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Time for Change
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n Friday, I unexpectedly found myself at an Uptown intersection surrounded by Tent City. It then occurred to me that Friday was the county’s deadline for the people living there to vacate due to a rodent infestation. I’d read in the newspaper that shelter options would be provided, but I still wondered how people would manage to pick up and leave so quickly. I drive to Uptown a couple times a month, and I noticed several months ago that more tents were popping up with every trip I made. It disturbed me—but even more disturbing, I think, is how quickly I got busy and forgot all about it. It took too many Uptown trips to serve as reminders. Today there are so many things to grieve. Half a million deaths from COVID in the United States alone, lives upended from job loss due to the shutdown and extreme weather events, political discord and divisiveness . . . These are extraordinary times, yet to a certain degree, much of the insecurity Americans are experiencing is nothing new; it’s just so much more visible how many of us live this way. It’s overwhelming. I know I can donate to organizations that help fill the gaps—and I am so thankful for the many people and organizations that do— but it is obvious that there’s an urgent need to address these issues collectively and sustainably. That individuals making a donation and then moving on with their lives just isn’t going to cut it. I know I’m all over the place, but I’ll bet I’m not alone. I’m sure a lot of us don’t like the societal problems we’re seeing. But it’s also important not to miss the beautiful things that have come out of our current situation, such as a deeper appreciation for our connections with family and friends. And it’s encouraging to think that a time like this, when everything we know has been turned upside down, is also a great opportunity for change: We see a need and we’re more open to doing things differently, versus sticking to the comfort of the status quo. So let’s start making changes. The need is too important for us to get busy and forget. Wishing you the pursuit of more sustainable solutions this March, Shannon
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Contents
Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 55 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.
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12 DOWN TO EARTH
The Promise of Regenerative Organic Farming
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16 INDOOR EDIBLE GARDENING
Grow Veggies, Sprouts and Microgreens Year-Round
20 HEALING FROM GRIEF Four Ways to Find Peace
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21 LOCAL REV.
AMANDA ROBERTSON'S
Experiences and Lessons With Grief
22 ON A ROLL
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8 news briefs 10 local health brief 16 conscious eating 20 inspiration 22 fit body 24 resource guide 26 gaston county
natural guide
March/Early April 2021
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news briefs
Reiki Classes at Soul Wellness in April
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eather Robinson, a Usui/Holy Fire Reiki Master and Holy Fire III Karuna Reiki Master, will teach an Usui/ Holy Fire III Reiki I & II class from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 10 and 11 at Soul Wellness, in Mooresville, North Carolina. Her hands-on healing workshops are approved for continuing education credits—eight for Reiki I and six for Reiki II—from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and allow her to
provide CE credit for massage therapists. Robinson is a licensed Master/Teacher for four levels of Usui Reiki through the International Center for Reiki Training and has been teaching reiki since 2012. Her classes combine meditations, lecture, discussion, attunements and practice in a highly organized, but relaxed program. Cost: $410, pre-registration required, $175 deposit. Location: 500 S. Main St., Ste. 113. For more information or to pre-register (required), call 704-980-8227, email Heather@ HRobinsonConsulting.com or visit HeatherHealingArts.com. Also visit Reiki.org.
“A Good Death” Virtual Class from New Charlotte Spiritual and Healing Arts Studio
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right Star Studio and the Funky Buddha, new to Charlotte, specializes in the spiritual and healing arts, offering Angel Reading Energy Healing sessions, creativity coaching and unique meditations and classes. A Good Death for Yourself and Others virtual class will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on March 23. Owner L. Leigh Love, both a certified Intuitive Counselor and Life Coach and an accomplished Energy Healer with 20-plus years of training, says the event, which will be recorded and available for download, will be “a gentle, fun exploration of ideas and thoughts on what a good death is and how to achieve it for yourself and others. We can never start early enough with planning for our death. When the time comes for ourselves, we wish we had done more. When the time comes to help another, we wish we knew more.” The presentation will provide practical components plus preparation tips, thoughts, tools and resources for the many aspects of this transition, addressing elements that can help in the physical, practical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects. There’ll also be discussion, sharing and Q&A. Love, who also has a master’s degree as a Physician Assistant, completed the MindBody Medicine training program through The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School. Cost: $25. Private one-on-one virtual class: $45. For more information or to register, visit BrightStarStudio.net, call 828-450-4424 or email Leigh@BrightStarStudio.net. 8
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Tai Chi and Qigong Certification Program in Pineville
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amilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM, will begin leading a six-month, weekly, authentic tai chi for mind and body fitness certification program from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on March 30 at the Empower Life Center, in Pineville. The classes will qualify participants to teach tai chi and qigong safely and effectively in many separate health and wellness settings. Curriculum will include the principles of tai chi practice; its philosophy; foundational exercises for loosening the muscles and opening the joints; how it improves health, anatomy and body mechanics; qigong exercises; main tai chi stances, stepping and other movements; tai chi’s teaching methodology; and the Chen Tai Chi 18 movements short form. Regular practice of tai chi, a mind and body exercise and fitness system, can help reduce chronic muscle and joint pain, stress, anxiety and blood pressure levels; balance blood sugar; improve balance, concentration and mood; increase energy levels and bone density; and strengthen digestion. “Today there is an increasing trend in the health and fitness area for a more holistic approach to fitness,” says Sanchez, a 20th generation tai chi and qigong master instructor and direct lineage disciple under 19th generation Chen Tai Chi Grand Master Zhang Xue Xin, of Beijing. “People are looking for an alternative to pumping iron and intense aerobic exercise routines.” Location: 14136 Lancaster Hwy. For more information or to register, call 704-5428088, email info@EmpowerLifeCenter. com or visit EmpowerLifeCenter.com. See CRG, page 24.
