Natural Awakenings Charlotte - July 2019 Issue by Shannon

E E FR

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Crops In The City Urban Farmers Break New Ground

Forest Bathing

Restores Body and Mind

Beyond Antibiotics

Pets Can Heal With Natural Approaches

First Carolinas Cannabis Convention

This August in Charlotte July 2019 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

CONSERVATION YOGA AND ECOTOURISM

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705 Griffith St • Suite #206 • Davidson, NC 28036 • zeropointnc.com Although there is ongoing medical and/or clinical research on the energy enhancement technology, there have been no detrimental fields or effects measured or observed. Neither the food & drug administration nor the american medical association (ama) has evaluated the technology. This technology is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or preventany disease. Medical advice must only be obtained from a qualified health practitioner. Results may vary between individuals. No guarantees, express or implied can be made.

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Charlotte Edition

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

CHARLOTTE EDITION PUBLISHER Shannon McKenzie DESIGN & PRODUCTION Patrick Floresca AD DESIGN Helene Leininger EDITORIAL Allison Gorman Randy Kambic Martin Miron Jeanette Watkins CALENDAR EDITOR Kathy Zygmont

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July 2019

letter from publisher

The Next Step in Spiritual Communities! We are a Spirit-Guided, Heart-Centered, Christ-Conscious, Loving Family, transforming the world by allowing the Heart-light Presence of God to Shine Through US as US!

ince my youth, I’ve been fascinated by Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery only to endanger herself by making 13 missions, mostly on foot, to lead approximately 70 other slaves to freedom. She understood the agony of slavery and risked her life to help those left behind, even though she could have simply gone about her life as a free woman in the North. Little is known about Harriet Tubman, and I wonder if she wanted to keep it that way, to protect her mission. Whatever the reason, that’s another quality I always admired in her: not seeking the limelight. That’s how I viewed her when I was a child. Then, several years ago, I read a biography of Harriett Tubman, and the story only got better. I learned that when she was young, an angry slave owner struck her with a weight meant for another slave. She suffered a traumatic head injury that caused her to have seizures for the rest of her life. Without warning, she would seem to lose consciousness momentarily. These episodes were particularly distressing to the slaves she led out of captivity. Fortunately, her heightened sense of intuition kept her and her charges safe. At times, she would suddenly and inexplicably instruct groups she was leading to leave the road and hide in the woods. Inevitably, a search party would ride by later. And she always had a plan, like the time she recognized a slave owner near her on a train. Known to be illiterate, she simply picked up a newspaper and pretended to read. Since 2016, plans have been in place to put Harriet Tubman’s portrait on the $20 bill, replacing that of Andrew Jackson. Recently, however, the U.S. Treasury indicated that those plans were delayed or perhaps in doubt. The timing of this announcement, so close to the Fourth of July, is ironic; freedom is such an important American value. While my sense of intuition in no way compares to Harriett Tubman’s, I have a feeling that her likeness will be on the $20—not bad for someone who did not seek the limelight. Wishing you a happy Fourth of July and a month of great possibilities,

Shannon McKenzie, Publisher

David Hulse, Spiritual Leader

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Practitioner & Workshop Spaces Available to Rent! 7300 Mallard Creek Rd Charlotte NC 28262 704-599-1180 info@heartlightcharlotte.org www.heartlightcharlotte.org 6

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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 15 MIRACLE FRUIT 15

AVAILABLE IN CHARLOTTE

Beth Sturdivant, Lifebrook Independent Advocate

16 CROPS IN THE CITY

Urban Agriculture Breaks New Ground

20 BEYOND ANTIBIOTICS 20 Pets Can Heal With Natural Approaches

22 HELP FOR

HOME GARDENERS

Extension Agents at Your Service

24 FOREST BATHING

Mother Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rx for 24 Body and Mind

26 TONING THE VAGUS NERVE

Relief for Pain, Anxiety and Inflammation

28 EENC ANNUAL ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 704-499-3327 or email Ads@ AwakeningCharlotte.com. Deadline for ads: the 9th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@ AwakeningCharlotte.com. Deadline for editorial: the 9th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@AwakeningCharlotte. com. $15/each daily $10/each ongoing. Deadline for calendar: the 9th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

CONFERENCE IN GASTONIA 29

Celebration of Statewide Environmental Educators

29 FIRST CAROLINAS

CANNABIS CONVENTION

This August in Charlotte

DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 12 health briefs 13 local health briefs 14 global briefs 15 business spotlight 15 kudos 20 natural pet 22 green living 24 fit body

26 healing ways 28 event spotlights 30 healthy food directory 30 gaston county natural guide 31 calendar 35 resource guide 39 classified July 2019

news briefs

Reversing the Aging Process Study Group Forming

he HeartLight Spiritual Center, in Charlotte, will offer a study group on Reversing the Aging Process beginning with a free introductory session at 7 p.m. on July 17. This group, which will then meet on the next six consecutive Wednesday evenings covering separate subjects related to the topic, will focus on how changing the distorted nature of our thinking and raising the vibratory frequency of our life force energy, we can open the door to our fountain of youth. The group facilitator will be HeartLight’s Spiritual Leader David Hulse, who Barbara Marx Hubbard considered “a leading spiritual guide for our time.” His mission is to assist humanity in bridging the gap to spiritual maturity as we awaken to the incoming fifth dimensional energy. Cost: $60 for all six sessions including audio recordings or $15/class without recordings. Location: 7300 Mallard Creek Rd. For more information or to register, call 704-599-1180 or visit HeartLightCharlotte.org. See ad, page 6.

Exercise is NOT for Everyone! De-stress with a Journaling Workshop

Relax and Unwind

Get out from behind your Computer and Cell phone TURNING DOWN THE NOISE:

Let’s Pause and Listen

Saturday, Aug 10, 2019 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm - $35.00 Register Today!

Words of Wisdom (WOW) Workshops

Seating is limited

980.505.9945 | catherinechew.WOW@gmail.com Metropolitan Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 | drcatherinechew.com

Dr.Catherine Chew

Ajna Light Therapy Sessions at Ahlara International

hlara International, a spa, boutique and spiritual center, in Mooresville, North Carolina, is celebrating 13 years of service to the Charlotte/Lake Norman area by continuing to be a pivotal entity in the field of holistic healing services for mind, body and spirit. Along with its infrared sauna, amethyst bio-mat, dry float bed, meditation classes and more, private 40- and 60-minute Ajna Light Therapy sessions with Katie Sutton, integrative healer and founder of Zen Within Academy, will be offered the fourth Tuesday of every month. Ajna Light Therapy is a breakthrough brainwave entrainment device that helps novice and experienced meditators alike explore enhanced states of consciousness and deeply relaxing meditative states without years of training. The entrainment created is similar to the effects experienced by those that are advanced in meditation practice including Buddhist monks. The system uses LED lights, which flicker at specific frequencies to entrain brainwaves into a range of trance states, ranging from light relaxation to the deepest of meditative states. These deep meditative states also activate the pineal gland in the brain’s center. Mental defenses are lowered, we are open to a greater awareness than our typical controlling egoic mind patterns, and profound spiritual insights can be gained. In these sessions, Sutton works with the participant to identify misalignments on a physical and energetic body level and return them to balance. She uses a range of modalities including the world-renowned teachings of Dr. Sue Morter and her Energy Codes healing framework, sound therapy and energetic trauma release. Location: 155 Joe V. Knox Ave. For more information or to register for a session, call 704-6620946 or visit ZenWithinAcademy.com/events or AhlaraInternational.com. See ad, page 23.

Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

Kempter Holistic Dentistry Merges with Van Gurp Dentistry

an Gurp Dentistry, in South Charlotte, is now known as Kempter Holistic Dentistry after the recent merger with the practice based in Concord. About a year ago, Dr. John Kempter met with a dentist from the South Charlotte area, Dr. Richard Van Gurp, with whom he shared similar ideals. As their professional relationship has developed, they decided to combine their practices. The combined doctors and staffs will be rotating between the Charlotte and Concord offices, so clients will be seeing familiar faces. At its core, holistic dentistry is focused on how dental health and treatment affects one’s overall health and well-being. For the patient that wants to achieve health and thus minimize their need for continual dental repair, holistic dentistry represents the best option in dentistry today. Locations: 1000 Copperfield Blvd., Ste. 160, Concord; 3111 Springbank Lane, Ste. F1, Charlotte. For more information or to make an appointment at either location, call 704782-0797 or visit KempterDentistry.com. See ad, back cover.

New Shape Reclaimed Program at Charlotte Natural Wellness

harlotte Natural Wellness is now offering spots to participate in their new Shape Reclaimed Program. By utilizing urine testing, Dr. Michelle Dillon, who is guiding the new weightloss and anti-inflammation program, is able to answer the hard question of “what to eat.” Dillon, who has been practicing in Charlotte for more than 12 years, is able to customize each person’s diet according to their own individual biochemistry. Charlotte Natural Wellness takes a holistic approach to providing high-quality, alternative health care and individualized treatment plans for their patients. Costs: initial visit—$350; follow-up Shape Reclaimed visits —three for $399; $50 off initial visit when mention this Brief. Location: 10722 Carmel Commons Blvd., Ste. 450. For more information or to register, call 704-543-5540 or visit CharlotteNaturalWellness.com. See ad, page 37.

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Seminar

he illumeMD Medical Spa & Wellness Center, in Charlotte, will host a free Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy seminar at 6 p.m. on July 24. Led by Dr. Pragathi Ravi, the event will inform attendees how the treatment, new to the Charlotte area, can be a solution for such conditions as difficulty in sleeping, lack of energy, feelings of anxiety and depression, ability in controlling weight, and reductions in mental acuity, memory, muscle strength and libido. The center only provides the therapy to those suffering from a hormonal imbalance. Each pellet made is customized for each patient’s needs using hormones similar to those found in our bodies to avoid the negative side effects of synthetic hormones. Pellets are subcutaneously inserted in a quick, painless process, and then dissolve, keeping hormone levels consistent throughout the day and avoiding erratic effects that are sometimes the byproduct of other forms of hormone therapy. Location: 2315 W. Arbors Dr., Ste. 230. For more information, to register for seminar or obtain a free consultation ($150 value), call 704-817-9421, email Manager@illume.life or visit Illume.Life. See ad, page 5.

July 2019

news briefs

Many Upcoming WOW! Words of Wisdom Events

Light House is a center for personal healing work, spiritual self-care and sacred practices that nourish mind, body & spirit. Reiki Master Energy Work Intuitive Medium Readings Psychospiritual Healing Light Language Work Massage / Bodywork Home Blessings / Readings Spiritual Ceremonies Immersion Programs

OW! Words of Wisdom, a new initiative led by Dr. Catherine Chew focusing on personal and professional development utilizing journaling as a de-stressing and “pro-cessing” strategy, will encompass a series of helpful events. A Time to Unplug: Let’s Pause & Listen workshop will be held Catherine Chew from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on August 7 followed by a Turn Down the Noise: Let’s Pause & Listen workshop from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on August 10, both in Midtown Charlotte. Career and Life Transitions: Journaling as a Strategy seminars from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays from September 17 to October 8 will be conducted at the same location. The Journaling 101: Getting Started seminar will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursdays from September 19 through October 10 in the Kings Point area of Cornelius. Today’s demanding, hectic and stressful lifestyles necessitate think time, reflection and quiet moments. Diagnoses of attention-deficit problems have increased 42 percent since 2003 according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Journaling is a well-documented way to achieve self-calm toward greater workplace productivity and personal well-being. Chew, a college president for seven years, also a CEO and having other leadership roles with several companies, provides deep insights and professional and personal wisdom. Costs: range from $35 (a 90-minute workshop) to $195 (a 4-session/1-month seminar); individual consultations are also available. Locations: Midtown off Metropolitan Ave., Charlotte; Kings Point, off West Catawba Ave., Cornelius. For more information or to register, call 980505-9945, email CatherineChew.WOW@gmail.com or visit DrCatherineChew.com. See ad, page 8.

