Natural Awakenings Charlotte - December 2021 Issue by Shannon

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

HOLIDAY ISSUE

PLANET

Local

HEALTHY GIFT GUIDE

UNLEASHING THE POWER OF GROUP CIRCLES FESTIVE TREATS WITHOUT SUGAR •REV UP IMMUNIT Y HOW GREAT KIDS’ BOOKS CAN SHAPE A LIFETIME HEALING THE BRAIN WITH OXYGEN IN GREATER CHARLOTTE December 2021/Early January 2022 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

Excess Acidity Starts With What You Eat And Drink The Next Step in Spiritual Communities! We invite you to join a Spirit-Guided, Heart-Centered, Christ-Conscious, Loving Community, and be a part of transforming the world by allowing the Heart-light Presence of God to Shine Through US as US!

Symptoms such as heartburn, gout and indigestion often stem from excess acidity in the body. Multiforce is formulated with the aim of providing a sustainable response to the root cause – excess acidity

David Hulse, Spiritual Leader

Scan to purchase

Wed @ 10AM: Mid-week Inspiration Sun @ 11:15AM: Celebration Service Live Stream: HeartLightCharlotte.org

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Direct Primary Care

Affordable convenient care that goes beyond an office visit to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Wellness Programs

Obtain overall wellness with our unique and customized 3 and 6 month packages that get to the root cause of disease.

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Wednesday-Friday noon-6pm Saturday noon-4pm Sunday-Tuesday closed Face Coverings and Social Distancing required Spiritual, Religious, Metaphysical, New Age Supplies, Gifts & Books, Candles, Incense, Smudge Sticks & Accessories, Gemstones & Crystals, Tarot & Oracle Cards, Pendulums, Herbs, Gemstone Jewelry, Talismans, Egyptian, Hindu, Catholic Statuary 3010 Monroe Road • Suite 104 Charlotte 704-632-9911

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Charlotte Edition

The Skin Center Medical spa offering skincare products and specialty spa treatments to support your wellness journey while relaxing your body, mind, and spirit.

To Schedule Your Appointment Call: 704-775-6029

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Dr. Benton has a deep understanding of mainstream medicine and the value of a holistic functional approach. BentonIntegrative.com | BentonClinical@bimmail.com North Charlotte Location 16415 Northcross Dr. Ste B Huntersville, NC 28078 (704) 775-6029

AwakeningCharlotte.com

South Charlotte Location 421 B South Sharon Amity Charlotte, NC 28211 (980) 207-0575

December 2021/Early January 2022

29th Annual

$ave with Early Bird Pricing* Dec. 15th through Jan. 31st Be entered in a raffle when you donate to OGS at ticket purchase!

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March 18-20, 2022

Mars Hill University

Located in one of the most beautiful areas of the U.S., sitting in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of N.C.

Walk-in Sat $90 Walk-in Sun $85 Walk-in Full $160

Supporting You To Get Growing Learn how to live and grow organically, and create a more sustainable future. From beekeeping to land access, attendees choose from various workshops to receive individualized education from excellent, credentialed teachers—network with home-growers, farmers, hobbyists, and others interested in sustainable living.

For More Information contact:

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conference@organicgrowersschool.org www.organicgrowersschool.org

(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. FR

EE H E A L T H Y L I V I N G

HEALTHY

PLANET

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Thank you Community KempterDentistry.com Sponsor Kempter Holistic Dentistry

1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 160, Concord 3111 Springbank Ln, Ste F1, Charlotte

HOLIDAY ISSUE

Local

HEALTHY GIFT GUIDE

VISIT US ONLINE @

Accepting New Patients!

704-782-0797

AwakeningCharlotte.com

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES UNLEASHING THE POWER OF GROUP CIRCLES FESTIVE TREATS WITHOUT SUGAR •REV UP IMMUNIT Y HOW GREAT KIDSʼ BOOKS CAN SHAPE A LIFETIME HEALING THE BRAIN WITH OXYGEN IN GREATER CHARLOTTE December 2021/Early January 2022 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

Find additional articles online at AwakeningCharlotte.com. Go to the homepage and explore local businesses, recipes, and articles exclusively from Natural Awakenings.

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SEASON OF LIGHT

Celebrating the Soul of Winter

HOLIDAY ZEN

Stress-Free Fitness and Self-Care

GREENING THE HOLIDAYS

How to Celebrate Sustainably

TOYLAND FOR POOCHES

HEALTHY FOOD GUIDE AwakeningCharlotte.com/ Businesses

Choosing Safe Playthings a Dog Will Love

THOMAS MOORE

on the Art of Soulful Listening

CALENDAR

Check out the latest events at AwakeningCharlotte.com/ Calendar

December 2021/Early January 2022

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

CHARLOTTE EDITION PUBLISHER Shannon McKenzie DESIGN & PRODUCTION Patrick Floresca AD DESIGN Helene Leininger

EDITORIAL Jane Aylward Allison Gorman Randy Kambic Martin Miron

CONTACT US P.O. Box 456 Cornelius, NC 28031 Ph: 704-499-3327 • Fax: 866-632-9118 AwakeningCharlotte.com Publisher@AwakeningCharlotte.com Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Free subscriptions are available for our digital issue by emailing Publisher@AwakeningCharlotte.com

