major episode at some point in life, yet fewer than half seek treatment. “Many women are too busy caring for others and feel guilty about their depression, fearing it could get in the way of their caregiving goals,” says New York psychoanalyst Claudia Luiz. “Many have the fantasy that if they open that door and allow themselves to focus on their feelings, they won’t be able to keep going.”

Depression occurs most frequently in women ages 25 to 44, and one in five teenage girls reports having had a major depressive episode, a number that has exploded due to social media use. Psychotherapy is effective for 62 percent of adults with depression, antidepressants work for 54 percent and combining the two is helpful for 72 percent.

May 2021

eco tip eco-friendly swaps abound, such as cucumber slices for puffy eyes.

Eco-Cosmetics Choosing Sustainable Beauty Products

n Go with glass packaging instead of plastic. Glass is recycled more easily and doesn’t release harmful toxic chemicals. n Choose brands that use the least amount of packaging materials as possible, eschewing plastic in favor of biodegradable, paper-wrapped, cartoned or package-less products.

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n Look for brands that use less packing material and planetforward shippers.

Beauty is a $49 billion industry in the U.S. That’s a lot of plastic lipstick cases and shampoo tubes buried in landfills and breaking down into microplastics that leach poisonous chemicals into the world’s oceans and our drinking water. As consumers, we can vote with our wallets, sending a clear message to makeup and skincare brands: We want the planet to be beautiful, too. Sustainability to-do list:

n Instead of using disposable

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cleansing wipes, make a reusable, washable alternative using a cut-up T-shirt or ultra-soft baby washcloths. Online DIY recipes for the liquid solution include water, witch hazel, essential oils and mild soaps.

n Opt for products that eliminate water as the main ingredient, such as shampoo and conditioners that come in paper-wrapped bars, lowering shipping costs, eliminating the need for plastic bottles and conserving water.

n Say no to single-use sheet masks wrapped in plastic or made of petroleum-based materials. Easier, NAJax.com

n Support, applaud and purchase refillable products. n In certain areas of the country, #1 and #2 plastic containers commonly used in the beauty industry are not accepted at local recycling centers. TerraCycle.com offers a mail-in solution with free shipping labels for packages weighing more than 15 pounds. Among the recyclable items accepted through this program are lip balm tubes, soap dispensers, shampoo and conditioner caps, hair spray triggers, lipstick cases, mascara tubes, eye shadow cases, foundation packaging and lip liner pencils. Eco-friendly beauty brands:

n By Humankind (ByHumankind.com) is reducing use of single-use plastics.

n LOLI (LoliBeauty.com) is a zerowaste brand that uses food-grade glass yogurt jars that can be repurposed in the kitchen. n Cadence (KeepYourCadence.com) offers refillable containers as an alternative to wasteful, travel-size products. n Lush (LushUSA.com) champions package-less products. n Beautycounter (Beautycounter.com) has pledged to eliminate unit cartons; decrease its use of virgin plastic; use recycled, recyclable, reused or compostable packaging; and create refillable products.

Acupuncture and Women’s Health by Christine Yastrzemski

s women age, we may face various health concerns such as menstrual and fertility issues, hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, stress and exhaustion from managing too many plates in the air. Women need to actively take care of their health throughout their lives, which becomes a more significant challenge as the stressors of balancing work and family take precedence over their own lives. Leading a balanced lifestyle can improve a woman’s quality of life. Recognizing the need for this balance is the easy part; it is much harder to implement it into daily life. At A Way of Life Acupuncture, our doctors—Dr. Christine Yastrzemski, A.P., and Dr. Sarah Thomas, DACM, A.P.—work with women of all ages and stages of life to help create this balance. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses a whole body, natural approach to health care, which treats the symptoms of disease and works to correct the imbalance within the body causing symptoms. An easier way to understand this is to think of your body as a luxury car and the red “warning” light comes on. There are a couple of options: Ignore the red light and hope it goes away, or take it to have it diagnosed by a mechanic. Our body gives us warning signs to let us know there is an imbalance. It might be sleep issues, problems with the menstrual cycle, headaches, neck tension, lower back pain, low libido, or problems trying to conceive. Many of us ignore the warnings our body is giving us by complaining we have too much to do to stop and get it fixed. We continue to push our body forward until it breaks down, leaving us frustrated and stranded. We then get angry at ourselves for being slowed down by this inconvenience. Going back to the example of the red warning light: When we finally take the car in after months of avoidance, what would have been a simple fix ends up requiring more repair work and money than what it would have originally. When women neglect to take care of themselves, the ailments begin to build up until something forces us to stop and take notice. TCM practitioners work to identify an ailment’s origin so it can be corrected and the body’s internal system can return to normal. Research has shown that acupuncture needles release many chemicals in our brain, spinal cord, and muscles that help restore the body’s natural ability to heal. Acupuncture has been proven to release endorphins in the body, reducing pain, providing stress relief, and boosting the feeling of pleasure and well-being. By adding acupuncture to a regular healthcare routine, the body can maintain a natural balance that allows one to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. When those warning lights come on from our body, many can be resolved when addressed immediately.

At A Way of Life Acupuncture, our doctors incorporate acupuncture, herbal therapy, gua sha, cupping and other modalities to help clients find the relief they seek. We have helped women with menstrual and fertility issues, hormonal imbalances, and many other conditions, and now offer a natural way to look more youthful with cosmetic acupuncture. Thomas has advanced cosmetic acupuncture training and offers facial cupping and facial gua sha, which help promote collagen production. Most people experience little or no pain with acupuncture treatments yet report a deep sense of relief and calm during and after treatment. Peak effects of acupuncture can be achieved within one to four days. Consider adding acupuncture to your regular selfcare routine to help you maintain a natural state of balance within yourself, so you can better care for your family. Dr. Christine Yastrzemski, DACM candidate, A.P., is the owner and founder of A Way of Life Acupuncture, located at 4337 Pablo Oaks Ct., Bldg. 200, in Jacksonville. Dr. Sarah Thomas, DACM, A.P., joined the staff in 2019 and brought advanced facial rejuvenation to the office. Both doctors are NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) board-certified acupuncture physicians in the state of Florida. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 904-373-8415 or visit AWayOfLifeAcupuncture.com. See ad, below.

Personalized treatments for eﬀective results Specializing in Acupuncture 15+ years Doctors refer their patients for Quality Acupuncture Certiied by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Oﬀering Acupuncture, AcuPoint Injections, LED Therapy, Facial Rejuvenation, Massage and more

904-373-8415 www.AWayOfLifeAcupuncture.com May 2021

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MASSAGE

Healing Benefits of Bodywork by Lauree Moretto

oday, it is common knowledge that stress is the cause of much harm to our bodies and accelerates aging. Massage relieves stress, but that’s not all it does. And although one-third of the population still believe having a massage is strictly for pampering, science as well as consumer activity indicate otherwise. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, 63 percent of massage consumers have used massage for a health or medical reason at the end of a 12-month period ending June 2020. In that same period, 29 percent of consumers had a massage for pain relief or pain management. Eighty-three percent of consumers agree massage therapy should be considered a form of health care. But these aren’t new ideas. The origins of massage therapy date back to more than 5,000 years ago where it was first used in India. Within 300 years, the Chinese adapted and wrote about the healing benefits of massage. By 2,500 B.C., it had caught on in Egypt, as depicted by hieroglyphs in tombs. By 1,000 B.C., traveling monks brought massage to Japan. Over time, each culture tweaked and adapted the science and art of massage. The 20th century saw the birth of many different modalities and specialties of massage, and they continue to evolve and become more specialized now in the 21st century. Today, there are multitudes of therapies available. Each modality has its unique benefits. One should find the approach that gives one the best results based on one’s goals and objectives. To list them all would be impossible here, yet here are some more common approaches/techniques. 14

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Swedish Massage: Rekindles well-being, is good for circulation, promotes relaxation, and releases stress. Includes long stokes, percussion and kneading.

Movement Therapies: These can include the Alexander technique and the Bowen technique. They roll or even gently rock the body to release areas of held tension.

