Natural Awakenings Charlotte - January 2022 Issue by Shannon

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WAYS TO BOOST COFFEE’S BENEFITS Health Trends for 2022 Whole-Person Fitness Peter Russell on Letting Go

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January 2022 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

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Peter Russell on Letting Go

CHARLOTTEʼS FOR THE LOVE OF DUTCH DOG FOOD LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE

January 2022 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

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THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE REVOLUTION

Moving Toward an All-EV Future this Year

ZEN ZONE FOR KIDS

Create the Perfect Calm-Down Corner at Home

HIGH TIMES FOR THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY

Emerging Trends with a COVID-19 Caveat

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WHY WORDS MATTER

CALENDAR

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January 2022

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

Letting Go in 2022 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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arly last year, my doctor suggested that I stop drinking coffee. It was a suggestion that I did not think I could comply with—and I’ll admit I didn’t even try that hard. For one thing, I loved my morning cup; it was my way of relaxing and getting ready for the day. It also woke me up and gave me energy. For another thing, I’d been drinking coffee since college, so it was one of my longest-running daily rituals. It’s hard to let go of something so familiar and comfortable. But as I realized my digestion issues were not resolving, I decided it was something I needed to do. Then one morning I just stopped drinking coffee, and that was it. I did have a slight headache for a short time, but I never felt comatose or unable to function, and ultimately I didn’t really miss it that much. It was so odd. I’d truly expected a complete disruption of my life. This month’s article “A Better Morning Jolt: Healthy Coffee Alternatives and Hacks” caused me to recall this experience, and our Wise Words column, “Peter Russell on the Healing Power of Letting Go,” helped me understand the most surprising part of it— that it wasn’t even that hard. Russell talks of having an aha moment when the question spontaneously came to him, “Could there, just possibly, be another way of seeing this?” I think I became open to an alternative narrative when I finally decided I needed to resolve my health issues. Since then I’ve been recalling other decisions I made because I had a fixed belief about a matter, and considering how the outcome could have been different had I not. “Letting go in 2022” is a mantra that resonates. Wishing you a happy 2022 and “letting go of things that only exist in the mind.” (Read the Peter Russell article and you’ll understand!)

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell

Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 NaturalAwakenings.com

Shannon PS: Make sure you register for the Natural Awakenings Charlotte New Year 2022 Giveaway at www.tinyurl.com/NewYear22Giveaway.

© 2022 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.

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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.

11 BRANDON RUIZ

On Why He Founded Local Area Yucayeke Farms and More

12 HEALTH IN

THE NEW YEAR

10 Top Wellness Trends for 2022

16 PET-PLEASING FOOD TRENDS

What Dogs and Cats Will Eat This Year

17 FOR THE LOVE OF

DUTCH DOG FOOD

Charlotte Based and Delivered to Your Door

18 A BETTER

MORNING JOLT

Healthy Coffee Alternatives and Hacks

20 WHOLE-PERSON FITNESS

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.

Current Trends in Wellness Tools

22 PETER RUSSELL

on the Healing Power of Letting Go

DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 9 global brief 10 health briefs 16 natural pet 18 conscious eating 20 fit body 22 wise words 24 resource guide 26 gaston county

natural guide

26 classifieds

January 2022

news briefs

Empower Life Center Offers New Tai Chi Class

he Empower Life Center, in Charlotte, is starting a new beginners’ Chen-style tai chi class. This three-month program, led by Sifu Camilo Sanchez, L.Ac, MAOM, an experienced tai chi teacher and a 20th generation Chen Tai Chi lineage disciple, will begin from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. on February 8 and will continue weekly on Tuesdays. Tai chi originated as a martial art and over time developed as an excellent mind and body fitness exercise. Consisting of a choreographed sequence of smooth and flowing movements that coordinate the action of the whole body, it focuses on simultaneously improving health, enhancing fitness and balancing the mind. Regular practice reduces stress and anxiety, relieves muscle and joint pain, increases mobility and range of motion, improves balance, boosts immunity, enhances vitality and improves overall markers of wellness. Location: 14136 Lancaster Hwy. For more information or to register (class is limited to 12 participants), call 704-542-8088 or visit www.EmpowerLifeCenter.com. See CRG, page 24.