Benton Integrative Adds New Practitioner
Natural Awakenings Charlotte and Farm Fresh Carolinas Join Forces
enton Integrative Medicine and Medical Spa, a direct primary care practice (DPC), welcomes Sarah O’Neill, MSHS, PAC, to its Huntersville location this month. O'Neill specializes in direct primary care and wellness programs utilizing functional medicine. She is available for DPC appointments with current members as well as $99 one-time DPC visits for non-members. The one-time visit allows patients to engage Sarah O'Neill Benton Integrative and decide whether they’d like to become a member. Their direct primary care membership model includes benefits one may not receive in standard healthcare systems including exclusive access and discounts for nutrient and musculoskeletal injections, IV nutrient therapy, thermograms, lifestyle health coaching and men’s health advice. The Benton Integrative Charlotte location also offers a professional medical spa that provides physician-grade treatments and procedures for face and body.
he importance of maintaining a healthy immune system has reached new levels with the current pandemic. To maximize their safety, many people are doing their grocery shopping online for home delivery. Now, one can receive a monthly copy of the Natural Awakenings Charlotte magazine—which regularly provides articles, tips and suggestions on fortifying one’s immune system and plenty of other healthy living information—with their produce order from Farm Fresh Carolinas. Farm Fresh provides all-organic, in-season produce from Charlotte area farms first, and only obtains produce from the outside area in the off-growing season. They offer both curbside and co-op pick-up, and deliver to both residences and workplaces. According to Farm Fresh Carolinas owner Lisa Strump, “Organic agriculture is not only healthier for the consumer, but it’s healthier for the farmers, the surrounding communities and the land it is farmed on.”
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Locations: 16415 Northcross Dr., Ste. C, Huntersville; 421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte. For more information or to make an appointment, call 704-775-6029 or visit BentonIntegrative.com. See ad, page 15.
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local health briefs
Benefits of Direct Primary Care Parenting Tips in a Pandemic Being a parent during a pandemic is hard. Small children need constant attention, school-aged children need technology help logging in to class and staying on task, and some need help just getting out of bed in the morning and getting motivated. Working from home and juggling these additional responsibilities is trying. Now is a good time to recall the words of Glennon Doyle, author of Love Warrior, who wrote, “We can do hard things.” The pentagon of wellness supports an integrative approach by illuminating our physical, psychoemotional-social, spiritual, intellectual and energetic states to create a full picture of wellness. Sleep, nutrition, hobbies, connection and movement are important, and for parents in the current environment, some or all are lacking. One of the most important actions parents can do now is commit to top self-care goals. Announce it to the household and mark it on the calendar so everyone knows when it is time for reading, walking, meditating or gardening. When the time comes, stick with it like any other task on the calendar. Expect this to be difficult, because when there are so many things to do, it is very easy to forego self-care tasks. With practice, most appreciate the lift that a regular self-care regimen provides, and we may even find our family urging us to maintain our self-care routine. Rachel Gorman, PT, DPT, OCS, PYT, a practitioner at Roper PT, has a strong interest in integrative medicine and studied medical therapeutic yoga through the Professional Yoga Therapy Institute. For more information, call 980-298-6706, email FrontDesk@ RoperPT.com or visit RoperPT.com. 10
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The Direct Primary Care (DPC) model was primarily developed in recent years as a result of increasingly expensive and confusing health insurance plans. DPC providers such as physicians and family doctors do not participate in insurance plans at all. Instead, a financial agreement is made ahead of time between the Primary Care medical practice and the patient. The patient pays the practice a monthly fee that gives the patient access to comprehensive primary care and other medical services. Typically, the efficiency gained by eliminating insurance administrative costs results in savings to both the practice and to the patient. Additional benefits include shorter wait time for patient appointments, more one-on-one time between doctor and patient, a doctor that is more available, easier access to medical records and lower medical expenses with transparent billing. DPC does not supply comprehensive coverage by itself, but it is an affordable way for patients that do not have insurance to gain access to primary care. Ideally, it is coupled with at least high-deductible health insurance policy or a medical cost-sharing plan, which is also a non-insurance solution to manage large healthcare costs. Some of those encourage DPC participation by offering additional discounts. According to a HealthyPeople.gov article, “Access to Primary Care,” research shows that access to primary care is associated with positive health outcomes. They state that having insurance increases the use of health services and improves health outcomes. The direct primary care model can bridge the gap for those that do not have insurance or that have insurance with such high deductibles they do not use health services, resulting in better health outcomes for more people. Katherine Weeks, MD, FAAFP, is a board-certified family physician, a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and owner of Blue Skies Family Medicine, a DPC practice located at 363 Williamson Rd., Ste. 103, in Mooresville. For more information, call 704663-7819, email Patients@BlueSkiesFM.com or visit BlueSkiesFamilyMedicine.com.