Myofascial Massage: Works with muscles and fascia to release deeply held tissue. Improves function. Helps in the repair of dysfunctional movement.

Deep Tissue Massage: Reduces stress and tension and helps the brain release oxytocin, a natural chemical that reduces pain and can serve as an antidepressant.

Sports Massage: Used before and after participation. Helps relieve performancerelated pains, increases flexibility, and can prevent injuries.

Aromatherapy Massage: Using essential oils dates to ancient Egypt and can promote outcomes ranging from relaxation to energizing or invigorating, depending on the type of scents the therapist uses.

Reflexology: Works specific areas of the body without touching that part of the body. Done through a centrally mapped appendage. These appendages include the foot, hand or ear (auricular reflexology). CranioSacral Therapy: Addresses the central nervous system and the circulation of cerebral spinal fluid. These subtle rhythms are regarded as fundamental expressions of our health and vitality. They act as a blueprint for health from our early embryological development and maintain fundamental balance in the system. Pregnancy Massage: Can promote relaxation and specifically addresses the issues surrounding carrying a child. It helps reduce back and joint pain. Getting a massage during your pregnancy has many benefits, including reducing swelling, improving sleep and hormone regulation. Neuromuscular Therapy: A form of manual therapy that corrects pain and dysfunction by treating trigger points, and muscle tensions and adhesions.

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Hot Stone Massage: Involves the placement of either heated or cooled stones to the body for relaxation, eased muscle tension and pain. Cupping: Assists in pain management, muscle tightness and flushing the tissue. Pressure is applied to the area by suctioning a cup onto the skin. Structural Integration: This system of bodywork views the body as an integrated system, with the intention to reshape and restore postural balance along the gravitational field. Rather than treating symptoms, structural integration practitioners work to help a person’s body integrate internally between systems and externally toward one’s life’s challenges. Shiatsu: A Japanese form of bodywork based on concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine to improve the body’s circulation and restore natural energy flow. It combines assisted-stretching techniques and acupressure to improve the state of qi (energy flow) in the body.

Thai Massage Therapy: There are no oils or lotions used and the recipient is fully clothed. The treatment follows designated lines in the body and the practitioner uses his or her legs, feet and hands to apply rhythmic pressing and stretching of the entire body. Lymphatic Drainage: Drains the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues and back toward the liver. Uses pressure and rhythmic movements to encourage lymph drainage. Energy Healing: Physics states that all is energy. This energy can be influenced through various modalities, either hands on or at a distance. Energy work can include prayer, Touch for Health, reiki and other techniques. Regardless of the type of therapy work done, energy influences it all. One of the most common energy techniques is reiki, which is used in many hospitals for pain relief and relaxation.

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There are an unprecedented number of bodywork techniques and modalities available to us all today. Exploring and discovering what avenues and practitioners best suite each individual is an opportunity that has never been available to the common person in the history of humanity. We live in exciting yet stressful times. Fortunately, alternative therapies have come into the world to meet our needs as individuals and as an expanding society. We need merely to choose. Lauree Moretto is a soft tissue specialist and certified structural integrator who has a practice in Daytona and Flagler Beach. She has spent more than 30 years studying and teaching human body structure and function. The expertise developed over this long timespan has equipped her with a deep, sophisticated understanding of our physical bodies. Moretto’s practice uniquely integrates objective methods of working and manipulating the lines of restrictions throughout the body, from head to toe. For more information, call Moretto at 321-271-1678 or visit LaureeMoretto.com.

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What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. ~Joseph Addison

May 2021

inspiration

Three Steps for Facing Difficult Emotions by Shauna Shapiro

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physiologically calm down. It is helpful to remember that our emotions are here for a reason, metaphorically serving as a smoke alarm to let us know about an impending fire. Ignoring or repressing our emotions can lead to bigger problems, but mindfulness teaches us a different way to manage difficult emotions—acknowledge them and name what we feel—“name it to tame it”. When we name an emotion, it puts the brakes on our reactivity, down-regulates the nervous system and allows us to see clearly.

ll of us can feel the impact of these uncertain and challenging times on our hearts and in our nervous systems. While there are parts of the situation that we cannot control, that does not mean we are powerless. When we’re up against change, uncertainty and stress, resilience is the key to navigate life and emerge with more happiness and satisfaction. We can cultivate resilience through the practices of mindfulness and compassion. Here are three key steps to finding greater clarity, calm and well-being. Naming our emotions. The first step is to bring mindfulness to whatever we are feeling and simply name it. Research shows that acknowledging and naming our emotions allows the body to

Welcoming our emotions. The second step is to learn to welcome difficult emotions. Emotions have a limited time span, typically lasting for only 30 to 90 seconds. They arise, do their dance and pass away, like waves in the ocean. When we remember that this painful feeling will not last forever, it becomes more manageable. Through practice, we can learn to welcome all our emotions with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. This involves becoming interested in the emotion and the felt experience in the body. For example, we may feel sadness as a tightening in the throat or fear as a contraction in the belly. All emotions have their signature in the body. Compassion for ourselves and others. The final step to managing difficult emotions is to cultivate compassion. Self-compassion involves treating ourselves as we would a dear friend that is suffering. The willingness to face the pain in ourselves and in life takes great courage. As we practice self-compassion, we learn not only to grow from our own struggles and sorrows, but to connect with the sufferings and sorrows of others. We realize that we are not alone in our fear and overwhelm, and become aware of the many others right now that are also afraid. As we recognize our common humanity, our isolation begins to lessen and we understand that we are all in this together. Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and compassion whose most recent book is Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness & Self-Compassion Practices to Rewire the Brain for Calm Clarity and Joy. For more information, visit DrShaunaShapiro.com.

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Post-Acute COVID-19 Sequelae

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In It for the Long Haul by Megan R. Weigel

OVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. While coronaviruses are not new to humans (you may remember SARS and MERS), this particular one is. As we are now more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, you are likely aware that the constellation of symptoms caused by this virus is quite large, but the most common and severe ones tend to be respiratory-related. Unfortunately for many, the effects of COVID-19 are not necessarily over after resolution of acute infection. People with continued symptoms have been referred to as “long-haulers” or to have Long COVID Syndrome. More recently, the term PostAcute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) has been used to describe this syndrome. Some symptoms are similar to those of acute COVID-19 infection, such as persistent loss of senses of taste or smell. Other symptoms, like cognitive dysfunction and dizziness, may not have been present during acute infection. Many healthcare providers are comparing PASC to myalgic encephalitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). PASC is estimated to affect one in 20 people that have had COVID-19 in some studies, and 50 to 80 percent in others. It stands to significantly affect the health of society. Based on results of a study in the UK, U.S. and Sweden, an algorithm was developed to predict the likelihood of PASC. The positive predictive symptoms include older age, female gender, those that experienced five or more symptoms, and having asthma. However, even children are presenting with the syndrome. The National Institutes of Health recently announced the appropria-

tion of $1.15 billion to study PASC. Large academic institutions such as Northwestern University, Mayo Clinic and Mt. Sinai Medical Center are also studying PASC. Mt. Sinai has a dedicated Center for PostCOVID Care, a multidisciplinary center that provides holistic care. Following are the most common symptoms of PASC: headaches; vertigo; neuropsychiatric changes (including cognition and mood); tremors; sound and light sensitivity; phantom smells; tinnitus; fatigue; bowel issues; autonomic dysfunction (heart rate issues, dizziness, inability to exercise); body aches; insomnia; pulmonary issues; weakness; kidney problems; and worsening of endocrine disorders. Most people with PASC have normal tests when they are evaluated for their symptoms, which can increase anxiety for fear of concerns not being validated. Anthony Komaroff, M.D., physician and editor-in-chief of the Harvard Health Letter, posits that, similar to ME/CFS, symptoms might be caused by low levels of brain inflammation, autoimmune or autonomic issues affecting the brain, and/or insufficient energy production for the brain and body.