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Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan

letter from publisher

Grateful To Be Grateful

t’s the week of Thanksgiving, and I am really looking forward to Thursday. We’re staying in town this year, but I have the desire to do something different than

just lounge around the house all day (which I usually like to do). We haven’t been to the parade in Charlotte in a while, and now that I just googled it and learned the Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade is on Thanksgiving Eve this year, I’m really excited. This means I can do something special and lounge around the house on Thursday. I like to keep my options open. I’m also excited about the upcoming Christmas holiday. My kids and I are flying west to Idaho, where I grew up, for a good dose of cold and snow and the outdoor activities that go with them. But what I’m looking forward to most is seeing family and friends, and participating in local events there—and that’s a new feeling for me. Like many introverts, I’m not used to wanting to attend social gatherings as much as I have lately. Meeting people and being part of a group suddenly strike me as fun. I have a newfound appreciation for random strangers and for community events, and for the people who organize and host them. A positive of Covid, I suspect. So this month’s feature article, about the power of gathering in community, resonated with me. While I know I will not magically transform into an extravert, I would like to hold on to how good it feels to be involved. The long isolation of being in a pandemic helped me get to this place, and while I never want to repeat that experience, I’m grateful that it made me grateful for other people. Wishing you a December of community with family, friends and random strangers,

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com © 2021 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Shannon

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Contents

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

12 HEALING THE

BRAIN IN GREATER CHARLOTTE

The Promise of Oxygen Therapy

14 CIRCLES OF HEALING

The Power of Gathering in Community

16 THE BEST

BOOKS FOR KIDS

Gift Choices that Can Open Up Worlds

18 THE SWEET

DANGER OF SUGAR

Ways to Enjoy Healthier Holiday Fare

20 AMP UP IMMUNITY

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 Submit Calendar Events on AwakeningCharlotte.com. 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.

Proven Boosters for Good Health

DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 9 local action alert 10 local health brief 16 healthy kids 18 conscious eating 20 healing ways 24 resource guide 26 gaston county

natural guide

26 classifieds

December 2021/Early January 2022

news briefs

Natural Awakenings Charlotte Offers Healthy Living Gift Guide

eaders can support local businesses and give the gift of health, well-being and sustainability this holiday season to themselves and to family and friends by utilizing Natural Awakenings Charlotte’s Healthy Living Gift Guide. The many special deals contained in the guide are effective in December and even early January for a few. The guide includes a special offer on Akashic Records “Mini” Soul Profile Reading & Clearing by Amy Gray-Cunningham; 15 percent off all products from

Ekologicall, our local Zero Waste Shop; customized gift baskets or ongoing orders from Farm Fresh Carolinas, delivering organic produce and farm fresh favorites right to our doors; a 3.5-hour, new client special package of colon hydrotherapy and energizing foot spa and sauna from HC Wellness Center and Spa; 10 percent off all products from Soul Love including intentional candles, body butter, bath bombs, bath soaks and intention packages; and 30 percent off gift cards from The Patio Farmer, helping the Charlotte

region grow edible, nutritious plants in whatever space available. For more information or to order, visit www.Tinyurl.com/HealthyGiftGuide2021. See ad, back cover.

Don’t JUST Recycle,

Recycle

right!

ONLY RECYCLE THESE SIX ITEMS

Charlotte Edition

SMALL & CLEAN CARDBOARD

CARTONS

METAL CANS

PAPER

GLASS BOTTLES

No Plastic Bags

WipeOutWaste.com 8

PLASTIC BOTTLES & JUGS

AwakeningCharlotte.com

Shamanic Journey to Peru is a Spiritual Experience of a Lifetime

local action alert

ynne Wiggins, owner of Ahlara International, in Mooresville, North Carolina, and an avid traveler to exotic places around the world, has created a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience for March of 2022. This is when attendees can immerse themselves in the cosmic and spiritual energies of Peru’s sacred sites. Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Lake Titicaca and many other sites have all been quiet the past several years and have had the opportunity to renew and clean their energies. As the people of our planet have remained in or near their homes, our Mother Gia has had the chance to cleanse and renew her healing energies also. On this journey, attendees will experience Peruvian culture, traditions and ceremonies, along with pilgrimages to locations of great spiritual energies including temples and artifacts, and also enjoy some free time to explore local markets and dine in exotic cafes. Along with Wiggins, who has led many spiritual tours, participants will be accompanied by Peruvians Jorge Luis Delgado and Romulo Lizarraga. Location: 155 Joe Knox Ave., Mooresville. For more information or to register, call 704-662-0946 or visit www.AhlaraInternational.com. See ad, page 13.

The SOUL Expo in April in Charlotte; Accepting Vendors and Sponsors

he SOUL Expo & Zen Within Academy will host a community expo to expand our minds and feed our souls from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 30, 2022, at the CPCC Harris Conference Center, in Charlotte. The goal of The SOUL Expo is to share information and provide real-world tools that will inspire positive change and help attendees come together and create the New Earth we are all dreaming of into being. The mission of the event is to create a safe and welcoming community forum for attendees to experience a wide variety of consciousness expanding products, presentations and modalities with the ultimate aim of anchoring unity consciousness globally, focusing on the unique and divergent paths each SOUL is traveling. Understanding that those unique SOUL journeys create a diverse tapestry of human experience connecting us all in Spirit, Oneness, Unity and Love. A main ballroom stage for 150 to 200 people plus a smaller speaker room for 30 to 40 people will facilitate presentations throughout the day on thought-provoking topics like conscious parenting, alternative education paths, alternative healing and wellness modalities, conscious business and more. Admission: $35 prior to event; higher at the door. Sponsors, 45 vendors and 35 healer/reader opportunities are available, and fees are forthcoming. Location: 3216 CPCC Harris Campus Dr., Charlotte. For more information or to register as either an attendee or a participant, call Holly Whitman at 508-958-6200, email info@TheSOULExpo.com or visit www.TheSOULExpo.com.