Classes / Workshops Interfaith Sunday Fellowship Luma Boutique Spiritual Charlotte Podcast

Dammah Debbie Chisholm Reiki Master

Kendall Heath Interfaith Minister Intuitive Medium

Also Home To Sharla Brook Poling Kelly Lyall Massage Therapy & Massage Therapy

704-658-1442

645 Carpenter Ave. Mooresville, NC 28115 lighthousespiritualcenter.com 10

Charlotte Edition

Bloom Performance Arts Event Returns

he seventh edition of Bloom: Return to Roots, featuring more than 100 separate performance acts including modern, contemporary, belly dance, burlesque and other dancing styles along with fire performances and aerial and other circus acts, will be held from 6:30 to 11 p.m. for adults only on July 26 and from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. for families and 7 to 11 p.m. for adults only on July 27 at the Ampitheater at the Station House. Performers, most of them local along with some from around the country, will also conduct three workshops. Presented by Satarah Productions, the show, which has become a staple on the Charlotte arts scene, will celebrate the diversity of Charlotte’s artists, past, present and future. There’ll also be vendors selling their wares plus Nourish Charlotte providing delicious, vegan fare during the evenings. As a safe space for artists to share themselves and their journeys, many professional performers will bring choreographies to the stage for the first time, feeling comfortable enough to share those incredibly intimate moments. During adults-only sessions, along with burlesque performances, organizers relate that people have told stories of healing from trauma and there may be profanity in some of the chosen music. Tickets range from $15 to $35, in advance and at the door. Location: 4100 Raleigh St. For more information or to obtain tickets in advance, email StudioSatarah@gmail.com, call 602-486-3831 or visit InspireYourBloom.com or Tinyurl.com/Bloom-ReturnToRoots.

AwakeningCharlotte.com

Okra Yoga to Launch New Modular 300Hour Yoga Teacher Training

kra’s 300-hour advanced yoga teacher training program in Charlotte is designed for those with busy lives that need flexibility in their schedule. Arranged in modular fashion, students can pick and choose which workshops and trainings they are interested in as well as the dates that are most convenient for them. The modules will be offered at various times throughout the year. The amount of time it takes to complete the program— providing an opportunity to blossom as a yoga teacher, deepen one’s relationship with one’s yoga practice as both a student and a teacher—will depend on one’s pace and chosen trainings. The first elective weekend will be Thai Yoga with Michael Sitzer in August, followed by a Pranayama Weekend and Yin Yoga Training, in September; Kids’ LevelOne Yoga, in October; Pre-Natal Training and Four-Day Yoga and Ayurveda, in November; The Art of Yogic Speech, in December; and in January, Hal Smith will lead a weekend session focused on learning bodywork assists, yoga, essential oils and CBD for pain relief.

Golden Quest Mystery School Weekend Intensive

everend Rebecca Nagy, founder of The Golden Quest Mystery School, will lead a special weekend intensive on Ageless Wisdom from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 20 and 21 at a private residence in Charlotte. This will be the final introductory workshop before the school begins the fall season on August 24. The two-year curriculum ensures a progressive and balanced approach to one’s spiritual path through study, meditation, intuitive development and service. Students will also learn how to bring forward their unique qualities and abilities from past lives, align with their Soul Purpose for this life and understand the Shift of the Ages. Nagy is a graduate of the mystery school, Sancta Sophia and also trained at the Monroe Institute of Applied Sciences. For 40-plus years, she has studied the ageless wisdom, training as a Qabalist, Shaman and Reiki Master Teacher. She is also the author of the meditation audio book and CD Instant Calm, a Spiritual and Past Life Counselor, a Master Meditation Teacher and a member of the Council of Esoteric Professionals. She has presented for the Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship, Life Spectrums, Unity, IONS, The Institute of Noetic Science, SHiFT Charlotte, Whole Life Expo and the Theosophical Society. Believing that everyone can achieve self-mastery, and thus be a positive force for change, her teachings focus on becoming a “Soul-Infused Personality” through high integrity and authenticity, while remaining open and fluid to the evolution of spiritual guidance and progressive revelation. Fall classes, open to new students and focusing on the Seven Rays, The Kybalion and Esoteric Astrology and Soul purpose, will meet on the third Sunday of each month along with bi-monthly, weekday online webinars. Cost: $175 for weekend intensive and includes workbook. For more information including event location and to register (required by July 17), call 704-661-4957 email Rebecca. GoldenQuest@gmail.com or visit GoldenQuestMysterySchool.org. See ad, page 36.

Location: 1912 Commonwealth Ave. For more information or to apply, call 704-2661443, email Brooke@OkraCharlotte.com or visit OkraCharlotte.com. See ad, page 3.

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People suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, can breathe easier by taking the Chinese medicinal fungus Cordyceps sinensis, a new meta-analysis shows. Researchers at the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine conducted a review of 15 high-quality studies that involved 1,238 COPD patients and found that cordyceps significantly improved lung function, exercise endurance and quality of life with no report of any serious adverse effects. Cordyceps, which is said to relax and open the airways, has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an anti-asthmatic, expectorant and cough suppressant.

With the aid of a new infrared camera technology called optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), early Alzheimer’s disease can be detected by checking the back of the eyes for weakened and decreased blood vessels, reports a new study. Northwestern Medicine researchers reached the conclusion by comparing the vessels in the eyes of 32 people that exhibited the forgetfulness typical of earlystage Alzheimer’s with those of another 32 people with normal cognitive abilities. The vascular changes were detected non-invasively, without the need for dyes or expensive MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans. The technology quantifies capillary changes in great detail and with unparalleled resolution, making the eye an ideal mirror for what is going on in the brain. Early detection of Alzheimer’s is critical because existing therapies are more effective if they are started before extensive brain damage and cognitive decline have occurred.

Holistic approach to personalized healthcare NorthEast Internal & Integrative Medicine combines traditional primary care with evidence-based, alternative medicine therapies to promote wellness.

Shamille Hariharan, MD, MPH Board certified – Family Medicine

We offer: • Acupuncture • Aromatherapy • Massage therapy • Nutritional therapy • Osteopathy • Therapeutic touch

• Yoga • Preventative annual physicals • Treatment of chronic disease • Non-narcotic treatment of chronic pain • Healthy lifestyle changes

James Scheer, DO, MS, FIM

Board certified – Family Medicine Fellow in Integrative Medicine

Sherry Bonds, LMBT

To schedule an appointment, call 704-403-7050. Most insurance plans accepted.

Massage Therapy

NorthEast Internal & Integrative Medicine | 707 Memorial Blvd. | Concord, NC 28025 | 704-403-7050 12

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Try Cordyceps to Strengthen the Lungs

Get Eyes Checked to Detect Early Alzheimer’s

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health briefs

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local health briefs

The Benefits of Bio-Scalar Fields Terry Shintani, M.D., a professor of medicine author of 12 books on health, says, “Electronic medicine could replace drugs” for certain conditions, in Scientific American magazine. For people on chronic medication for sleep, depression, fatigue, arthritis and pain, this is welcome news, because taking medications for too long may have unpleasant and even deadly side effects. On the horizon are several innovative energy medicine approaches that have the potential for combating fatigue, arthritis and pain, and for improving sleep and energy. John Orava, a physicist who specializes in brain research and serves as president of the Bio-Physicists Foundation, examined the effect of the EESystem. He says, “What’s occurring is the transmutation of existing energy fields and a collision of photons at 90 and 180 degrees. The result is the production of new forms of energy fields. There’s even more than that going on. This (the EESystem) definitely would have an effect on all forms of energy. Since everything is energy, including people, it would definitely have an effect on us. The normal 60-cycle hum that you find in surroundings from electrical circuits have been transmuted. There is no longer the 60-cycle hum that is detrimental to human health. It’s been transmuted to other frequencies. This is revolutionary technology that needs to be further explored for its potential for healing.” The concept is not to treat a specific disease, but rather to boost the body’s cellular energy so that the body heals itself. This was presented at a United Nations round table, and some experts think that it may be the future of medicine. Users sit in the chamber, taking a nap or meditating in this energy field. According to Orava, the field affects every cell in the body. People that have experience with “being in the energy” have reported deeper states of relaxation; deeper meditation states; improved sleep, energy and vision; improvements in skin; improved management of stress; super learning states, improved self-confidence and mental functioning; and improved flexibility, performance and creativity. Mary Elizabeth Diercks is Director of Zero Point Center, the only EESystem in North Carolina, located at 705 Griffith St., Ste. 206, in Davidson. For appointments and more information, call 980-689-4166 or visit ZeroPointNC.com.

Tips for Controlling Blood Sugar Levels Blood sugar imbalance and diabetes can be reversed by following the correct procedures to lower blood sugar and A1C, and lose belly fat. UCLA endocrinologist Diana Schwarzbein, M.D., writes in The Schwarzbein Principle about the myth of complex carbohydrates. Whether we eat a whole grain muffin or a teaspoon of sugar, they all become glucose at the end of the digestive process. Over time, significantly reducing carbohydrates will increase the body’s ability to burn fat and better utilize the carbohydrates that we eat. Besides diet, other factors come into play. Daily exercise alone can reduce resistance to insulin, thus lowering blood sugar. One study showed that walking only one mile per day (roughly 15 minutes) had significant results. Correcting nutritional deficiencies for missing minerals such as chromium and vanadium, which help to maintain normal blood sugar levels, is key. Normalizing adrenal function is also necessary. Adrenal activity affects blood sugar levels and vice versa. Making lifestyle changes and correcting nutritional habits take stress off of the adrenal gland. Kenneth Haas, DC, CCSP, is the founder of Haas Wellness Center, located at 3315 Springbank Ln., Ste. 102, in Charlotte. For more information, call 704-837-2420, email Reception@HaasWellnessCenters.com or visit HaasWellnessCenters.com.

A BALANCED body is a Healthy Body! Reflexology... (non-invasive touch therapy - feet, hands & face) helps reduce stress, improves circulation, detoxifies & increases ENERGY throughout the body Experience it for yourself. Call Eva Gajewski TODAY! (704) 774-9629 BalancedEnergyReflexology.com July 2019

Hemp to the Rescue at Detox Sites

Cannabis is enjoying a renaissance of sorts, and one new application for hemp, the no-buzz industrial variety used in fabrics, oils and foods, is cleaning nuclear radiation from toxic soil and removing metals like cadmium, lead, mercury and other pollutants via phytoremediation. Allison Beckett, a cultivation expert at Marijuana.com, says, “Industrial hemp has been used in areas of high radiation, such as Fukushima, [in Japan,] with promising results. Not only does hemp pull toxic, heavy metals from the soil, it actually improves soil structure, making it usable as productive farmland again. Plus, hemp is a vigorous plant that absorbs CO2 rapidly, making it an encouraging solution to climate change.” Hemp phytoremediation has been used in Italy to clean up the small town of Taranto, where a steel plant has been leaking dioxin into the air and soil. The Pennsylvania Industrial Hemp Council and Lehigh University, in Bethlehem, are running a project to test the process in an arseniccontaminated area in Upper Saucon Township that once harbored a zinc mine.

The 2019 Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce (Tinyurl.com/ DirtyDozen-Clean15List) highlights increased pesticide use on up to 70 percent of conventionally grown U.S. produce. Several different types of pesticide, insecticide and fungicide residues are present on many fruits and vegetables. The Dirty Dozen list includes strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery and potatoes. The clean 15 list includes avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, frozen sweet peas, onions, papayas, eggplant, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, cauliflower, cantaloupes, broccoli, mushrooms and honeydew melon. The EWG advises that eating organic produce, especially for pregnant and nursing mothers and young children, should be a national priority.

We Help You Reach Your Health Goals Naturally Have you tried EVERYTHING and STILL have unexplained health issues? Dr. Haas has been in practice for 33 years. He has helped over 15,000 patients return to their highest health potential.

