January 2022 Natural Awakenings Magazine Jacksonville St. Augustine Florida by Jacksonville St. Augustine Natural Awakenings Magazine

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HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

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HEALTH TRENDS FOR 2022

Create a Zen Zone for Kids Plant-Based Coffee Alternatives The Rapid Growth of Hemp The Deep Power of Words January 2022 | Jacksonville / St. Augustine | NAJax.com

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

Contents 10 HEALTH IN

THE NEW YEAR

10 Top Wellness Trends for 2022

13 FINANCIAL STRESS AND OUR HEALTH

14 WHOLE-PERSON FITNESS

Current Trends in Wellness Tools

18 HIGH TIMES FOR THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY

Emerging Trends with a COVID-19 Caveat

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

22 PETER RUSSELL

on the Healing Power of Letting Go

23 WHY WORDS MATTER 24 A BETTER

MORNING JOLT

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 2

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Healthy Coffee Alternatives and Hacks

26 PET-PLEASING FOOD TRENDS

What Dogs and Cats Will Eat This Year

DEPARTMENTS 4 news briefs 6 health briefs 8 global briefs 13 financial wellness 14 fit body 18 healing ways 20 healthy kids

22 wise words 23 inspiration 24 conscious

eating 26 natural pet 28 calendar 30 resource guide

letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

ello and welcome to the new year! Let it be one of health and happiness for you and yours. Make this year one of forward movement as you accomplish your goals. Brian Dean, LMT and reiki master offers suggestions on page 17 for setting intentions and goals to help you achieve and accomplish anything. This month’s edition highlights trends in health, fitness, technology, and personal finance. We’re pleased to announce a partnership with Alive Credit Union and a new monthly section titled financial wellness. Financial stress is one of the most common forms of stress, and Alive Credit Union is unique in their commitment to provide certified financial counseling to all account holders. We know you’ll appreciate learning more about this member-owned, not-forprofit financial cooperative. See the article on page 13. Jacksonville Health and Wellness is hosting a 2022 weight-loss challenge class on January 13. This free event is presented by Dr. Jon Repole, a 20-year holistic, functional practitioner. Learn the secrets to losing weight for good. See the article on page 5. The top wellness trends include the move toward telemedicine and wearable devices to monitor body systems. Have you heard of hormesis? It’s another trend, that introduces low-level stress to the body for a positive outcome, so that your body repairs to a new level. Exposing the body to a hot sauna or cold through cryotherapy, as well as intermittent fasting are forms of hormesis. Trends in plant medicine take center stage, as cannabis goes mainstream. While the legal status of THC is still a questions mark, the hemp plant is expanding beyond cottage clothing companies into areas including automotive and industrial parts and building materials. Bioplastics made from hemp are lighter and more fuel efficient in vehicles. Trend watchers expect the hemp industry to grow so much it will make CBD look like a niche. Did you start the day with a cup of java? More Americans are happily switching to alternatives including chicory, powdered mushrooms and turmeric milk. Learn how to get more health benefits instead of just a morning caffeine jolt in our conscious eating article on page 24. Trends in pet food show a demand for higher quality ingredients that are free of questionable byproducts. Some brands of pet food advertise they’re tested on humans. U.S. pet owners are willing to pay more for foods customized to their pet’s specific needs. Vets suggest owners look for organic and ‘human-grade’ labels when selecting pet food. Learn more in natural pet on page 26. Visit our website for more articles that didn’t make it into the print edition. NaJax.com has an archive of past issues. Be sure to check out our calendar starting on page 28. From our staff to you and your family, we wish you all the best in this new year.

Rebecca Young, Publisher

JACKSONVILLE / ST. AUGUSTINE EDITION

Publisher Rebecca Young Publisher@NAJax.com Writer Erin Floresca

Editor Sara Gurgen Calendar Editor Sara Peterson

Design & Production Melanie Rankin

Graphic Design Josh Halay

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January 2022

news brief

Natural Awakenings Launches Financial Wellness Section

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live Credit Union, with seven locations in the greater Jacksonville area, has partnered with Natural Awakenings of Jacksonville magazine to launch a monthly section focusing on financial wellness. “We felt it important to feature this subject on an ongoing basis in our healthy-living magazine because financial stress is one of the most common forms of stress, and managing that stress can have real health benefits,” says publisher Rebecca Young. Financial security and emotional well-being are intrinsically linked. Being in a less-than-secure financial situation can cause stress, anxiety and contribute to existing mental health issues, impacting emotional well-being—not to mention can lead to major physical health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Spending money can be used as a device to feel better, even for those not in a position to do so. This may result in momentary happiness, but the long-term, more serious impact of low funds or debt can cause a general deterioration in mental health. It’s important to note that one doesn’t have to be wealthy to achieve financial wellness. According to research, beyond a modest point, more money has only a limited effect on happiness. Financial wellness is achieved by having control over one’s dayto-day finances, being able to absorb a financial shock and being on track toward meeting one’s financial goals. “We chose to partner with Alive Credit Union because of their commitment to inspiring financial wellness,” explains Young. “Certified financial coaching is available to all Alive Credit Union members.” Alive Credit Union has been inspiring financial wellness since 1954. As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, their growth is tied directly to their members. They operate under the credit union principle of people helping people, and help families live healthier lives by providing better rates, fewer fees, reduced loan interest and free financial wellness programs. They offer the same financial products and services as banks, but at a much greater value. To learn more about the benefits offered by Alive Credit Union, call 904-296-1292 or visit Alivecu.coop. See article, page 13, and ad, back cover.

event briefs

JHWC to Host Weight-Loss Challenge 2022 Class

oin Dr. Jon Repole, a 20-year experienced holistic functional medicine practitioner, for the Jacksonville Health and Wellness Center’s (JHWC) free Weight-Loss Challenge 2022 class at 6:30 p.m. on January 13. This challenge will provide attendees with some of the secrets to losing those stubborn pounds without fad and yo-yo dieting gimmicks. Too Dr. Jon Repole, DC many diet programs focus on quick weight-loss schemes that sacrifice long-term benefits (reversal of disease and optimal health) for short-term gains (weight loss only). In addition to dietary instructions, additional layers of challenges will be provided to help with stress reduction, hormonal balancing, and exercise initiation. All these strategies can be implemented immediately for sustainability and ease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, three out of four Americans are either obese or overweight. Fat accumulation, especially around our vital organs, is directly related to all-cause mortality, accelerated aging, inflammation and increased toxicity.

Location: 9957 Moorings Dr., Ste. 403, Jacksonville. For more information or to sign up, call 904-268-6568. Also visit DrRepole.com. See ad, page 27.

Meditation Workshop Coming to Spiritual Uplifts

piritual Uplifts, in Orange Park, is holding a meditation workshop from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on January 23 for beginners as well as experts, during which all seven chakras will be activated. This event is perfect for those that are stressed out and in need of some peace or for those that just want to enjoy the many benefits of meditation. There will be a 15-minute break with snacks provided. Attendees may bring pillows and/or blankets if needed. Cost: $35. Location: 2186 Park Ave., Ste. 102. To sign up or for more information, call 904-292-4555. Also visit SpiritualUplifts.com. See ad, page 7.

Spirit Fest Coming to the Schultz Center

pirit Fest: Metaphysical and Holistic Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on January 29 and 30 at the Schultz Center, in Jacksonville. There will be 70 booths with vendors, practitioners, readers, artists, authors and demonstrations. “We’re so excited to be coming back to Jacksonville,” says producer Mary Ellen Popyk, of the Sanctuary for Mind, Body & Spirit. “Our event here last year was an overwhelming success. We have many new things this time. Our special guest is Jim Vieira, from the History Channel, who will be giving special presentations each day. We also have other guests from around the country.” Speakers are scheduled throughout both days on a variety of topics, included with daily admission. Cost: Admission is $12/day or $18/weekend; children 12 and under attend free. Location: 4019 Boulevard Center Dr. For more information, visit SanctuaryFL.com. See ad, page 27.