The question remains: What can you do about PASC? The best treatment is to avoid COVID-19 infection by practicing such measures as social distancing, wearing masks, avoiding large indoor gatherings, and vaccinating. The Facebook group Survivor Corps recently surveyed 400 COVID-19 survivors after vaccination, and 36 percent of them reported an improvement in their PASC symptoms after vaccination. This finding

needs to be replicated in larger studies, but is an interesting supposition. Staying healthy also mitigates risk of infection and more severe COVID. If you currently suffer from PASC, a comprehensive primary care evaluation is recommended, as well as evaluation by an integrative or functional medicine provider. The latter may help you uncover hidden issues such as gut dysbiosis, autoimmune conditions, or latent viruses that are contributing to your symptoms. In general, treatment of PASC should include the following to support the general functions of the body, reduce inflammation, encourage cardiovascular/pulmonary/ neurological health, and reduce the effects of stress: n A plant-based, whole foods diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, and potentially gluten- and dairy-free. n Exercise according to your ability, which may be at a lower level than prior to COVID-19 infection. n Adequate and restful sleep. n Breathwork, meditation and mindfulness. n Cognitive behavioral therapy or counseling if livelihood has been affected by the illness. Work with your healthcare provider to develop an individualized plan, which may include supplement support, other dietary modifications, and energy work to restore you to optimal health. Factual references are available in our online edition at NAJax.com. Megan R. Weigel, DNP, is a nurse practitioner specializing in neurological care in Jacksonville Beach, where she brings a unique integrative medicine and holistic nursing perspective to her practice, First Coast Integrative Medicine, located at 14215 Spartina Ct., Ste. 200. She has been a multiple sclerosis certified nurse since 2005 and a nurse practitioner for more than 20 years. She is also a board-scertified advanced practice holistic nurse. For more information or to make an appointment, visit FirstCoast IntegrativeMedicine.com. See ad, page 22. May 2021

Homeopathy to the Rescue

Arnica montana

Create a Family First-Aid Kit by Marlaina Donato

homeo—meaning similar, and pathos—meaning suffering. Basically, it means that a substance has the power to cure the same symptoms it can create,” says Kate Birch, a certified classical homeopath at the HippHealth Center for Holistic Healing, in Minneapolis. “Moreover, the more a substance is diluted through homeopathic preparation, the more potent it can be for healing when given upon homeopathic indications.” For most health conditions, including chronic complaints, homeopaths recommend tailoring remedies to an individual’s constitution, but first-aid applications are relatively universal and simple. Homeopathic first-aid can be administered for muscle strains, splinters, minor burns and even the common cold. Available in health food stores and pharmacies, homeopathic remedies come in various potencies in the form of pellets, tinctures and topical agents.

Soft Tissue Trauma, Burns and Bites

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Gentle Go-To Medicine

Whether treating a child’s skinned knee or an athlete with a mild to moderate injury, regular potencies offer benefits without a high risk of unpleasant or dangerous contraindicaLedum palustre tions. “In general, homeopathic remedies are safe for people of all ages because if taken as directed, there are no side effects or drug interactions. This is due to the fact that remedies have been made through a process that renders the substances harmless,” says certified classical homeopath Myra Nissen, in Davis and Walnut Creek, California. Classical homeopathic treatment is based on a person’s unique physical, emotional

and mental nature, and requires deeper study to find the most appropriate remedies, but first-aid applications are most often universally straightforward. “A homeopathic first-aid kit at home is useful for cuts, burns, bumps and bruises, insect bites, poison oak/ivy and minor illnesses,” says Nissen. Gentle, but beneficial Arnica montana is perhaps the best-known application, used for acute injury and post-surgery. In a 2016 review of studies in the American Journal of Therapeutics, a team of international researchers found Arnica to be more effective than a placebo for swelling, bruising and post-surgery pain, and suggested it could be an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Calendula is a heavy hitter for wound care, skin ailments, minor burns including sunburn, diaper rash and post-tooth extraction. It offers antiseptic and antiinflammatory properties and is available for topical and internal use.

Nissen highlights Ruta graveolens and Rhus toxicodendron for soft tissue inRhus toxicodendron jury and tendonitis and suggests Symphytum for serious damage to cartilage and ligaments. For puncture wounds or injuries involving nerves, Hypericum perforatum is helpful. She emphasizes the importance of using remedies immediately and properly to maximize the potential for rapid healing and pain reduction. Birch says that bee stings and allergic

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Aconitum napellus

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he 200-year-old health system of homeopathy is based on natural sources and is unique in its “like cures like” philosophy that uses extremely diluted substances to trigger the body’s natural defenses. “The word homeopathy is derived from two words:

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healing ways

Arnica montana: Helpful for cuts and bruises.

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Hypericum perforatum: Helpful for puncture wounds and injuries involving nerves such as catching a finger in the car door or hitting it with a hammer. Ledum palustre: Helpful for puncture wounds and most insect bites. Rhus toxicodendron: Helpful for itchy rashes, such as poison oak or ivy where there are blisters. A curious symptom that indicates Rhus tox is the right choice is when the itch is relieved by bathing or washing with very hot water. Ruta graveolens: Helpful for sprains, strains, tendonitis and joint injuries.

Nux vomica: Go-to remedy for indigestion or overindulgence, including hangovers. It's also useful in the event of food poisoning.

health briefs

Eat Mushrooms to Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer Researchers followed more than 36,000 Japanese men older than 40 for an average of 13.2 years. They found that those that consumed culinary mushrooms three times a week had a 17 percent lower chance of developing prostate cancer compared to those that ate mushrooms less than once a week. Participants that ate mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8 percent lower risk. The trend was even greater for those men over the age of 50 and was unrelated to other dietary habits.

Maintain a Healthy Diet and Weight to Lower Cataract Risk A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition used adherence to dietary guidelines and total diet scores to assess the effects of diet on cataract risk. The researchers followed 2,173 older Australians for five and 10 years in two phases. They found that maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) of less than 25, combined with a healthy diet, reduced the risk of developing cataracts.

Eat a Better Diet to Improve Gut Bacteria

A. Schaeffer-Pautz, MD

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Reduce Blood Pressure and Heart Attacks With Better Gut Bacteria

New research offers potential paths for treatment for the nearly 20 percent of patients with high blood pressure that don’t respond well to medications. University of Florida College of Medicine researchers, testing 105 volunteers, found that the populations of gut bacteria differed between hypertensive individuals with depression and those without depression. A second study by Italian researchers found that patients with heart attacks had different bacteria in their guts than patients with stable angina.

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A. Schaeffer-Pautz, MD

be in balance for ultimate well-being leads to personalized treatments that examine and help each individual to achieve their level of optimum health. This insightful approach often offers relief to patients who have exhausted their traditional western medical options and are seeking help in alternate methods. Patients may also undergo extensive counseling to facilitate profound lifestyle changes and new ways of looking at things. They receive individualized nutritional guidelines in the hopes of facilitating improved health and releasing what needs to be transitioned. The philosophy “you are what you eat” has never been as true as in today’s quick meal society, and few know the effects of dietary choices better than Dr. Pautz. Providing your body with the fuel and tools necessary for its well-being is the first building block toward total health and healing. Combining her knowledge of medicine and nutrition, she targets habits that contribute to particular disorders and advises her patients in their diets to strengthen their immune systems and help their bodies stay strong. In treating her patients, Dr. Pautz has noticed that their nutritional habits have stemmed from a lack of knowledge about how to prepare healthful dishes. After encountering this need for education, she developed classes in the past that were focused on nutritional cooking, emphasizing the use of whole grains, tons of herbs, fresh fruits and vegetables. With a healthy diet as a base to grow from, therapies then perform better as the body becomes more receptive, receiving the aid the therapies provide. Dr. Pautz can easily suggest recipes in-session with wholesome foods that might be a first step in implementation.