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DOWN TO EARTH The Promise of Regenerative Organic Farming by Sandra Yeyati
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ith its dependence on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, heavy tilling techniques, concentrated animal feeding practices and mono-crops—all designed to maximize yields—conventional farming has come at a great cost. “Conventional intensive farming practices have significant negative consequences for the land and surrounding ecosystems,” says Richard Teague, Texas A&M professor of Ecosystem Science and Management. “By disrupting the natural function of these habitats, the valuable ecosystem services they provide are compromised.”
The way we’re growing food now is not sustainable. “According to the United Nations, we only have 60 harvests left before our soil is completely depleted. Years of conventional industrial agriculture have drained the soil dry of all of the organic matter, all the microbes, that microbiome that brings nutrients to our plants and to our planet as a whole,” says Margaret Wilson, content creation and media relations specialist at the Rodale Institute. The UN also reported last year that agriculture and forestry were responsible for nearly a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. “Agriculture is a climate-intensive process and conventional practices make that even worse because they’re fossil fuel-intensive,” Wilson says. “They require a lot of machinery to plow fields and distribute pesticides. Fertilizers 12
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are fossil fuel-based. Tillage is a huge part of conventional agriculture, where you’re turning the soil over, and that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.” One third of the world’s land surface is considered desert, and according to Judith D. Schwartz, the Vermont author of The Reindeer Chronicles and Cows Save the Planet, most deserts are manmade. “If
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The least amount of mechanical and chemical disturbance possible: “Nature tills with earthworms and burrowing rodents, but it certainly doesn’t till the soil like we do in farming or even in gardening. Tilling is the worst thing you can do if you want to raise nutrient-dense food. Nature aerates the soil with the use of living plants and soil aggregates. Those soil aggregates will only last about four weeks, then new ones need to be formed, and the only way to form them is by not tilling and allowing biology and fungi to secrete substances that help bind sand, silt and clay to form soil aggregates.”
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Armor on the soil: “Nature always tries to cover the soil, whether it be leaves in a forest or decaying plants in a pasture or field. Nature does not like bare soil.” Diversity: “Where in nature do you see a monoculture? Usually only where man put it or man’s actions have driven it to be a monoculture. Nature is very diverse, so hundreds of different grasses, legumes all growing in harmony. We’ve gotten away from that. Now we plant monocultures. That’s not the way nature functions.”
sanjeri/GettyImages.com
we look historically, we learn that most deserts were once thriving grasslands or some other kind of ecosystem and became deserts after hundreds of years of poor grazing management or farming that was no longer putting nutrients back into the soil.” The good news is that deserts can be brought back to life. In the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, where much of the land is degraded, ingenious ranchers have figured out a way to support healthy animals and plant biodiversity. “The ranchers were earning money by managing the livestock holistically in a way that was reviving the ecological function of these lands, so there were thick grasses, birds and butterflies flourishing right next to land that looked horrible—absolute deserts with a lot of erosion, the soil so depleted that it couldn’t hold water,” recalls Schwartz, who visited the area. Regenerative organic farming holds great promise to rebuild soil, draw carbon from the atmosphere and ultimately grow healthier food. “When you take out the pesticides, fertilizers and intensive tilling, our farming systems trial concluded that regenerative organic agriculture uses 45 percent fewer fossil fuels and releases 40 percent fewer carbon emissions than conventional practices,” Wilson says, adding that a recent Rodale Institute white paper postulated that by transitioning all global crop and pastureland to regenerative management, we could sequester 100 percent of annual carbon dioxide emissions. As the founder of the Rodale Institute, J.I. Rodale, said, “Healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy people.” Soil restoration is job one, and we know how to do this. “The goal of regenerative farming is to farm and ranch in nature’s image,” says Gabe Brown, a North Dakota farmer and author of Dirt to Soil. He offers the following six principles to create a thriving, regenerating agricultural ecosystem:
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Context: “There’s a reason bananas do not grow in North Dakota. They don’t fit the context, whereas more spring wheat is grown in North Dakota than anywhere else. You have to farm and ranch in your context.” March/Early April 2021
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A living root being in the soil as long as possible throughout the year: “I go out in the spring here in North Dakota, and you’ve got crocuses coming up through the snow. That’s nature’s way of trying to take the solar energy and all of these compounds out of the atmosphere, and through photosynthesis convert it into carbon to feed soil biology.”