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Miracle Fruit Available in Charlotte by Martin Miron

eth Sturdivant, an independent advocate with Lifebrook, is also a certified nutritionist and wellness consultant, diplomate of holistic iridology and a survivor of chemical poisoning and electromagnetic sickness that caused brain damage, nervous and endocrine system damage, Beth Sturdivant heavy metal poisoning, and extreme edema. Sturdivant self-published the book Backyard Secret Exposed in Independent Advocate 2013. www.TryAroniaBerry.com Lifebrook was founded by Tony Heistercamp in 2018 after having a positive response and high demand for the aronia berry product from his local community. Lifebrook offers more than 200 science-based research abstracts in the areas of eye, brain, circulatory and heart, digestive, joint and blood research. Numerous studies published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association, BioMed Research International, PubMed.gov and Molecules on eye health, brain

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hristine Roper, MSPY, PYT, and the founder of Roper Physical Therapy, in Charlotte, earned the 2019 Women Business Owner award bestowed by the National Association of Women Business Owners Charlotte (NAWBO Charlotte). She opened her practice in 2003, offering individualized Christine Roper treatment plans incorporating myofascial release, and nine years later, she joined forces with her friend and colleague adding a medical-based, bio-mechani-

health, circulatory and heart health, digestive health, joint health and blood health document the scientific health benefits of aronia berries. “We are releasing a best-kept secret as we have begun recently sharing this top master fruit in Charlotte,” says Sturdivant. “We are extremely excited to assist with sharing the knowledge that this amazing berry can bring to each and every household.” Sturdivant says, “The Lifebrook company is different because we have the top master fruit of the world grown right in North America. We offer a superior juice that is all juice, with no fillers and a daily vitamin mineral supplement with fiber from the powder of the aronia berry. It can provide rejuvenation each and every day we live to help offset the stress we encounter from our environment today.” Sturdivant learned about aronia berries as part of her own grueling journey back to health. As a successful Subway franchisee for 20-plus years, Sturdivant found herself extremely sick, struggling to stay alive and trying to figure out what to do after being poisoned by electromagnetic radiation. She says, “Imagine the struggle of being forced into total isolation. I could not have visitors. I had to have my bedroom door shut; the windows blocked. My body was in total fight-or-flight. I was in so much pain feeling nauseated all day long every day for almost two years and with terrible headaches that were worse than having a migraine. I could not be a mom and take my children anywhere or support them physically at any school or fun event. I could not drive or ride in a car. The swelling was extremely crazy, absolute extreme edema.” After seeing numerous environmental and holistic doctors, chiropractors, Sturdivant shares, “I continued being extremely sensitive until I found this juice. My life totally changed in the last seven months. I am not claiming yours will; but I do know when you finally find what your body needs, great improvement happens.” For more information, call 704-918-5545, attend regular Monday “Hear the Heart of Lifebrook” call or visit TryAroniaBerry.com. See ad, page 4.

cally sound yoga program to their services. Roper and her dynamic team of therapists have found success in helping their patients heal and achieve better quality of life by combining their expertise in myofascial release, physical therapy and knowledge of medical-based yoga. She has been a guest speaker on these modalities at several colleges and universities. Roper is a committee member for the Gold Award Committee at Hornet’s Nest Girl Scouts and is a board member of the nonprofit organization Brave Step. She resides in Charlotte with her husband of 22 years and their three children. Location: 301 E. Tremont Ave., Ste. B, in Charlotte. For more information or to make an appointment, call 980-298-6706 or visit RoperPT.com. See ads, page 37 and 39. July 2019

City planners need innovative solutions like vertical farming to feed the growing population. We can grow at scale, with minimum space and environmental impact.

Wendy Coleman, founder of LA Urban Farms, works with chefs, resorts, hotels, universities and corporate clients to set up aeroponic tower gardens, such as these kale and lettuce crops.

D.C., from elementary school gardens where kids learn to grow, cook and eat nutritious food to corporate gardens inside a new office building for lender Fannie Mae’s employee café. One of its crown jewels is a 6,500-square-foot rooftop garden on the Nationals Park baseball stadium, where edible flowers end up in cocktails and organic produce feeds fine diners and VIP ticket holders. Ray grew his business organically, fueled by passion and curiosity, rather than any horticultural background. “I grew up

CROPS IN THE CITY Urban Agriculture Breaks New Ground by April Thompson

he average American meal travels 1,500 miles to reach its plate, according to the nonprofit Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture. Yet, enterprising green thumbs across the country are bringing the farm back to plate’s reach, growing hyperlocal food in backyards, on rooftops, through indoor farms and more. City farming reconnects urbanites to their food sources while bettering the environment, communities, diets and health. Urban agriculture, harkening back to the Victory Gardens planted to ward off food shortages during World War I and II, is nothing new. While today’s home gardeners have staked out balconies, window boxes and vacant lots in this locavore resurgence, noteworthy pioneers are 16

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forging a path to organic urban agriculture on a commercial scale—tapping into new technologies and markets, and turning challenges like dealing with space constraints into fresh opportunities.

A View From the Roofs

Take Niraj Ray, whose company Cultivate the City is working to transform urban food deserts in the nation’s capital into thriving local food systems. “We want to get more people interested in growing their own food and show them how they can grow more with less square footage through vertical gardens and sustainable techniques like [soil-less] hydroponic systems,” says Ray. Cultivate the City manages numerous gardens for clients around Washington,

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in NYC, where I had nothing to grow on. When I moved to Florida for grad school, I had a huge backyard to play around with,” says Ray. Like many other urban farms, Cultivate the City offers a seasonal farm subscription known as a community supported agriculture (CSA) program that allows city dwellers to buy directly from local producers. Ray’s rooftop greenhouse, located on top of a local hardware store that sells his edible plants at retail, offers all the fixings for a healthy, diverse diet: hydroponic towers of leafy greens, trays of microgreens for corporate clients, specialty varieties of hot peppers for the company’s hot sauce and stacking cubes of an albino strawberry variety that Ray crossbred himself. “There are so many ways to contribute to urban farming, from aquaponics to vermicomposting; it’s about finding your niche,” he says.

photo courtesy of LAUrbanFarms.com

~Wendy Coleman

photo courtesy of LAUrbanFarms.com

Growing Up With Vertical Farming

There are so many ways to contribute to urban farming, from aquaponics to vermicomposting; it’s about finding your niche.

benefit in a place like California, and avoids any kind of agricultural runoff,” says Coleman. In conjunction with urBy 2050, it’s estimated ban farming partners, that 9 billion people the business churns ~Niraj Ray will be living on the out 30,000 seedlings a planet—7 billion in citmonth using aeroponic ies. “City planners need innovative solutions technology to grow for their diverse client like vertical farming to feed the growing base and working with chefs to plan seasonal population. We can grow at scale, with minimenus around their produce. mum space and environmental impact,” says Aeroponics and other innovative farm Wendy Coleman, who began her Californiatechnologies are transforming spaces in based business LA Urban Farms in 2013. cities across the U.S., reclaiming peripheral Today, Coleman’s team works with chefs, and idle spaces like alleys and warehouses resorts, hotels, universities, greenhouses and to grow herbs and vegetables in abuncorporate clients like Google and Ikea to set dance, using 90 percent less land by growup aeroponic tower gardens across the U.S. ing vertically, notes Coleman. “With our and Europe. gardens, diners can see their food growing With aeroponics, nutrient-enriched at their table; they get such a personal conwater is pumped through a garden tower nection with their food. It’s an interactive to shower the roots of plants suspended in way for hotels and restaurants to demonair. “It actually uses 90 percent less water strate their commitment to local, sustainthan conventional growing, which is a huge able food,” she says.

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Breaking into Hives: City Beekeepers

“I had a backyard garden that wasn’t doing so well, and I thought it was the lack of pollinators, so I got bees; but then I realized I was just a bad gardener,” quips master beekeeper John Coldwell, of Fort Lauderdale. Since this humble beginning in 2012 with a few backyard hives, Coldwell and his wife Teresa have been leading a movement to repurpose public land for “microapiaries” and provide apiary education for youth and adults throughout South Florida. Through their entity The Urban Beekeepers, the Coldwells offer beekeeping classes, consult with local governments, sell equipment and rescue “feral hives” to integrate into managed hives. They’ve worked successfully with

parks, airports, golf clubs and country clubs to put honeybee habitats on site. Urban beekeeping works in synergy with city farms, as honeybees forage up to five miles for food, and in so doing pollinate a lot of crops. Seventy of the top 100 human food crops are pollinated by bees, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. “We often hear people say their garden is doing better than it has in years, thanks to the apiaries nearby,” says John Coldwell. The challenges of growing at scale are a recurrent theme among urban farmers. Ian Marvy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) outreach specialist for the greater New York City area, ran his own urban farm, grossing six figures for 14 years. However,

Marvy says most farmers growing in the city aren’t operating at a profitable scale or producing enough for everyone to eat local. Even so, locally grown produce is a booming market in New York City. Greenmarket, founded in 1976, operates more than 50 farmers’ markets, limited to vendors that grow within a 200-mile radius, some of whom take home five figures on a good day, says Marvy. Interest in growing at the community level has also mushroomed, adds Marvy, who estimates that 90 percent of the city’s more than 500 school gardens weren’t there 15 years ago when he started this work. “The USDA has a huge opportunity here and nationally to make cities more sustainable and feed more people. I’m really excited and

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committed to that,” he says. While urban agriculture efforts are sometimes criticized for catering to upper income residents that can afford to pay top dollar for specialty items like microgreens, many businesses and organizations are working on multiple fronts, with lucrative specialty crops helping to subsidize programs serving families lacking access to healthy affordable food. Grow Ohio Valley takes an integrated approach to food sovereignty in Wheeling, West Virginia, and the Upper Ohio Valley. “This part of the Appalachian Rustbelt has lost much of its population, jobs and economic base over the last generation. We want to promote health and wellness through fresh food, while helping to transform the urban landscape from falling-down buildings and vacant lots into productive community assets,” says founder Danny Swan. The operation’s food hub aggregates produce from small local farmers, providing a guaranteed market for their produce and the opportunity to reach a larger market, usually only served by food grown thousands of miles away. The produce is supplemented by four urban farm sites run by the organization, including an apple orchard on the site of a demolished housing project. Grow Ohio Valley also works to reach the “last-mile customers” that lack access to high-quality affordable produce via a mobile farmers’ market that goes to housing projects, senior communities and schools six days a week. Their latest project, the Public Market, is a retail location on Wheeling’s Main Street that will serve as a year-round farmers’ market. The organization is also building alliances between local farmers and healthcare providers through a project called The Farmacy. A partnership with a local free clinic, it targets people suffering from diabetes and other diseases linked to poor diets with a doctor’s prescription for organic produce offered free through the organization’s CSA. These urban agriculture pioneers are helping to not only grow food, but community, and are nurturing renewed connections to the Earth. City growing has so

many benefits: decreasing packaging, costs and food miles traveled, making it easier to eat organic seasonal food and a more diverse diet. “The connection people feel when they plant seed and get to harvest the mature plant is transformative. Growing food is something we can all do to make a difference, for our health and the environment,” says Coleman.

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Alternatives to Antibiotics

Beyond Antibiotics Pets Can Heal With Natural Approaches by Karen Shaw Becker

ike people, pets can develop allergies to medications that are overprescribed, including antibiotics, which also have a long list of side effects— many of which are long-term. There is also the escalating problem of resistance, which is the result of too-frequent and unnecessary use of these drugs. One of the most important things to know is that dogs and cats are exposed to antibiotics when they eat food containing the meat of factory-farmed animals, which includes about 99 percent of pet foods on the market today. The exception is a very small number that contain free-range, organic ingredients.