Combining Traditional, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine for Well-Being and Balance

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n the east coast of Florida, just a few blocks from the ocean, sits one of the South’s few anthroposophically oriented medical practices. The Persephone Healing Arts Center, in Jacksonville Beach, has a wonderful, natural atmosphere enhanced by the spirit and focus of A. Schaeffer-Pautz, MD. Brought up in a Waldorf school environment, Dr. Pautz is double board certified in both integrative and internal medicine and combines the best of both worlds in her treatment of patients. Her goal is to help her patients achieve their highest level of well-being and balance, using natural approaches whenever possible. This philosophy is evident from the first view of the center: a cozy waiting room looks out onto a lovely garden area where patients can relax in the sun or rest in a spot of shade beneath the trees. Care here is particularly unique—first visits can be two or more hours of one-on-one time with the physician. Dr. Pautz takes time to learn all she can about a patient’s physical, mental and emotional well-being and then fuses her knowledge of traditional, integrative and anthroposophic medicine (a philosophy that embraces physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the human being) to provide individual recommendations designed to work on the root of the problem. Her treatments are focused on lifestyle changes, counseling and nutrition, and this focus helps her patients not only deal with their health issues, but also maintain their higher level of wellness once the immediate problem is dealt with. Dr. Pautz’s technique has particularly helped those with chronic disorders and diseases such as depression, autism, cancer and any other internal medical disease. Her conviction that all facets of the person must A. Schaeffer-Pautz, MD

December 2019 9

Another unique remedy at Dr. Pautz’s disposal is therapeutic eurythmy, an expressive form of movement therapy. Based on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, eurythmy uses movements to express sounds and music. One of the few medical doctors to be certified in eurythmy, Dr. Pautz uses this approach to supplement the treatment of a variety of physical, medical and emotional ailments. Somewhat like its Asian counterparts, tai chi and yoga, eurythmy helps a person connect to and experience the nontangible realities of spirit and energy that are essential for all souls. Dr. Pautz’s varied background and extensive training provide her with myriad treatment choices to draw from in her practice. Whether addressing cancer, diabetes, asthma, common cold, multiples sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ALS or any other illness, her treatments are personalized, insightful and far-reaching. By balancing Western and integrative medicine and avoiding chemical drugs whenever possible, Dr. Pautz provides each patient with the opportunity for a road map to longlasting, deep-seated health changes through nutritional and lifestyle advice, naturopathy, homeopathy, counseling, anthroposophic medicine, and art and movement therapy.

Persephone Healing Arts Center is located at 485 6th Ave. N., in Jacksonville Beach. To learn more, call 904-246-3583, visit DrPautz.com or join them for one of their monthly open houses. Join them on Facebook. See ad on the back cover.

Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts. ~Paramahansa Yogananda

Researchers followed more than 36,000 Japanese men older than 40 for an average of 13.2 years. They found that those that consumed culinary mushrooms three times a week had a 17 percent lower chance of developing prostate cancer compared to those that ate mushrooms less than once a week. Participants that ate mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8 percent lower risk. The trend was even greater for those men over the age of 50 and was unrelated to other dietary habits.

health briefs

December 2019

Train Students in Mindfulness to Reduce Stress and Improve Grades

NAJax.com

Eat Mushrooms to Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer

Sixth-graders that received mindfulness training each day for eight weeks experienced lower stress levels, less depression and improved academic performance compared to their peers in a control group that studied computer coding, report Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers. In addition to that 100-student study, researchers surveyed 2,000 students in grades five through eight and found those that showed more mindfulness tended to have better grades and test scores. They also had fewer absences and suspensions.

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A. Schaeffer-Pautz, MD Combining Traditional, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine for Well-Being and Balance n the east coast of Florida, just a few blocks from the ocean, sits one of the South’s few anthroposophically oriented medical practices. The Persephone Healing Arts Center, in Jacksonville Beach, has a wonderful, natural atmosphere enhanced by the spirit and focus of A. Schaeffer-Pautz, MD. Brought up in a Waldorf school environment, Dr. Pautz is double board certified in both integrative and internal medicine and combines the best of both worlds in her treatment of patients. Her goal is to help her patients achieve their highest level of well-being and balance, using natural approaches whenever possible. This philosophy is evident from the first view of the center: a cozy waiting room looks out onto a lovely garden area where patients can relax in the sun or rest in a spot of shade beneath the trees. Care here is particularly unique—first visits can be two or more hours of one-on-one time with the physician. Dr. Pautz takes time to learn all she can about a patient’s physical, mental and emotional well-being and then fuses her knowledge of traditional, integrative and anthroposophic medicine (a philosophy that embraces physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the human being) to provide individual recommendations designed to work on the root of the problem. Her treatments are focused on lifestyle changes, counseling and nutrition, and this focus helps her patients not only deal with their health issues, but also maintain their higher level of wellness once the immediate problem is dealt with. Dr. Pautz’s technique has particularly helped those with chronic disorders and diseases such as depression, autism, cancer and any other internal medical disease. Her conviction that all facets of the person must

Jacksonville / St. Augustine

Train Students in Mindfulness to Reduce Stress and Improve Grades

community spotlight

Maintain a Healthy Diet and Weight to Lower Cataract Risk

A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition used adherence to dietary guidelines and total diet scores to assess the effects of diet on cataract risk. The researchers followed 2,173 older Australians for five and 10 years in two phases. They found that maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) of less than 25, combined with a healthy diet, reduced the risk of developing cataracts.

Researchers at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center tested stool samples of 858 men and 877 women in Los Angeles and Hawaii with a mean age of 69—regarded as an ethnically diverse study population with varied food intakes. The study found that those with higher quality diets also had significantly better gut bacteria diversity, a factor linked to reduced risk for a variety of diseases. Diet quality and a reduced risk of developing chronic disease is strongly associated with fecal microbial diversity.

Reduce Blood Pressure and Heart Attacks With Better Gut Bacteria

Eat a Better Diet to Improve Gut Bacteria

Phosphorus: Useful for nosebleeds, especially after blowing the nose.

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Symphytum officinalis: Made from comfrey, also known as “bone knit”, it helps recovery from a broken bone or damaged cartilage and connective tissue.

Bryonia alba

Apis mellifica: Helpful for insect bites which are red, hot and swollen, like a bee sting.

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Aconitum napellus: Known as Aconite, it is useful immediately after an injury when there is a shock or fright, such as a fall or a car accident. Also helpful to fight off a cold after being exposed to a chill.

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When taken at the first sign of a cold or flu, specially combined homeopathic formulas or single remedies can help to lessen severity and duration of certain viruses. Bryonia alba is useful for moderate fever, Gelsemium for general flu-like symptoms, Nux vomica for severe chills and nausea, and Arsenicum album for respiratory and stomach flus. Homeopathic remedies, like all medications, should be properly stored and kept away from children and pets. Also, not all products labeled as homeopathic may be pure. Some products add homeopathic remedies to other ingredients that are not safe; for example, Arnica gel may have alcohol, preservatives and stabilizers, and be harmful if swallowed. While homeopathy offers many benefits, Birch clarifies that it is not designed to be a quick fix and is best approached from a broader view or “a philosophy that shapes your day-to-day life. When you understand these things, once you have the right remedy, it produces instantaneous results.”

ECKANKAR?

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Hypericum perforatum

Curious about

Suggestions from Myra Nissen

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Fighting the Flu

Homeopathic First-Aid Kit

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responses respond well to Apis mellifica and fevers and headaches to Belladonna. Using Cantharis or Urtica urens for firstand second-degree burns can help to prevent blisters and minimize pain, while Silicea is a good choice for splinters. In general, for all acute cases and injuries, remedies are often taken every hour and tapered down to every four hours upon signs of improvement or lessening of intensity. If results are not seen within two days, it is best to discontinue the remedy.

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wise words

Devaki Lindsey Berkson on Bioidentical Hormones for Long-Term Health by Linda Sechrist

ormone scholar Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson, a nutrition and gut expert as well as a continuing education professor for medical doctors and pharmacists, frequently lectures at conferences to clarify misinformation about hormones, such as the difference between synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and plant-based bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT). This peer-reviewed, published researcher is the bestselling author of Safe Hormones Smart Women and Sexy Brain: How Sizzling Intimacy & Balanced Hormones Prevent Alzheimer’s, Cancer, Depression & Divorce and a breast cancer survivor of 26 years.

Why do you refer to hormones as nature’s physiologic internet system?

Hormones send invaluable “email” signals to cells throughout the entire body and brain.

What is the difference between HRT and BHT?