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Livestock and insect integration: “Nature does not function properly without animals. Too many people think we have to remove the animals from the landscape. That’s the worst thing you can do. What’s going to pollinate the plants? The way our rich soils were formed was with large herds of ruminants, grazing the plants. That plant, once grazed, starts sloughing off root exudates to attract biology, to regrow, and then that plant is able to cycle more carbon out of the atmosphere.” Brown waxes poetic when he talks about the amazing results of regenerative farming. “Healthy soil looks like dark chocolate cake. It’s full of pore spaces. Healthy soil is dark because of the amount of carbon in it. It smells good, whereas unhealthy soil is very compacted. There’s no pore spaces. Water cannot infiltrate into it. It’s a dull, pale color. You can see it, you can smell it, you can feel it.” According to Wilson, the Rodale Institute is poised to help farmers adopt these principles and make them profitable. “People say regenerative organic isn’t scalable, but through our farming systems trial, we’re proving that you can do this on a large scale. It might require customization, but that’s why we’re investing so much in providing support and research to farmers to help them navigate that, and we’re seeing that scalability is not a barrier to implementation because so many big companies like Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia are starting to implement these practices because people are demanding it. The market finds a way to make it doable and as long as we keep up our consumer education and show people that this is a benefit to everybody, I think large-scale farmers and corporations that buy their products will respond.” 14
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Last year, Graham Christensen’s father gave him and his brother full control of a 750-acre farm in Oakland, Nebraska, that has been in the family since 1867. Over the decades, the farm has seen many changes, but the biggest transformation is still to come, as the brothers eagerly transition their once conventional operation into a regenerative organic one. The family began to incorporate a few innovations 12 years ago when they stopped tilling the land and adopted solar energy, but this year they’ll take bolder steps to eliminate their dependence on GMO seeds and chemical fertilizers and pesticides which over the years have reduced organic matter levels in the soil and led to increased and unhealthy nutrient levels in their waterways. “For the first time, we’ll be cover-cropping 612 acres and expanding habitats for wildlife, especially in some riparian areas, so we can get more roots in the soil and have better filtration and cleaner water,” Christensen explains. “We’re going to produce nutrients by building a biodiverse ecosystem and we’re incorporating animal grazing systems to help us fertilize naturally rather than having to add synthetics like nitrogen and phosphorus.” They have planted a 100-tree hazelnut orchard that they hope to expand as a tree crop. “That’s going to help us stop soil erosion, store more carbon in the ground, produce another form of income and also be able to fit right into our cropping system, virtually taking out no extra land; just creating a higher layer, so now we’re farming higher in the air.” The transition is not without its risks, Christensen adds. “Farms like ours have been heavily subsidized by the federal government to ship our grain to other countries. What we’re trying to do now is produce more small grains and hazelnuts for a regional market and reintroduce livestock to the land—not in confinement—so we can focus more on feeding people in our local community and in Omaha or Lincoln or Kansas City or Des Moines.” Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.
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conscious eating
Indoor Edible Gardening Grow Veggies, Sprouts and Microgreens Year-Round by April Thompson
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Mini-Greens, Major Nutrients Many health-conscious gardeners are drawn to sprouts and microgreens for their nutritional benefits, as they contain as much as 40 times the nutrients as their full-grown counterparts. Sprouts can easily be grown with or without soil, and are eaten before the first tiny cotyledon leaves emerge, whereas microgreens are harvested later, often just before or after the first true leaves, the second pair, pop up. “Sprouted greens grown at home are the freshest food you’ll ever eat. Being able to grow your own salads is also a lot of fun in the winter, to see the wonderful colors growing on your shelf,” says Peter Burke, the Calais, Vermont, author of Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening: How to Grow Nutrient-Dense, Soil-Sprouted Greens in Less Than 10 Days.
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here’s no need to wait until the last frost date to sow a kitchen garden. Impatient gardeners or those without outdoor space can grow almost anything indoors with a little light and creativity. “You can start many edible plants from seed on a sunny windowsill, even in late winter. You’ll be surprised how quickly everything germinates this time of year,” says Zia Allaway, the British author of Indoor Edible Garden: Creative Ways to Grow Herbs, Fruits, and Vegetables in Your Home. Herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are among the many foods that can be easily grown from seed indoors, according to Allaway. Many fruiting plants that are not self-pollinating, such as cucumbers, need a boost from hand pollination if growing them indoors. Allaway adds, “When growing any plants on a windowsill, rotate them periodically so they grow evenly, as they will turn toward the light.” While crops like garlic, beets and carrots won’t reach maturity indoors, they can still be grown inside for their tasty, nutritious leaves. To grow garlic shoots, for example, remove the papery outer case and submerge the flat end of a garlic bulb in a container of water, leaving the top exposed to air. Within a few weeks, garlicky-flavored shoots will sprout up that can be harvested and used like chives, advises Allaway. To maximize space, she suggests growing plants vertically, perhaps by hanging bushy herbs or trailing plants in a window basket. She has also used interior walls to erect a trellis for vining plants like cucumbers, wiring it up with screw eyes.