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health briefs

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

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Use UV Rays and HEPA Filters to Kill COVID-19 Virus

Ultraviolet (UV) light in various forms has been used widely in the last century to disinfect water, air and surfaces, but its use in public spaces is increasingly common since the COVID-19 pandemic. In a new study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, University of Colorado researchers report finding the sweet spot in the UV spectrum that is both extremely effective at killing the virus and also safer for human exposure, allowing airports and entertainment venues to disinfect even when people are 6

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present. The researchers found that while the virus was quite susceptible to UV light in general, a specific wavelength of far-ultraviolet C at 222 nanometers was particularly effective, while remaining safe for human skin and eyes. The highest disinfection rate was from krypton chloride (KrCl) excimers, a low-pressure, mercury-vapor lamp. “Of almost every pathogen we have ever studied, this virus is one of the easiest, by far, to kill with UV light,” says senior author Karl Linden, professor of environmental engineering. Also, researchers at the United Kingdom’s Addenbrooke Hospital, in Cambridge, studied the use of portable high-energy particulate air (HEPA) filters in crowded COVID-19 wards. They found that the relatively inexpensive machines effectively removed COVID-19 particles from the air—the first such evidence in a real-world setting. Researchers noted the HEPA filters also removed detectable amounts of other pathogens that cause infections in hospitals, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes—a surprising finding because these pathogens are not typically considered to be airborne.

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

Try Lavender and Valerian to Ease Heart Fatigue

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Consider Basil to Fend Off Alzheimer’s

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

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Eat More Fiber to Avoid Liver Fat

Try Ear Acupressure for Seasonal Allergies

Saturday • February 19TH • 10AM–2PM World Golf Village Renaissance Daria Rudyk /Unsplash.com

Allergic rhinitis—the sneezing, runny nose and red eyes commonly called hay fever— affects one in 12 American adults and 10 to 30 percent of people worldwide. The usual treatment of antihistamines, decongestants or steroids can come with unwelcome side effects, but a simple alternative approach of ear acupressure may be as effective, suggests a new Chinese study. Researchers analyzed 11 random controlled studies that included 1,094 people with allergies. Small cow soapwort seeds or stainless steel pellets corresponding to Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians were placed with adhesive on their ears for several days. The study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded that ear acupressure reduced allergy symptoms more effectively than an antihistamine, conventional medicine, herbs or regular acupuncture.

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January 2022

Bad Actors

global briefs

Poachers Upsetting Ecological Balance

Approximately 90 percent of the elephants in the present-day Gorongosa National Park, called one of the “last wild places” by National Geographic, were poached for ivory to finance the civil war in Mozambique from 1977 to 1992. Before the conflict, less than one-fifth of females were born without tusks. Now the number is closer to 50 percent. A study published in Science Friday reveals “smoking-gun evidence for genetic changes,” according to University of Victoria (Canada) conservation scientist Chris Darimont. He believes the study helps us understand how humans can have a major influence on evolution. The same phenomenon has also been observed in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya after periods of intense poaching. Although female and male elephants can be born with tusks, tusklessness occurs at around 2 percent in a well-protected population. Study co-author and Princeton evolutionary biologist Robert Pringle thinks the changes are reversible as the population recovers, saying, “There’s such a blizzard of depressing news about biodiversity and humans in the environment, and I think it’s important to emphasize that there are some bright spots in that picture.”

Regulation Needed Plastic is the New Coal

A new report from the advocacy group Beyond Plastics has found that emissions from the plastic industry may be greater than those from coal-fired power plants by 2029. Founder Judith Enck, a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator, says, “Plastic is intimately connected to the climate crisis. Plastic is the new coal.” The report details ways plastic contributes to global warming, beginning with its manu8

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In a paper published in Biological Conservation, researchers from the University of Adelaide and an international team of experts have concluded that illegal global wildlife trade impacts species, ecosystems and society in unsustainable ways. Co-author Dr. Oliver Stringham states, “The trade in wild vertebrates alone is estimated to involve a quarter of terrestrial species, while the trade in ocean life, invertebrates, plants and fungi remains considerably overlooked and poorly documented. As a threat to targeted species, the trade represents one of the five major drivers of biodiversity loss and extinction at global scale.” The incidental effects of wildlife harvesting include disrupted interactions between species and ecosystem structure, altering species composition, functioning and services such as seed dispersal, pollination and carbon storage. Other secondary effects are decreases in eco-tourism and increases in pandemics that originate in wildlife. Co-author and Ph.D. candidate Adam Toomes notes, “A large diversity of species are not protected by international regulation and are traded without any formal documentation process, making it incredibly difficult to evaluate the associated costs and benefits.” Tools available to curb the trade include bans, quotas, protected areas, certification, captive breeding and propagation, education and awareness. facture as petroleum products. Some of the issues are related to fracking, pipelines, toxic chemical byproducts, carcinogenic smoke, atmospheric hydrofluorocarbons and waste disposal on land and sea. The Beyond Plastics report estimates that U.S. production of plastic in 2020 caused about 210 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or the equivalent of 116 medium-sized, coal-fired power plants. Aarthi Ananthanarayanan, senior fellow at the Ocean Conservancy Plastics Initiative, says the report highlights the need for policymakers to better regulate petrochemical producers, saying, “We have to start considering plastics as part of the fossil fuel industry.”

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Tuskless Elephants Adapting to Poaching Scourge

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Never Forget

Bottoms Up

Cloudy Skies

Hello Honey peter waters/AdobeStock.com

Honeybees Dodge Parasites with Social Distancing A study by University College London and the University of Sassari (Italy) published in Science Advances shows that honeybee colonies respond to infestation from harmful mites by varying space and interaction in the hive to increase social distance between the younger and older insects. Co-author Dr. Alessandro Cini says, “Honeybees are a social animal, as they benefit from dividing up responsibilities and interactions such as mutual grooming, but when those social activities can increase the risk of infection, the bees appear to have evolved to balance the risks and benefits by adopting social distancing.” The study assessed the presence of the ectoparasite mite Varroa destructor, which causes harmful effects at the colony level, including virus transmission.

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For more than 20 years, a large part of the tropical North Atlantic Ocean has been warmer than usual, causing more moisture to evaporate and fueling strong hurricanes. The amount of vapor in the atmosphere has increased about 4 percent since the 1990s, and a wetter atmosphere provides extra energy and moisture for storms of all kinds. According to data from the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, midlatitude storms are feeding on the atmosphere’s extra vapor too, creating more precipitation. Although carbon dioxide is the more recognized problem, water vapor is a more impactful greenhouse gas by far because it absorbs a greater amount of the infrared energy radiated off the planet’s surface than other greenhouse gases, thus trapping more heat. A doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations alone would warm the globe approximately one degree Celsius, but feedback loops make the temperature rise twice as much. Even though disappearing sea ice may be dramatic, the extra vapor causes evaporation, which traps heat and creates even more warming, representing the strongest feedback loop in the climate system. We can reduce the effect indirectly by reducing the warming caused by emissions of carbon dioxide and methane, as well as propagating trees that absorb carbon from the air.

A review published in Frontiers in Plant Science outlines the vulnerability of coffee quality to environmental shifts. Researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and Montana State University looked at the effects of 10 prevalent environmental factors and management conditions associated with climate change and adaptation as detailed in 73 published articles to form this analysis. Their findings have implications for farmers’ livelihoods and consumer experiences. Coffee is grown on 12.5 million mostly small farms comprising more than 27 million acres in more than 50 countries. Some of these regions are feeling the impact of climate change, which leads to consequences for coffee’s taste, aroma, nutritional quality, yield and sustainability. Farms at higher altitudes were associated with better coffee flavor and aroma, while too much light exposure correlated with a decrease in overall quality. Coffee quality is also susceptible to changes due to water stress and increased temperatures and carbon dioxide, although more research on these specific factors is needed. Current efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change include shade management to control light exposure, selection and maintenance of climate-resilient wild coffee plants, and pest management, but innovative solutions to support bean growth at all elevations still need to be devised.