New Year 2022 Giveaway Sponsored by Natural Awakenings Charlotte

atural Awakenings Charlotte is giving away products and services from participants in their annual holiday gift guide through the end of this month. Giveaway items include Soul Love Connections mind, body, spirit products designed to raise intentional awareness; eco-friendly items from Ekologicall, our local zero waste shop; The Patio Farmer, that helps us grow edible and nutritious plants in any space; Farm Fresh Carolinas, organic produce and farm-fresh favorites delivered right to our doors; HC Wellness Center & Spa, featuring colon hydrotherapy, sauna, massage, energizing foot spa and more healthful treatments; Amy GrayCunningham, providing Akashic Record Readings and more. Enter by visiting www.AwakeningCharlotte.com or directly at www.tinyurl.com/NewYear22Giveaway. 8

Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

Navigating Mystery of the 5th Dimension Class

avid Hulse, Spiritual Leader of the HeartLight Spiritual Center, in Charlotte, will lead a mid-week inspiration class entitled Navigating the Mystery of the 5th Dimension from 11 a.m. to noon beginning on January 5. The class will take place weekly on Wednesdays. Attendees will be informed that we are navigating a Great Shift and learn 5D practices that can allow us to focus on breakthrough rather than breakdown, enabling a smoother transition. “These emotionally charged times are creating polarities which divide us into sides,” says Hulse, who is also founder of SomaEnergetics. “The powers that be don’t care what side we are on as long as we are against one another. There is no polarity in 5th Dimension, but rather an energy of synergy and teamwork. It is time to learn how to go through this transition from a 3D life of separation to a 5D life of oneness and unity.” Free admission, love offering requested. Location: 7300 Mallard Creek Rd. For more information or to view class via livestream, visit www.HeartLightCharlotte.org. See ad, page 10.

The Patio Farmer Offers 2022 Planning Calendar

rin Hostetler, owner of The Patio Farmer, is offering a 2022 Planning Calendar – A Year to Sow that features a A YEAR TO SOW month-to-month guide to edible gardening. The digital resource also includes additional helpful information on growing and more for the home food grower. The calendar will walk readers through 15 crops that can be sown in both small and large spaces. Each month will highlight a different vegetable, herb, or fruit along with all the information needed to grow each of them from seed as well as general maintenance and special tips plus other growing guidance. “January, and winter, provide us with much needed rest and reflection on the year passing and the growing seasons that have been completed while inviting us to prepare for the year ahead,” says Hostetler. “It’s the perfect time to think through our growing spaces (i.e., where are we growing food at home … raised beds? containers? native soil?) and put together plans for the crops we want to grow this year, the seeds we want to sow.” Calendar purchases made this month will include a complimentary month of Plant Club KNOW membership (an additional $29 value).

2022 12 months of seed sowing guidance to grow food at home, no matter how much (or how little) space you have!

Cost: $29. For more information or to order the calendar, email ThePatioFarmer@gmail.com or visit www.ThePatioFarmer.com. See CRG, page 24.

global brief local action alert

Never Forget

Tuskless Elephants Adapting to Poaching Scourge

peter betts/AdobeStock.com

Approximately 90 percent of the elephants in the present-day Gorongosa National Park, called one of the “last wild places” by National Geographic, were poached for ivory to finance the civil war in Mozambique from 1977 to 1992. Before

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

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health briefs

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

Karolina Grabowska/Pexels.com

Consider Basil to Fend Off Alzheimer’s

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!

David Hulse, Spiritual Leader Wed @ 10AM: Mid-week Inspiration Sun @ 11:15AM: Celebration Service Live Stream: HeartLightCharlotte.org

Wedding & Event Space Available in Newly Remodeled Center!

7300 Mallard Creek Rd Charlotte NC 28262 704-599-1180 info@heartlightcharlotte.org www.heartlightcharlotte.org 10

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Ultraviolet (UV) light in various forms has been used widely in the last century to disinfect water, air and surfaces, but its use in public spaces is increasingly common since the COVID-19 pandemic. In a new study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, University of Colorado researchers report finding the sweet spot in the UV spectrum that is both extremely effective at killing the virus and also safer for human exposure, allowing airports and entertainment venues to disinfect even when people are present. The researchers found that while the virus was quite susceptible to UV light in general, a specific wavelength of far-ultraviolet C at 222 nanometers was particularly effective, while remaining safe for human skin and eyes. The highest disinfection rate was from krypton chloride (KrCl) excimers, a low-pressure, mercury-vapor lamp. “Of almost every pathogen we have ever studied, this virus is one of the easiest, by far, to kill with UV light,” says senior author Karl Linden, professor of environmental engineering. Also, researchers at the United Kingdom’s Addenbrooke Hospital, in Cambridge, studied the use of portable high-energy particulate air (HEPA) filters in crowded COVID-19 wards. They found that the relatively inexpensive machines effectively removed COVID-19 particles from the air—the first such evidence in a real-world setting. Researchers noted the HEPA filters also removed detectable amounts of other pathogens that cause infections in hospitals, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes—a surprising finding because these pathogens are not typically considered to be airborne.