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Burke’s tried and true method is to plant a small amount of seed every day from a mix of sunflower, peas, radish, buckwheat and brassicas like broccoli or kohlrabi, providing a steady supply of his family’s daily dose of greens. While some gardeners grow sprouts or microgreens directly on paper towels or coconut coir, Burke prefers using a storebought, germination soil mix, spread up to two inches deep in reusable trays, watered once a day and grown without artificial light. Many seeds commonly found in the home pantry can be turned into sprouts and shoots, says Lina Wallentinson, the Swedish author of Sprouts, Shoots and Microgreens: Tiny Plants to Grow and Eat in Your Kitchen. “Mustard seeds from the spice shelf, whole lentils in all colors, chickpeas and yellow peas can all be easily grown for sprouts and shoots without any special equipment,” she says. Seeds can be put into wide-mouthed jars, soaked overnight, and then drained and rinsed two to three times a day. Germination of seeds into sprouts, from mung
beans to quinoa, can typically take less than 24 hours with this method. Sprouts and microgreens make great toppers for salads, soups, sandwiches or smoothies, and they can also be cooked. “Newly sprouted mung and lentil seeds Natural Awakenings with a short ‘tail’ are perfect to flash-fry and appreciates the generosity season with soy, chili and a little sesame of its distributors oil as an alternative to rice or pasta,” says throughout the area. Wallentinson. “Sprouts are also nice to bake with. Like seeds and nuts, they give a good little chew in all kind of breads.” Pick up magazines Whether growing sprouts, microgreens or monthly at: full-sized plants, Allaway advises home gardenNatural Awakenings ers to make drainage holes at the bottom of the appreciates the generosity containers to avoid overwatering. “It’s better of its distributors to underwater than overwater a plant, because once it starts to rot, it’s game over. There throughout the area. is also research showing that a little stress Please from occasional underwatering can trigger consider supporting the plant to produce more phytochemicals, these major distributors by which are nutritionally beneficial,” she says.
shopping there and picking Natural Awakenings the magazine each month Connect with Washington, D.C.,up freelance from one ofappreciates the racks. the generosit writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com. Awakenings of its distributors Thank you!Natural appreciates throughoutthe thegenerosi area. of its distributors Please consider the supportin throughout area. Help in Growing Food at Home in the Natural Awakenings these major distributors b Please consider supportin shopping there and pickin appreciates the generosity Charlotte Area major distributors upthese the magazine each monb of its distributors With spring nipping at our heels, the urge and pickin from onethere of the racks. throughoutshopping the area. to plant is upon us. Now is the time to grow up the magazine each mon spring greens, root vegetables, onions, herbs Thank you! Please consider supporting and plant perennials like berry bushes and from one of the racks. these major distributors by asparagus. Whether one lives in an apartment, Thank you! shopping there and picking townhome or a home with a large backyard, up the magazine each month it can be daunting to start growing food at home, especially if one is new to the journey. from one of the racks. The practice is rooted in patience and rich in Thank you! rewards. For those looking for coaching and guidance, consider reaching out to The Patio Erin Hostetler Farmer, a small business based in Charlotte. Erin Hostetler, owner and farmer of The Patio Farmer, has worked on farms of all shapes and sizes. She is a firm believer that everyone can grow food at home, no matter how much (or how little) space they have. Specializing in container and raised bed growing, they offer consultations, installations and custom maintenance plans for home vegetable growers. The Patio Farmer can assist with year-round growing goals, including seed starting indoors, growing microgreens and more. Visit ThePatioFarmer.com to book a consultation, place an order, join the Plant Club or learn more about the full line of services and offerings provided. Follow @thepatiofarmer on Instagram and Facebook for daily plant tips and growing advice. March/Early April 2021
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Tasty, Plant-Based Recipes Green Smoothie Bowl
Here’s a recipe that contains both sprouts and shoots. The buckwheat provides a little extra satiety. Top the bowl with some poppy seeds, grated coconut, nuts and berries. Yield: 2 bowls
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Approx. 1¼ cup mild, tender shoots such as broccoli, chia, pea or sunflower 2 frozen bananas 3½ oz frozen mango, diced 2 Tbsp buckwheat sprouts 6¾ oz mild plain yogurt (3 percent) or coconut or almond milk Hemp hearts, poppy seeds, grated coconut, nuts and frozen red and/or black currants, for topping Blend shoots, bananas, mango, sprouted buckwheat and yogurt until smooth using a countertop or immersion blender. Pour into bowls and top with hemp hearts, poppy seeds, nuts, coconut and berries.
Sprouted Hummus
“Make hummus, not war!” Every Middle Eastern family has their own recipe for hummus. Naturally, there has to be a sprouted version of it, too. With a jar of hummus in the refrigerator, I can always cobble together some kind of dish for lunch or dinner. Yield: about 6.75 fluid oz (nearly 1 cup) 7 oz sprouted chickpeas (or yellow peas) 1 garlic clove 2 Tbsp tahini 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice ½ tsp sambal oelek ½ tsp cumin ½ tsp salt 4 Tbsp olive oil Put the sprouted peas in a small saucepan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the peas for 10 minutes. Pour off the water. Peel and finely chop the garlic. Mix the peas in a food processor or with an immersion blender, along with the garlic, tahini, lemon juice, sambal oelek, cumin, salt and oil. Dilute with some water if the hummus seems too thick. Option: Turmeric adds a nice yellow color to hummus. But sample the hummus as you add it in—some enjoy the taste of turmeric, others less so. Start with ½ teaspoon per recipe. Recipes excerpted from Sprouts, Shoots & Microgreens: Tiny Plants to Grow and Eat in Your Home Kitchen, by Lina Wallentinson. Photography by Lennart Weibull.
Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. 18
Charlotte Edition
AwakeningCharlotte.com
Healthcare with a holistic approach NorthEast Internal & Integrative Medicine combines traditional primary care with evidence-based, alternative medicine therapies to promote wellness.
We offer: • Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Aromatherapy
• Preventive
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therapy • Nutritional therapy • Osteopathy • Therapeutic touch
annual physicals of chronic disease • Non-narcotic treatment of chronic pain • Healthy lifestyle changes
Schedule an appointment today at 704-403-7050 704-403-7050. Our services are covered by most insurance plans.
NorthEast Internal & Integrative Medicine 707 Memorial Blvd., Concord, NC 28025 AtriumHealth.org/NorthEastInternal Publication: Natural Awakenings Specs:7.5” x 4.75”
Client: Atrium Health NE Internal & Integrative Med Job#: ATRP-06847
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inspiration
W
hen I was 13, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. At 15, I was at her graveside, navigating my first experience with the other side of love: loss. Ten years later, my beloved and only brother died tragically as a result of PTSD and untreated addiction. In a word: suicide. Where my mom’s death silenced me, my brother’s death pushed me into a deep pursuit of healing. In the nine years since then, I have committed to discovering the light side of grief, to identifying and embracing the invitations that lay within its deep layers. What I’ve come to learn is that grieving is actually a renewal state—a cycle of releasing and reconnecting. The tears and sadness are, quite literally, just a more fluid connection to love. These are the four invitations I’ve found within the grief:
HEALING FROM GRIEF Four Ways to Find Peace by Jasmin Jenkins
1 The invitation to pause
When someone we love dies, our whole world changes in an instant and forever. And with this disruption, there is an opportunity for sacred inquiry that arrives as we pause and honor the absence of our loved one: the impressions they made on our lives, what we will miss about them, how we will continue to celebrate their lives and what their story taught us.
2
The invitation to connect with our breath
With the intensity of emotions surrounding loss, breath can serve as our anchor. Simply remembering to close our eyes and breathe allows us to stay grounded in our body, mind and spirit. In the TED talk “Breathe to Heal,” Max Strom explains how certain patterns of breathing can actually change how we feel.
3 The invitation to feel
Elizabeth Kübler–Ross taught us about the five stages of grief, but since everyone’s story and process is so unique, there is ultimately no linear order of the stages. If an emotion arises, allow for it. Feelings, after all, are just information about the state of our heart. The more we can give ourselves permission to be with where we are in our grief, the more at peace we will be in our process.
kissedbythegods/Pexels.com
4 The invitation to heal
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Charlotte Edition
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Healing is a verb requiring action and commitment. We have to allow for the pain to heal, also remembering that in doing so, we must keep our hearts open. We have to ask for help when healing, because most of us can’t heal in isolation. Therapists who specialize in grief, online grief courses, bodywork and support groups can help us move forward. Zen Buddhism reminds us that the obstacle is the path. By exploring these invitations, we arrive at the truth that grief is actually a sacred pathway into a deeper connection within our hearts. Jasmin Jenkins is a Los Angeles-based integrative grief guide and the founder of Fall Up, which supports people navigating the spectrum of grief. Learn more at WeFallUp.com.
LESSONS IN DEALING
WITH GRIEF
by Rev. Amanda K. Robertson he first funeral I officiated was my life-changing event as a death. Grief is by father’s. I had been ordained for its nature isolating. Even within a family, one year when he suffered a brain no two people are grieving the same things hemorrhage. He lived another 14 months nor will they grieve the same way. And and at his death my stepmother shared his yet, the presence of family and community wishes that I would conduct his service. I reminds the bereaved that they are not immediately wished he and I had spoken alone. Grief is largely invisible and unseen. more openly, more directly, about this But ritual and ceremony give expression to eventuality. My stepmother and I worked the sorrow, help celebrate a life lived and its together to craft a service to meet the needs relationships and speak hope for what is to of my family, with its various Christian come—not only for the deceased, but also affiliations, and to reflect his spirit. It was, for those who mourn. without a doubt, one of the most challeng I have now spent 15 years in parish ing days and also one of the most instrucministry. I am married to a funeral directive and humbling privileges of my life. tor and we own a cemetery. We speak Every funeral I have since led has been openly about death. We also talk openly with an appreciation for the need for about grief. My parishioners have taught community and ritual to mark such a me that what is helpful at a time of death
T
is also helpful when grieving other losses. Divorce, job loss, infertility, estrangement, critical diagnoses and chronic illness all invite us to find the community and the support we need. While our experiences of these losses will be as individual as we are, we are not alone. There are others who are looking for ways to express their sorrow and their dreams for whatever might be next. Name your grief. Seek the help you need. Remember, you are not alone. Peace be with you. The Rev. Amanda K. Robertson is an Episcopal priest serving as Rector (head pastor) of the Church of the Good Shepherd, in York, SC. She is married to Terry Robertson, owner of Robertson Funeral and Cremation Service, in Charlotte, NC, as well as the Kings Mountain Preserve, conservation burial ground, in Blacksburg, SC. They have three sons. To connect with Rev. Robertson, email amanda@goodshepherdyork.org.