Antibiotic Resistance

In many cases, even when bacteria are exposed for the first time to a particular antibiotic, the majority will die, but some will survive and pass on that resistance to other bacteria. The problem is not that certain disease-causing bacteria are antibiotic-resistant, but that the resistance genes in any type of bacteria can transfer their ability to survive to billions of other bacteria. 20

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This is how superbugs are born. These are a strain of bacteria able to withstand assault by multiple types of antibiotics. When a veterinarian can no longer eliminate bacterial infections with antibiotics, the life of the animal is threatened, and that’s the biggest concern. If a veterinarian makes a diagnosis of infection, ask for a culture and sensitivity test. Otherwise, he or she is making a guess at what type of organism is present and the best antibiotic to treat it. Each time an unnecessary or inappropriate antibiotic is prescribed, the potential for resistance increases. Only in an emergency situation should a veterinarian prescribe an antibiotic before the culture and sensitivity test can be performed. The vet can then switch medications if necessary when the results arrive. Giving the proper dose of the antibiotic at the proper intervals and using up the entire prescription is important, even if the pet seems to be fully recovered before the medication has run out. This will ensure the infection is totally resolved and prevent the pet from having to take another full course of antibiotics because the first one wasn’t fully

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Many conditions for which antibiotics are often indiscriminately prescribed respond very well to a combination of natural therapies, including herbs, homeopathic remedies, nutraceuticals, immune system stimulants and specific nutritional interventions. Functional medicine veterinarians, a group that is thankfully growing in number, realize this and are able to partner with pet parents to offer alternatives to antibiotics. A 2016 study showed cranberry extract to be as or more effective in preventing E. coli-related urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs as short-term antibiotic treatment. In addition, cranberry extract can help fight multidrug-resistant bacteria in dogs with recurrent E. coli UTIs. In a study of shelter dogs, researchers compared the use of probiotics to antibiotics to treat acute diarrhea caused by stress. They concluded probiotic therapy was as effective as antibiotic therapy. In addition, dogs that were unresponsive to antibiotics appeared to benefit significantly from subsequent probiotic treatment. Oregano oil, propolis, olive leaf, essential oils, colloidal silver and Manuka honey help reduce bacterial skin infections caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococcusaureus (MRSA) with good success. If a dog or cat isn’t facing a life-threatening health situation, talk with the veterinarian about alternatives to antibiotics. In these situations, pet parents often find it beneficial to consult a functional medicine or integrative veterinarian whose goal is to treat these problems by starting with the least toxic options first. Karen Shaw Becker is a proactive, integrative doctor of veterinary medicine who consults internationally and writes for Mercola Healthy Pets (HealthyPets.Mercola.com).

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administered and the infection wasn’t effectively cleared. It’s important to reseed the pet’s gastrointestinal (GI) system with friendly microorganisms—probiotics—during and after antibiotic therapy to reestablish a healthy balance of gut bacteria. This will also help keep a dog or cat’s digestive system working optimally and the immune system strong.

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any home gardeners readily list flies, wasps and beetles among the “pests” in their gardens. However, many of these are actually pollinators that help boost production of fruits and vegetables; others are beneficial insects that keep the real plant-killers at bay. A quick call to the local cooperative extension service can help sort out friend from foe—and that’s just the beginning of what this valuable, underutilized resource can offer. Each year, millions in federal taxpayer dollars help fund county agricultural extension programs administered through the 108 colleges and universities that comprise the nation’s land grant university system. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which supplies the money, also helps fund science-based research meant to reach not only farmers, but home gardeners seeking advice on best practices. The USDA is trying to do a better job of raising public awareness of assistance that’s readily available, free of charge, especially now that it’s getting more funding.

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Organic on the Rise

“The good news is that the 2018 Farm Bill provided increases for many of our programs, including the organic agriculture research and extension initiative program for which we received significant funding,” says Mathieu Ngouajio, program leader for the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The USDA is eager to see the connections their constituents are making with the research. “We want to identify the needs of organic gardeners, and the best way to meet those needs to get our research into their hands,” Ngouajio says. County extension agents are on the front lines of this effort, offering lowor no-cost soil testing, handbooks on a variety of local gardening topics and workshops on everything from making rain barrels and creating rain gardens to implementing eco-friendly pest control, cultivating native plants and employing best practices for organic gardening. Master gardeners that volunteer their expertise are central to supporting ex-

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tension outreach activities. “We would love more business from the public,” says Weston Miller, an associate professor with Oregon State University’s extension service. “The public service of the master gardener program is to answer questions,” including what and when to plant and how much irrigation is required. In Oregon, there are 3,500 master gardeners, with 650 volunteers in Portland alone. “We train master gardeners in how to use our resources and interpret the research to the public,” Miller says. “There are trained volunteers in pretty much every county in the country ready and willing to answer any gardening question,” Miller says. For example, a new organic gardener might not know the correct soil amendments to use or how to start a composting pile to supplement the soil in an organic garden. There is also a nationwide network called Ask the Expert (USDA.gov/askexpert) and questions will automatically

go to an extension staff person or master gardener in the area where the inquiring gardener lives.

Reducing Confusion

Many of those getting into organic gardening might feel confused as to what connotes organic, Miller says. “Organic gardening is using a naturally formed material for fertilizer and pesticide, from plant, animal or mineral sources.” The biggest area of confusion is that many people think organic means pesticide-free. But that is not always true. There is organic pest control, Miller says. “In terms of gardening, there are certified organic products you can use and still be organic.” One thing to look for on a label is the seal of the Organic Materials Review Institute, which indicates the product is suitable for organic gardening. However, there aren’t many good options for weed management, he adds. “You have to do weeding by hand or use an

herbicide that isn’t organic.” Another issue that extension programs can help with is making sure organic gardeners receive only scientifically researched information, says Nicole Pinson, an urban horticulture agent with the Hillsborough County Extension Service, in Tampa, Florida. “Gardening information is available on websites and on social media. Some information that pops up is not researchbased, or they are selling a product and are not unbiased,” Pinson says. “We generally stick to recommendations we have been able to vet through research. When we make a recommendation, we give folks all of the options of what they can do.” To find a nearby extension office, visit Tinyurl.com/ExtensionFinder. Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. She can be contacted at YvetteHammett28@hotmail.com.

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impact on health. Published in the journal Environmental Research in 2018, the metaanalysis involving 290 million participants from 20 countries concluded that spending time in green spaces lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduces the stress hormone cortisol. The study also noted a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and death from heart disease.

fit body The main purpose is not exercise or getting from point A to point B, but rather having a mindful, sensory experience in nature.

FOREST BATHING Mother Nature’s Rx for Body and Mind by Marlaina Donato

n 1982, the Japanese government coined the term Shinrin-yoku (“taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing”) to inspire people to visit and appreciate national parks. Today, that walk in the woods has become a medically recommended activity worldwide for improving immunity, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, managing chronic pain and promoting

better sleep. The research supporting the physical and mental benefits of forest bathing is so compelling that it’s advocated by the National Institute of Public Health of Japan and prescribed to patients there. Researchers from the University of East Anglia, in England, examined years of studies and found significant evidence that experiencing nature has a positive

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Another recent review of studies, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, concluded that Shinrin-yoku can ease the symptoms of adult depression. “Forest bathing plugs us into something we all seek—a source of peace and well-being. The thing that first hooked me into being a forest bathing guide was reading the robust body of research that proves the benefits of forest bathing,” says Judy Beaudette, board secretary of Friends of North Creek Forest, in Bothell, Washington. Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified forest therapy guide and author of The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect With Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, attests to the therapeutic value of forest bathing. “Even occasional nature immersion can have beneficial health effects that can last for days. Many doctors are now prescribing nature to patients. There’s an organization devoted to this called Park Rx America.” She recommends just 20 minutes during a lunch

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Terpenes and Tree Therapy

~Hannah Fries

break to sit on a bench or on the ground beneath trees. There are many theories of why spending time in the woods or any other natural place makes us feel good; for example, findings published in the journal Toxicological Research in 2017 attribute the immune-boosting, mood-lifting benefits of forest bathing to natural terpenes released into the air by trees, especially conifers. Terpenes contain anti-inflammatory properties that strengthen the body’s natural defenses.

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Sensory Immersion, Not Exercise Shinrin-yoku is intended to engage the trinity of body-mind-spirit. “The main purpose is not exercise or getting from point A to point B, but rather having a mindful, sensory experience in nature. It isn’t some prescribed task you need to do, like pushups,” explains Hannah Fries, a poet and author of Forest Bathing Retreat: Find Wholeness in the Company of Trees. She communes with the wild for both health and inspiration. “Even if it’s only 20 minutes a week, go outside without a phone or other electronic device. Walk slowly. Look more closely. Listen. Smell. Touch. Interact with the living, breathing world around you. It’s that simple.” Choukas-Bradley says that observance is key. Recalling her first forest bathing experience, she says, “We paid attention to our breath and tuned in to the sights, sounds and sensations all around us. I noticed a perfect spider’s web, just barely trembling in the slightest breeze, its creator clinging to the center.” She recommends finding a “wild home”—a neighborhood park, garden or backyard tree. “Make it a practice to find a ‘sit spot’ where you can quietly observe beauty and are apt to feel a sense of awe. Psychology researchers have shown that experiencing awe has many positive effects on emotional health.” It doesn’t matter if we commune with nature in a rural or urban setting, only that we remain dialed in to our surroundings. “Forest bathing is a tool for slowing down our buzzing minds and practicing a secret superpower—the skill of consciously choosing what we put our attention on,” says Beaudette. Marlaina Donato is the author of several books, including Multidimensional Aromatherapy. She is also a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

A Simple Meditation Forest bathing guide Judy Beaudette suggests: n Find something you can put your attention on that is natural— a plant, a stone, a bird’s song, a stream or a forest, the sky, even a tuft of grass or weeds growing out of a crack in the sidewalk. n Practice noticing something small in nature, like an acorn, a leaf or a grain of sand. Put it in the palm of your hand and for five minutes, notice the details. Keep noticing. See what thoughts come to mind and keep returning your attention to this small thing. After the five minutes have elapsed, write down your observations.

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PLOS ONE earlier this year, also show that VNS delays the brain’s response to pain signals in individuals with PTSD.

healing ways

Toning the Vagus Nerve Relief for Pain, Anxiety and Inflammation

by Marlaina Donato

stimulation (VNS) can esearch is helpThe vagus nerve improve quality of life ing doctors stems from the brain for individuals sufferconnect the to the abdomen like ing from numerous dots between seemingly a communication conditions. One type unrelated conditions like irritable bowel superhighway between is a device that can be implanted by a neurosyndrome, rheumatoid your gut and brain. surgeon, which sends arthritis, post-traumatic ~Hannah Aylward electrical impulses to stress disorder (PTSD), chronic fatigue synthe vagus nerve in children that suffer from seizures and adults drome and fibromyalgia, revealing a comwith depression as a supplemental treatmon denominator: the multitasking vagus ment when surgery or medications are not nerve, the longest in the autonomic nervous possible or effective. system. The superpower of this double There is also a handheld, non-invasive branched cranial nerve lies in transporting VNS option called gammaCore, a U.S. Food major neurotransmitters along what is and Drug Administration-approved device known as the brain-gut axis. “The vagus that offers hope for sufferers of cluster and migraine headaches. Its effectiveness for nerve stems from the brain to the abdochronic pain management, as well as in cases men like a communication superhighway of epilepsy and depression, was published in between your gut and brain,” says Hanthe Neuromodulation Journal in 2015. nah Aylward, an Orlando-based certified PTSD researcher Imanuel Lerman, holistic health coach and gut health expert. M.D., and his colleagues with the Veter“Studies show that the vagus nerve reguans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, lates inflammation throughout the body.” found that VNS affects areas of the brain responsible for processing emotional pain. Promising Research Recent studies have shown that vagus nerve The findings, published in the journal 26

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When it comes to the vagus nerve, anxiety is physical. Post-traumatic stress is rooted in neurobiology and experienced in the body, not just the mind, says Arielle Schwartz, Ph.D., a Boulder, Colorado-based clinical psychologist and author of The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Regaining Emotional Control and Becoming Whole. “This is why you can’t simply think or talk your way out of your trauma reactions.” According to Schwartz, “Disruptions in the gut flora, which often occur with overuse of antibiotics, can have a significant impact on mental health. An imbalance in the gut can lead to an inflammatory response in the immune system and a wide range of disruptive symptoms.” Aylward notes that 95 percent of the body’s mood-boosting chemical serotonin resides in the enteric nervous system, which governs the function of the gastrointestinal tract. “The brain-gut axis is becoming increasingly important as a therapeutic target for psychiatric and GI disorders,” she says. Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and founding co-director of UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center, explains the trauma loop. “Developmental trauma impairs the integrative circuits of the brain and nervous system—the prefrontal cortex. When this happens, the brain will be hyperalert, interpreting some non-threatening situations as threatening. “Learning to be aware of our internal state and learning calming techniques helps to regulate the autonomic nervous system and can go a long way,” says Siegel. “High ventral vagal tone means having a state of calm.”