Rechargeable Batteries: A ‘Hot Topic’ Lithium-ion batteries can cause fires if they are not disposed of properly. If they break open during the disposal process and are exposed to air, they ignite. Every day, rechargeable batteries break open and ignite fires in solid waste processing systems and equipment (trucks, facilities, landfills) around the world. It’s happening frequently nationwide and locally. Within a recent span of seven days, Mecklenburg County had to extinguish five separate small fires at waste facilities, all due to misplaced rechargeable batteries. In early October, a tractor-trailer-load full of materials caught fire on highway 485 resulting in a $100,000 loss. Investigations nearly always reveal the common cause to be errantly discarded rechargeable batteries. Typical offenders are common household electronics such as appliances, toys, cell phones, vacuum cleaners, power tools, remote control toys and scooters. Never put rechargeable batteries in the trash or recycling cart. When a rechargeable device fails or the batteries wear out, locate a proper disposal collection site in your area. Mecklenburg County residents can bring them to any Mecklenburg County Full-Service Center Household Hazardous Waste Area for disposal. These facilities are open six days each week from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and there is no charge for residents or site pass holders to drop off rechargeable batteries. If the battery cannot be easily removed, please bring the whole device for assistance. Mecklenburg County Full-service recycling center locations: Foxhole Recycling Center, 17131 Lancaster Hwy., Hickory Grove Recycling Center, 8007 Pence Rd., and Compost Central and Recycling Center, 140 Valleydale Rd., in Charlotte; and North Mecklenburg Recycling Center, 12300 N. Statesville Rd., in Huntersville. For more information, email SolidWaste@ MeckNC.gov or visit www.WipeOutWaste.com. See ad, page 8. December 2021/Early January 2022

local health brief

Keeping a Healthy pH Balance is Important A body that is overly acidic can lead to illness. Heartburn, dry skin, dandruff, a burning bladder, gout, stiff and sore joints, or the feeling of constantly being a bit under the weather can all be symptoms of a lifestyle that is generating too much acid. The average Western diet is often deficient in fruit and vegetables and contains large quantities of animal products and processed foods. This may lead to a build-up of harmful, acid-forming chemicals. While the

body has its own amazing pH buffering mechanisms to counteract this, it is unable to do so without essential nutrients and minerals in which our diets are often deficient. This can leave us struggling to maintain the correct pH balance, resulting in excess dietary acid load, which is associated with increased risk for numerous lifestyle-related diseases. According to scientists that have researched chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis, the solution to

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 • Ozone Therapy • PRF - (Platelet Rich Fibrin) •Tongue & Lip Tie Release

IAOMT Accredited Mercury Safe Removal Biological/Holistic Family Dentistry in a Caring RelaxedEnvironment Failing Amalgams As true Biological/Holistic (silver fillings) are Dentists, Drs. Eric Kempter, removed using safe Erin Wilbanks and John accredited protective Kempter combine modern protocols. technology & safe protection All of our crowns, bridges, and veneers protocols with advanced are made in-house with CAD/CAM knowledge of biological computer milled technology.

dentistry.

Kempter Holistic Dentistry 1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 160, Concord 3111 Springbank Ln, Ste F1, Charlotte

KempterDentistry.com 10

Charlotte Edition

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Accepting New Patients!

704-782-0797

maintaining a healthy pH balance is eating foods that yield more alkali and less acid; in other words, a diet that is high in alkaline-yielding fruits and vegetables—oranges, lemons and pineapples which may seem acidic to our taste buds are alkalineyielding in the body. In addition to upping our fruit and vegetable intake, we can support the organs responsible for correcting the body’s pH (kidneys, lungs, skin, and colon) with lots of water. Sybrand Fourie is an agency holder for Multiforce Health, makers of Multiforce Alkaline Powder. For more information, call 704-397-9231, email Sybrand@multiforcehealth.com or visit www.Multiforcehealth.com.

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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The Healing Power of Oxygen Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a safe and non-invasive therapy that enhances the body’s natural healing process, stimulates stem cell production and strengthens the immune system

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Nirvana Hyperbaric Institute • 146 Medical Park Rd, Suite 110 Mooresville, NC 28117• NirvanaHbo.com December 2021/Early January 2022

systemic issues such as a blood clot lodging in an artery in the brain, as in the case of a stroke. In this instance, there is a core lesion with cells that are dead and unsalvageable. However, there are many cells surrounding that lesion that are metabolically nonfunctioning, and those cells can be made functional with HBOT even years after the stroke. The function those cells provide can be restored. Brain wounds can also be caused by inflammatory processes caused by infections of the brain and spinal cord, as in the case of meningitis, or the body's reaction to some vaccine injuries. HBOT promotes healing in the brain in many ways, but these are the most important.

Healing the Brain with Oxygen

by Dr. Roger Hunter

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY. HBOT is a more potent anti-inflammatory agent than steroids, so it will reduce the swelling in the brain very quickly. This is especially important with acute brain injuries occurring within 10 days. OXYGENATION. HBOT oxygenates the tissue that has not been receiving sufficient oxygen due to the swelling and in the case of acute injuries, keeping it alive and preventing permanent damage.

ANGIOGENESIS. HBOT causes the body to produce vascular raumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, concussion, postendothelial growth factor (VEGF) and recruits stem cells to retraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other neurological generate blood vessels (angiogenesis) to permanently supply new conditions all involve wounds to the brain. Hyperbaric blood flow to the affected tissue. oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to be effective in treating all wounds, including those to the brain. STEM CELLS. HBOT induces stem cell mobilization from their HBOT is a medical treatment administered in a chamber in storage in the bone marrow to the blood stream by an eight-fold which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen under pressure. increase. It is important to emphasize that stem cells mobilized by This treatment produces up to a 15-fold increase in blood oxygen HBOT hone in on tissues that have suffered damage and signal a concentration, causing oxygen to reach every cell in the body. need for regeneration. In addition to mobilization, HBOT induces This stimulates healing in all tissue, including the brain. It is an the differentiation of stem cells to the different tissues such as Natural Awakenings extremely safe, non-invasive, painless therapy. heart, muscle, kidney and brain. appreciates the generosity All wounds to the brain cause inflammation and swelling. of its distributors Natural Awakenings Because the skull does not expand, that pressure exerts itself on MITOCHONDRIA FUNCTION The "cell's throughout theRESTORATION. area. appreciates the generosity the very delicate tissue of the brain, cutting off the circulation and powerhouse" is restored by HBOT. of its distributors Please consider supporting oxygen supply to the affected cells. If that condition lasts for more throughout the area. these major distributors by Natural Awakenings than a few hours, the cells become damaged. If it lasts for a few Dr. Roger Hunter is the Please owner ofconsider Nirvanasupporting Hyperbaric Institute, shopping there and picking appreciates generosity days, that damage becomes permanent. theseRd., major distributors by locatedthe at 146 Park Ste. 110, in Mooresville. For more upMedical the magazine each month of its distributors shopping there and picking or visit These wounds can be caused by trauma to the head as in the information or afrom free consultation, call 704-471-4100 one of the racks. throughout the area. up the magazine each month Natural case of concussion, TBI orAwakenings PTSD. They can also be caused by www.NirvanaHBO.com. Thank fromyou! one of the racks. Please consider supporting appreciates the generosity Thank you! these major distributors by of its distributors shopping there and picking throughout the area. Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors up the magazine each month Please consider supporting throughout the area. Pick up racks. magazines monthly at: from one of the these major distributors by Thank you! shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks. Thank you!