Synthetic hormones are altered by pharmaceutical companies to make them profitable. Bioidentical hormones are like 20

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those made by the body and designed by Mother Nature. I advise tracking hormone levels every decade throughout life to determine which levels help an individual feel their best. Unfortunately, doctors are still being taught that hormones are mainly important for reproductive or sexy things, addressing issues like peri- or postmenopause, andropause, erectile dysfunction or disease.

How did the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) affect the use of hormones?

Up until 2002, when WHI prematurely stopped one of its hormone study groups which was prescribed a combination of Premarin plus synthetic progesterone, estrogen therapies were the recommended standard of care for menopausal women and the biggest-selling pharmaceuticals in history. Medical journals, research institutions and expert cancer doctors accepted that estrogen was safe and did not increase the risk of breast cancer. Carried out by the U.S. National Institutes of Health from 2002 to 2008, WHI conducted a series of 40 group studies following the health of 161,809

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postmenopausal women. Studies covered various aspects of aging women’s health from diet, bone health and nutrients to heart health and the risk of hormonedriven cancers, as well as two randomized trials on hormone therapies. The resulting claims that the HRT combo of Premarin plus synthetic progestin significantly increased the risks of breast cancer, cardiac events, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke alarmed the public and huge numbers of U.S. doctors stopped prescribing hormones.

What has changed?

By 2004, re-analysis of the combo study demonstrated opposite findings, and a 19year follow-up WHI analysis revealed that estrogen protects against breast cancer while on it and even 10 years after, while progestins do the opposite. Dr. Leon Speroff, professor at the University of Oregon and the physician who authored Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, twice concluded after reviewing every statistical nuance of the WHI, “There continues to be good reason to believe that there are benefits associated with treatment, including improvement of quality of life beyond the relief of hot flushes, maximal protection against osteoporotic fractures, a reduction in colorectal cancers, maintenance of skin elasticity and the possibility of primary prevention of coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s.” Although new science clearly showed that hormones rule body and brain health and are critical for staying healthy,

fighting illness long-term rather than short-term and lowering mortality timing by preventing heart attacks and strokes, CEOs of Big Pharma companies that provided the synthetic hormones used in the WHI trials continued to fight hard against BHT formulated by compounding pharmacists. Now these very same CEOs have released a BHT combination of estradiol and progesterone and are writing in peer review studies about how much better and safer it is. Big Pharma intends be the sole source of supply. They plan to do that by eliminating their competition: compounding pharmacies.

What is your experience with compounding pharmacists? The FDA purports that compounding pharmacies are dangerous, unregulated and use items that are too complicated to compound. Not true. Compounding pharmacists are skilled professionals at mixing bioidentical hormones to a doctor’s prescription. I’ve successfully been using compounding pharmacies for more than 30 years. A compounding pharmacist should be part of the health team when natural, bioidentical hormones are prescribed. Their knowledge can provide a wealth of experience for doctor and the patient. Furthermore, they provide an invaluable service at manufacturing a safe product that is unique for a particular patient. Hormones are so critical that even if you’re prescribed HRT, it’s better than losing out for decades on the hormone signals that keep your body younger and less inflamed. To be without healthy hormone signals is an aging and pro-inflammatory process to the body. In other words, get hormones any way you can. While synthetic is better than nothing, bioidentical trumps synthetic.

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DrLindseyBerkson.com offers a podcast archive, blog, newsletter and membership opportunities that include live, monthly, Zoom conversations. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. May 2021

healthy kids

Holistic Approaches to a Healthy Pregnancy by Julie Peterson

uring her first pregnancy, Sarah Wallace, a former registered nurse in Atlanta, was chronically anemic. “I was so tired I would fall asleep while I was eating dinner,” she says. That pregnancy resulted in a baby with a low birth weight. Fortunately, Wallace learned more about nutrition and wellness. Her now 4-year-old has caught up to the growth charts and is thriving, and her next pregnancy went smoothly. No matter how pregnancy is counted—280 days, 40 weeks or three trimesters—mama and baby share blood, nutrition and air for the duration. “Taking a holistic path before and during pregnancy is about embracing the nature of our bodies and committing to maintaining all aspects of wellness during this journey,” says Nancy Peplinsky, founder of the Holistic Moms Network, based in Caldwell, New Jersey.

Nutrition for Two

The right foods nourish the growing baby, the placenta and the mother’s increasing blood volume, maintaining the mother’s body during the complex mission. Whole foods rather than processed are best. The Whole 9 Months: A Week-By-Week Pregnancy Nutrition Guide with Recipes for a Healthy Start, by integrative obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) Jennifer Lang and dietitian Dana Angelo White, makes it easier to select the proper nutrients along the way and provides ways to deal with nausea and cravings. Choose organic foods when possible to reduce exposures to pesticides. If organic isn’t an option for every food, The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, from the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org), can be downloaded and taken to the market. Either avoid foods on the “Dirty Dozen” list or go organic for those items. A high-quality prenatal vitamin fills nutrition gaps. Wallace saw a difference between her first and second pregnancy 22

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Natural Mama

by switching brands. “The first time, I took generic prenatal vitamins. With the second pregnancy, I found whole-food supplements. I never got that exhaustion, and my second baby was a healthy weight,” she says. “Research has shown that healthy nutrition during pregnancy improves outcomes for mom and baby, while unhealthy food choices can lead to premature childbirth, high-risk pregnancies and poor developmental outcomes in children,” says Peplinsky. In addition to clean food, it’s important to reevaluate body care products and household cleaners for toxicity. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has linked personal care and cleaning product ingredients to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive disorders, neurotoxicity and cancer.

Options such as stretching, walking and prenatal yoga can be soothing for mom and baby. Burgess also advocates prenatal belly dancing to raise the heart rate “while bonding with your baby and relishing your beautiful pregnant form.” Peplinsky notes, “A holistic approach to pregnancy also embraces integrative therapies such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture and chiropractic, which may assist in reducing stress, minimizing physical discomfort and joint pain, while improving overall life quality for mom and baby.”

Support Along the Way

A healthy pregnancy includes assistance. In the U.S., most women choose an OB-GYN, with just over 9 percent of 2017 births incorporating a midwife to support the mother before, during and sometimes after birth. A midwife is medically trained and, depending on state law, may offer gynecological examinations, birth control counseling and prescriptions. On her own or as an assistant to a doctor, she coaches the mother during labor and assists with the delivery, which may be in a home, birthing center or hospital. The American College of Nurse-Midwives, in Silver Spring, Maryland, offers a midwife locator.

Body Love

Kristen Burgess, in Fife Lake, Michigan, creator of the website NaturalBirthAnd BabyCare.com, teaches classes for momsto-be. “[Exercise] helps your blood volume increase, brings plenty of oxygen to your baby, increases your stamina and endurance for labor (which is an athletic event), and perhaps best of all, keeps you feeling great,” she writes in her blog.

Another option is engaging a doula that focuses on emotional support for mom, her partner and the family during pregnancy and birth. During labor, she may offer massage, encouragement and breathing coaching. While doulas only provide non-medical care, they can offer evidence-based resources to inform decision-making. There is a database to find one at DoulaMatch.net. There are also books and apps to provide week-to-week details on pregnancy. Genevieve Howland, a childbirth educator in Destin, Florida, and author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth, offers a weekly article at MamaNatural.com about what’s going on with the developing baby and mother. “Being a holistic mom is about connecting the mind, body and spirit, and approaching wellness with all three in mind,” adds Peplinsky. “The more we listen to our instincts and our needs, the more our health improves during childbearing and afterwards.” Julie Peterson writes about health and wellness. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@ gmail.com.