Your Body Can HEAL Itself If Given the Proper Tools!
Specializing in: Digestive issues • Emotional Wellness Weight Loss • Chronic Pain Non-invasive Therapies: Laser Therapy, Electric Stimulation, Non Needle Auriculotherapy (to treat pain, addictions and internal disorders), Acugraph Scan to measure meridian imbalances and correct them Now Accepting NEW Patients Call today for a FREE consultation! To book your appointment,
Darryl Roberts N.D.
704-837-2420
Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor
In addition to firmly believing in our bodies’ natural ability to heal, Doctor Darryl is a dedicated father, passionate vegan chef and also hosts his own wellness-focused podcast, The Wholistic Truth.
Offering Virtual and IN Office Consultations
3315 Springbank Lane, Ste 102 • Charlotte, NC 28226 • DoctorDarrylND@gmail.com • DoctorDarryIND.com March/Early April 2021
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fit body
ON A ROLL Foam Rollers Ease Pain and Workout Recovery
F
by Marlaina Donato
oam rolling—rolling parts of the body on top of a lightweight foam cylinder—targets trigger points or painful knots in muscles and is a valuable tool for reducing chronic pain and enhancing workout recovery. From sciatica to pelvic floor dysfunction, there is a foam roller for almost every condition, including low- to high-density, heated and textured types for massage-like benefits. Research during the past several years shows that using foam rollers before or after exercise quells fatigue, improves joint mobility, lowers risk of injury and eases muscle soreness. Its effectiveness is attributed to the activation of the central nervous system resulting in better circulation and reduced inflammation. “Foam rollers are used to relieve tension in the fascia (connective tissue), ‘roll’ out sore muscles and provide a soothing, self-controlled, soft-tissue massage,” says Amber Kivett, owner of Kivett Kinetic Solutions, in Monrovia, Indiana. “They can also be used for proprioception, balance, flexibility, core stability training and most importantly, natural pain relief.”
Freeing the Body Fascia, the body’s all-pervasive connective tissue, tightens like an invisible net from injury and other stresses and can adhere to the 22
Charlotte Edition
AwakeningCharlotte.com
underlying muscles, creating pain and restriction. “Foam rolling has the power to change and realign the 12 fascial lines responsible for human movement and support,” says Kivett. “Those same fascial lines also sense and transmit pain and emotion far greater than any nerve or muscle and respond well to foam rolling. There’s an emotional and spiritual release in the body when fascia is compressed and released. That response facilitates a structural change to human alignment and an immediate change in pain levels for all types and causes of pain.” Foam rollers offer an opportunity for self-care, according to Los Angeles fitness trainer Ashley Borden. “Foam rolling is one of the best ways to troubleshoot your own body, keep it healthy and mobile. Using an inexpensive tool like a foam roller not only feels good, but it also connects you to your body. Foam rolling the entire body encourages circulation and an immediate feeling of relief afterwards. My clients who don’t like to work out are usually surprised how good they feel post-rollout and feel encouraged to do more.” She cites research that shows that a dynamic warm-up, paired with the use of foam rollers before and after workouts, amplifies recovery and aids in the repair of muscular micro-tears. For Rafal Augustynowicz, founder of TeamRAF Fitness, in Kent, England, it’s about counteracting lifestyle stresses. “The foam roller is a beautiful and great tool, especially in the 21st century, when we sit too many hours. It is a great tool to get our mobility and our posture back to normal.”
Recovery, Joint Pain and Sciatica Gently rolling targeted muscles below and above specific joints can help to resolve certain types of pain, including in the knee. “Many times, when a person has pain in the knee, it’s more than likely they have tight muscles elsewhere—calves, inner thighs, hip flexors or glutes—and the pain shows up in the knee,” says Augustynowicz. “Foam rolling and using a massage ball have saved me many times when I had a lot of problems with my back, neck, hip and a dislocated shoulder.” The practice can help ease sciatica, a sometimes-excruciating condition. “Most cases of sciatic pain are caused by tight muscles deep in the buttocks, including the piriformis muscle,” says Kivett. “The sciatic nerve travels through the piriformis, so if it’s tight, it will cause a sensation similar to that of sciatica nerve pain. A foam roller can be used along the back, throughout the buttocks and the legs to relieve tension, soften tissues and calm the nervous system for instant pain relief.” Kivett, who was introduced to foam rollers during intensive physical therapy after a life-altering accident, found them to be a way to recover from severe fibromyalgia pain. “My nerves were hypersensitive from the injuries, and I used foam rolling to reboot the ‘software’ in my brain, which allowed me to engage in recovering.” Foam rolling is an all-around boon, Borden highlights. “The immediate relief, the muscle definition, the decrease in cellulite, all of these are added benefits.” Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
EXTRA EXTRA read all about it. March is Paper & Cardboard recycling month! Learn more at
www.WipeOutWaste.com
March/Early April 2021
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community resource guide 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
COMPOUNDING PHARMACY STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY
Camilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM 704-542-8088 EmpowerLifeCenter.com
3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.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.
Charlotte’s most experienced & trusted compounding pharmacy. Skilled 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 23.