AwakeningCharlotte.com

barks/AdobeStock.com

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

Charlotte’s Brandon Ruiz Speaks at Organic Growers School’s 29th Annual Spring Conference

connect with their culture as well as culturally connected community members who want to source locally. I feel like we have been received well. There are things I want to do better, like more space and land of our own to help provide a solid foundation to the farm—I always feel there is something more I could be doing.

randon Ruiz is a community herbalist, urban farmer, and owner of Yucayeke Farms, based in Charlotte. He works to provide affordable access to herb medicine and culturally relevant foods through farming plots around the city and by hosting affordable herbal classes.

NA: How did you get interested in herbs and farming? Where did you receive training in these fields?

BR: I originally got interested in early high school because of a teacher who was into juicing, plant-based foods, etc. They saw my interest and supported it. From smoothies, juices, “superfoods” to learning through self-study, networking with herbalists, and learning from elders who had been practicing for decades, I just ran with it. I also attended the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine in 2017, which was very helpful in challenging my knowledge and exposing me to others who were doing the same. Even yet, I feel that an “official” certificate from an institution isn’t needed to practice herbalism.

NA: You teach courses such as “Puerto Rican Herbal Medicine” and “Caribbean Plant Allies.” How does Caribbean Culture influence your work?

BR: The medicines and the cultural concepts of healing I use as well as my own personal lineage are influenced by Caribbean culture. My family is from Puerto Rico, and though I was born in Florida, I visited Puerto Rico often as a child. My family moved to Charlotte for work when I was about 5, and partly because I was no longer learning Spanish, my connection to Puerto Rico weakened. In recent years, I’ve had a strong desire to reconnect and have spent more time with family there, learning about traditions and being around the plants that inhabit the island. The Caribbean is a very special place with so many cultures and I love studying everything from language and linguistics to cultural foods and remedies.

Brandon Ruiz in the Greenhouse

NA: You launched Yucayeke Farms to cultivate culture through urban agriculture and herbal medicine in Charlotte. How does Yucayeke Farms cultivate culture? What need did you see in Charlotte that motivated you to do this? How has your work been received here?

BR: We cultivate culture by growing culturally relevant foods from all over the world in the communities of our area. For example, a few years back we grew an Afro-Caribbean Garden in a neighborhood with mostly Black and Caribbean community members. We grew hibiscus, lalo, oregano brujo, yuca/ cassava, recao and so much more, focusing on getting the produce to community members familiar with its use. Another year we grew everything from sugarcane to papayas (which didn’t totally ripen, but we do use unripe fruit and the leaves as medicine). There is a lot of focus on the Caribbean with my work, and due to cultural exchange over time, a lot of these plants extend beyond the Caribbean. Growing yuca, we had interest from people from Africa, India, and South America. Lalo brought people from Haiti, Tunisia, and Lebanon. Charlotte is a culturally rich city, and I saw a desire for culturally relevant food and plant medicine, but its availability seemed limited to chefs and expensive businesses that labeled them as “exotic,” making them unaffordable and culturally irrelevant. The community members we connect with are a mix of folks wanting to start businesses, re-

NA: You are a speaker at Organic Growers School’s 29th Annual Spring Conference near Asheville in March. What do you plan to talk about in your presentation? BR: I’ll be talking about building community through plants and culture and herbs for resilience and strengthening of the nervous system. These are very important topics for me and my community as life can be tough and systemic oppression can negatively impact growth and stability in our lives. It is important to support ourselves in all ways, especially with our plant allies. By supporting each other and growing our cultures, we are stronger.

NA: Do you have any other initiatives you are working on?

BR: Yes! As I search for permanent land in NC, I’m doing a lot more online work such as a 6-week herbal introduction course as well as individual Zoom classes and more. I’m used to doing things in person so it’s a little hard having to be away from people, but eventually we will be back in-person on the land, whether that’s through newly leased land or a permanent farm space. For more information about online classes or to connect with Brandon Ruiz, email RuizBrandon704@gmail.com, call 704-5777618 or visit @yucayekefarms on Instagram. For more information and to purchase tickets (early bird pricing through January 31) to the Organic Growers School and Mother Earth News 29th Annual Spring Conference and Market at Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC, visit www.OrganicGrowersSchool.org, email Avi@OrganicGrowersSchool.org or call 828-214-7833. See ad, back cover. January 2022

Health in the New Year 10 Top Wellness Trends for 2022

wayhome studio/AdobeStock.com

by Sandra Yeyati

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

Plant-Based Foods Take Center Stage The consensus among researchers is that filling our plates with colorful vegetables and fruits improves health and reduces our risk of developing a number of chronic degenerative diseases. “This approach, along with eating less meat and avoiding sugar, is wonderful to control blood sugar, lower uric acid and nurture your microbiome, which is fundamentally important to reduce inflammation, increase your body’s production of antioxidants and 12

Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

vitamins and help maintain the integrity of the gut lining so that you don’t get leaky gut and, therefore, inflammation,” says boardcertified neurologist David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain and four other New York Times bestsellers. Awareness of the devastating effects of industrialized meat production is also accelerating. “Avoiding animal products is probably the first and most important ethical choice one can make,” says Princeton University bioethics professor Peter Singer, author of the seminal Animal Liberation. “That’s going to dramatically lower your carbon footprint. You will no longer be complicit in the suffering of tens of billions of factory-farmed animals, and you won’t be contributing to the increasing risks of viruses being bred in factory farms.” According to market analysis firm CB Insights, “As COVID-19 spread across the globe, shifting consumer behavior

and virus outbreaks in factories has dealt major blows to the meat supply chain, with the beef industry alone facing an estimated $13.6 billion in losses.” Several U.S. meat processing plants were forced to close their doors. In response, a growing inventory of plant-based alternative proteins is emerging, offering new products that seek to mimic the experience of eating a juicy hamburger (Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods) or crispy chicken nugget (Simulate). Banza makes high-protein pasta from chickpeas. Retail sales of plant-based meals in the U.S. have grown by 25.5 percent over the past two years, and other manufacturers joining the field are Plantible Foods, Rebellyous Foods, Livekindly and InnovoPro. A recent survey found that 36 percent of consumers intend to increase their consumption of alternative protein sources in the near future. Perlmutter cautions, “Just because they’re plant-based doesn’t give them full sanction. They may contain unfermented soy, which may not be non-GMO or organic, and

per an article in the New York Times, their carbon footprint may be a lot higher in production of these products than we have been led to believe. Do a little research on these manufactured foods and go for plantbased options that aren’t processed. Shop the periphery of the grocery store.”

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

Wearable Devices and Home Testing Empower Patients Perlmutter also anticipates an amplification of the use of wearable devices and home testing to provide biometric data that informs people about their health status and inspires them to modify lifestyle choices. The Oura Ring records the time it takes to get to sleep, how many times the wearer awakens during the night and how much time they spend in REM and deep sleep. This information enables people to modify day-to-day activities to improve the quality and quantity of sleep. Apple Watch aficionados are increasingly relying on the device’s biofeedback features, including its newest metric, blood oxygenation, while diabetics and non-diabetics alike employ continuous glucose monitoring systems to pinpoint how lifestyle choices like food, exercise and sleep affect blood sugar levels. “That is not only trending now, but will increase quite dramatically as consumers push to

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learn more about themselves,” Perlmutter predicts. “No longer is this information going to be siloed in the doctor’s office. People are becoming more and more empowered to learn this data about themselves and act on it.”

Learning to Improve Genetic Expression “Our evolving understanding of epigenetics—how we can change our gene expression—is bringing more people on board to the idea that our lifestyle choices matter,” Perlmutter says. “When I went to medical school, we thought our DNA was locked in a glass case and that it would determine everything about us. Nowadays, we know that the expression of more than 70 percent of our DNA that codes for health and longevity is under our control and influenced by our lifestyle choices. The food we eat, whether or not we slept well last night, the stress in our lives, whether or not we spent time in nature—all of these things, moment-to-moment, change our gene expression. Holy Toledo! We now know that certain lifestyle choices are good for you because they favorably change gene expression. They teach it in med school now. It’s a breathtaking reality.”

Harnessing the Power of Low-Level Stress Life hackers and high-performance junkies are looking to leverage something called hormesis, which involves introducing low-level stress to the body for a positive outcome, so that when the body repairs itself from that condition, it doesn’t just repair back to the

previous level, but to a new one with an advantage. This includes exposing the body to a hot sauna or cold exposure through cryotherapy, as well as intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating. “People are starting to see how good things happen when we engage in things that push us in places that are perhaps a little bit uncomfortable, activating mechanisms that help with metabolic health, immunity, cognitive function and even the growth of new brain cells,” Perlmutter explains.