Charlotte Edition

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Take Your Next Step To

Better Health STOP

Placing Band-Aids On Symptoms

START

Treating The Underlying Cause Digestion Disorders Autoimmune Diseases • Diabetes Anxiety/Depression • Women’s Health Wellness and Prevention

Join Jorge Luis Delgado, Lynne Wiggins and Romulo Lizarraga for a shamanic journey to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

Dr. Michael Smith and Team Naturopathic Physician

704-486-2448

6404 Bannington Road, Suite A Charlotte, NC 28226

CarolinasNaturalHealth.com

Empowering People to Better Health Since 2005

Virtual Appointments Available December 2021/Early January 2022

The Power of Gathering in Community

ad the intellectual achievements of human culture evolved during a revolution based on living systems in the natural world rather than one of rapid industrial growth and resource consumption, we might be experiencing interconnectedness instead of divisiveness during this time of social and ecological crisis. A nature-focused revolution embracing humans as an integral part of the Earth’s natural systems would have instilled a deeper understanding of the wonders of the human body as a living system imbued with inner intelligence, as well as the intelligence of the non-human living world. This perspective, held by Native Americans, would have helped to create sustainable human communities that flourish by connecting, collaborating, cooperating and communicating. With such approaches as wisdom circles, story circles, power of eight intention circles, support groups, prayer circles and dialogue circles exploring conflict solutions, Western minds are just beginning to comprehend how small-community experiences of fellowship and communion can assuage feelings of separation and isolation, and create inner experiences of wholeness and belonging.

Mentoring Each Other Although not always sharing a common geographical location, small communities formed around common interests and shared 14

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AwakeningCharlotte.com

values enable emotional healing. The ManKind Project (MKP), which describes itself as a “men’s community for the 21st century,” has more than 1,000 peer-facilitated groups in 22 countries in which men mentor each other through their life passages. “In our MKP communities, there’s a sense of shared commitment and the shared values of accountability, authenticity, compassion, generosity, integrity, respect, leadership and multicultural awareness, along with a shared vision pointing us in the direction we want to go together,” says Boysen Hodgson, MKPUSA communications director. “While MKP’s mission statement informs our work, in New Warrior Adventure training, each man creates a personal mission statement. Mine is, ‘I transform culture by designing change, building bridges and co-creating space for connection.’” According to Hodgson, when a man shares how he hears his inner voice for the first time along with his story in another man’s story, he becomes aware of his interior capacities and cultivates internal and external listening skills. By sharing personal stories, men experience epiphanies that can result in connections and bonding. Douglas Bonar, a 35-year veteran of mental health counseling and owner of A Center for Wellness, in Pinellas Park, Florida, has been facilitating men’s groups for 22 years. Men and occasionally women that have been court-ordered to undergo counseling with Bonar for 29 weeks after their incarceration learn the value of growing together in community. “I initiate the uninitiated who’ve

fizkes/AdobeStock.com

Circles of Healing

never heard about the powerful impacts of respectful, attentive listening without judgement, giving/receiving feedback and support, and learning about successes and failures in the company of community,” says Bonar. “Actively engaging the minds, hearts and energy of people participating in community makes experiencing emotional healing possible. Feeling truly heard and deeply listened to and comprehending life from a multisensory human perception and a sense of oneness can lead to understanding that we are never alone, the universe is alive—conscious, intelligent and compassionate.” More about progress than perfection, Bonar’s unique Roots and Wings Way of Wholeness approach to healing in community tills the soil of an inner world and plants seeds via the introduction of guidelines for creating authentic power, spiritual growth, levels of consciousness, coherence, the realization of one’s true self as more than an enculturated personality, the Noetic experience of oneness, humans as energetic beings, emotions as energy in motion and a coherent energetic field that the HeartMath Institute notes creates synchronization, or entrainment, between the heart and mind, as well as a sense of unity.

Sharing Sacred Space Jean Shinoda Bolen, a Jungian psychiatrist, activist and author of Moving Toward the Millionth Circle: Energizing the Global Women’s Movement, encourages everyone to follow a path with soul and take on a personal assignment that contributes to change, while relying on the support of circle communities of like-minded individuals. “Fundamental principles applicable to any group include creating sacred space, listening with compassion and for wisdom, speaking from the heart and personal experience, inviting silence and reflection when needed, taking responsibility for your experience and your impact on the circle, keeping the confidence of the circle and making decisions when needed by consensus,” says Bolen, whose active events include a prayer circle and another with women she has been together with since the 1980s. “The more frequently a circle meets to fully witness one another’s life stories, including all the changes and crises, a growing trust and heart connection occurs and a coherent energy field is created,” says Bolen. At the beginning of her circle gatherings, upon hearing the tone of a Tibetan bowl, she says, everyone immediately drops into coherence, a state of connectedness in which the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

Cultivating Deep Listening As the host of New Dimensions, a nationally syndicated radio program that addresses cultural shifts, Justine Willis Toms has deeply explored interconnectedness with some of the greatest minds on the planet, including the Dalai Lama and physicist David Bohm. Referring to her circle communities as “friends of the heart,” she enthuses, “When I am deeply listening to another or speaking authentically aloud in a circle of trust, I get to hear myself in a way that I don’t if I’m only listening to what is in my head.”