Vagus Power Everyone can benefit from increased vagal tone, which goes hand-in-hand with engaging the parasympathetic nervous system for optimum equilibrium at the cellular level. Acupuncture, chiropractic—with a focus on the cranial nerves—massage, meditation, singing, laughing loudly, chanting mantras,

Maya2008/Shutterstock.com

Mental Health, Trauma and the Gut

Maya2008/Shutterstock.com

gentle yoga and exercise, positive social interactions, belly breathing and chanting all make the vagus nerve a happy camper. These activities promote relaxation and help to decrease inflammation. “As a certified yoga instructor, I can attest to a wide range of natural vagus nerve stimulation techniques, especially using the breath,” says Schwartz. “Diaphragmatic breathing creates a gentle massage across your digestive organs, releases the diaphragm and stimulates nerve fibers within the lungs. Heart rate is reduced.” Brief exposure to cold water or cold air improves vagal tone and is a good option when anxiety is high. Eating cold-water fish like wild salmon or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, seaweed, hemp, flax or chia seeds provides vagal nourishment. Marlaina Donato is the author of several books, including Multidimensional Aromatherapy. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

VagusNourishing Diet Tips

FULL BODY THERMOGRAPHY IDENTIFY YOUR INFLAMMATION, TARGET & TREAT IT!

Advice from gut health expert Hannah Aylward: 4 Eat plenty of vegetables, high-quality proteins, fiber and healthy fats. 4 A diet low in sugar and processed carbohydrates supports healthy vagus nerve function by maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.

Non-radiation Digital Imaging Liver & Lymphatic Cleansing Gut Microbiome Reset Immune Support Cardiovascular Support

4 Practice intermittent fasting, which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (not recommended for people suffering from adrenal fatigue or high stress). 4 Take probiotics. Lactobacillus has been shown to increase GABA via stimulation of the vagus nerve. Bifidobacterium longum has demonstrated it can normalize anxiety-like behavior in mice by acting through the vagus nerve.

DILLON NATURAL HEALTH 704-333-9991

DillonNaturalHealth.com

421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte NC 28211 July 2019

event spotlights

EENC Annual Conference in Gastonia

Celebration of Statewide Environmental Educators

he 2019 Environmental Educators of North Carolina’s (EENC) annual conference will be held at the Schiele Museum of Natural History, in Gastonia, North Carolina, from September 19 to 21. The theme is MemorEEs Make US, celebrating the formative experiences that inspired past attendees to become teachers and focusing on strategies to help cultivate memorable learning experiences to inspire the next generation. Especially suited for teachers, informal educators, park rangers and other conservationists, scout leaders, museum and zoo employees, school garden coordinators and other community leaders, the conference will feature field trips and workshops, concurrent sessions—focusing on lesson plans, environmental education resources and success stories from educators—professional networking, a night at the museum and keynote speaker Dr. Carolyn Finney, storyteller, cultural geographer and author of Black Faces, White Spaces. 28

Charlotte Edition

Finney’s work develops greater cultural competency within environmental organizations and institutions, challenges media on their representation of differences and increases awareness of how privilege shapes who gets to speak on environmental issues and determines policies and actions. The EENC’s mission includes building connections; providing professional development and training to promote excellence for North Carolina’s environmental educators that inspire the creation of an environmentally literate citizenry and empowering learners to make decisions for a sustainable future; fostering networking opportunities; and demonstrating high-quality environmental education programs and materials. EENC welcomes persons of all races, ages, creeds and sexual orientations as they believe everyone can help increase the environmental literacy of our state’s citizens. The EENC grew from the desire of environmental educators across North Caro-

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lina to meet and share their experiences, aspirations and tools. Launched in 1990, the nonprofit now represents a network of hundreds of outstanding environmental educators, individuals and organizations that work together including in section events across the state to accomplish its goals and continues to seek new related opportunities. As the state affiliate for the North American Association of Environmental Education, EENC works with other affiliates throughout the state, collaborating with state offices and agencies, nonprofits and businesses, bringing them together for shared events, advocacy and initiatives. The organization also conducts an annual awards program and provides mini-grants for professional development, teaching materials, workshop expenses and classroom support. EENC was chosen Affiliate of the Year in 1998 by the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE), largely for developing North Carolina’s environmental education certification program with the state Office of Environmental Education, and earned the award again in 2014 for hosting the 40th annual NAAEE conference and leading the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance. In 2018, the organization hired its first staff including an executive director to expand its effort through partnerships, outreach, fundraising and new programming including a mini-grant, Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education workshops, facilitator support, and diversity, equity and inclusion training for educators. Environmental education is a learning process that increases people’s knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills and expertise to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations and commitments to make informed decisions and take responsible action. For more information or to register for the full conference or any one day, call 984-9991702, email EENCExecDirector@gmail.com or visit EENC.org.

First Carolinas Cannabis Convention in Charlotte

Is The Mold In Your Home

Making Your Family Sick?

he inaugural Carolinas Cannabis Convention will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 16 and 17 at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, in Charlotte. The event will mark the first major tradeshow in Charlotte that will showcase speakers and various brands in and outside of our community for hemp and CBD businesses (growers, retailers, distributors, wholesalers and others) and the general public. The Friday session, geared for business attendees, will open with a breakfast and guest speaker Mecklenburg County (district 107) North Carolina House Representative Kelly Alexander followed by other presentations on subjects such as compliance issues, farming practices and retail best practices. Public attendees on Saturday will hear from experts on dosing, medical care and other topics. Tours of some area farms are possible near the end of the day based on attendance levels. Kim DeLaney-Surratt, producer and director of event operations, founded My Green House CBD, in Concord, and formerly co-owned Its Just Events, a Charlotte-based event management firm and was the director of events for the Black Expos held in Charlotte, Hampton Roads and Savannah. “Many industry shows are hugely focused on the THC strain of cannabis and are mostly located in the Midwest or West Coast,” she says. “As the industry is evolving, CBD and hemp have made major progress in the cannabis industry and is set to outperform its more popular cousin strain. It was time to create a show that truly represented what the businesses in the Carolinas had designed. The Carolinas is home to many hemp growers, retail store owners, distributors and extractors.” She says that the event highlights what is available regionally and invites national brands to expand into the southeast by participating and it also involves working with many startups and smaller businesses to help them understand the value in event marketing and its return on investment. “We started in the CBD industry due to health reasons,” adds DeLaney-Surratt. “We believe we are growing because we are passionate, genuine and transparent. Our customers are our top priority and helping spread the importance of natural plant medicine is game-changing to our everyday health and wellness. We hope to make this an annual event with the support of the Carolinas.” Location: 2800 Coliseum Centre Dr. For more information or to register, both for B2B opportunities and also tickets for the public, call 980-330-1335 or visit CarolinasCannabisConvention.com.

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healthy food directory

gaston county natural guide Connecting Gaston County to leaders in natural health, wellness and green living. To find out how you can be included in the Gaston County Natural Guide, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

THERMOGRAPHY GASTON THERMAL IMAGING

GASTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 704-922-2167 Erin.Lineberger@GastonGov.com

927 Cox Rd, Gastonia 704-853-9160 (Call or Text) GastonThermalImaging.com

Dedicated to providing an adjunctive tool in the early detection of breast disease. This economical, no touch, no radiation scan can detect increased blood flow related to cancer and other disease processes in the body.

Offering free environmental and natural resource education to students and teachers as well as adults and civic organizations. Call Erin Lineberger for more information or to schedule an education session.

ORGANIC MARKET & SUPPLEMENTS ORGANIC MARKETPLACE

WEIGHT LOSS CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE Lidia Adkins, CFMP, DC, PKT 216 S. New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-271-9757 • CWLI.net

1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-864-0605 OrganicMarketplaceNC.com

9am -7pm M/F, 9am-6pm Sat. Reliable community partner, local source for education, organic foods, personal care, products, supplements, aromatherapy, organic wine/beer and pet products. See ad, page 23.

SPA

Developer of the “40 Day Transformation” system, a physician designed and administered functional approach with programming tailored to the unique metabolism needs of each individual, to provide safe and sustained weight loss. Call for a free consultation.

HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA 1308 E. Garrison Blvd, Gastonia 704-823-1577 HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com

Offering traditional and alternative therapies seven days a week to help you achieve optimal health, wellness and balance. Colon hydrotherapy, massage, far-infrared sauna therapy, energizing foot spa and yoni or v-steam.

To place a listing call 704-499-3327 or email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com.

Coming Next Month AUGUST

Children’s Health plus: Natural Pet Care

Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

Connecting you to leaders in natural and healthy food. To find out how you can be included in the Healthy Food Directory email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com.

LOCAL ORGANIC FOODS ORGANIC MARKETPLACE 1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-864-0605 OrganicMarketplaceNC.com

9am -7pm M/F, 9am-6pm Sat. Reliable community partner, local source for e d u c a t i o n , o rg a n i c foods, personal care, products, supplements, aromatherapy, organic wine/beer and pet products. See ad, page 23.

SPECIALTY GROCERY STORE MECKLENBURG COUNTY MARKET Beverly’s Gourmet Foods Local, Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten Free 1515 Harding Pl • 704-533-0073

Local produce from local farmers. Grass-fed meat, country ham, cheeses, eggs, jams/jellies, vegan options, ready-made vegetarian meals and more. Learn more at BeverlysGourmetFoods.com & MecklenburgCountyMarket.com.

VEGETARIAN BERRYBROOK NATURAL FOODS The Juice Bar Deli 9am-4pm M-Sa 1257 East Blvd BerrybrookFarm.com • 704-334-6528

Full menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, juices and smoothies – all homemade daily! Vegan and gluten-free options available. Shop while your order is prepared. See ad, page 11.

calendar of events NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 9th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Calendar@AwakeningCharlotte.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. To submit online, visit

AwakeningCharlotte.com.

The Golden Quest Mystery School’s Ageless Wisdom Weekend Intensive – July 20- 21. 11am4pm. Explore the Ageless Wisdom Teachings, and experience esoteric exercises that will open you to your Soul Purpose. $175 includes workbook. Private location will be given upon registration. Reservations and payment required by 7/17: 704-661-4957. Rebecca.GoldenQuest@ gmail.com. GoldenQuestMysterySchool.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 21 SUNDAY, JULY 7

markyourcalendar Crystal Light Healing Bed Facilitated by Ed Carlton, the Crystal Light Healing Bed uses spiritually charged chakra balancing quartz crystals to revitalize your mind and body. This flow of healing energy stimulates the body’s own ability to self-heal. July 7 and July 9 ·11am-5pm. $100, 50-minute sessions. Ahlara International, 155 Joe V. Knox Ave, Mooresville. 704-662-0946. AhlaraInternational.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 11 Open Discussion on Rapid Eye Technology & Positive Imagery with Sloane Adler – 7pm. Join Carolina Center for Spiritual Awakening’s Community Soul Night. Experience positive imageries and a discussion on one of the leading methods in stress release and PTSD relief. Love offering. Elemental Healing, 5200 Park Rd, Ste 207B, Charlotte. AwakeningCarolina.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 14 The Golden Quest Mystery School’s Second Sundays at The Bag Lady – 10:30am- 12pm. Join Rev. Rebecca Nagy for an exploration of the Ageless Wisdom Teachings. Each lesson and meditation centers around the incoming energies of the month based on esoteric astrology. Love offering. 1516 E 4th St, Charlotte. 704661-4957. Rebecca.GoldenQuest@gmail. com. GoldenQuestMysterySchool.org. Aligning Your Planets For Health – 1:30-2:30pm. Join Astrologist Extraordinaire Susan Reynolds. Your planetary chart can already tell you some of the health issues you may face. Astrology can help you better understand your health issues and body’s needs. $20. HeartLight Spiritual Center, 7300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte. 704-5991180. Shine@HeartLightCharlotte.org. Charlotte’s Original Goat Yoga – 6:30pm. Rain date July 28. There is nothing better than goat noses interrupting yoga poses. Join our social goats in the pasture and bring new meaning to your practice. Wine tasting after class. $15. Dover Vineyards, 3600 Concord Pkwy S, Concord. http://wishwehadacres. com/2019/01/27/2019-goat-yoga/.