Mental Health Destigmatized When U.S. gymnast Simone Biles dropped out of the 2021 Summer Olympic Games citing mental health challenges, she created an opening for other people to speak up. If a world champion could reveal her vulnerability on the global stage when the stakes were so high, certainly so could they. Her compelling story is emblematic of an emerging trend: Mental health is gradually becoming destigmatized. “It’s becoming acceptable to talk about our feelings and ask for help, and this trend is shattering unhealthy cultural myths, like the erroneous assumption that if we talk about our emotions we’re going to fall into a pit of despair and sadness,” says Licensed Integrative Psychotherapist Leslie Davenport, the author of Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. “There’s a boldness among younger generations that are challenging the status quo and demanding to be accepted as they are. Tucking away anything that might not be socially acceptable is a part of the past. Kids

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want their families and adults to accept and love them exactly as they are.” On Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, #itsoknottobeok is a popular hashtag. Mental health surveys show that eco-anxiety in particular is prevalent among the young. Late last year, scientists at the University of Bath, in England, interviewed 10,000 youth between the ages of 16 and 25 across 10 continents. In the U.S., 68 percent said that the future was frightening. Almost half admitted that they had distressing feelings related to climate change on a daily basis, 42 percent believed that the things they valued most would be destroyed and 35 percent feared that their family security would be threatened.

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

Mindfulness Becomes Ubiquitous In a few decades, mindfulness practices have catapulted from Buddhist monasteries to corporate boardrooms and have become a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. with an 11 percent annual growth rate. “Mindfulness has been emerging for a while, but at this point, it’s a household word,” Davenport says. “People are talking about mindful eating or mindful conversations. Core concepts like being present in the moment or taking in the other person in an empathetic way are rippling out into so many aspects of life.”

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

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

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natural pet

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

members. One study, for example, found young children more likely to confide in a pet than in a sibling. A mattress company survey found that 71 percent of pet owners sleep with their furry friends. The forced togetherness of the pandemic drew pets and owners even closer. “Today, pet owners want to reward their pets in every way possible to let them know how grateful they are for the unconditional love and companionship they provide,” says Osborne. The urge to lovingly pamper pets starts at the food dish with many emerging trends.

Custom Tailoring According to market analyst firm Mintel, three in five U.S. pet owners are willing to pay more for foods that are customized to their pet’s specific dietary needs, a trend being eagerly met by more than 700 brands and 10,000 products. Today, a dizzying array of foods are tailored to pets’ ages, breeds and physical and emotional conditions. Obese dogs can chomp down on high-protein, low-fat foods; anxious pups

can mellow out with foods that contain hemp and CBD oil; and dogs prone to kidney stones may find relief on a renalsupport formula. Consumers unable to purchase pricey, specialized formulas are making kibble less boring by adding flavorful mix-ins and toppers such as shredded tuna and lamb liver flakes.

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

chendongshan/AdobeStock.com

og and cat food is becoming ever more humanized in the U.S. Market researchers and veterinarians report that consumers are increasingly demanding for their pets what they want for themselves: high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients that are free of questionable byproducts. “Organic, gluten-free and even vegan are now mainstream when it comes to Fido and Fluffy,” says integrative veterinarian Carol Osborne, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “Fancy foods, gourmet treats, even personal pet chefs have become the norm.” In a turnabout on animal testing, some companies advertise that their pet food products are tested on humans. It’s the logical outcome of an evolution in how pets are regarded, say psychologists. Only a few decades ago, most dogs slept in doghouses rather than in bedrooms, and most cats were free-range explorers of the outdoors. Today, two in three American households have a pet, and the animals are increasingly part of the family—sometimes even more beloved than human family

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Rethinking Meat Some manufacturers are replacing chicken and beef with more adventurous, gamey proteins such as rabbit, venison, bison and wild boar. “Products are advertising how you can bring out their inner wolf by feeding them that food, because it is more natural to their instincts,” says Heather Venkat, the acting public health veterinarian for Arizona. Revenues are predicted to nearly double from $277 million in 2018 to $525 million in 2025 for a growing favorite: raw meat in the form of freezedried kibble.

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

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

business spotlight

Try For the Love of Dutch Natural Dog Food by Martin Miron

hristi Busch, owner of For the Love of Dutch since 2017, is a unique combination of dog lover and certified reiki practitioner. After raising three happy basset hounds of her own, she left a corporate career to bring her mindful, holistic approach to transform the health of dogs in our region. She earned Canine Nutrition Certification from the Academy of Natural Health Science in December 2019. Busch is also a fierce advocate for sustainably raised, locally sourced produce and meats, as well as the relationships with local farms and farmers that make them possible. She states, "All of our recipes are made with nutrient-rich fresh, seasonal produce and sustainably sourced meat from local North and South Carolina farms. We use organic as much as possible because it is healthier and easier on our pets’ organs since it is free of pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. It’s a special and conscious choice we make to deliver a diet more nourishing to your pet’s digestive system. We also offer a variety of blends to alternate between to optimize your pet’s health." Her goal is to be as Earth-friendly as possible while providing a healthy alternative to commercial dog food. "There are other ‘homemade’ and fresh dog food brands in the marketplace, most of them national brands that ship across the United States. What makes us different is that we are focused on providing a wholesome and fresh food for dogs all the while supporting local and regional farms and farmers who believe in sustainability and environmentally friendly farming practices," says Busch. "This means that the meat we purchase is from animals who have been