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Climate Change Affects Coffee Quality

It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity

Lead author Dr. Michelina Pusceddu says, “Their ability to adapt their social structure and reduce contact between individuals in response to a disease threat allows them to maximize the benefits of social interactions where possible and to minimize the risk of infectious disease when needed. Honeybee colonies provide an ideal model for studying social distancing and for fully understanding the value and effectiveness of this behavior.” January 2022

Health in the New Year 10 Top Wellness Trends for 2022

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by Sandra Yeyati

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

Plant-Based Foods Take Center Stage

The consensus among researchers is that filling our plates with colorful vegetables and fruits improves health and reduces our risk of developing a number of chronic degenerative diseases. “This approach, along with eating less meat and avoiding sugar, is wonderful to control blood sugar, lower uric acid and nurture your microbiome, which is fundamentally important to reduce in10

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flammation, increase your body’s production of antioxidants and vitamins and help maintain the integrity of the gut lining so that you don’t get leaky gut and, therefore, inflammation,” says boardcertified neurologist David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain and four other New York Times bestsellers. Awareness of the devastating effects of industrialized meat production is also accelerating. “Avoiding animal products is probably the first and most important ethical choice one can make,” says Princeton University bioethics professor Peter Singer, author of the seminal Animal Liberation. “That’s going to dramatically lower your carbon footprint. You will no longer be complicit in the suffering of tens of billions of factory-farmed animals, and you won’t be contributing to the increasing risks of viruses being bred in factory farms.”

According to market oxygenation, while diaanalysis firm CB Insights, “Core concepts like being present in the moment or betics and non-diabetics taking in the other person in an empathetic way are alike employ continuous “As COVID-19 spread glucose monitoring systems across the globe, shifting rippling out into so many aspects of life.” to pinpoint how lifestyle consumer behavior and –Leslie Davenport choices like food, exercise virus outbreaks in factories and sleep affect blood sugar levels. “That is not only trending has dealt major blows to the meat supply chain, with the beef now, but will increase quite dramatically as consumers push to industry alone facing an estimated $13.6 billion in losses.” Several learn more about themselves,” Perlmutter predicts. “No longer is U.S. meat processing plants were forced to close their doors. this information going to be siloed in the doctor’s office. People In response, a growing inventory of plant-based alternative are becoming more and more empowered to learn this data about proteins is emerging, offering new products that seek to mimic themselves and act on it.” the experience of eating a juicy hamburger (Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods) or crispy chicken nugget (Simulate). Banza makes high-protein pasta from chickpeas. Retail sales of plantLearning to Improve Genetic Expression based meals in the U.S. have grown by 25.5 percent over the “Our evolving understanding of epigenetics—how we can change past two years, and other manufacturers joining the field are our gene expression—is bringing more people on board to the Plantible Foods, Rebellyous Foods, Livekindly and InnovoPro. idea that our lifestyle choices matter,” Perlmutter says. “When A recent survey found that 36 percent of consumers intend to I went to medical school, we thought our DNA was locked in a increase their consumption of alternative protein sources in the glass case and that it would determine everything about us. Nowanear future. days, we know that the expression of more than 70 percent of our Perlmutter cautions, “Just because they’re plant-based doesn’t DNA that codes for health and longevity is under our control and give them full sanction. They may contain unfermented soy, influenced by our lifestyle choices. The food we eat, whether or which may not be non-GMO or organic, and per an article in not we slept well last night, the stress in our lives, whether or not the New York Times, their carbon footprint may be a lot higher we spent time in nature—all of these things, moment-to-moment, in production of these products than we have been led to bechange our gene expression. Holy Toledo! We now know that lieve. Do a little research on these manufactured foods and go certain lifestyle choices are good for you because they favorably for plant-based options that aren’t processed. Shop the periphchange gene expression. They teach it in med school now. It’s a ery of the grocery store.” breathtaking reality.”

Telemedicine Will Continue After the Pandemic

Harnessing the Power of Low-Level Stress

Wearable Devices and Home Testing Empower Patients

Mental Health Destigmatized

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

Perlmutter also anticipates an amplification of the use of wearable devices and home testing to provide biometric data that informs people about their health status and inspires them to modify lifestyle choices. The Oura Ring records the time it takes to get to sleep, how many times the wearer awakens during the night and how much time they spend in REM and deep sleep. This information enables people to modify day-to-day activities to improve the quality and quantity of sleep. Apple Watch aficionados are increasingly relying on the device’s biofeedback features, including its newest metric, blood

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

When U.S. gymnast Simone Biles dropped out of the 2021 Summer Olympic Games citing mental health challenges, she created an opening for other people to speak up. If a world champion could reveal her vulnerability on the global stage when the stakes were so high, certainly so could they. Her compelling story is emblematic of an emerging trend: Mental health is gradually becoming destigmatized. “It’s becoming acceptable to talk about our feelings and ask for help, and this trend is shattering unhealthy cultural myths, like the erroneous assumption that if we talk about our emotions January 2022

we’re going to fall into a pit of despair and sadness,” says Licensed Integrative Psychotherapist Leslie Davenport, the author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. “There’s a boldness among younger generations that are challenging the status quo and demanding to be accepted as they are. Tucking away anything that might not be socially acceptable is a part of the past. Kids want their families and adults to accept and love them exactly as they are.” On Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, #itsoknottobeok is a popular hashtag. Mental health surveys show that eco-anxiety in particular is prevalent among the young. Late last year, scientists at the University of Bath, in England, interviewed 10,000 youth between the ages of 16 and 25 across 10 continents. In the U.S., 68 percent said that the future was frightening. Almost half admitted that they had distressing feelings related to climate change on a daily basis, 42 percent believed that the things they valued most would be destroyed and 35 percent feared that their family security would be threatened.

A Surge in Coaching

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

Mindfulness Becomes Ubiquitous

Therapy and Meditation Apps Abound

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

Virtual Experiences Are Here to Stay

Many people that were devastated by isolation and loneliness during the pandemic sought social engagement via streaming and app-enabled webinars, exercise routines or art classes. Suddenly, virtual conferences attracted participants from all over the world. Davenport relishes the fact that she was able to take tap dancing classes from a renowned New York City teacher, even though she lives in Washington State. “In a surprising silver lining, we’ve come to appreciate the convenience of these virtual experiences, which we likely wouldn’t have attended in person before the pandemic.” Sandra Yeyati is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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In a few decades, mindfulness practices have catapulted from Buddhist monasteries to corporate boardrooms and have become

a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. with an 11 percent annual growth rate. “Mindfulness has been emerging for a while, but at this point, it’s a household word,” Davenport says. “People are talking about mindful eating or mindful conversations. Core concepts like being present in the moment or taking in the other person in an empathetic way are rippling out into so many aspects of life.”