PLANS CHANGE! Please call ahead to confirm dates and times. Canvas & Cannabis (CBD) – 7-9pm. Rewind and relax with a CBD paint night. Attendees will have their own canvas and CBD flower to enjoy. All materials included. You are invited to shop after at My Green House CBD. RSVP required. $35. 349 Copperfield Blvd, Ste B, Concord. 980-781-5625. Kim@MyGreenhouse.biz. MyGreenhouse.biz.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: SCORE & The Library – 5:30-7:30pm. SCORE helps with business plans, developing your business and mentoring services. The Library helps with research. Free. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - Main, 310 N Tryon St, Charlotte. 704-416-0101. Register at CmLibrary.org/calendar. Mcurlee@CmLibrary.org. CmLibrary.org. Reversing The Aging Process: A Life Extension Study Group – 7-8:30pm. For those who desire to raise the vibratory frequency in their physical body and thereby remain with the earth family as it progresses into the Golden Age. Free introduction; 6 weeks series starts 7/24. HeartLight Spiritual Center, 7300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte. 704-5991180. Shine@HeartLightCharlotte.org.

markyourcalendar Messages From The Other Side With Linda Williams Every participant will receive a message from the other side and you’ll also be treated to the humor of her Spirit Guides. Psychic since birth, Linda enjoys using her gifts while presenting a memorable afternoon for everyone. July 21·1:30-3:30pm. $15. Ahlara International, 155 Joe V. Knox Ave, Mooresville. 704-662-0946. AhlaraInternational.com.

MONDAY, JULY 22 Pilates Workshop with Megan Gelabert-McGee, PMA-CPT – 12-1:30pm. Roper Physical Therapy offers Pilates workshops through a third generation, classically-trained instructor. Pilates corrects posture, restores vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit. 301 E Tremont Ave B, Charlotte. 980-298-6706. Roperpt.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 18 Carolina Center for Spiritual Awakening’s Community Soul Night with Lorna Moon – 7pm. Come have a positive experience on Thursday evenings at Elemental Healing. A love offering will be collected for the community during the event. Located at: 5200 Park Rd, Ste 207B, Charlotte. AwakeningCarolina.org.

SATURDAY, JULY 20 Social Media Literacy for Teens –11am-2pm. Teaches teens to identify media lies, help them identity their true worth, liberate themselves from others expectations, assess and teach them to have a healthy “media diet”. $25. Elemental Healing Charlotte, 5200 Park Rd, Bldg, 1, 2nd Fl, Community/Movement Rm #2/Ste 207-B. Charlotte. 786-326-6419. Contact@VdaWellnessCenter.com. VdaWellnessCenter.com.

CH Text A to RNA 33 to 66 T rec 4 fli ei v pb oo e dig k it ma o gaz f you al ine r

July 2019

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24

SATURDAY, JULY 27

bioTE - Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy – 6pm. Join Dr. Ravi and illumeMD for information on BHRT. The natural pellet based approach for lack of energy and fatigue, difficulty sleeping, loss of memory and focus, anxiety, weight gain and loss of libido. Free. illumeMD, 2315 W Arbors Dr, Ste 230, Charlotte. 704-817-9421.

Enlighten Up - Free Film – 7:30pm. Join us for a family movie night as we explore Yoga Culture from the East New York to East India. Enlighten Up bills itself as “a skeptic’s journey into the world of yoga.” 82-minute film with discussion afterwards. Park Rd Church, 3900 Park Rd, Community Center Room #503, Charlotte. 704-619-9029. UnitySpiritualCenterOfCharlotte.org.

Reversing The Aging Process: A Life Extension Study Group – 7-8:30pm. Week 1: The Aging Process and its Primary Cause. Thinking and Aging, Blueprints for New Cells, From Spirit to Flesh, Vibratory Frequency, The Etheric Body, Seven Phases of Universal Energy. $15 or 6 weeks series for $60. HeartLight Spiritual Center, 7300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte. 704-5991180. Shine@HeartLightCharlotte.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 Carolina Center for Spiritual Awakening’s Community Soul Night with Amanda Towne – 7pm. Come have a positive experience on Thursday evenings at Elemental Healing. A love offering will be collected for the community during the event. Located at 5200 Park Rd, Ste 207B. AwakeningCarolina.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 28 Music performance by John Stringer – 7pm. Join Carolina Center for Spiritual Awakening at Magnolia Woods for a concert by John Springer who will in addition, be performing for Sunday’s morning service. John is a pure hearted, music messenger that manifests an awareness of positive energy. $25 suggested donation. 12125 Statesville Rd, Huntersville.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 Reversing The Aging Process: A Life Extension Study Group – 7-8:30pm. Facilitated by David Hulse. Week 2: Secondary Causes of Aging. Immune Response System, Nutrition, Biological Time Clocks, Free Radicals, “Cross Thinking” Disease, Accidents. $15 or 6 weeks series for $60. HeartLight Spiritual Center, 7300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte. 704-599-1180. Shine@HeartLightCharlotte.org.

plan ahead WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 Time to Unplug – 6-7:30pm. Finding a way to slow down, to pause and to allow for think time is beneficial and impactful. A journaling practice can help you to de-stress, calm and clarify. $35. Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte. To register and for more details about “WOW! Words of Wisdom” workshops and seminars: DrCatherineChew.com.

Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area. Please consider supporting these major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks. Thank you!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

markyourcalendar Healing Touch Program Level 1 Discover Healing Touch, an intentional and heart centered energy therapy. Will cover HT theory, and hands-on practice to learn how to clear, balance and restore harmony to the Human Energy System and Chakras. 18 CE. Aug 10-11. Davidson. 704-870-1209 • Veronique@Vra.net Turn Down the Noise: Let’s Pause and Listen – 1-2:30pm. We’ll discuss how journaling, over time, is a powerful and reflective strategy that brings clarity, wisdom and calm. Seating is limited. $35. Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte. To register and for more details about “WOW! Words of Wisdom” workshops and seminars: DrCatherineChew.com.

Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

markyourcalendar Advanced Chakra Diagnosis & Treatment Chakra assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Designed for energy medicine practitioners. Prerequisite: general chakra/pendulum knowledge or Healing Touch Level 1. 3 full days of class. Aug 23-25. $500, CEUs available. Classroom located near CharlotteDouglas International Airport. For brochure, email: Pardeeh@gmail.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Career and Life Transitions (Evening) – 6-8pm. Sept 17-Oct 8, weekly on Tuesdays. Experiencing a major life change? Interested in de-stressing, challenging burnout or gaining greater self-awareness? The benefits of journaling are well documented. Pause and delve deeper into what is in your heart and your mind. $195. Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte. Register at DrCatherineChew.com for “WOW! Words of Wisdom” workshops and seminars.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Journaling 101: Getting Started (Day) – 1-3pm. Sept 19-Oct 10, weekly on Thursdays.Are you interested in de-stressing? Time to pause and delve deeper into what is in your heart and your mind. Let’s also have some fun doing it. $195. Kings Point, Cornelius. To register or for more details about “WOW! Words of Wisdom” workshops and seminars: DrCatherineChew.com. Environmental Educators of North Carolina Annual Conference – Sept 19-21. 9am-5pm. Teachers, park rangers, scout leaders, school garden coordinators and community group leaders. Professional development and networking, and keynote speaker Dr. Carolyn Finney, author of Black Faces, White Spaces. Full conference and one-day registration available. $250. The Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. 984999-1702. EencExecDirector@gmail.com. Eenc.org.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 Using Media in the Career Search – The use of professional-looking video and quality headshots will give you a significant edge. Learn tips for virtual interviewing and take home a professional head shot. $50. Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte. To register and for more details about “WOW! Words of Wisdom” workshops and seminars: DrCatherineChew.com.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 Farm Beginnings Farmer Training – Oct 13, 2019- Sept 14, 2020. Looking to launch or expand your farming business? The Organic Growers School’s Farm Beginnings Year-Long Farmer Training application is open. The course uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours and an extensive farmer network. $3000. Creekside Farm and Education Center, Arden. 828-284-7715. Nicole@OrganicGrowersSchool.org.

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July 2019

on going events

sunday

tuesday

Metaphysical Study Group with Rev. David Hulse – 10-11am. Learn to explain original texts from a more enlightened and metaphysical point of view. HeartLight Spiritual Center, 7300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte. 704-599-1180. HeartLightCharlotte.org.

Weekly Daytime Meditation Session – 121pm. Brief instruction period, 30 minutes of silent meditation and Q and A. Donation. Park Rd Baptist Church, Milford Chapel, 3900 Park Rd, Charlotte. InsightMeditationCharlotte@gmail. com. IMCCharlotte.org.

Queen City Center for Spiritual Living – 10:30am. 1st Sunday of the month. We celebrate the mysticism of faith combined with the clarity of universal principle. The Double Tree Hotel, 6300 Morrison Blvd, Charlotte. 704-643-4970. QueenCityCSL.com.

Real Talk: 8-Week Therapy Group for Teen Guys, 14+ – Through Aug 6. 6:30-8pm. Participants will develop better communication skills and build confidence. $50/session. Elemental Healing Charlotte, 5200 Park Rd, Bldg, 1, 2nd Fl, Ste 200-C, Community/Movement Rm #1, Charlotte. 704-954-8295. Matt@ModernEraCounseling.com. ModernEraCounseling.com.

Unity of Charlotte Sunday Celebration Service – 10:30am. Rev Marty Bacher leads this spiritual community that offers a vibrant Sunday Celebration Service and inspiring messages. 401 E Arrowood Rd. 704-523-0062. UnityofCharlotte.org. Carolina Center for Spiritual Awakening – 11am. Teaching empowering and practical New Thought principles for living our best life and making a positive difference in the world. 12125 Statesville Rd, Huntersville. 980-292-1062. AwakeningCarolina.org.

mission

statement To empower individuals to live a healthier lifestyle on a healthier planet. To educate communities on the latest in natural health and sustainability. To connect readers with local wellness resources and events, inspiring them to lead more balanced lives.

Charlotte Edition

Light House Spiritual Fellowship – 11am12:30pm. Heart-centered gathering that explores the esoteric, mystical, wisdom teachings of various faiths and philosophies. Light House Spiritual Center, 645 Carpenter Ave, Mooresville. 704658-1442. Info@LighthouseSpiritualCenter.com. LighthouseSpiritualCenter.com. HeartLight Spiritual Center – 11:15am. Enjoy fellowship, meditation and an inspiring message with a vibrant, inclusive, metaphysical family that honors you on your spiritual journey. HeartLight Spiritual Center, 7300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte. 704-5991180. HeartLightCharlotte.org. Reiki and Healing Clinic for Kids and Teens – 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. 1-4pm. For those struggling with anxiety, pain, depression, and chronic conditions. 30 minute Reiki treatment. Donation. 5200 Park Rd, Ste 200B, Charlotte. Registration required: CharlotteReikiandHealingclinicForKids.com. Light House Healing Clinic – Last Sunday of the month. 2-5pm. 30-minute, mini healing sessions that include Reiki and hands-on energy healing techniques. Donation. Light House Spiritual Center, 645 Carpenter Ave, Mooresville. 704658-1442. Info@LighthouseSpiritualCenter.com. LighthouseSpiritualCenter.com.

monday Hear the Heart of Lifebrook – 5pm. CEO Tony Heisterkamp discusses the profound products and solid company. Simply dial: 781-448-0192. A Course in Miracles Study Group – 7pm. Ongoing study and discussion of ACIM. Jim and Kay Fuller have been facilitating ACIM studies for over 25 years. Park Rd Church, 3900 Park Rd, Rm 206, Charlotte. 704-619-9029. UnitySpiritualCenterOfCharlotte.org.