Recalling a tumultuous time in her life, Toms relates a profound healing experience that occurred in a circle community in which she and her husband had been participating since the 1980s. “This particular circle usually gathers for an entire weekend. On one, I arrived in deep distress—so much so that on Friday I began pouring out my fears, anxiety, blame and judgements. I raged through the night and didn’t stop until after breakfast on Saturday, when I felt complete, totally heard, emotionally healed and revived.” From a sense of peace and clarity, Toms knew that healing occurred because of the circle’s capacity for deep listening. “We know and trust the true genius that each of us is, and we know how to not be afraid for each other when life is in a rollercoaster cycle and we’re at the bottom, but don’t want to pull the brake because we’ll never have the momentum to go back up. This is the power of a circle of friends of the heart who love you,” says Toms, who shares a favorite African saying, “‘A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled by the mistakes you’ve made or the dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly, your wholeness when you are broken, your innocence when you’re feeling guilty and your purpose when you are confused.’”

Connecting through Common Emotions Physician Jennifer Phelps, owner of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, is a trained facilitator of small groups and has worked in communities traumatized by natural disasters and human-caused catastrophes in her role as a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C. “Where individuals listen to the grief and loss of others, emotional healing can be quite profound. Sharing stories in community, we learn we’re not alone and isolated, but rather related and connected in our human emotions,” says Phelps, adding that in groups of fewer than six people cohesiveness dissipates, leaving only conversation and cross-talk. The process of human and community development unfolds from within each person, relationship and community. According to Cate Montana, of Kula, Hawaii, author of The E-Word: Ego, Enlightenment & Other Essentials, awakening to the illusion of separation, which can happen in community, sparks healing. “The persona of an individual as only a body and mind is the big sleep,” advises Montana, whose life work has been about waking people up to the truth of their essential spiritual nature and giving them tools for a more fulfilling life. Having experiences of fellowship and communion with likeminded people can make it possible to observe and understand how ego and mind function, and to become aware of crippling social programming which fragments, separates and divides us. Experiencing a sense of wholeness in such an environment allows for healing naturally on many levels. Linda Sechrist is Natural Awakenings’ senior staff writer. Connect at LindaSechrist.com. December 2021/Early January 2022

healthy kids

The Best Books for Kids Gift Choices that Can Open Up Worlds

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by Sandra Yeyati

elping children learn to read and love books is one of the greatest parental endeavors. Many kids learn their first words after hearing the adults in their lives sing a lullaby or tell them a nursery rhyme. “Building a child’s vocabulary is the key to reading, and rhymes, singing, word games, synonyms, homonyms and rap are great places to start,” says Claudette McLinn, executive director of the Los Angeles-based Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature and former librarian, teacher, school administrator and children’s bookstore owner. A child’s first reading experience will likely involve a picture book. “What’s powerful about picture books is that the illustrations and text intertwine,” McLinn explains. “You can read them aloud together. As the child looks at the artwork, the adult can ask, ‘What is that?’ And the child can use their imagination while you teach them to observe, articulate and start the reading process.” To encourage childhood reading, it’s helpful to have a variety of books around the house and to set aside reading time every day. “It costs nothing to check out a pile of 25 books at the library, take them home and try them,” says Maeve Knoth, a librarian at Phillips Brooks School, in Menlo Park, California. When buying books, she suggests consulting librarians and booksellers for recommendations, as well as relying on book awards such as the Newbery or Caldecott medals, and on book lists compiled every year by reputable organizations and committees, notably the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. Choosing books for kids should always start by discovering what their passions or interests are and then finding a good book on that subject, says McLinn, adding that encouraging children to browse the shelves and choose their own books is an empowering exercise that builds self-esteem and a love of reading. Whether it’s dinosaurs, cars or the stars and planets, there’s a kid’s book about it. “Although 16

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fiction is important early on because it increases imagination, nonfiction books help kids learn new information and understand the role of the table of contents, the glossary and index, and informative diagrams,” she says, adding that she prefers award-winning nonfiction books because they’ve been vetted for accuracy. “Kids often gravitate toward books that are a little bit less challenging,” Knoth says. “While I have no objection to those popular books, which are lots of fun, they’re not going to give kids a new way to think about themselves or the world. I want my children to have consequential reading experiences with books that offer new points of view where kids can live in someone else’s heart and mind for a little while. I want them to know what it might be like to live in a different time period or to grow up in China.” According to Knoth, a great children’s book will include an engaging character that has an experience, prompting them to change and grow. “I want it to be well structured and beautifully written, with setting, point of view and all those elements that fit together to create a theme and give you a literary experience,” she explains. She looks for nuanced books that invite kids to use their imagination and find their own way. “The reader might be young, but they’re not dumb. They just haven’t had lots of experiences yet. If a book concludes with one narrow solution to a child’s problem, then I would say it’s not that useful or successful,” says Knoth, a frequent contributor to The Horn Book, a resource for children’s book reviews and articles. McLinn believes that kids should be exposed to a diversity of authors and illustrators that explore the lives of all cultures. “We live in silos with the people in our group, and we don’t know anything about other groups,” she explains. “When you read about other cultures, you learn that we are more alike than we are different. We may eat different foods, wear different clothing and have different customs, but you find out that it’s not scary. Kids love to read about heroes that they can identify with and become their friends. Children are into social justice and fairness. As a child,

I loved biographies. I wanted to read about great people and what made them great so that maybe I could be great like them.” Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