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financial wellness

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Financial Stress and Our Health

inancial stress is one of the most common forms of stress in the United States. According to the American Psychological Association’s latest Stress in America survey, nearly 72 percent of Americans reported feeling stressed about their finances at least once during the month. Managing this stress by working toward financial well-being—which, incidentally, does not mean having to be wealthy—can have a tremendous impact on our overall health. Financial stress is more likely to occur with individuals who have lower incomes than higher incomes; who may work in organizations that are mentally and physically demanding; and live in areas of the community that expose them to a variety of environmental stressors, including more traffic, less space and even violence. In addition, individuals with lower incomes often have fewer resources available to help them cope with the stresses that they face. This includes access to health insurance, a savings account, a reliable source of transportation and psycho-social resources. The old saying “health is wealth” may be more than just a cliché. Since the 1980s, societal debt has more than tripled, as well as the cases of heart disease, stroke and mental illness. Financial stress can affect our physical health by raising diastolic blood pressure, increasing muscle tension, and causing weight gain and insomnia. In addition to affecting our physical health, our mental health is also affected; those with financial stress are more apt to feel depressed, anxious and shamed. To manage financial stress, we must first prioritize what we can control. We can’t change everything that is causing us stress,

but we can focus on what we do control, which includes our breath, our gratitude, our mental and physical fitness, our diet and our sleep. We can also find ways to earn more money—remember, every little penny helps. We can coupon, find parttime employment and potentially sell unwanted items to add a little to our income. While making moves toward financial wellbeing won’t transform our financial life overnight, chances are we will start feeling better quite soon by having taken an active role in the process. Another move to consider is talking directly to lenders. Despite the common misconception, lenders are willing to negotiate with their customers and develop plans to help them better manage their debt. Contacting them immediately to set up payment arrangements can help alleviate some of that unwanted financial stress. Financial institutions, such as Alive Credit Union (ACU), can assist with helping us earn more and save more so we can live a financially fit lifestyle. For more than 68 years, ACU has been committed to serving their community in health care and in select organizations, including Southeastern Grocers and anyone that works in real estate. ACU has set their focus on providing the highest level of member service and to also inspire financial wellness through financial education. That is why they have five certified credit union financial counselors on staff to assist members through hurdles. As a valued member, a person has access to a

variety of resources, including credit report review, explanation and analysis; debt elimination counseling; budget assistance; and future financial goal planning. Remember, improving financial wellbeing not only alleviates credit struggles, but also can improve physical and mental health. So, consider paying down debt, improving your credit score and building more savings. Our body and mind will thank us. ACU has seven locations in the greater Jacksonville area: Alive Credit Union Home Office, located at 9790 Touchton Road; Atlantic, located at 6131 Atlantic Boulevard; Baptist Health System, located at 820 Prudential Drive; Baymeadows, located at 8367 Baymeadows Way; St. Vincent’s Riverside, located at 1 Shircliff Way; UF Health Jacksonville, located at 655 8th Street West; and West Jacksonville, located at 3003 Lenox Avenue. For more information about Alive Credit Union, call 904-296-1292 or visit Alivecu. coop. See ad, back cover.

January 2022

fit body

WHOLE-PERSON FITNESS Current Trends in Wellness Tools by Maya Whitman

nsiders agree that the idea of fitness is changing, and this means an exciting wave of trackers and apps that go beyond achieving the ultimate six-pack abs. “So many of us want a nice exterior, but now more than ever, we realize how important it is that the interior match that exterior,” says Dominic Kennedy, a Los Angeles trainer and founder of the Dominic Effect, an app that provides fitness workouts, customized meal plans and mind-body tools like meditation, yoga and affirmations. The industry of wearable technology has been expanding since the advent of the FitBit Tracker in 2014, and the trend is not slowing down. Current fitness wearables even include rings that offer more detailed biometric data including blood pressure, heart rate, sleep and calories burned. With some smartwatches now priced under $50, it’s clear why the business marketing firm Grandview Research predicts significant annual growth for such products for the next six years.

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Making it Personal

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For this year, fitness and wellness choices will focus more on practical effectiveness within the new normal. “I see that most don’t want to spend hours in the gym. The way life is now, we do things differently: home gyms, home office, home childcare,” notes Kennedy. The world of fitness is extending beyond the gym, taking inventory of all the aspects that factor into maintaining wellness. “This year, fitness is all about making workouts work for you and your lifestyle. Whether it be wearable technology, customized online personal training apps or mindset workouts that work on getting your mind in

gear, 2022 has me excited,” says Stephanie Mansour, a Chicago-based fitness coach and host of the national PBS fitness and wellness show Step it Up with Steph. “I think we’re going to be focusing on habits and other areas of life like food, sleep and mindset that contribute to the effectiveness of workouts.” She also foresees people picking up inspiration from hardcore fitness devotees that share more of their personal daily habits such as journaling, affirmations and how they stay committed to investing in health. Bringing a water bottle to a yoga class or slipping on activewear is becoming digitalized, making it easier to target overall health. Staying hydrated based on individual needs is effortless using a Thermos app-connected hydration bottle with a smart lid that tracks daily intake. Mansour’s favorite fitness ally is clothing inlaid with resistance bands. “You can actually get in a workout while doing everyday activities with this resistance apparel. I love

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

More Support, Less Pressure

Kennedy sees a sense of community taking root since the start of pandemic, especially via online forums and groups centered on health and fitness. “We spend so much time on the internet and social media, and during the pandemic, it was a huge outreach that will continue to grow since you can do it right from your computer or phone.” New Jersey-based fitness trainer Nadia Murdock sees a trend of prioritizing ourselves without all-too-common feelings of guilt. The founder of Core Program, designed to help entrepreneurial mothers take charge of their health and fitness, she warns about the possible trigger effect of digital trackers that use pop-up screens or reminders about daily steps. “I would suggest asking

yourself why you want to use a tracker. Once you have identified the reason, you can now seek out alternative options that may cause less pressure,” she says. To stay accountable without mental anguish, she suggests using a multisport watch that offers the perk of real-time audio coaching. Kennedy concurs, saying, “The point is not to cause any more anxiety and to create a safe space. We should not be obsessing about weight and putting ourselves down, but finding a space that will lift our spirits.” Despite the benefits of the latest technology and extras, Mansour reminds us to adhere to “tried and true methodologies like regular workouts that you enjoy, eating nutritious foods and taking care of your mental health through meditation, stress-reduction techniques and getting adequate sleep.” Maya Whitman writes about natural health and living a more beautiful life. Connect at Ekstasis28@gmail.com.

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Nature’s Virus Killer

not a sniffle!” she exclaimed. Businesswoman Rosaleen says when people around her show signs of cold or flu, she uses copper morning and night. “It saved me last holidays,” she said. “The kids had crud going round and round, but not me.” Attorney Donna Blight tried copper for her sinus. “I am shocked!” she said. By Doug Cornell “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” cientists have discovered a cold never got going. That was A man with trouble breathing natural way to kill germs fast. September 2012. I use copper in the through his nose at night tried copper Now thousands of people nose every time and I have not had a just before bed. “Best sleep I’ve had in are using it against viruses and bacteria single cold since then.” years!” he said. in the nose and on “We can’t In a lab test, technicians placed 25 the skin. make product million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. Colds start health claims,” he No viruses were found surviving soon when cold viruses said, “so I can’t after. get in your nose. say cause and Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply effect. But we confirming the research. He placed fast. If you don’t know copper is millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, antimicrobial.” “They started to die literally as soon as they spread and He asked they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. relatives and Some people press copper on a lip New device puts copper right In hundreds friends to try it. right away if a warning tingle suggests where you need it. of studies, EPA and They reported unwanted germs gathering there. university researchers have confirmed the same thing, so he patented The handle is curved that viruses and bacteria die almost CopperZap® and put it on the and textured to increase instantly when touched by copper. market. contact. Copper can That’s why ancient Greeks and Soon hundreds of people had kill germs picked up on Egyptians used copper to purify water tried it. The feedback was 99% fingers and hands after and heal wounds. They didn’t know positive if they used the copper you touch things other about microbes, but now we do. within 3 hours after the first sign people have touched. Scientists say the high conductance of unwanted germs, like a tickle The EPA says copper of copper disrupts the electrical balance in the nose or a scratchy throat. still works even when Dr. Bill Keevil: in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in Early user Mary Pickrell tarnished. Copper quickly kills seconds. said, “I can’t believe how good CopperZap is made cold viruses. Tests by the EPA (Environmental my nose feels.” in the U.S. of pure Protection Agency) show germs die “What a wonderful thing!” copper. It has a 90-day full money back fast on copper. So some hospitals tried exclaimed Physician’s Assistant Julie. guarantee. It is available for $79.95. Get copper for touch surfaces like faucets Another customer asked, “Is it supposed $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA25. and doorknobs. This cut the spread of to work that fast?” Go to www.CopperZap.com or call MRSA and other illnesses by over half, Pat McAllister, 70, received one for toll-free 1-888-411-6114. and saved lives. Christmas and called it “one of the best Buy once, use forever. The strong scientific evidence gave presents ever. This little jewel really Statements are not intended as inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When works.” product health claims and have not been he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Frequent flier Karen Gauci had been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to a smooth copper probe and rubbed it suffering after crowded flights. Though diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any gently in his nose for 60 seconds. skeptical, she tried copper on travel disease. “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The days for 2 months. “Sixteen flights and ADVERTORIAL