DENTISTRY CBD
KEMPTER HOLISTIC DENTISTRY
STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY
3111 Springbank Ln, Ste F1 1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 160, Concord 704-782-0797 KempterDentistry.com
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 23.
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, page 9.
3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.com/CBD
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 4.
DIRECT PRIMARY CARE BLUE SKIES FAMILY MEDICINE
Katherine Weeks, MD, FAAFP 363 Williamson Rd, Ste 103, Mooresville • 704-663-7819 BlueSkiesFamilyMedicine.com
Monthly fee model supports timely/higher quality appointments at lower overall costs as well as transparency and clear expectations. Ideal for small businesses and individuals with co-op or catastrophic plan coverage. Call for meet-thedoctor appointment.
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.
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Charlotte Edition
ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING RECYCLED COMPOST & MULCH
140 Valleydale Rd • 980-314-3880 17131 Lancaster Hwy • 980-314-3845 MeckMulchMadness.com
AwakeningCharlotte.com
Supports a 360˚ from your yard to our facility and back again. Mecklenburg County upcycles your yard waste to create highquality STA approved compost and beautiful mulch at a very affordable price. See ad, page 23.
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. Certified Green Accredited Professional. Maria Killam True Colour Expert.
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE BENTON INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & MEDICAL SPA
421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte 16415 Northcross Dr, Ste C, Huntersville 704-775-6029 • BentonIntegrative.com
Charlotte’s only Integrative MD offering membership based direct primary care. Also safe and natural therapies and skincare as well as healing for mind, body and spirit at MedSpa. See ad, page 15.
GARDENING THE PATIO FARMER
Charlotte, NC • ThePatioFarmer.com ThePatioFarmer@gmail.com @thepatiofarmer on IG and FB Confidently grow food at home with Consultations, Installation and Maintenance Plans. Also, check out Plant Club for in-depth gardening know-how. Contact us today and start enjoying food from your own plants.
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 11.
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.
NATURAL DOCTOR DARRYL ROBERTS, ND
Haas Wellness Center 3315 Springbank Ln, Ste 102 704-837-2420 • DoctorDarrylND.com DrDarryl@HaasWellnessCenters.com Heal. Recover. Thrive. Modern wellness for a modern world. Specializing in emotional and digestive disorders with children and adults using non-toxic treatments. Call today for a free consultation. See ad, page 21.
NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN 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 11.
PHYSICAL THERAPY ROPER 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.
SPIRITUAL CENTERS 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 9.
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.
SPIRITUAL INTUITIVE AKASHIC RECORD READINGS
Charlotte, NC • 704-236-1413 AmyGrayCunningham.com Amy@AmyGrayCunningham.com
The Akashic Records are like a Google search for your soul. Call today and rediscover who you are at soul level, clear negative karmic patterns and begin living the life you truly desire. See ad, page 18.
SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAIN CHARLOTTE
SustainCharlotte.org
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.
VETERINARIAN ATRIUM ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Kim Hombs, DVM, CVA, CVCH, CTui-Na 6520 McMahon Dr 704-542-2000 AtriumAnimalHospital.com Comprehensive holistic/ integrative animal medicine practice in the Charlotte region. Alternative vaccine approaches, double certified acupuncturist and herbalist, cold and class 4 laser, TCM food therapy, Tuina, animal rehabilitation with underwater treadmill. See ad, page 19.
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.
March/Early April 2021
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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.
SPA
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE HEALING PLATFORM
Amber Pederson, DC, CFMP 29 E Woodrow Ave, Belmont 704-755-4088 • HealingPlatform. com Info@HealingPlatform.com
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.
We empower people to take control of their health by educating and providing tools that enable clients to implement simple nutrition and lifestyle strategies. In person and virtual visits.
ORGANIC MARKET & SUPPLEMENTS 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 education, organic foods, personal care, products, supplements, aromatherapy, organic wine/beer and pet products. See ad, page 15.
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Charlotte Edition
WEIGHT LOSS CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE
Lidia Adkins, CFMP, DC, PKT 216 S. New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-271-9757 • 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.
AwakeningCharlotte.com
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Enter To Win!
Home Improvement Using Repurposed Materials
Contest
Our Home Improvement contest is for you, our readers. Enter to win by re-purposing products for a home project. (at least 50% of the project needs to be repurposed). Items that have been collected from second-hand and thrift stores, neighbors and from your own garage, basement or closets are eligible! Open to residents of Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston AND Surrounding Counties. Deadline is April 15.
Prizes include:
• Virtual Interior Paint Color Consultation (valued at $225) complements of Claudia Josephine Design • Two tickets to the 2021 Charlotte Sustainability Awards (virtual event) on April 22 complements of Sustain Charlotte Register at tinyurl.com/RepurposedHomeContest now. Complete your entry when project is finished by emailing project details to Publisher@AwakeningCharlotte.com.
Winners will be announced in the magazine and on AwakeningCharlotte.com
This Is A Special Section In The
Deadline:
March 15th
April Issue
In Honor Of Earth Day
Tell Greater Charlotte how your business addresses climate change
Green Profiles Good Planets are Hard to Find! Let’s take care of Ours. Call Today for Priority Placement - 704-499-3327
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