Pregnancy Apps Tracking exercise, nutrition, baby bump images, the joys of the journey and the baby’s development are available options in a variety of apps. There are even apps for dads. cottonbro/Pexels.com

Ovia has many features that expand based on the data entered. It answers questions about food safety and medications, and even has a community feature to connect with other moms. Hello Belly offers practical tips and a good dose of silliness with pregnancy jokes and memes. There are also yoga videos. Glow Nurture can be customized, has community spaces, symptom trackers, reminders for appointments and a boatload of articles.

katie/Pexels.com

Expectful Pregnancy gives reminders to focus on joy by taking a moment to breathe or meditate. With guided sessions for pregnancy, moms-to-be can put regular meditation practices in place. Sprout Pregnancy has a pregnancy timeline, weight tracker and journal. The 3-D images showing development of the baby are really cool, as well. Who’s Your Daddy gives Dad a to-do list, weekly updates, a development timeline, suggestions for taking care of Mom and helps him pick baby names. May 2021

conscious eating

Baby Bites Healthy Homemade Food for Tiny Tummies

or the first year of a baby’s life, breast milk and formula are the main sources of nutrition, but as early as 4 to 6 months, a little one may be suited to try solid foods. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, when a baby consistently holds their head up, has started to sit upright, has doubled their birth weight to a minimum of 13 pounds and exhibits an interest in food, they are ready. Anjali Shah, a board-certified health coach and author of The Super Easy Baby Food Cookbook, is a proponent of homemade purées and soft finger foods. “A store-bought sweet potato pouch can cost $2.50, whereas one sweet potato is under a dollar, and you can get multiple meals out of it,” says Shah. “So, budget-wise, it’s a lot cheaper. It’s also healthier because you can control what’s in your baby food.” The process is easy. “If you have a spoon and a fork, that’s a pretty good start, and if you have a blender, that’s really all you need,” says Amy Palanjian, author of Busy Little Hands: Food Play! and blogger at YummyToddlerFood.com. A very basic technique, which both she and Shah employ, involves boiling or steaming vegetables and fruits, puréeing them with a fork or blender to the desired smoothness and freezing one-ounce portions in ice cube trays. Once frozen, the cubes can be popped out, kept in labeled freezer bags and thawed to serve. They recommend a progression from thin, smooth purées to chunkier blends, and from very mild, single foods to progressively more adventuresome and complex flavors and textures. “Start with a really mild fruit like avocado or a really mild vegetable like carrots, green beans or sweet potato,” Shah advises. “Introduce one food every two or three days to make sure your baby is not allergic and that it suits their digestive system.” In addition to purées, parents can offer their babies small-cut, softened versions of foods that they can hold in their hands and gnaw, a technique called baby-led weaning. “Your baby will pick it up with their fists, stick it in their mouth and drool all over it and gum it up. It teaches them to chew very early on,” Shah explains. “Kids need healthy fats for proper brain development,” Palanjian says, suggesting a splash of olive oil in a broccoli purée or a dab of peanut butter in oatmeal. She also favors healthy proteins like a purée made with hard-boiled egg yolk slathered on a piece of toast or a well-blended bit of salmon. 24

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“At 7 or 8 months, you can add lentils, beans and grains, and around 9 or 10 months you can start introducing mild spices—cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, turmeric, cumin, coriander. For example, if you’re going to make a lentil soup for yourself, you could add a few fresh, aromatic herbs like rosemary, oregano or thyme, and then for your baby, you can mash up that same lentil soup and serve it to them. The key is to avoid the hot spices like black pepper, cayenne or chili powder,” Shah says, noting that salt should be avoided in the first year because a baby’s kidneys cannot handle it. Added sugar is also a big no-no in her book. “The best way to feel like you’re feeding your baby safe food is to serve a variety of foods over the course of a week,” Palanjian says. “But most of all, learn to enjoy this phase of your baby’s life. It can be a fun milestone. Let them explore. Trust them if they turn their face, close their mouth or push the spoon away. There’s no reason you need to force another bite. Let them show you and be in charge of what goes into their mouth. That can be a great way to set the foundation for intuitive eating. We want them as adults to be able to say when they’re hungry and when they’re full, and we often have the tendency to try to override that in our kids. So, if you let that develop as it very clearly does and is present from birth, that can be a great thing to do with little ones.” Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

alice/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

Easy DIY Baby Food Recipes

Coming Next Month

Baby Blueberry Smoothie

Put all of the ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer until soft. Once soft, purée in a blender, adding additional water if needed for a thinner purée. Transfer to ice cube trays and freeze for up to four months.

Integrative Approaches to Men’s Health

Baby Superfood Purée 16 oz fresh or frozen broccoli 16 oz fresh or frozen cauliflower 4 cups baby spinach ¼ to ½ cup water

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Plus: Treating Depression Naturally Travel for the Planet Tips for Eating Vegan on Vacation

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386-736-3838

Recipes courtesy of Anjali Shah. For more information, visit PickyEaterBlog.com.

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1 cup frozen wild blueberries 1 pear, cored ½ banana, peeled 1 cup baby spinach ¼ to ½ cup water

eiliv sonas aceron/Unsplash.com

JUNE

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. May 2021

natural pet

CURBING CANCER in Cats Ways to Keep a Feline Healthy by Julie Peterson

Diagnosis and Staging

Cats instinctively hide pain, so it’s up to pet parents to detect unusual behaviors or symptoms. Karen Shaw Becker, a holistic veterinarian in Chicago who writes Mercola Healthy Pets, recommends that unusual bumps, sores that won’t heal, weight loss, offensive smell, low energy and difficulty eating indicate the need for evaluation by a veterinarian to rule out cancer. If cancer is diagnosed, a referral to a veterinary oncologist is likely. Pet owners can also search for one at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (ahvma.org). Blood work, biopsies or aspirates, imaging and a thorough exam may be needed to determine the extent of the cancer and any possible complications. These tests help ensure treatment is appropriate, tolerable and humane.

Treatment Options

Treatments vary based on the type, site and stage of cancer, the age and wellness of the cat and what is available and accessible to the owner. Traditional remedies may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. While not without side effects, cats tolerate these methods relatively well. 26

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image courtesy of The Basket Cat iz phil/Unsplash.com

he absence of one back leg isn’t slowing down 13-yearold Cougar the cat. In fact, she is doing better than before, as that limb once had a painful tumor. Alyssa Baker Herbst, co-founder of the Autumn Farm Sanctuary, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, was told that, even with chemotherapy, Cougar might only live three more months. Herbst sought out a veterinary oncologist at University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care for another opinion. Amputation was recommended and done in December 2020. Cancer isn’t uncommon in cats; the Animal Cancer Foundation, in Port Washington, New York, states that one in five cats will be diagnosed at some point. This equates to approximately 6 million cats being newly diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the Comparative Oncology Program of the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

Holistic therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, supplements and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine may also be used. “Herbal therapies can be used with traditional cancer treatment to relieve side effects and to improve outcomes,” says veterinary oncologist Amanda Beck, at the University Veterinary Hospital, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Clinical trials are another option. The Veterinary Cancer Society, in Columbia, Missouri, provides information on current research trials that “may involve novel diagnostic methods or therapies including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical procedures, hypo- or hyperthermia, immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy, among others.” While these trials may offer hope, each has very specific qualifications for participation and they may not be free. Herbst did her own research after seeing the 2019 documentary Fantastic Fungi and learning about cancer patients using turkey tail mushrooms. “We found that dogs taking those mushrooms were living four times as long as dogs that got chemo,” she says. “We wondered if we could use that for Cougar.” Their veterinarian ensured they wouldn’t be harmful and determined an appropriate dosage. Unfortunately, some feline cancers are extremely aggressive. It started in Doris Gassen’s cat, Meadow, with a few small bumps under the skin that quickly grew and multiplied. “About six days after they first appeared, they were open and draining,”

says Gassen, in Madison, Wisconsin. The diagnosis of cutaneous lymphoma was made and palliative care was implemented. Meadow crossed the rainbow bridge within a few weeks.