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REACHING Your Goals melnikan/DepositPhotos.com

by Brian Dean

very January, we do the same thing: We make resolutions. But those most often turn into the jokes we laugh about in February. This is because we don’t put ourselves into the process. It is far better to set intentions and goals. An intention is a thought process where we decide to do something or improve something about ourselves or outside of us. In doing this, we think, feel, see what needs to be done, and then we put energy into it. It is this energy that takes it from being just an idea to being something more, something solid. Keep in mind that this has to be something realistic, no matter how fantastic it sounds, and it can be fantastic as long as we can define a way to achieve it. Next we set a goal. We have the need, the thought, the intention. Now it is just a matter of making it something we can point to—something we can see and achieve. And once it is out there, we start building steps to reach it, because having the goal is

the impetus that starts us thinking about what we have to do to get there—what type of journey we have to take. Then we have to believe. Our believing is the energy that keeps us moving, keeps us taking those steps, keeps us moving toward that goal. We might get discouraged at times on our path to our goals, but as long as we come back to belief, we will always get there. Intentions, goals, plans, steps and belief. This is how we can accomplish anything. Brian Dean is a licensed massage therapist, reiki master and medium in Jacksonville Beach. He also teaches meditation, energy modalities and massage, and offers continuing education for massage therapists. For more information, call Caring Palms Healing Arts at 904-246-2206 or visit CaringPalms.com. See ad, this page.

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High Times for the Cannabis Industry

Emerging Trends with a COVID-19 Caveat by Jim Motavalli

t’s fair to say that the cannabis industry has arrived. Recreational marijuana has now been approved in 17 states, and 37 have allowed marijuana for medical purposes. “We have CBD!” proclaim store signs selling the buzz-free cannabidiol. In 2020, more than 240,000 people worked in cannabis-related jobs. The Brightfield Group says the medical cannabis industry will reach $16 billion in annual U.S. sales by 2025. Cannabis market research firm Headset predicts this will be “a year of positive growth” for the industry. Legalization and expansion are strongly in line with public sentiment: Two-thirds of Americans believe marijuana should be legal, says the Pew Research Center. Opposition has fallen from 52 percent in 2010 to just 32 percent by the end of 2019. “Dispensaries and cannabis cafés are as commonplace as Starbucks, and ordering edibles is as easy as getting pizza,” reports marketing firm Grassfed Media. The National Retail Federation noted a 700 percent increase in the demand for CBD-based products in 2019. One caveat, however, is COVID-19. Ron Newman, a sustainable development analyst with Lee Enterprises Consulting, says the hemp/CBD business was flat during 2020 because of the pandemic. “With the economic situation, people were buying only essentials,” he says. “But we’re seeing the business start to come back now.” With COVID-19 recovery, more growth is certain, and here are some upcoming trends. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient in marijuana that gets the user high. The natural compound CBD—said 18

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to have healing and pain/anxiety relief properties—is being heavily marketed in the form of oils, edibles (including gummy bears and lollipops), oral sprays, creams and pills. The third-most popular food-related Google search term in 2018 was “CBD gummies”. CBD dietary supplements are the biggest category, followed by topical applications and third, food and beverage additives. THC is still illegal in many parts of the U.S., but CBD cultivation and sales were legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill. California offers a model for the states in regulating cannabis. Both medicinal cannabis and adult recreational use are legal, but the industry is strictly regulated by the Department of Cannabis Control to ensure that businesses operate safely and that products are free from contamination, properly labeled and kept away from children. Research into cannabis is an emerging field, with 23,000 papers published since 2010, and Grassfed believes that some future products will be based on “other cannabinoids and terpenes such as CBN, CBG, THCA and THCV.” In addition, strains labeled indica, sativa or hybrid, or with names like Gorilla Glue and Wedding Crasher, may increasingly be replaced by a scientifically supported classification system. Bar & Restaurant magazine wants its bartenders to know there might be THC-free CBD cocktails on their future bar menus. It reports that these drinks are “a legal grey area; federally they’re illegal, but some states have their own CBD-related laws.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says flatly, “It is currently illegal to market CBD by adding it to a food or labeling it as a

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healing ways

dietary supplement,” but the agency has said it is considering relaxing this prohibition. There’s a Wild West quality to the CBD/ hemp industry today. An FDA study found many CBD products to be mislabeled, with either more or less CBD than indicated. A significant number contained THC. And then there are the laws, with federal prohibitions and state regulations, that can be quite different. For instance, New York bans CBD products with more than 0.3 percent THC, and bans CBD from any alcohol or tobacco product. So determining whether any specific product is “legal” or not in different locations is complex. But marketing benefits are plain. Wynk alcohol-free seltzer says it has “2.5 milligrams of THC and 2.5 milligrams of CBD in every can.” However, Wynk is not widely available. Casey Coughlin, Wynk brand manager, says, “We only sell Wynk through the dispensary channel, which is highly regulated on a state-by-state basis. So, although CBD and THC beverages are not federally legal, they are at the state level under regulation.” Jody McGinness, executive director of the Hemp Industries Association, says the FDA doesn’t actually have strong enforcement powers, and that the worst thing CBD/THC legal violators can expect from the agency is a warning letter posted on the FDA website. Gregg Sturz, co-founder of Floridabased CBD Hemp Experts, a leading wholesale provider of cannabis-derived products, says he expects the FDA to eventually approve CBD for use in dietary supplements. “I don’t think they’re trying to shut the industry down, just come up with some clear guidelines,” he says. The legal status of THC is such a question mark that, according to Investopedia’s Marijuana Investing Guide, large banks “are currently afraid of money-laundering charges they may face if they work with these businesses … The American Bankers’ Association has been pushing for more legal clarity.” Newman, who studies the medicinal uses of CBD, notes that in some cases it’s being marketed as a topical analgesic for pain relief, when actually the other proven ingredients in analgesics—including methanol and camphor—are doing the heavy lifting.

This situation has also produced FDA warning letters, because if CBD is claimed to relieve pain, then it is required to go through a new drug application process for efficacy. In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, an oral solution with CBD as an active ingredient, used for the treatment of rare and severe forms of epilepsy. While it’s the only approved product so far, studies suggest CBD might be useful for anxiety, insomnia, skin protection and addiction. McGinness sees the major growth area for cannabis-related products not in CBD, but in industrial hemp fiber. As hemp growers gear up in the Midwest after

decades of federal bans, they’re likely to expand beyond cottage clothing companies into such areas as auto and industrial parts and building materials, he says. “Hemp products made in a green way create fewer emissions,” McGinness says. “And the bioplastics made from hemp are lighter-weight, which increases fuel efficiency. I expect we’ll see heartland industrial hemp grow so much it will make CBD look like a niche.” Jim Motavalli is a Connecticut-based journalist who writes about the environment, cars and music. He can be contacted via JimMotavalli.com. Call and tell us your needs and get the help you deserve.

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healthy kids

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

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

Peace, Not Punishment

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

scratchy clothing. Unlike time-out spaces that prompt kids to process actions and think about behavior, calm-down spaces can soothe a nervous system in overdrive and quell uncontrollable meltdowns. “It’s common for kids with sensory processing needs to be misunderstood and labeled as overly sensitive or explosive. Creating a space that meets your child’s sensory needs gives them a safe space to retreat to when they’re feeling overwhelmed,” says Alisha Grogan, a Pittsburgh occupational therapist and creator of YourKidsTable.com for picky eaters.