AwakeningCharlotte.com

Meditation and Discussion – 7pm. Meditation (guided and silent) followed by a short teaching and discussion. For beginners and long-time meditators. Milford Chapel at Park Rd Church, 3900 Park Rd, Charlotte. 704-619-9029. UnitySpiritualCenterOfCharlotte.org.

wednesday Medical Therapeutic Yoga with Chrys Kub PT, C-NDT, C-IAYT – 10-11am. A model for fitness and rehabilitation that helps maintain health in a simpler and more holistic way. 301 E Tremont Ave B, Charlotte. 980-298-6706. Roperpt.com. Weekly Wednesday Meditation – 7-9pm. Practice instructions at 7pm. Silent mindfulness meditation at 7:30pm, followed by dharma talk and discussion. Donation. Park Rd Baptist Church, Milford Chapel, 3900 Park Rd, Charlotte. InsightMeditationCharlotte@gmail. com. IMCCharlotte.org.

thursday The Way of Mastery: Listening and Living – 1st and 3rd Thursdays. 7-8:30pm. Transformational teachings of Jesus. We’ll listen and explore together. Free. 110 Summerlake Dr SW, Concord, and remote access. 110 Summerlake Dr SW, Concord and by remote access. 607-348-5773. Facebook - “The Way of Mastery - Concord NC”.

saturday Open House/Q&A – 1-4pm. Experience the bio-scalar waves of the EESystem. Learn more about it; have your questions answered. Free. 705 Griffith St, Ste 206, Davidson. 980 689-4166. Mary@ZeroPointNC.com. ZeroPointNC.com. SoulCollage – 1:30-4:30pm. 2nd Saturday of the month. A lighthearted collage process that allows one to explore their life and inner wisdom. $45, includes supplies. Elemental Healing Charlotte, 5200 Park Rd, Ste 200-C, Creative Arts Studio, Charlotte. 704-807-3635. Mwyche3@icloud.com. ElementalHealingCharlotte.com.

community resource guide

STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE EMPOWER LIFE CENTER

Camilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM 704-542-8088 EmpowerLifeCenter.com 28 years of experience in acupuncture, Chinese medicine and integrated health. Specializing in identifying and correcting the root cause of your health concerns. P ain c onditions, digestive disorders, stress, women’s health and chronic disorders. Classes in authentic Qigong, Tai Chi and Taoist yoga.

TWO TREES ACUPUNCTURE

BIOFIELD TUNING ENERGETIC APOTHECARY

Reiki for Wellness 325 Matthews Mint Hill Rd, Ste 106 704-907-3380 • EnergeticApothecary.com C e r t i f i e d B i o f i e l d Tu n i n g Practitioner using physics-based sound healing technique to help resolve chronic pain, anxiety, depression, grief, overthinkingbusy mind, adrenal fatigue and more. Also offering reiki, medical reiki, and resonance feedback scanning of the energy field.

BODYWORK

Paula Kearney, L.Ac. & David Bonilla, L.Ac. 1318-A3 Central Ave, Plaza Midwood 704-770-1318 TwoTreesAcupuncture.com

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY CHARLOTTE

Providing private and community acupuncture services, herbal medicine, bodywork sessions, classes and more to the city of Charlotte. See ad, page 6.

Tried traditional one-size fits all rehabilitative therapy, but you are still in pain? Ready to release buried emotions and traumas that are causing physical dysfunction, fatigue and disease? Schedule your appointment today.

2805 Perverell Ln • By Appointment Only 704-634-3398 AlternativeTherapyCharlotte.com

ALLERGY AAIR OF CHARLOTTE

Elizabeth, Blakeney, Steele Creek 704-910-1402 AAIRofCharlotte.com Dedicated to a more progressive approach for treating allergy, asthma and immunology patients. Dr. O’Connor is one of only three allergy specialists nationwide to complete the University of Arizona Fellowship of Integrative Medicine. See ad, page 2.

BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT

BUSINESS COACH INTUITIVE BUSINESS COACH

Ronnie Tsunami, Th.M. 704-756-5632 • RonnieTsunami.com Specializing in coaching entrepreneurial changemakers to create, grow and manage successful businesses while also living their purpose and creating a better world. Visit website for free “Digital Marketing Tsunami” report today.

CBD MY GREEN HOUSE

ILLUMEMD

Dr Pragathi Ravi 2315 W Arbors Dr, Ste 230 704-817-9421 · illume.life New to Charlotte, pellet therapy is customized to the individual using hormones similar to those in the human body and painlessly inserted so that hormone levels stay consistent avoiding the rollercoaster effect of other hormone therapies. See ad, page 5.

349 Copperfield Blvd, Ste B, Concord Also at The Faded Rose, Monroe & Lotus Living Arts, Concord 980-781-5625 · MyGreenHouse.biz

3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.com/CBD

Charlotte’s CBD experts. CBD consultations available with a licensed Pharmacist ($50 per ½ hour). Consultation fee applied to any CBD purchase. Professional grade CBD products available in store and online. See ad, page 24.

CHRONIC & DIFFICULT CASES HAAS WELLNESS CENTER 3315 Springbank Ln, Ste 102 704-837-2420 HaasWellnessCenters.com

Specializing in chronic and difficult cases and holistic and wellness care. We identify and treat the root cause of your health issues. Call today for a free 15-minute consultation. See ad, page 14.

COLONICS HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA 1308 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia 704-823-1577 HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com

Our principle service is Colon Hydrotherapy, but we also offer a wide variety of other services. We o ff e r b o t h t r a d i t i o n a l a n d alternative therapies to assist clients in achieving optimal health, wellness and balance.

COMPOUNDING PHARMACY STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY 3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.com

Charlotte’s most experienced & trusted compounding p h a r m a c y. S k i l l e d pharmacist can prepare custom medications to meet needs of the individual patient. Specializing in women’s & men’s health as well as veterinary medications. See ad, page 24.

CBD retail and online store in Concord dedicated to the best all legal and natural medicinal hemp products hand-selected to support your overall health needs. Also available at Monroe and Concord partner locations.

July 2019

DENTISTRY GORELIK DENTISTRY

MOLD REMEDIATION, HOME WATER CONTROL

Sedona Waterproofing Solutions 704-960-7906 • SedonaWaterproofing.com

2740 W Arrowood Rd 704-553-1627 GorelikDentistry.com

Holistic dental practice committed to whole-body care, high-quality dental treatments, and excellent customer service. Stateof-the-art office certified for ozone therapy, sedation, metal-free zirconia implants and SMART treatments. Full-office water filtration, salt room and circadian lighting.

HOLISTIC DENTAL CENTERS

Drs. Carl McMillan and Luis I. Crespo 20905 Torrence Chapel Rd, Ste 201, Cornelius 704-765-3150 • SmilesRaleigh.com

Address moisture issues in your home resulting in healthier indoor air and increased energy efficiency. Basements, crawlspace, drainage and foundation issues. Call today for a free inspection and quotation. 6% “Natural Awakenings” discount. See ad, page 29.

Drs. John Kempter and Eric Kempter 1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 160, Concord 704-782-0797 KempterDentistry.com Biologically minded family dental office offering 3D digital dentistry, preventative dentistry, safe mercury removal and sleep apnea screenings. In a relaxed and caring environment, all patients are given devoted time. Call the office today to request a new patient consultation. See ad, back cover.

140 Valleydale Rd · 980-314-3880 17131 Lancaster Hwy · 980-314-3845 MeckMulchMadness.com

Support a full 360° from your yard to our facility and back again. Mecklenburg County upcycles your yard waste to create high-quality STA approved compost and beautiful mulch at a very affordable price. See ad, page 18.

SUSTAINABLE, DURABLE, AFFORDABLE

Floors, Countertops, Walls Resurfacing - DIY ARTFloors.net Create the look of hardwoods, granite, marble, sandstone and more with a process using professional grade paper, a unique coloring technique, a quality sealer and DIY videos – all at a fraction of the normal cost.

SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN Claudia Josephine Design 860-796-3415 ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com

Proving that sustainable, ecofriendly design can still be stylish, Claudia creates classic, functional, and beautiful interiors. Specializes in hard finish selections for new builds. Maria Killam True Colour Expert.

ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING BURGESS SUPPLY CO 15435 NC-73, Huntersville 704-875-1338

One of the largest selections of eco-friendly flooring in the Charlotte area: Marmoleum natural linoleum/cork tiles, Lauzon high quality hardwood flooring with “pure genius” options, and a vast selection of wool carpet.

ASTHMA, ALLERGIES, RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS?

Pure Genius Smart Floors 404-771-9714 LauzonFlooring.com/Pure-Genius High quality FSC hardwood flooring with exclusive t e c h n o l o g y, P u r e Genius – a light-activated, air-purifying agent made of titanium dioxide proven to purify indoor air by up to 85%. No solvents, VOCs, or formaldehyde.

Charlotte Edition

Rev Rebecca Nagy, Founding Director 704-661-4957 Rebecca.GoldenQuest@gmail.com GoldenQuestMysterySchool.org

Designed for those who are ready for their next step in spiritual transformation. Explore and experience the ageless wisdom teachings, the inclusive Kabballah, and more. Individual spiritual counseling now available.

RECYCLED COMPOST & MULCH

Teeth and oral cavity affects the entire body and we make efforts besides biocompatible materials to help identify underlying causes to dental ailments. Myobrace, preorthodontic treatment, safe mercury filling removal, ceramic implants, nutrition and prevention. See ad, page 9.

KEMPTER HOLISTIC DENTISTRY

EDUCATION GOLDEN QUEST MYSTERY SCHOOL

AwakeningCharlotte.com

CERTIFIED MEDIUM

400 N Harbor Place Dr, Ste C, Davidson 704-896-3111 KentCookInstitute.com Fast Track exclusive, unprecedented certification in mediumship. Starting September 2019, this oneyear program will give you full accreditation as a Certified Medium. See ad, page 2.

GIFT SHOPS THE BAG LADY: INTUITIVE GIFTS 1516 E. 4th St. 704-338-9778 The-Bag-Lady.biz

A beloved institution for 23 years offering products and classes that uplift, enlighten, educate and inspire. Our goal is to provide opportunities for spiritual growth and community building for years to come.

THE NOOK STORE

400 N Harbor Place Dr, Ste C, Davidson 704-896-3111 • KentCookInstitute.com The Nook Store, a Divinely Unique Mystical Boutique on Lake Norman, the gem of The Nook. We carry the tools you need for your spiritual journey. See ad, page 2.

HOMEOPATHY CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 1114 Sam Newell Rd, Ste A 704-708-4404 • CarolinasNaturalHealth.com C h a r l o t t e ’s o n l y d o c t o r specializing in homeopathy – a power system of natural medicine that stimulates your body’s natural ability to heal, without side effects. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral issues, eczema, auto-immune disease, hormonal imbalance, and much more. See ad, page 25.

HYPNOSIS HELPING PEOPLE FIND LIFE SOLUTIONS Heidi E Kent, C.Ht. & Marsha G Cook, C.Ht. 704-896-3111

Manage fears and change your belief systems. Specializing in transcending your circumstances. We offer spiritual support for all people; focus on past lives, Akashic records and spiritual healing. Relief is an appointment away. See ad, page 2.

INTEGRATIVE HEALER KATIE SUTTON

Intuitive Channel, Guided Meditation Coach 828-246-3335 ZenWithinAcademy.com Katie synthesizes a unique blend of healing modalities with selfactivation techniques–from sound & vibrational therapy, to intuitive channeling, to guided meditation– in order to deliver healings tailored to each person's needs.

INTEGRATIVE PEDIATRICIAN INFINITE HEALTH, PLLC

Sheila Kilbane, MD 2201 Park Rd, Ste B 704-626-6771 • SheilaKilbane.com Dr. Kilbane is a board-certified integrative pediatrician who specializes in finding the root cause of illness including reflux, eczema, allergies, recurrent ear and sinus infections, asthma, constipation, abdominal pain and more.

LYMPHATIC CLEANSE JENNIFER DILLON, DC, CCN 421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd 704-333-9991 DillonNaturalHealth.com

The Light Beam Generator is a non-invasive oxygen based detoxification system helping to restore function and assist the lymphatic system. When this circulatory system is congested, the whole system becomes toxic causing chronic inflammation as well as many other issues. See ad, page 27.

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT A HEALING BALANCE

4341 Charlotte Hwy, Ste 202, Lake Wylie AHealingBalance.org 803-675-5562 Gray specializes in reiki, intuitive energy readings, intuitive drawing, crystal healing, and past life r e g r e s s i o n t h e r a p y. Christine specializes in art therapy counseling and is the Charlotte area’s only Certified Mind-Body Medicine Practitioner.

ALLIANCE WELLNESS CENTERS

831 Arbor St NE, Concord 704-766-8535 Mike@AllianceWellnessCenters.com Schedulicity.com/scheduling/AWCFHR Unique holistic center that provides mind, body, spirit care. Our attentive staff empowers and helps clients heal through massage therapy, personal training, wellness coaching and yoga. Schedule a consultation online today.