Preventive Measures

Keeping cats at a healthy weight, giving them plenty of exercise opportunities and keeping them indoors more or entirely can all help reduce the risk of cancer. The feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, which can lead to cancer, are usually contracted from feral cats outdoors. Genetically modified organism (GMO) ingredients such as corn, soy, alfalfa and cottonseed in pet foods are also culprits, because they can contain high concentrations of glyphosates. The World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer declared glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, to be a probable human carcinogen, and research indicates that it does cause cancer in animals. “Many experts who have studied animal dietary patterns in the wild agree that a whole-food diet composed of mostly meats, organs and bones, supplemented to a much lesser extent with vegetables, is the way to go for both cats and dogs,” says Ty Bollinger, the San Antonio-based author of The Truth About Cancer. Keeping cats healthy throughout life with routine wellness care helps strengthen them against any illness or injury. And while quality of life for pets may be paramount, Cougar seems to be going for quantity, as well. “Clinically, Cougar is doing fantastic. She just can’t jump as high as she used to,” says Herbst. “She’s back to bullying the other three cats and hanging out with the dog. She’s feisty.”

iz phil/Unsplash.com

Julie Peterson writes about health, wellness and environmental issues. Find her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

May 2021

calendar of events

consciously shifting your mind and mental space in order to achieve an expanded state of consciousness. Through channeling you can receive personal guidance and messages for your highest purpose and spiritual growth. $40. Hosted at Holistic House of Holly Hill, 1126 Riverside Dr. Info: Rev.Judi. Weaver@gmail.com or 386-503-4930.

To submit calendar listings, or for more information about submission requirements, please email Publisher@NAJax.com.

Reiki III Class – 10am-5pm. Master/Instructors with Brian Dean. Prerequisite: Caring Palms Reiki I & II. Healing self and others. 6 CEUs for Florida massage therapists. Space is limited. Hosted by Caring Palms Healing Arts. $150 with $75 deposit required at registration. Register: 904-246-2206 or Brian@caringpalms.com or CaringPalms.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 1

TUESDAY, MAY 4

Reiki I Class – 10am-5pm. With Brian Dean. Healing self and others. 6 CEUs for Florida massage therapists. Space is limited. Hosted by Caring Palms Healing Arts. $150 with $75 deposit required at registration. Register: 904-246-2206 or Brian@ caringpalms.com or CaringPalms.com.

Twin Hearts Meditation – 6-7pm. Developed by Master Choa Kok Sui, this advanced meditation technique is aimed at achieving illumination of universal consciousness. This is a free service by instructor Falli Shah, to bring more positive awareness and harmony to the community. Mask required. Free. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686. Register: Seventh-Wonder.com/events.

Differentiating Thoughts from Spirit Communication – 3-5:30pm. Online class. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. $3. ifsk.org. 407-247-7823. Talking Stick Circle – 5pm. Join for a Native American gathering to share ancient teachings as channeled from our Elders. We will follow the tradition of cleansing and synchronize our souls through the sacred practice of drumming. Bring your instruments, family, friends; children are always welcome. Andrew Jackson Davis Bld, 1112 Stevens St, Cassadaga. Info: Rev.Judi.Weaver@gmail.com or 386-503-4930.

SUNDAY, MAY 2 Pranayama and Meditation – 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. Class limited to eight people. The class will be held outside if weather permits. Bring your own mat and accessories. Mask required. $15. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. Register: 904-381-8686 or Seventh-Wonder.com/events. Unity Church for Creative Living Sunday Service – 10:30am. Join on Facebook Live to travel the journey of spiritual unfoldment together. Or subscribe to the YouTube Channel. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com. Yoga Nidra – 11:15am-12:15pm. Guided meditation with Elizabeth Henrichson. Nidra is a Sanskrit term for sleep. In yoga it is a meditation practice that induces a state of deep, but conscious relaxation. The goal is to achieve a state of samadhi (intense concentration), enlightenment, or bliss. Held outside if weather permits. Bring your own mat and accessories. Mask required. $15. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. Register: 904-381-8686 or Seventh-Wonder.com/events.

Jacksonville / St. Augustine

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 Spiritual Enrichment Classes – 7pm. Visit the website for class information. All classes are conducted via Zoom. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 7 Awakening to a New Understanding of You – 4pm. Via Zoom. Everyone can feel that changes are happening but understanding what that means for you is the real question. What am I feeling? What am I seeing? What am I hearing? How do I know that? Join to share what each of us have been receiving from the Universe! As a tribe we will support one another through this auspicious time. Receive Trance Channel guidance from Universal Light Beings for the group and plus a mini-reading for personal guidance. $20. Register: SpiritualServices.online/.

SATURDAY, MAY 8 Kundalini Yoga – 8:30-9:30am. With Ashley Ireland. Yoga of awareness awakens your full potential through stimulating Kundalini energy, dormant at the base of your spine, causing the energy to rise up through the energy centers, or chakras, of the body. Build physical vitality and increase consciousness. Suitable for all ages and stages. Mask required. $15. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686. Register: SeventhWonder.com/events. Truth Beyond is Found Within – 9am. Join Spiritual Trance Channel, Rev. Weaver for this unique and highly evolved workshop of tapping into your conscious mind to learn basic tips and tools for independent Channeling. Channeling involves

NAJax.com

SUNDAY, MAY 9 Unity Church for Creative Living Sunday Service – 10:30am. Join on Facebook Live to travel the journey of spiritual unfoldment together. Or subscribe to the YouTube Channel. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails – 6:45pm. How do we become toxic? What is real beauty? What should I be eating for better skin? Come learn the answers! Health by Design, 2002 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville. 904-363-3374. HealthByDesignfl.com. Spiritual Enrichment Classes – 7pm. Visit the website for class information. All classes are conducted via Zoom. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 13 Thermography – Florida Medical Thermography will be on location and available for thermogram appointments. Register/prepay: 727-729-2711. Health by Design, 2002 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville. 904363-3374. HealthByDesignfl.com. Transcendental Meditation Introductory Talk – Noon. By videoconference. All the information you need to make an informed decision about learning this highly effective technique for reducing stress and improving health. Free. Register: 904-375-9517 or Jacksonville@TM.org for connection information by email or text.

SATURDAY, MAY 15 Gala Days in Cassadaga – 10am-4pm. Gala Days have returned to Cassadaga. Join for mini-readings and receive messages and guidance from the God Source, Masters, Angels, and Universal Light Beings for your highest intention. Mini-readings for $30. Tent at Tom Berkner Bld, Cassadaga. Info: 386-503-4930. Rev.Judi.Weaver@gmail.com or SpiritualServices.online. Differentiating Thoughts from Spirit Communication – 3-5:30pm. Online class. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. $36. ifsk.org. 407-247-7823.

SUNDAY MAY 16

SATURDAY, MAY 29

Unity Church for Creative Living Sunday Service – 10:30am. Join on Facebook Live to travel the journey of spiritual unfoldment together. Or subscribe to the YouTube Channel. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com.

Drum Circle – 6-8pm. With Julianne Battaglia. Get your groove on and drum to the energy of the moon! Share in the joy of expressing yourself through music and dance. Receive instructions on different drumming styles to practice. There will be time for group jam at the end. Bring your own percussion instrument recommended; extra instruments available share. $15. This event is in partnership with the Cosmic Church of Truth. Register: Seventh-Wonder.com/events/

TUESDAY, MAY 18 Stretches for Stress Relief – 12:30pm. By relieving muscle tension, stretching allows your muscles to let go of where you’re carrying stress, to promote relaxation and sleep better. Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat. Health by Design, 2002 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville. 904363-3374. HealthByDesignfl.com. Twin Hearts Meditation – 6-7pm. Developed by Master Choa Kok Sui, this advanced meditation technique is aimed at achieving illumination of universal consciousness. This is a free service by instructor Falli Shah, to bring more positive awareness and harmony to the community. Mask required. Free. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686. Register: Seventh-Wonder.com/events.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 Spiritual Enrichment Classes – 7pm. Visit the website for class information. All classes are conducted via Zoom. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 20 Live Blood Analysis – Analysis of your live blood cells under a microscope can be used to determine a number of dietary needs including cholesterol, toxins, free radical damage, the presence of yeast, immune function, inflammation and more! Schedule with Charlotte: 904-206-0527. Health by Design, 2002 Southside Blvd. Jacksonville. 904-363-3374. HealthByDesignfl.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 22 Kundalini Yoga – 8:30-9:30am. With Ashley Ireland. Yoga of awareness awakens your full potential through stimulating Kundalini energy, dormant at the base of your spine, causing the energy to rise up through the energy centers, or chakras, of the body. Build physical vitality and increase consciousness. Suitable for all ages and stages. Mask required. $15. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St Johns Ave, Jacksonville. 904-381-8686. Register: SeventhWonder.com/events. Transcendental Meditation Introductory Talk – 1pm. All the information you need to make an informed decision about learning this highly effective technique for reducing stress and improving health. Free. Postell Market, Casino Bldg, 530 Beachview Dr (by Neptune Park) Rm 112, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. Register: 904-375-9517. Info: Jacksonville@TM.org