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Calming Nerves, Engaging the Senses

Kids’ tranquil areas can be simple or elaborate, but part of the magic formula is including objects that soothe the senses. “The calm space can contain items that allow time for stress hormones to decrease,” says certified autism specialist Cara Koscinski, of Jacksonville, Florida, founder of PocketOccupationalTherapist.com, an online source for parents, therapists and students. She recommends including sensory allies such as bean bags, therapy putty or dough, slow or classical music, a white noise machine, books, emotion identification cards and fidget toys (squishy or gel-filled balls, tangle toys or a Rubik’s Cube). A weighted blanket or stuffed animal, especially for younger children, is also a good option. “Time to refocus and allow deep breathing can make a world of difference,” says Koscinski, recommending cards with cues or instructions for deep breathing. Sarah Norris, founder of the coaching website SensoryCoach.org, with offices in Denver, Atlanta and Chicago, believes we can all benefit from sensory strategies. “Using sensation is a powerful way to change how you feel without much thought or expression,” she says. “Sensory objects can often be used in more than one way, which allows you to discover how to help yourself feel better in a fun, nonjudgmental way.” She recommends including scented items with calming essential oils and drawing pads, as well as ageappropriate coloring books. Grogan’s sensory picks are stress balls, kinetic sand, noise-cancelling headphones, scented teddy bears and chewy necklaces for a child to bite on. “Families may want to have a variety of sensory tools and toys available so a child can choose what’s helpful for them,” she says. Ambient lighting, including lava lamps and yearround holiday lights, can set the mood of any sensory space.

Tranquil Possibilities

Setting up stress-free zones at home doesn’t have to be a one-sizefits all approach. Norris favors going outside the box. “If you have the space to set up a reading nook or a semi-permanent pillow fort, your kids will love you for it. Don’t overlook the possibility of using outdoor spaces as places to promote calm. Being in nature can be very regulating, especially if there is a comfy seat or fun swing to enjoy.” If making an area at home doesn’t work for some families, Norris suggests highly effective portable kits that can come along in the car or to doctor’s appointments. Christopherson encourages creative options like a comfortable beanbag at the bottom of a closet, a rocking chair with a heavy blanket or an outside fort or tree house. For multi-sibling homes, Grogan recommends a pop-up tent in a corner or in smaller spaces or a blanket thrown over a table for an instant fort. Whatever the setup or individual needs, calm spaces encourage kids to find their center and claim their space in a chaotic world. “All kids should be given what they need for success,” underscores Koscinski.

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Marlaina Donato is an author and a recording artist. Connect at WildflowerLady.com. January 2022

wise words

Peter Russell on the Healing Power of Letting Go by Linda Sechrist

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

photo by Peter Russell

What exactly do you advise us to let go of?

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

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

What led to your understanding of this?

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

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

What benefits have you experienced from letting go?

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

How can we better savor each moment?

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

inspiration

Why Words Matter

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by Marlaina Donato

rom witchy incantations in Shakespeare’s Macbeth to ancient Sanskrit mantras; from the stirring speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the divinely inspired poetry of the Sufis, words have bridged the chasm between the visible and the invisible since the dawn of human language. They have the capacity to conjure change, rock the boat, manipulate mood and alter the inner landscape. According to language research center Ethnologue, there are more than 7,000 languages in the world. We use words every day to communicate, to learn, to teach, to bond with kindred souls and to win opinion wars on social media. We can use words as medicine or weapons, and we too often forget their power. Many religious texts draw attention to the spoken word, especially in creation stories and the creative capacity of deity. In the Vedanta Sutra, an ancient Vedic text, the phrase anavritti sabdat translates to “by sound vibration, one becomes liberated.” Consider what it would be like if we each made a daily commitment to use everyday words as a conscious tool for healing—a practical form of spiritual discipline from which everyone might benefit. In our age of rapidly developing technology and jam-packed schedules, the spoken word is becoming a casualty in the daily blur of abbreviated texts and emojis. Forty percent of the world’s languages are on the threshold of extinction, and so is the language of everyday courtesy and compassion. “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” the old saying goes, but words do hurt, chipping away at our mental health in the classroom, on the checkout line at the supermarket and in our social media newsfeeds. Negativity-overwhelm has become the norm. If the mystics of old are correct regarding the energetic impact of our words, thoughts and self-talk, incredible power awaits on the tip of our tongues. With a little bit of attention and intention, there’s so much we might be able to create for ourselves and others. Words are seeds, and we can sow life-sustaining gardens for generations to follow. Consider what to plant today. Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer of visionary music. Connect at WildflowerLady.com. January 2022

conscious eating

A Better Morning Jolt

Healthy Coffee Alternatives and Hacks

freedom lifeAdobeStock.com

by April Thompson

ost Americans enjoy a daily dose of coffee, and an increasing body of research indicates it’s not a bad habit to have. Meanwhile, a growing number of people are adapting their morning drink rituals to incorporate ingredients ranging from matcha to mushrooms in search of additional health benefits. “After many years of research, we have concluded that coffee can be a fantastic additive to the diet. Coffee consumption is associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality, risk of cardiovascular death and stroke,” says Claudia Hleap, a registered dietician nutritionist in Philadelphia. Regular coffee consumption is also correlated with a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, potentially due to its naturally containing polyphenols, which are plant compounds with protective antioxidant properties. The caffeine in coffee, as well as in tea and cocoa, can also boost short-term metabolism and brain function. As with most things in life, moderation is key; overconsumption of coffee can result in insomnia, irritability, gastrointestinal 24

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issues and other short-lived side effects. “Caffeine intake may negatively impact sleep duration and quality, which is essential for optimal health,” says Hleap. “Coffee can also serve as a vessel for added sugars and unhealthy fats in the diet if you are adding sweeteners and artificial creamers.” Many java drinkers today are experimenting with healthy alternatives and add-ons to shake up their routine morning pickme-up. Chicory-based drinks, made from roasted ground chicory root, are a favorite for Lauren O’Connor, a Los Angeles registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Healthy Cooking for One. “Chicory is caffeine-free, acid-free and a gut-friendly alternative to coffee,” she says. “It also has a robust, roasted taste that can satisfy those who desire more than an herbal tea. Date ‘coffee’, made from date seed, also has a deep, rich flavor.” Some chicory tea blends also incorporate roasted dandelion root, which has been used by herbalists for centuries to enhance the body’s detoxifying functions, particularly of the liver. Golden milk, a traditional Indian beverage associated with Ayurvedic

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

A Better Bean

Rather than swap out coffee altogether, some java lovers are bettering their beloved beans with healthy add-ons such as powdered mushrooms, ghee and spices. “A healthy addition to coffee can include coconut oil, collagen or butter. These can add some fat and protein content, which will provide more energy while also jumpstarting your metabolism at the beginning of the day,” says holistic health coach Virginia Gruhler. Ghee, a clarified butter that originated in ancient India, has been touted as a “keto-friendly” way to help neutralize the acidity of coffee while adding healthy fats and nutrients. Spices like cinnamon and cardamom have been added to coffee and black tea for centuries in the Middle East and Asia to enhance both flavor and health. Cinnamon, for example, may help lower blood sugar, in addition to having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Mushroom coffee is another popular “coffee-plus” beverage which combines the flavor and energy boost of java with the benefits of medicinal fungi like turkey tail, lion’s mane and chaga, boosting the immune system and potentially warding off serious health conditions like dementia and cancer. Because caffeine can stay in the bloodstream for up to 10 hours, staying clear of all caffeinated drinks in the later hours of the day will help ensure a better night’s sleep. When a mid-afternoon slump hits, a brisk walk followed by a cup of a flavorful herbal tea like Rooibos or lemongrass can wake up the body and the brain naturally. Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

photo provided by deanna, homesteadandchill.com

medicine, is another flavorful alternative with numerous health benefits. Recipes vary, but golden milk is typically prepared by heating milk or a plant-based milk alternative along with turmeric, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, honey, vanilla and/or cardamom. “These warming spices go above a simple caffeine replacement to provide powerful anti-inflammatory benefits,” says Trista Best, a registered dietitian in Dalton, Georgia. Best also recommends matcha, a traditional Japanese drink made from powdered, young, green tea leaves whisked in water as a coffee alternative with less caffeine and other added benefits. Because the tea leaves are essentially consumed in powder form rather than just steeped in water, matcha contains more catechins, an important antioxidant, than a typical preparation of green tea. “The L-theanine, an amino acid, in matcha is known to improve brain health, which shows itself through improved memory, attention and reaction time,” notes Best.