Children’s Book Awards Newbery Medal: Tinyurl.com/Newbery-Medal-Award Caldecott Medal: Tinyurl.com/Caldecott-Medal-Award American Indian Youth Literature Awards: Tinyurl.com/American-Indian-Award Pura Belpré Award, celebrating Latino culture: Tinyurl.com/Pura-Belpre-Book-Award Coretta Scott King Awards, showcasing African American values: Tinyurl.com/Coretta-Scott-King-Awards Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature: Tinyurl.com/Asian-PacificAmerican-Award Sydney Taylor Book Award, portraying the Jewish experience: Tinyurl.com/Sydney-Taylor-Award

Children’s Book Lists Rainbow Book List, presenting LGBTQIA+ viewpoints: glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks Best Books by the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature: csmcl.org/best-books-2020 Cooperative Children’s Book Center Booklists, various topics: Tinyurl.com/ccbcBookList Association for Library Service to Children Book Lists, various genres and topics: Tinyurl.com/alscBookList Notable Children’s Books by the Association for Library Service to Children, identifying the best of the best in children’s books: Tinyurl.com/alscNotableBooks

LOCAL CONNECTION Books for Children and Teens by Charlotte Area Authors My Big Notebook

Roly-Poly and the Light

My Big Notebook (SPARK Publications) is a fun, private, guided way for elementary school-aged children to express their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences as an ongoing form of self-expression while coping with life and daily stressors. JC is your child’s buddy in a composition-style book. My Big Notebook includes evidence-based coping mechanisms packaged into fun journaling and coloring pages along with meaningful stories from JC’s life. Carla is a TEDx speaker and child and mental health advocate.

This story is for anyone who has ever felt different. It is an uplifting and inspirational reflection of a child’s friendship with an unusual roly‑poly, Ayla, who shares wisdom of valuing self, differences and connecting with others. Whether young or old, this story enlightens us on how to appreciate our uniqueness, similarities, and differences. We see how this creates a more beautiful world, both within ourselves and with our connection to others. Leigh is an East Coast author and artist.

by Carla Carlisle

by L. Leigh Love

Ages 5-10. For more information or to purchase, visit www.CarlaaCarlisle.com/my-big-notebook.

Ages 1-8. For more information or to purchase, visit www.Amazon.com or www.BarnesandNoble.com. Also visit www.BrightStarStudio.net.

B3 Goes to the Playground

The Year of the Buttered Cat

B3 is a flying superhero, and she gets you moving! The Better Bodies Buddy (aka B3) meets EJ, a little frog who doesn’t like exercise. She teaches him that exercise is fun. EJ makes new friends in the process.

Susan and Lexi Haas look back on the year Lexi discovered she would be disabled and the five gifts that gave her a path forward. Reviewers call the middle grade story “Laugh-out loud funny” (Booklist) and “Amusing and compelling” (Kirkus Reviews).

Ages 5-8. For more information or to purchase, visit www.BetterBodies4Us.com/products.

Ages 9-13. For more information or to purchase, visit Main Street Books, Davidson, That’s Novel in Camp North End, Charlotte, www.Amazon.com and www.BarnesandNoble.com.

by Charleszetta Smith Ford

by Susan Haas with Lexi Haas

December 2021/Early January 2022

conscious eating

The Sweet Danger of Sugar ways to enjoy healthier holiday fare by Christy Ratliff

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AwakeningCharlotte.com

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hocolate Santas, decorated cookies and other sweet confections are ingrained in our holiday traditions, yet sugary food does little to actually make us feel merry and bright in the long run. A high-sugar diet increases the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol, inflammation, weight gain and weight-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It can also contribute to tooth decay and acne. “Most high-sugar foods are ‘treats’ and are not intended to be high in nutrition or consumed instead of healthier foods,” says Shelley Maniscalco, registered dietitian and CEO of the consulting firm Nutrition on Demand, in Arlington, Virginia. “When we have too many foods that are what we call calorie-dense versus nutrient-dense, we run the risk of displacing healthier foods, and, therefore, under-consuming key nutrients.” This can impact mental health and impair the body’s ability to manage stress. “When we eat nutritious foods, and our gut is healthy, we obtain necessary nutrients to create neurotransmitters, which are key to optimal mental health,” explains Maggie Roney, a licensed counselor and certified functional medicine provider in Wylie, Texas. “There’s mood-stabilizing serotonin, which is a precursor for melatonin, needed for sleep; dopamine, involved in pleasure, focus and motivation; and GABA, which provides a calming effect that can help with stress and anxiety. All of these require amino acids, zinc, iron, vitamin D, magnesium, copper and B vitamins.” In moderation, sugar is not necessarily detrimental to our health and well-being, but differentiating between naturally occurring sugar and added sugar is key to finding a middle ground. “New changes in the food label allow consumers to more easily identify sources of sugar in foods,” Maniscalco says. “Many healthy foods naturally contain sugars, such as fructose in fruits and lactose in dairy products. These natural sugars don’t need to be avoided. When checking the label, look for amounts of added sugars and choose the options that have less.” Foods and beverages with added sugars are now required to list the number of grams and percent daily value for added sugars on the nutrition facts label. For example, a container of yogurt with fruit on the bottom might list total sugars at 15 grams (g), including 7 g of added sugar, which means 8 g of naturally occurring sugars. In a society long obsessed with counting calories, we may assume we’re making smart choices with low-fat, non-fat, reduced calorie or light versions of grocery items. But, the amount of added sugar is actually higher in low calorie versions of a wide variety