Christi Busch and Ernie

grass-fed and/or pasture-raised as well as humanely treated throughout their lives. Our produce is mostly from Carolina farms, is all organic, and all from farms that are sustainably and environmentally focused," she explains. "When you buy from us, you are not only feeding your dog food that is natural and nutritious, but you are also supporting our local and regional economy and those farmers and helping protect our environment. Instead of shipping our food across the country, we deliver our freshly made food straight to your door on Thursdays of every week, and we sell at Pet in the City, on Monroe Road, here in Charlotte. As we grow, being locally and regionally focused will always remain a core value of ours." Purchase For the Love of Dutch online at www.ForTheLoveOfDutch.com or from Pet in the City located at 9600 Monroe Rd. For more details on the origins of For the Love of Dutch, visit www.tinyurl.com/AboutFTLD. See ad, page 19. January 2022

conscious eating

A Better Morning Jolt

Healthy Coffee Alternatives and Hacks

freedom lifeAdobeStock.com

by April Thompson

ost Americans enjoy a daily dose of coffee, and an increasing body of research indicates it’s not a bad habit to have. Meanwhile, a growing number of people are adapting their morning drink rituals to incorporate ingredients ranging from matcha to mushrooms in search of additional health benefits. “After many years of research, we have concluded that coffee can be a fantastic additive to the diet. Coffee consumption is associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality, risk of cardiovascular death and stroke,” says Claudia Hleap, a registered dietician nutritionist in Philadelphia. Regular coffee consumption is also correlated with a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, potentially due to its naturally containing polyphenols, which are plant compounds with protective antioxidant properties. The caffeine in coffee, as well as in tea and cocoa, can also boost short-term metabolism and brain function. As with most things in life, moderation is key; overconsumption of coffee can result in insomnia, irritability, gastrointestinal issues and other short-lived side effects. “Caffeine intake may negatively impact sleep duration and quality, which is essential for optimal health,” says Hleap. “Coffee can also serve as a vessel for added sugars and unhealthy fats in the diet if you are adding sweeteners and artificial creamers.” Many java drinkers today are experimenting with healthy alternatives and add-ons to shake up their routine morning pickme-up. Chicory-based drinks, made from roasted ground chicory root, are a favorite for Lauren O’Connor, a Los Angeles registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Healthy Cooking for One. “Chicory is caffeine-free, acid-free and a gut-friendly alternative to coffee,” she says. “It also has a robust, roasted taste that can satisfy those who desire more than an herbal tea. Date ‘coffee’, made from date seed, also has a deep, rich flavor.” Some chicory tea blends also incorporate roasted dandelion 18

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

A Better Bean Rather than swap out coffee altogether, some java lovers are bettering their beloved beans with healthy add-ons such as powdered mushrooms, ghee and spices. “A healthy addition to coffee can include coconut oil, collagen or butter. These can add some fat and protein content, which will provide more energy while also jumpstarting your metabolism at the beginning of the day,” says holistic health coach Virginia Gruhler. Ghee, a clarified butter that originated in ancient India, has been touted as a “keto-friendly” way to help neutralize the acidity of coffee while adding healthy fats and nutrients. Spices like cinnamon and cardamom have been added to coffee and black tea for centuries in the Middle East and Asia to enhance

Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Turmeric Golden Milk yield:

2 mugs

3 cups organic, natural milk such as oat, almond, coconut, hemp or another 2 tsp ground turmeric powder ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 Tbsp coconut oil (skip if using a full-fat coconut cream or milk) ¼ tsp ground ginger powder Dash of black pepper Maple syrup, agave syrup or honey to taste Optional, but luxurious and delicious: Pinch of ground cardamom (about ⅛ tsp or just under) Dash of vanilla extract or vanilla powder Pinch of ground nutmeg (about ⅛ tsp or just under) Gently heat milk of choice in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat. Once it’s warm, add the suggested spices, oil and sweetener. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients. Depending on the type of milk used, vigorous whisking may create a nice, latte-like “foam”. Continue to heat for about five minutes, whisking occasionally. Serve immediately and enjoy it warm.

photo provided by deanna, homesteadandchill.com

freedom lifeAdobeStock.com

both flavor and health. Cinnamon, for example, may help lower blood sugar, in addition to having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Mushroom coffee is another popular “coffee-plus” beverage which combines the flavor and energy boost of java with the benefits of medicinal fungi like turkey tail, lion’s mane and chaga, boosting the immune system and potentially warding off serious health conditions like dementia and cancer. Because caffeine can stay in the bloodstream for up to 10 hours, staying clear of all caffeinated drinks in the later hours of the day will help ensure a better night’s sleep. When a mid-afternoon slump hits, a brisk walk followed by a cup of a flavorful herbal tea like Rooibos or lemongrass can wake up the body and the brain naturally.