Turmeric Golden Milk yield:

2 mugs

3 cups organic, natural milk such as oat, almond, coconut, hemp or another 2 tsp ground turmeric powder ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 Tbsp coconut oil (skip if using a full-fat coconut cream or milk) ¼ tsp ground ginger powder Dash of black pepper Maple syrup, agave syrup or honey to taste Optional, but luxurious and delicious: Pinch of ground cardamom (about ⅛ tsp or just under) Dash of vanilla extract or vanilla powder Pinch of ground nutmeg (about ⅛ tsp or just under) Gently heat milk of choice in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat. Once it’s warm, add the suggested spices, oil and sweetener. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients. Depending on the type of milk used, vigorous whisking may create a nice, latte-like “foam”. Continue to heat for about five minutes, whisking occasionally. Serve immediately and enjoy it warm. Golden milk is also delicious cold over ice, although oil is not recommended to use in this case. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat leftovers on the stovetop (rather than in a microwave) to preserve maximum nutritional value. Source: Deanna, creator of HomesteadAndChill.com. January 2022

natural pet

Pet-Pleasing Food Trends What Dogs and Cats Will Eat This Year by Ronica O’Hara

grin Falls, Ohio. “Fancy foods, gourmet treats, even personal pet chefs have become the norm.” In a turnabout on animal testing, some companies advertise that their pet food products are tested on humans. It’s the logical outcome of an evolution in how pets are regarded, say psychologists. Only a few decades ago, most dogs slept in doghouses rather than in bedrooms, and most cats were free-range explorers of the outdoors. Today, two in three American

households have a pet, and the animals are increasingly part of the family—sometimes even more beloved than human family members. One study, for example, found young children more likely to confide in a pet than in a sibling. A mattress company survey found that 71 percent of pet owners sleep with their furry friends. The forced togetherness of the pandemic drew pets and owners even closer. “Today, pet owners want to reward

chendongshan/AdobeStock.com

og and cat food is becoming ever more humanized in the U.S. Market researchers and veterinarians report that consumers are increasingly demanding for their pets what they want for themselves: high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients that are free of questionable byproducts. “Organic, gluten-free and even vegan are now mainstream when it comes to Fido and Fluffy,” says integrative veterinarian Carol Osborne, of Cha-

Jacksonville / St. Augustine

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their pets in every way possible to let them know how grateful they are for the unconditional love and companionship they provide,” says Osborne. The urge to lovingly pamper pets starts at the food dish with many emerging trends.

Custom Tailoring

According to market analyst firm Mintel, three in five U.S. pet owners are willing to pay more for foods that are customized to their pet’s specific dietary needs, a trend being eagerly met by more than 700 brands and 10,000 products. Today, a dizzying array of foods are tailored to pets’ ages, breeds and physical and emotional conditions. Obese dogs can chomp down on high-protein, low-fat foods; anxious pups can mellow out with foods that contain hemp and CBD oil; and dogs prone to kidney stones may find relief on a renalsupport formula. Consumers unable to purchase pricey, specialized formulas are making kibble less boring by adding flavorful mix-ins and toppers such as shredded tuna and lamb liver flakes.

nearly double from $277 million in 2018 to $525 million in 2025 for a growing favorite: raw meat in the form of freeze-dried kibble.

Ethical Buys

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

Cautionary Notes

When buying pet food, veterinarians urge

pet owners not to be overly swayed by advertising claims. “For example, the words ‘holistic’, ‘ancestral’, ‘instinctual’, ‘gourmet’ and ‘premium’ are really just marketing. On the other hand, ‘organic’, ‘natural’ and ‘human-grade’ all have specific definitions when they are applied to pet foods,” says veterinarian Jennifer Coates, of Fort Collins, Colorado, author of The Dictionary of Veterinary Terms. “Most importantly, watch how your pet does while eating a particular food. If your pet is maintaining a healthy weight and has normal digestive function (firm stools, no vomiting), good energy levels, normal amounts of shedding and that ‘glow’ of good health, the diet you’ve picked is probably a good match,” she says. Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Going Plant-Based

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

Rethinking Meat

Some manufacturers are replacing chicken and beef with more adventurous, gamey proteins such as rabbit, venison, bison and wild boar. “Products are advertising how you can bring out their inner wolf by feeding them that food, because it is more natural to their instincts,” says Heather Venkat, the acting public health veterinarian for Arizona. Revenues are predicted to January 2022

calendar of events

Pendulum class Saturday – 3-5pm. Learn how to use a pendulum. The pendulum is not just for asking questions. You learn to locate people on the map, do readings, treasure hunting, win prizes, & MORE!! Limited seating available. Call 904-292-4555 to sign up. Spiritual Uplifts 2186 Park Av. Orange Park, Florida 32073 spiritualuplifts.com

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23 Pranayama & Meditation – 10-11am. Increase oxygen to facilitate healing. Bring mat and accessories. $15 Seventh-Wonder Holistic Spa 4236 St. Johns Ave. 904-381-8686. Yoga Nidra – 11:15am-12:15pm. Guided meditation to achieve intense concentration or bliss. Bring mat and accessories. $15 Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa 4236 St. Johns Ave. 904-381-8686.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15

Healing Event – 1-3pm Experience energy work, 7 archangels, reconnective healing, singing bowls, and more. Our practitioners are intuitive healers, trained and attuned. Cost $15.00 Love offering goes to St. Jude’s hospital. Spiritual Uplifts 2186 Park Av. Orange Park, Florida 32073 904-292-4555 spiritualuplifts.com

Making predictions for 2022 – 3-5pm. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. Online class. www.ifsk.org ~ 407-247-7823

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2 White Stone Ceremony – 10:30am. All are welcome. Join in-person, on Facebook Live or YouTube Channel to celebrate a New Year, a new you, and a new spiritual name that will support you on your ‘dreams come true’ journey. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com. Vision Board – 10:30am-5:30pm through Jan 8. Manifest what you want for the New Year! A Vision Board is a collage of images & words that represent your goals. Put together your vision board so you can manifest a positive outcome for the New Year! Cost: $15. Limited seating. Reservations 904-2924555. Spiritual Uplifts 2186 Park Av. Orange Park. spiritualuplifts.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6 Transcendental Meditation Introductory Talk by Videoconference – 6:30pm. All the information you need to make an informed decision about learning this highly effective technique for reducing stress and improving health. Free. Register/info: 904-3759517 or Jacksonville@TM.org.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18 Transcendental Meditation Introductory Talk by videoconference –12:00 noon. All the information you need to make an informed decision about learning this highly effective technique for reducing stress and improving health. Free, register at (904) 375-9517 or Jacksonville@TM.org and we will send connection information to you by email or text. Transcendental Meditation Introductory Talk –6:00 PM. All the information you need to make an informed decision about learning this highly effective technique for reducing stress and improving health, Free, Room B, Regency Square Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225, Register at (904) 375-9517 or Jacksonville@TM.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22 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, Room 112, Postell Market, Casino Bldg, 530 Beachview Drive (by Neptune Park), St. Simons Island, GA 31522, Register at (904) 375-9517 or Jacksonville@TM.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 Making predictions for 2022 – 3-5pm. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. Online class. www.ifsk.org ~ 407-247-7823

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13 Weight Loss Challenge – Strategies for sustainable and permanent weight loss. Dietary instruction, info about weight gain triggers including stress and hormone imbalance, and exercise initiation. Make this the year you achieve optimal health and your goal wekght. Dr. Jon Repole, a 20-year holistic functional medicine practitioner is the facilitator. Free event. Jacksonville health and Wellness Center, 9957 Moorings Dr. Suite 403 in Jacksonville. Register 904-268-6568.