of foods because sugar is used to compensate for the loss of flavor from fat. “Sugar tastes good and balances out other flavors, so many foods that we wouldn’t consider sweet have added sugars,” says Colleen Tewksbury, Ph.D., bariatric program manager and senior research investigator at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Common products include pasta sauce, cereal and salad dressing. Reading food labels looking specifically for added sugars is key to finding these foods.” “Hidden sugars are often found where we least expect them,” adds Ricardo Díaz, chef and registered dietitian nutritionist at the New York-based nonprofit Wellness in the Schools, which works to improve nutrition in school lunches. “Many savory or salty foods tend to have added sugars, such as tortilla chips, popcorn, jerky and frozen prepared foods. Check your labels and compare between products on the supermarket shelves to find the healthiest pick for you and your loved ones.” “Often, we think of eating in ‘all or nothing’ terms. When we cut out foods we enjoy, it often backfires and we end up overeating them in the end when our willpower runs out,” Maniscaclo says. “I would really encourage mindfulness in eating so that individuals can enjoy treats in moderation and feel satisfied by them so that there’s less need to over consume. Also, being physically active year-round is a great habit to get into and can create more space in the diet for treats.” As we implement these small but significant low-sugar strategies, we’ll be rewarded with better physical and emotional health all year long. That’s something to celebrate. Christy Ratliff is a professional health and wellness writer based in Central Florida.

Low- or No-Sugar Holiday Treats This recipe was developed after lavender was accidentally weeded from the garden. These cookies are made with honey and whole-wheat flour.

yield: about 24 cookies ½ cup butter, softened ½ cup honey 1 egg 1 Tbsp lavender flowers 2 cups whole-wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat butter in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat honey, egg and lavender into the creamed butter until incorporated. Stir flour, ½ cup at a time, into butter mixture until blended. Drop spoonful of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake in preheated oven until cookies are browned on the bottom, about 15 minutes. Courtesy of Sue B. For more information, visit AllRecipes.com.

A Dietician’s Healthy Dark Chocolate Bark This dark chocolate bark recipe is holiday-themed with red, white and green toppings. Other topping options include almonds, dried fruit, sunflower, pumpkin or hemp seeds or granola. 6 oz dark chocolate ¼ cup dried cranberries

¼ cup raw pistachios 2 Tbsp shredded coconut

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Create a double boiler by placing a saucepan filled with a few inches of water and topped with a glass bowl over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil. Add two thirds of the chocolate and let melt, stirring until smooth. Take off the heat and stir in the remaining chocolate. Pour melted chocolate onto the prepared baking tray. Spread to ⅛-inch thickness. While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle with dried cranberries, chopped pistachios and shredded coconut. To set, place tray in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes or in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Break the bark into pieces and serve. Store extra pieces at room temperature in an airtight container. Courtesy of Jessica Bippen, MS, RD. For more information, visit HUMNutrition.com/blog.

Baked Apples 4 large Granny Smith baking apples ¼ cup chopped pecans or another nut of choice ¼ cup raisins or another dried fruit of choice

1 tsp butter 1 tsp cinnamon Juice of one lemon (about ¼ cup) ¾ cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 375° F. Wash apples. Using an apple corer, remove cores and leave ½ inch of the bottom of each apple. (If using a paring knife, just cut the center core out fully.) Make the hole ¾-inch wide, and remove the seeds using a spoon. Place the cored apples in an 8-inch-by 8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle lemon juice over apples to prevent browning. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, chopped nuts and raisins or another dried fruit. Stuff each apple with the filling mixture. Top with a dot of butter (about ½ to ¾ tsp per apple). Add boiling water to baking pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes until tender, but not mushy. Remove baked apples from the oven, and baste apples several times with the juice from the pan. (Apples can be baked in a muffin tin. Place muffin liners into the muffin tins, and place cored apples inside.) Chef ’s Note: Personalize the baked apples with seasonal fillings and spices, such as nutmeg, cardamom or pumpkin pie spice. For a twist, try a savory, fresh herb like rosemary or thyme. Courtesy of Wellness in the Schools. For more information, visit WellnessInThe Schools.org.

photo provided by allrecipes.com

Honey Lavender Cookies

Baklava Cookie Cups 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour 1 tsp orange zest ½ tsp ground cardamom ¼ tsp salt 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature ¾ cup honey 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

filling and syrup:

½ cup pistachios, chopped ½ cup honey 3 Tbsp water 2 tsp orange juice 4 green cardamom pods, crushed 1 cinnamon stick Heat oven to 350° F and grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, orange zest, cardamom and salt. In the bowl of a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and honey for about 1-2 minutes. (The mix will look a little curdled at this point and that’s fine; scrape down the sides.) Beat in the eggs, then the vanilla. Mix in the flour in two parts. Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough into the prepared muffin tin and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven; let sit for about 3-4 minutes before using a dowel to carefully press down in the center of each cookie to make a well. Let the cookies cool for about 15 minutes in the tin before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely. In a small saucepan over medium heat, prepare the syrup by combining the honey, water, orange juice, cardamom pods and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer and remove from the heat. Drizzle a small amount in the bottom of each cookie cup and then fill with the chopped pistachios. Drizzle more syrup on top of the filled cookie cups. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to one week. Courtesy of the National Honey Board. For more information, visit Honey.com. December 2021/Early January 2022

healing ways

Amp Up Immunity Proven Boosters for Good Health

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by Ronica O’Hara

s we head into the holidays, a gift that many of us wish for is a strong immune system to protect us not only from serious illness, but also from wintry coughs and sniffles. Robust immunity rests on three pillars, research shows: getting at least seven hours of sleep a night to allow immune functions to reboot; daily exercise to stimulate the production of white blood cells that fight off harmful bacteria and viruses; and plant-based foods to supply the antioxidants and phytochemicals needed to reduce inflammation and keep cells humming happily. In addition, we can enhance immunity by adding specific adaptogens and mushroom powders into our daily routine. These study-proven substances perform specific functions in the immune system that boost our resistance to illness. As powders, they can be easily added into drinks or foods, and they can also be taken as tinctures or pills.