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

Golden milk is also delicious cold over ice, although oil is not recommended to use in this case. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat leftovers on the stovetop (rather than in a microwave) to preserve maximum nutritional value. Source: Deanna, creator of HomesteadAndChill.com. January 2022

foto helin/AdobeStock.com

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WHOLE-PERSON

FITNESS

Current Trends in Wellness Tools

by Maya Whitman

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

Making it Personal For this year, fitness and wellness choices will focus more on practical effectiveness within the new normal. “I see that most don’t want to spend hours in the gym. The way life is now, we do things differently: home gyms, home office, home childcare,” notes Kennedy.

foto helin/AdobeStock.com

The world of fitness is extending beyond the gym, taking inventory of all the aspects that factor into maintaining wellness. “This year, fitness is all about making workouts work for you and your lifestyle. Whether it be wearable technology, customized online personal training apps or mindset workouts that work on getting your mind in gear, 2022 has me excited,” says Stephanie Mansour, a Chicago-based fitness coach and host of the national PBS fitness and wellness show Step it Up with Steph. “I think we’re going to be focusing on habits and other areas of life like food, sleep and mindset that contribute to the effectiveness of workouts.” She also foresees people picking up inspiration from hardcore fitness devotees that share more of their personal daily habits such as journaling, affirmations and how they stay committed to investing in health. Bringing a water bottle to a yoga class or slipping on activewear is becoming digitalized, making it easier to target overall health. Staying hydrated based on individual needs is effortless using a Thermos app-connected hydration bottle with a smart lid that tracks daily intake. Mansour’s favorite fitness ally is clothing inlaid with resistance bands. “You can actually get in a workout while doing everyday activities with this resistance apparel. I love how resistance bands are built into these pants so my daily walk, yoga session or washing dishes and doing laundry turns into a workout because my muscles engage and work harder,” she says.

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

or reminders about daily steps. “I would suggest asking yourself why you want to use a tracker. Once you have identified the reason, you can now seek out alternative options that may cause less pressure,” she says. To stay accountable without mental anguish, she suggests using a multisport watch that offers the perk of real-time audio coaching. Kennedy concurs, saying, “The point is not to cause any more anxiety and to create a safe space. We should not be obsessing about weight and putting ourselves down,

but finding a space that will lift our spirits.” Despite the benefits of the latest technology and extras, Mansour reminds us to adhere to “tried and true methodologies like regular workouts that you enjoy, eating nutritious foods and taking care of your mental health through meditation, stress-reduction techniques and getting adequate sleep.” Maya Whitman writes about natural health and living a more beautiful life. Connect at Ekstasis28@gmail.com.

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wise words

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

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

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

What exactly do you advise us to let go of? While the thought-provoking title suggests that individuals might be asked to let go of a situation, possessions or a relationship, the fundamental theme running through the book is not the letting go of things themselves, but rather letting go the things that only exist in the mind—thoughts, interpretations, fixed beliefs, points of view, expectations of the future, attachments to possessions and relationships, judgements, grievances, assumptions about how things should or should not be. These things in the mind are the lens through which the things of the world are experienced. For example, looking at things through blue-tinted spectacles gives everything a blueish tinge. But the lens itself is not part of the world you see. In a similar way, the lens through which we see our world is not 22

Charlotte Edition

photo by Peter Russell

How can we better savor each moment?

another thing we see. In this sense, we are letting go of the “non-things” that color our view of the world.

What led to your understanding of this? The questions “Is there another way of seeing this?” and “Could there, just possibly, be another way of seeing this?” occurred spontaneously, without an effort on my part. With an open, curious attitude and without trying to find an answer or even assuming there was one, my inner knowing was able to shine through and reveal another more helpful way of seeing things.

What benefits have you experienced from letting go? I’m more in touch with my intuition and my feelings and less consumed by my thoughts. I feel better, experience more peace and am content. Discontent is largely

AwakeningCharlotte.com

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

Nature’s Virus Killer

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January 2022

community resource guide

ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING

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ACUPUNCTURE EMPOWER LIFE CENTER

Camilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM 704-542-8088 EmpowerLifeCenter.com

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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COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

ALLERGY

STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY

AAIR OF CHARLOTTE

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

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

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.

DENTISTRY KEMPTER HOLISTIC DENTISTRY

CBD 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.

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 4.

CHRONIC & DIFFICULT CASES

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HAAS WELLNESS CENTER

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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 27.