SUNDAY, MAY 30 SUNDAY, MAY 23 Unity Church for Creative Living Sunday Service – 10:30am. Join on Facebook Live to travel the journey of spiritual unfoldment together. Or subscribe to the YouTube Channel. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com. Heart 4 Souls Spiritual Guidance – 2pm. A virtual monthly event on the 4th Sunday. Guests receive an overall group message from the heart, followed by a live channeling session where Universal Light Beings provide guidance and answer questions for spiritual wisdom and support you with the expansion of your soul. Universal Light Beings may be messages from the God Source, Great Spirit, Arch Angels, Masters, Spirit Guides, Lemurian’s, etc. Free on Facebook Live virtual gathering on Heart4Souls. Info: 386-503-4930. Rev.Judi.Weaver@ gmail.com or SpiritualServices.online. Indian Cooking Class – 4-6pm. Join spa owner Falli Shah and her husband Sunny Shah for a vegan, Indian cooking class. This delicious event includes Pulao, Raita Sauce, Rotti, and Papadum, freshly prepared in front of you on an outdoor deck overlooking the garden. Mask required. $45. Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa, 4236 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville. Register: Seventh-Wonder.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 Meditation 101 – 7pm. Join Rev. Yvonne McAndrew and Helen Sylvester via Zoom for a five-week course on the basics of meditation. $100. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. Registration required: 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com. Spiritual Enrichment Classes – 7pm. Visit the website for class information. All classes are conducted via Zoom. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 27 Transcendental Meditation Introductory Talk – 6:30pm. By videoconference. All the information you need to make an informed decision about learning this highly effective technique for reducing stress and improving health. Free. Register: 904-375-9517 or Jacksonville@TM.org for connection information by email or text.

plan ahead SATURDAY, JUNE 5 Meet the Angels – 1:30pm. Join for a magical exploration into another world that is all around us! Each of us have a Guardian Angel and angelic helpers that are always around. They may be loved ones who have passed over, Archangels and Masters who are providing assistance, protection, divine intervention and personal messages. Join us to learn tips of how to invite them into your daily life, understanding a language of messages and how to easily follow their guidance for your life. Rev. Judi Weaver is a Spiritual Trace Channel who will alter her state to consciousness to a higher vibration allowing for Angelic Beings to provide specific messages answering many life questions and wisdom for betterment to our health and overall happiness. $30. Andrew Jackson Davis Bld, 1112 Stevens St, Cassadaga. Info: Rev.Judi. Weaver@gmail.com or 386-503-4930. Talking Stick Circle – 5pm. Join for a Native American gathering to share ancient teachings as channeled from our Elders. We will follow the tradition of cleansing and synchronize our souls through the sacred practice of drumming. Bring your instruments, family, friends; children are always welcome. Andrew Jackson Davis Bld, 1112 Stevens St, Cassadaga. Info: Rev.Judi.Weaver@gmail.com or 386-503-4930.

SATURDAY, JUNE 12 Frolic with the Fae – 9am. Nature Spirits include: earth, air, water and fire and within each are living beings: fairies, elves, gnomes, self’s, pixies, sprits, water nymphs, trolls, unicorns, crystal creatures and more. Join for a magical exploration of another world that is all around us! Learn tips and tools to invite them into your life and work with their assistance, followed by a deep meditation and channeled messages by Rev. Judi Weaver, Spiritual Trace Channel. $30. Holistic House of Holly Hill, 1126 Riverside Dr. Register: 386-238-9996. Info: Rev. Judi.Weaver@gmail.com or 386-503-4930.

Read our WEB-EXCLUSIVE CONTENT at NAJax.com! This Month: Eco-Friendly Fashion May 2021

community resource guide

MASSAGE

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.

GROCERY

ACUPUNCTURE NATIVE SUN

A WAY OF LIFE ACUPUNCTURE

1585 3rd St North, Jacksonville Beach 904-853-5497 NativeSunJax.com

4337 Pablo Oaks Ct, Bldg 200, Jacksonville • 904-373-8415 AWayOfLifeAcupuncture.com Dr Christine Yastrzemski, NCCAOM, AP AP2255 Dr Sarah Thomas, DACM, AP AP4183 NCCAOM Board Certified Acupuncture Physician specializing in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. We offer the highest quality of care while customizing treatments that best suit your needs. See ad, page 13.

CBD

J a x B e a c h ’s community organic grocer, local food and essential items. Order online for curbside p/u.

HERBS LAURENCE LAYNE, LMT, HERBALIST Healing Waters Clinic & Herb Shop 26 Clark St, 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 12.

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 15.

JACKSONVILLE HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER Dr Jon Repole, DC, CFMP 9957 Moorings Dr, Ste 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.

Jacksonville / St. Augustine

SEVENTH WONDER HOLISTIC SPA 4236 St John’s Ave, Jacksonville 904-381-8686 • Seventh-Wonder.com

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

HOLISTIC WELLNESS SPA

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 FIRST COAST INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

Megan Weigel, DNP 14215 Spartina Ct, Jacksonville 904-543-3510 FirstCoastIntegrativeMedicine.com

NAJax.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 22.

A WAY OF LIFE ACUPUNCTURE 4337 Pablo Oaks Ct, Bldg 200, Jacksonville • 904-373-8415 AWayOfLifeAcupuncture.com

Licensed professional massage therapists provide Swedish, deep tissue, therapeutic, hot stone and other therapies. Massage can play a huge part in your overall health. MM37388. See ad, page 13.

CARING PALMS HEALING ARTS

Brian Dean, LMT MA36835 MM41272 476 Osceola Ave, Jacksonville Beach 904-246-2206 • CaringPalms.com Professional massage and energy work. Many styles of massage, Reiki, meditation, mediumship, massage & Reiki classes. Continuing education for Florida LMTs. See ad, page 10.

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 27.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD CERTIFIED MEDICAL MARIJUANA DOCTORS

10695 Beach Blvd • 904-299-5300 920 Blanding Blvd, Ste 4 • 904-420-0044 2085 A1A S, St Augustine • 904-299-7373 CMMDR.com Get your medical marijuana card and re-certify by phone. Medical marijuana treats more than 250 medical conditions such as: chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, seizures, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, MS, HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s, IBS, glaucoma, fibromyalgia, lupus and more. Call for PTSD evaluation. See ad, page 21.

METAPHYSICAL STORE SPIRITUAL UPLIFTS

2186 Park Ave, Ste 102, Orange Park 904-292-4555 SpiritualUplifts.com Metaphysical services, including life coaching, spiritual readings, energy work, crystal healings, biomat, aura photography, chakra and astrology reports and more. World-renowned speakers and demonstrations to further your spiritual journey. See ad, page 27.

NUTRITION/KINESIOLOGY HEALTH BY DESIGN

Dr Kristy A Harvell 2002 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville 904-363-3374 • HealthByDesignFL.com 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 15.

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 COACH DELUNA – GIFTS FROM THE BELOVED 941-544-7756 DeLunaCoaching.com Serving North Florida & Virtual

Spiritual mentoring, Reiki, sacred sound with harp, flutes, Tibetan bowls. 1:1, groups and custom downloads. Certified Dream Builder Coach, Universal Life Minister, certified music practitioner. New course “The Illuminated Journey” starting soon.

YOGA

SPIRITUAL CENTERS 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 5.

YOGA DEN

Mandarin | Fleming Island | Southside | Avondale | World Golf Village | San Pablo | Bayard | Crossroads | Oakleaf Yoga-Den.com Founded in 2002, all Yoga Den teachers are graduates of YogaDen’s nationally accredited 200hour 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 2.

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