Jacksonville / St. Augustine

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Unity Basics – Noon. What is Unity? What do we believe? How long has Unity been around? Join Rev. Yvonne McAndrew as we discover Unity. All are welcome. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St. Johns. 904-287-1505 UnityInJax.com. 2 ½ Meditation – 4:00-6:30pm. Activate all 7 chakras. Sometimes it is just necessary to relax and practice mindfulness. Bring pillows or blankets if necessary. Snacks will be provided. $35. Call 904292-4555 to sign up. Spiritual Uplifts 2186 Park Av. Orange Park, Florida 32073 spiritualuplifts.com

SATURDAY JANUARY 29 Spirit Fest: Metaphysical and Holistic Fair –10am-6pm Sat & Sun. Enjoy 70 booths with vendors, practitioners, intuitive readers, artists, and demonstrations. See website for more details and discounted admission. Entrance fee: $12. Children 12 & under free. Visit SanctuaryFL.com. Schultz Center, 4019 Boulevard Center Drive, Jacksonville.

plan ahead THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Transcendental Meditation Introductory Talk by videoconference – 6:30pm. All the information you need to make an informed decision about learning this highly effective technique for reducing stress and improving health, Free, register at (904) 3759517 or Jacksonville@TM.org and we will send connection information to you by email or text.

Natural Awakenings EMPOWER. EDUCATE. CONNECT.

ongoing events

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

wednesday Wednesday Pier Farmers Market – 8am12:30pm. Oceanfront shopping at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park. Approximately 60-80 vendors can be found at the market selling locally grown produce, baked goods, prepared foods, arts, crafts and more. Free. 350 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine Bch. 904-315-0952. Spiritual Enrichment Classes – 7pm. Visit the website for class information. Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Rd, St Johns. 904-287-1505. UnityInJax.com. Music by the Sea – Thru Sept 1. 7-8:50pm. This annual summer music and food celebration features local bands and performers paired with local food trucks to entertain visitors. A different band will be featured each week, along with a food truck to offer fresh, tasty, food. Guests are welcome to bring coolers and picnic baskets. Chairs and bug spray are encouraged. Free. St. Augustine Beach Pier, 350 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine Bch. 904-347-8007.

thursday Farmers Market – 5-8pm. Vendors offer locally grown produce as well as homemade and handmade products. Yamo Italian and Captain Scallywag's food truck are onsite offering local cuisine as well as two other food trucks, which rotate each week. Local musicians provide entertainment throughout the evening. Free. The Artisan Market Coconut Barrel, 3175 US 1 South, St. Augustine.

Concerts in the Plaza – 7-9pm. Bring a chair or blanket to relax on the plaza lawn and enjoy summer evenings filled with music in the heart of historic St. Augustine. Picnic dinners are allowed, but alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Plaza. Gazebo of St. Augustine's historic Plaza de la Constitución (between Cathedral and King Streets) Downtown St. Augustine. 904- 825-1004.

friday

Curious about

ECKANKAR?

First Friday Garden Walk – 10am. Join a Ranger the first Friday of every month for a garden walk. No registration required. Walk included with park entry fee of $5 per vehicle. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Info: WashingtonOaks.org.

saturday The St. Augustine Ampitheatre Farmers Market – 8:30am-12:30pm. Shop more than 100 tents loaded with local produce, flowers, baked goods, handmade arts and crafts and more. Admission into the market is free. 1340 A1A South, St. Augustine. 904-315-9252.

Request FREE BOOKS

www.eck-florida.org ECKANKAR

The Path of Spiritual Freedom Jacksonville ECK Information: 904-725-7760

Make your community a little GREENER … Support our advertisers For every $100 spent in locally owned business, $68 returns to the community source: the350project.net

HEALING ENERGY ByTED

Reiki • Reconnective Healing The Emotion and Body Code Divine Healing • Amethyst BioMat • Healy

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January 2022

community resource guide FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

ACUPUNCTURE

JACKSONVILLE HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER

A WAY OF LIFE ACUPUNCTURE

4337 Pablo Oaks Ct, Bldg 200, Jacksonville • 904-373-8415 AWayOfLifeAcupuncture.com Dr Christine Yastrzemski, NCCAOM, AP AP2255 Dr Sarah Thomas, DACM, AP AP4183

Dr Jon Repole, DC, CFMP 9957 Moorings Dr, Ste 403 Jacksonville (Mandarin) 904-268-6568 • DrRepole.com

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 4.

CBD HYDROPONIC UNIQUE GOODS

8622 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville 904-829-4847 • JaxHugs.com Hemp is all relaxation without intoxication, research shows numerous health benefits. Garden and hydroponic supplies: Leading brands of soil, nutrients, grow tents and LED lights. See ad, page 19.

ENERGY HEALING

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 27.

GROCERY NATIVE SUN

1585 3rd St North, Jacksonville Beach 904-853-5497 NativeSunJax.com J a x B e a c h ’s community organic grocer, local food and essential items. Order online for curbside p/u.

HERBS

HEALING ENERGY BY TED

Ted Kostek 7500 Plantation Club Dr, Jacksonville 904-613-7608 • Healingenergybyted.com Certified in Reconnective Healing, The Emotion Code, The Body Code, Reiki Master. Powerful healings, with great compassion and care. Clean chakras, aura, entity removal, in-person and remote sessions for humans and animals.

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 17.

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

A true sanctuary away from the stresses of the world since 2002. Offering: Ayurveda consultation and services, natural alternatives to facelift, massages, facials, eyebrow threading/tinting, reiki, pranic healing, ear coning, sauna, and a Himalayan salt room.

Jacksonville / St. Augustine

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INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE FIRST COAST INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

Megan Weigel, DNP 14215 Spartina Ct, Jacksonville 904-543-3510 FirstCoastIntegrativeMedicine.com A holistic, heart-centered and evidence-based approach to care for people living with neurological conditions and symptoms. Dr Weigel has nearly 20 years experience in neurology and neurological care. See ad, page 5.

MASSAGE 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 4.

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 4.

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 pre-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. See ad, page 19.

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 7.

YOGA

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION LAUREE MORETTO

Soft Tissue Specialist 321-271-1678 Flagler & Daytona Bch LaureeMoretto.com 90% of pain is linked to structural misalignment. Your pain is really just a symptom. My work addresses the cause to give you lasting relief. Get your life back now. MA20965.

YOGA DEN

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PSYCHIC CHANNEL REV JUDI WEAVER

Heart 4 Souls Inc, Ormond Beach Rev.Judi.Weaver@gmail.com 386-503-4930 • Heart4Souls.com 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 energy distance.

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 23.

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Bank Healthier. Live Happier.

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Yoga Teacher Training As the first Registered Yoga School in Jacksonville since 2005, our students graduate with the knowledge to teach Yoga Basics, Mind Body and Power Vinyasa classes, covering every fitness level.

Celebrating 20 Years

APRIL 2022

New Years Special

1 year Unlimited only $949! unlimited membership at your home studio, and only $10 drop-Ins at all other Yoga Dens.

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Jacksonville: 3 week Spring Immersion 3 week Summer Immersion Weekend only - April-December Yulee/Amelia Island: August-January

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Mandarin Fleming Island Southside • Avondale World Golf Village San Pablo Shoppes of Bayard Crossroads • Oakleaf Nocatee • Yellow Bluff

YOGA-DEN.COM since 2002 Classes • Training • WellnessBoutique

January 2022 Natural Awakenings Magazine Jacksonville St. Augustine Florida

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