NATURAL DOCTOR DR. MEGAN DING, ND

Charlotte Natural Wellness 10722 Carmel Commons Blvd, Ste 450 704-543-5540 DrMeganDing.com

CHARLOTTE NATURAL WELLNESS Dr Michelle Dillon 10722 Carmel Commons Blvd, Ste 450 704-543-5540 CharlotteNaturalWellness.com

Specializing in natural remedies for PMS, hot flashes, other hormonal issues, digestive issues, thyroid disorders, weight issues, fatigue, mood imbalances, insomnia and more. Effective individualized treatments using nutrition, botanicals, and supplements for the whole family.

OF THE EARTH WELLNESS, LLC Dr. Dave Hamilton Advent Coworking 933 Louise Ave, Ste 101-02 980-272-1897 OfTheEarthWellness.com

A community of healing and nonjudgment. You are an individual and encouraged to be an active participant in your own health. We treat a variety of health concerns from the common cold to chronic illness. Begin your journey today. Plant the seed of health. Grow balanced naturally.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT LIFEBROOK ARONIA BERRY

Beth Sturdivant, Independent Advocate 206 College St, Unit 455, Pineville 704-918-5545 • TryAroniaBerry.com

Medically trained, naturally focused. Hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, metabolic disorders, autoimmunity, acne. Comprehensive naturopathic care focused on underlying causes and end results. Charlotte’s only naturopathic physician specializing in natural cancer support.

Discover highly effective antioxidants and Independent Advocate powerful comwww.TryAroniaBerry.com pounds in super fruit aronia berry. Supports circulation and digestive systems, heart, brain, eye, joints as well as body’s ability to defend itself to radiation and toxic exposures. See ad, page 4.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

ROPER PHYSICAL THERAPY

CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 1114 Sam Newell Rd, Ste A 704-708-4404 • CarolinasNaturalHealth.com Diabetes, Depression, Digestive Disorders, A llergies, Autoimmune disease, A nxiety, ADHD. C h a r l o t t e ’s o n l y d o c t o r specializing in homeopathy. We focus on treating YOU to uncover the cause of your health condition and empower you to better health! See ad, page 25.

PHYSICAL THERAPY Myofascial Release & Medical Therapeutic Yoga 301 E. Tremont Ave, Ste B RoperPT.com 980-298-6706 Our mission is to increase function, restore motion and improve strength and stamina through myofascial release. Roper PT is privately owned with highly skilled manual therapists who offer patient–centered care.

July 2019

DAMMAH DEBBIE CHISOLM

PSYCHIC PSYCHICS AND SENIOR TEACHERS 400 N Harbor Place Dr, Ste C, Davidson 704-896-3111 KentCookInstitute.com

Reiki Master, Shaman, Intuitive Energy Healer 645 Carpenter Ave, Mooresville 704-658-1442 LightHouseSpiritualCenter.com Calm mind, body & spirit and promote harmony. One session can stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal, achieve balance and deep relaxation. Services for adults and children can help with sleep, anxiety and stress. See ad, page 10.

First Saturday each month from 1-4pm. Professional Certified Tarot, Numerology, Palmistry, Medicine Cards, Spiritual Readings. Fees begin at $60. Call today for an appointment. See ad, page 2.

SPIRITUAL PSYCHIC MEDIUM

Heidi E Kent, M.A. CM, C.Ht. 423-300-8618 • HeidisReadings.com Heidi E. Kent, co-director of The Kent-Cook Institute, is a certified psychic medium, master palmist, spiritual communicator, numerologist, relationship counselor, metaphysical teacher and certified hypnotherapist. Heidi guides you to the place of “what to do, what to do, what to do!” See ad, page 2.

REFLEXOLOGY BALANCED ENERGY REFLEXOLOGY Eva Gajewski Charlotte 704-774-9629 BalancedEnergyReflexology.com

Certified Reflexologist that uses reflexes in feet, hands and face to promote inner balance. Reflexology reduces stress, improves blood flow, nerve impulses and energy throughout the body. A balanced body is a healthy body. See ad, page 13.

REIKI A REIKI LIFE ACADEMY®

5200 Park Rd, Ste 105, Charlotte 704-996-4079 • AReikiLife.com Offering reiki treatment for adults, children and animals; comprehensive reiki educational programs; and NCBTMB continuing education. Nancy Bunt, founder and director, has over 22 years of experience with reiki in both clinical settings and private practice, as well as an extensive background in mind-body wellness.

Charlotte Edition

SCALAR ENERGY ZERO POINT CENTER, LLC

705 Griffith St, Ste 206, Davidson 980-689-4166 • Mary@ZeroPointNC.com ZeroPointNC.com Housing the only 12unit Energy Enhancement System (EESystem.com) in the Carolinas, multiple bio-scalar fields allow one to reach higher states of wellness including deeper states of relaxation and meditation, energy, performance, and creativity. See ad, page 2.

SLEEP SOLUTION PREFERRED SLEEP SOLUTIONS OF THE CAROLINAS

1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 154, Concord 7540 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill 844-975-3376 PreferredSleep.com Area leader in advanced dental sleep treatment. Provide custom made oral appliances as alternatives to CPAP/ BiPAP machines and work closely with boardcertified sleep doctors to provide the best overall care and give you your life back. See ad, page 27.

SOLAR RESIDENTIAL SOLAR IN THE CAROLINAS Renewable Energy Design Group 877-520-7652 RedGroupSolar.com

AwakeningCharlotte.com

Charlotte’s trusted solar installer since 2012, we are a local company that cares about the environment and o u r c u s t o m e r s . Ta k e advantage of 30% federal tax credit and call today for a free, no-pressure quotation. See ad, page 17.

SPIRITUAL CENTERS CAROLINA CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

Rev. Christy Snow, Founder & Spiritual Director AwakeningCarolina.org 980-292-1062 Looking for a spiritual home? Join us for live positive music, meditation, and a message to awaken your Divine Potential. We welcome all people and all paths. Youth church, weekly classes and events. See ad, page 8.

HEARTLIGHT SPIRITUAL CENTER Rev. David Hulse, Spiritual Leader 7300 Mallard Creek Rd 704-599-1180 HeartLightCharlotte.org

We are a Spirit-Guided, HeartCentered, Christ-Conscious, Loving Family providing an empowering, universal, Christ-centered message grounded in the teachings of metaphysics. Sunday Service 11:15 am. Email Shine@HeartLightCharlotte.org. See ad, page 6.

LIGHT HOUSE SPIRITUAL CENTER Rev. Kendall Heath, Interfaith Minister 645 Carpenter Ave, Mooresville LightHouseSpiritualCenter.com 704-658-1442

Sunday Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship Services 11am12:30 pm. Weekly, heartcentered gatherings exploring the esoteric, mystical, wisdom teachings of many faiths and philosophies. Services include teachings, dialogue, and experiential group learning, music and coffee/tea. See ad, page 10.

UNITY OF CHARLOTTE

Marty Bacher, Spiritual Leader UnityofCharlotte.org 704-523-0062 Unity features a vibrant, joyous Sunday Celebration Service at 10:30am with terrific music, inspiring messages and a warm, welcoming spiritual community. Offering classes and workshops throughout the week with activities that support your health, wellness and spiritual journey.

UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER OF CHARLOTTE

UnitySpiritualCenterOfCharlotte.org 704-619-9029 Find us on Facebook & Meetup We are a welcoming Spiritual Community grounded in Unity Metaphysics, A Course In Miracles, and rel a t e d E a s t e r n Te a c h ings. Monday ACIM study group and Tuesday meditation at 7:00 PM. Monthly special events.

SUSTAINABILITY CATAWBA RIVERKEEPER FOUNDATION 715 N Church St, Ste 120 704-679-9494 CatawbaRiverkeeper.org

We educate and advocate to protect the Catawba-Wateree River Basin’s lakes, rivers and streams for everyone who depends on and enjoys them. Join us by visiting our website and becoming a member today.

SPIRITUAL COACH SUSTAIN CHARLOTTE

REV. CHRISTY SNOW

Monthly Educational Meetings (locations vary monthly) SustainCharlotte.org

Charlotte & Lake Norman ChristySnow.com 704-516-7113 Christy@ChristySnow.com Sessions are customized for each individual or couple. Christy’s approach is rooted in her metaphysical education and experience. “There’s a spiritual solution to every problem.” Wayne Dyer. See ad, page 8.

A nonprofit organization working to inspire choices that lead to healthy, equitable and vibrant communities across the Charlotte metro region for generations to come. Become a member today.

THERMOGRAPHY JENNIFER DILLON, DC, CCN

SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE INTERFAITH MINISTER, PSYCHIC MEDIUM PSYCHOSPIRITUAL HEALER

421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd 704-333-9991 DillonNaturalHealth.com

Thermography is a non-invasive way to visualize the health of a tissue. Identify inflammation in breast tissue and other areas of the body. Detect issues early to allow time to make a change before diagnosis occurs. See ad, page 27.

645 Carpenter Ave, Mooresville 704-658-1442 LightHouseSpiritualCenter.com

Kendall Heath combines psychospiritual modalities, holistic healing techniques, and detailed intuitive guidance for spiritual growth and personal transformation. Soul work, innerchild work, energy practices, grief work, soulful relationships, trauma healing. See ad, page 10.

WEIGHT LOSS CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE Gastonia • 704-271-9757 Matthews/Ballantyne • 704-243-8560 CWLI.net

Developer of the "40 Day Transformation" system, a physician designed and administered functional approach with programming tailored to the unique metabolism needs of each individual, to provide safe and sustained weight loss. Call for a free consultation.

YOGA THERAPY ROPER PHYSICAL THERAPY 301 E Tremont Ave, Ste B RoperPT.com 980-298-6706

Physical therapists trained and certified in Professional Yoga Therapy qualifying them to teach clients with acute or chronic pain and beginner or seasoned yogis with injuries who desire a safe and effective yoga practice.

JEFFREY SHOAF, C-IAYT

Certified Yoga Therapist 726 East Blvd • 309-287-0576 JBShoaf113.wix.com/jeffreyshoaf Offering therapeutic adaptations of traditional yoga postures and breathwork for musculo-skeletal issues, postural imbalances, anxiety, digestive, and other body/ mind disorders. Private yoga instruction available as well as bodywork.

GASTON THERMAL IMAGING 927 Cox Rd, Gastonia 704-853-9160 (Call or Text) GastonThermalImaging.com

classifieds Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $25 for up to the first 20 words and $1 for each additional word. To place an ad, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte. com. Deadline is the 9th of the month. ECO-TOURISM WORKSHOP

Greatness comes from fear. Fear can either shut us down and we go home, or we fight through it. ~Lionel Richie

M O O N S C H O O L Y O G A AT T H E DILLSBORO INN. Conservation Yoga Retreats at a Mountains Resort Tuesday - Thursday, Every Other Week, Deep Ecology, Yoga and Ecotourism, Summer Fun and Discovery. Classical Hatha to Anuttara Raja Gravitational Postures for neural pathway activation and release, Initiation into Ritual Posture Ceremony To Heal The Earth. A Vision Quest Retreat with Indigenous Ceremony and Fun. MoonschoolYoga.com. $150 Plus Accommodations at DillsboroInn.com, 828586-3898.

July 2019

Are You Looking For A HEALTHY NATURAL Smile? We Care for More than Just Your Teeth…

• 3D Digital Dentistry • Preventative Dentistry • Mercury Safe Removal • Biocompatible Implants

IAOMT Accredited Mercury Safe Removal Biological/Holistic Family Dentistry in a Caring Relaxed Environment

Failing Amalgams (silver fillings) are removed using safe, accredited, protective protocols. All of our crowns, bridges, and veneers are made in-house with CAD/CAM computer milled technology. 1000 Copperﬁeld Blvd., Ste 160 Concord, NC NEW

3111 Springbank Lane, Ste F1 Charlotte, NC

As true Biological/Holistic Dentists, Drs. John Kempter, Eric Kempter & Shelli Boucher combine modern technology & safe protection protocols with advanced knowledge of biological dentistry.

Accepting New Patients!

704-782-0797

Kempter Holistic Dentistry • KempterDentistry.com 40