Modulating Immunity with Adaptogens Used for millennia in China and India, adaptogens are plants that keep the body in balance by helping it adapt to stress. They 20

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interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a complex system of glands, hormones and receptors that helps manage homeostasis, stress responses and energy metabolism. “Adaptogens are a great way to boost immunity, especially if you are constantly sick and run down due to feeling stressed,” says Heather Hanks, a Plymouth, Michigan, nutritionist with USA Rx. Adaptogens typically take two or three weeks to become effective; follow package directions for proper dosage. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), an herb called locoweed in the U.S., boosts immune function by increasing natural killer cell activity and enhancing the function of macrophages, the “immune sentinels” that reside in tissues. A recent review suggests that long-term use of astragalus might help prevent colds, and taking it for up to six weeks may relieve seasonal allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itching and sneezing. It has also been shown to improve recovery after illness, disease or prolonged stress and to help postchemotherapy patients regain health. Polish researchers found that rowing team athletes given 500 milligrams of astragalus

root extract each day for six weeks had immune systems that recovered faster after strenuous exercise. Panax Ginseng, a perennial plant from East Asia, keeps the immune system in balance by regulating its components, including macrophages, dendritic cells and both T and B cells. It improves resistance to illness and microbial attacks, helps counter stress, controls inflammation, improves cognitive functions and has been found effective in the treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, insulin resistance and hypertension. Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also known as holy basil, “enhances the immune response, protects the body against bacterial and viral infection and promotes clear and comfortable breathing,” says Ameya Duprey, a certified Ayurvedic practitioner in Nevada City, California. Studies show that it also helps prevent liver, kidney and brain injury by protecting against the genetic, immune and cellular damage caused by pesticides, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.

The Marvel of Medicinal Mushrooms Used medicinally since at least 3,000 BCE, certain mushrooms have been found to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-protective, anti-diabetic, liver-protective and anticancer properties. They are usually not cooked, but rather taken as a powder that can be added to foods like smoothies, cereals and stir-fries. Reishi mushrooms increase the activity of killer cells and lower inflammation in white cells, warding off infections. “They are used by cancer patients, as they support a healthy immune system, have antioxidant properties and may prevent or treat infections,” says Linda Strause, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of human nutrition at University of California San Diego, whose husband with brain cancer was encouraged to take the mushrooms as a supplement.

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Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensi) is harvested from the larvae of caterpillars in the high Himalayas. In a randomized, eight-week Korean study of 79 adults, supplementing with 1.7 grams of cordyceps extract daily led to a significant 38 percent increase in the activity of natural killer cells that protect against infection. It has been used traditionally to treat fatigue, sexual dysfunction, asthma, kidney problems, high blood pressure and weak hearts. Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) contains a compound called polysaccharide-K that stimulates the immune system. It also acts as a prebiotic, which promotes the health of the gut microbiome, a key player in immunity. A Harvard Medical School study of 22 healthy people found that taking 3,600 milligrams of polysaccharopeptide extracted from turkey tail mushrooms each day led to beneficial changes in gut bacteria and suppressed the growth of problematic E. coli and shigella bacteria. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

†

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com. December 2021/Early January 2022

Nature’s Virus Killer

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community resource guide

BLUE SKIES FAMILY MEDICINE

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. COLONICS

ACUPUNCTURE EMPOWER LIFE CENTER

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HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA

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

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140 Valleydale Rd • 980-314-3880 17131 Lancaster Hwy • 980-314-3845 MeckMulchMadness.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 8.

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 & THE SKIN CENTER

16415 Northcross Dr, Ste B, Huntersville 421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte 704-775-6029 • BentonIntegrative.com The Carolina's only Integrative practice offering membership based Direct Primary Care and Functional Medicine wellness programs. Wellness programs are individualized to the patient and address the root cause of illness. See ad, page 2.

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.

HEALTHY PET FOR THE LOVE OF DUTCH

Charlotte • 704-576-7916 Hello@ForTheLoveofDutch.com ForTheLoveofDutch.com Nourish your pet the natural way. Ready-to-serve, handcrafted food for your dog made with fresh, seasonal produce and sustainably sourced meat from local Carolinas farms. See ad, page 13.

HOMEOPATHY CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 6404 Bannington Rd, Ste A 704-486-2448 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 13.

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.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN HYPERBARIC THERAPY NIRVANA HYPERBARIC INSTITUTE

146 Medical Park Rd, Ste 110 Mooresville • 704-471-4100 NirvanaHBO.com

Dedicated to healing, forwarding the science of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and providing patients a tranquil place to heal. Highly effective in treating many conditions, some covered by insurance. See ad, page 11.

CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 6404 Bannington Rd, Ste A 704-486-2448 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 13.

NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH CONSULTING HEALTHY SOLUTIONS FOR ALL

Michelle Tonkin, ND 877-955-HEAL HealthySolutionsForAll.com

15+ years’ experience with Lyme disease, autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Online health store with discounts and free shipping on all orders $50+. Call today for a free 10-minute consultation.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS ACID-REDUCING

MINERAL BASED MultiforceHealth.com Info@MultiforceHealth.com Achieve the right balance between alkalinity and acidity to support immune system and optimum health. Manufactured under pharmaceutical standards. Vegetarian, Gluten and soy-free and available in 3 natural flavors. See ad, page 2.

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 2.

UNITY OF CHARLOTTE

401 E Arrowood Rd Sundays at 9:30am UnityofCharlotte.org

Unity features a vibrant Sunday Celebration Service at 9:30 AM, with inspiring messages from a rotating slate of guest speakers. Unity supports your well-being, prosperity and spiritual journey.

Natural Awakenings Charlotte - December 2021 Issue

Articles inside

Healthy Living Gift Guide

healing ways

conscious eating

Books for Children and Teens by Charlotte Area Authors

Healing the Brain with Oxygen in Greater Charlotte

local health brief

local action alert

news briefs

letter from publisher

Circles of Healing

healthy kids