Charlotte Edition

BENTON INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & THE SKIN CENTER

16415 Northcross Dr, Ste B, Huntersville 421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte 704-775-6029 • BentonIntegrative.com

Affordable convenient Direct Primary Care from a personalized holistic perspective. Thorough and efficient care with nutrition as the foundation. We want to get and keep you healthy. Schedule a new patient consult today. See ad, page 14.

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RECYCLED COMPOST & MULCH

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 9.

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 14.

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 19.

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 15.

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 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.

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.

SPIRITUAL INTUITIVE AKASHIC RECORD READINGS

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 6404 Bannington Rd, Ste A 704-486-2448 CarolinasNaturalHealth.com Diabetes, Depression, Digestive Disorders, A llergies, Auto nxiety, ADHD. immune disease, A 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 15.

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 4.

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 10.

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 10.

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.

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.

January 2022

gaston county natural guide Connecting Gaston County to leaders in natural health, wellness and Natural Awakenings green living. To find out how you can be included in the Gaston County appreciates the generosity Natural Guide, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com. Natural Awakenings of its distributors Natural Awakenings throughout the area. appreciates the generosity appreciates the generosity WEIGHT LOSS ORGANIC MARKET & of consider its Please supporting of itsdistributors distributors SUPPLEMENTS CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS throughout area. Pick these major the distributors by throughout the area. INSTITUTE ORGANIC MARKETPLACE shopping theremonthly and picking up magazines at: Lidia Adkins, CFMP, DC, PKT 1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia up the magazine each month 216 S. New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-864-0605 Please consider supporting 704-271-9757 • CWLI.net from one of the racks. OrganicMarketplaceNC.com these major distributors by Thank you! Developer of the “40 Day Natural Awakenings 9am -7pm M/F, 9am-6pm

shopping there and picking Sat. Reliable community appreciates the generosity partner, local source for up the magazine each month of its distributors education, organic foods, fromthe one of the racks. Natural Awakenings personal care, products, throughout area. supplements, aromatherapy, organic wine/beer appreciates the generosity Thank you! and pet products. See ad, page 2. Please consider supporting of its distributors these major distributors by the area. throughout SPA shopping there and picking Please consider supporting up the magazine each month HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA major distributors by1308 E. Garrison Blvd, Gastonia from one ofthese the racks. there and picking704-823-1577 Thankshopping you! HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com up the magazine each month Offering traditional and from one of the racks. alternative therapies seven days a week to help you achieve Thank you!

optimal health, wellness and balance. Colon hydrotherapy, massage, far-infrared sauna therapy, energizing foot spa and yoni or v-steam.

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.

To place a listing call 704-499-3327 or email

Ads@Awakening Charlotte.com

classifieds Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $25 for up to the first 20 words and $1 per word thereafter. To place a classified, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com. Deadline is the 9th of the month. FOR SALE 2010 SUBARU FORESTER – 170K miles, manual transmission, rebuilt Subaru engine, roof rack, bluetooth, well-serviced. 704-778-6863.

Charlotte Edition

ORGANIC PLANT-BASED SUPPLEMENTS – Get Greens Powder, Oil Blends, Herbal Teas, Electrolytes, Colon Cleansers & More. See Special Offer for Samples. TerraLifeStore.com, 954-459-1134.

AwakeningCharlotte.com

5 ACRES IN MARION NC – Heavily wooded, lightly developed subdivision. 30 minutes to Linville Falls, 40 minutes to Asheville. 704-778-6863.

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.

Better Healthcare Now Available Without A Prescription!

Does Your Doctor Offer This? • 2 Hour New Patient Appointments • Personal Health Care Plans • Doctor’s Cell Phone Number

Specializing in Alternative Therapies: Applied Kinesiology • Detoxification Allergy Elimination • Hormone Balancing Nutritional Testing • Healthy Weight Massage • Energy Foot Baths Laser Therapy

Call To Schedule A FREE 15 Minute Consultation

(704) 837-2420

3315 Springbank Ln, Suite 102 • Charlotte, North Carolina

HaasWellnessCenters.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

Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com

1/6 Page Profile (85 words + one image)

Ongoing Advertisers receive a 50% discount January 2022

LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER

29th Annual

PRSRT STD ESRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL

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

*Early Bird Friday $65 / Regularly $80 *Early Bird Saturday $70 / Regularly $85 *Early Bird Sunday $60 / Regularly $75 *Early Bird Full $120 / Regularly $150

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:

828-214-7833

conference@organicgrowersschool.org www.organicgrowersschool.org

Natural Awakenings Charlotte - January 2022 Issue

Articles inside

wise words

conscious eating

business spotlight

natural pet

feature: Health in the New Year

global briefs

news briefs

publisher letter

fit body

Local Speaks at OGS's Spring Conference