Natural Awakenings Charlotte - March 2022 Issue by Shannon

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

PLANET

PLANT-BASED CUISINE TRENDS

How to Turn Burnout Around Charlotte’s Camilo Sanchez with Signs of Eating the Right Food Farmers Markets Support Healthy Communities March 2022 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

Opening April 2022 The only Yoga, Meditation and Pranic Healing Center directly north of Charlotte in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

Retreat for an Hour, a Day or a Weekend April-October. *Open all year for Virtual events

Offering 2 day weekend Pranic Healing courses

Certified Senior Pranic Healing Instructors Dr. Kenneth Williams Connie Williams, M.Ed. 2

Charlotte Edition

• Seasonal Pranic Healing Courses April-October • Half and Full Day Retreats • Reduce stress and anxiety

BlueUnicornRetreat@gmail.com 152 N. Main St. Hillsville, VA 24343 www.BlueUnicorn.PlanetaryPeace.com AwakeningCharlotte.com

coming in the april issue

Sustainable Living

March 2022

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How to Turn Burnout Around Charlotte’s Camilo Sanchez with Signs of Eating the Right Food Farmers Markets Support Healthy Communities March 2022 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

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EASING INTO A VEGAN LIFESTYLE

Clever Meat Substitutes that Please the Palate

BEYOND PICKY EATING

Help for Pediatric Eating Disorders

A WEEKEND WARRIOR SURVIVAL GUIDE

Prevention, First-Aid and Recovery

JOURNALING TO ACCESS INNER WISDOM ANN ARMBRECHT

on the Business of Ethical Botanicals

HEALTHY FOOD GUIDE www.AwakeningCharlotte.com/ Businesses

BEYOND KIBBLE

How to Shop for the Healthiest Pet Food

CALENDAR

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March 2022

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

Perseverance Wins 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

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne Layout & Design Gabrielle W-Perillo Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell

our years ago this month, my publisher’s letter was about how I loved the Winter Olympics and had been following women’s snowboard cross ever since its debut in 2006, when Lindsey Jacobellis, with a very comfortable lead, did a premature alley-oop right before the finish line, fell and got the silver instead of the gold. I remember the announcer at the time being outraged, and I suspected Jacobellis would never hear the end of it. At the age of 32, she competed in the 2018 Olympics but still finished with only the silver from 2006 under her belt. I assumed those Olympics were her last, and I was sad that the gold medal had eluded her. So I was quite surprised a couple days ago when I heard her name in the semifinals. It was incredibly hard to watch (and yet impossible not to watch) because for the fifth Olympics in a row, I was so wanting her to win the top medal. To make a long story short, she did it; she won the gold! And not just one: She also won the gold along with her teammate Nick Baumgartner in the debut of the mixed team snowboard cross. After five Olympics, at the age of 36, she finally won gold—and two of them. And for Nick Baumgartner, it was four Olympics, at the age of 40. As Team USA’s oldest member, he finally won a medal—and it just happened to be gold. For me, this is a full-circle story tied up with a nice bow. Such perseverance, and a goal is reached after well over a decade. You can watch Lindsey Jacobellis’s final leg of the mixed team final here: www.tinyurl.com/2022MixedTeamFinal. It’s quite exciting, and the best part is that on the final jump, if you find the right clip, you’ll see that she grabs the edge of her board—I interpret it as a mini alley-oop, maybe a message to the critics of an indiscretion 16 years ago, a way to say, “I did it and I’m celebrating.” Whatever it was, it made me smile. Wishing you the luck of the Irish this month of St. Patrick’s Day.

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

Shannon

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

Contents 14 PLANT-BASED FOODS GO MAINSTREAM

Healthy Eating Gets Easier with Innovations

18 THE BOUNTY OF FARMERS MARKETS

Buying Local Boosts Health, the Economy and the Planet

20 BURNOUT RECOVERY

Ways to Reset and Find Balance

22 CHARLOTTE’S

CAMILO SANCHEZ

With The Five Signs of Eating the Right Food

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.

DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 10 local health briefs 11 health briefs 12 global briefs 18 green living 20 healing ways 24 resource guide 26 gaston county

natural guide

coming in the april issue

Sustainable Living

March 2022

news briefs

Cutting-Edge Digital Processes at Kempter Dentistry

empter Dentistry, with locations in Concord and Charlotte, provides digital dentistry that incorporates digital or computer-controlled technology to implement both restorative and diagnostic dental procedures. It’s used to facilitate dental treatments and provides new ways to benefit the patient as well as providing greater accuracy. The practice utilizes iTero, their newest form of technology that creates a 3D image of teeth with a scanner. This is an outstanding diagnostic tool that can also be used for Invisalign; dental lasers for restorative work, facial aesthetics, tongue and lip tie revisions, and more. CEREC is restorations that are designed and created using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computeraided manufacturing), a process that creates scans of the mouth that are then passed to a milling unit that fabricates restoration in the office while patients wait. Digital dentistry is always advancing, and they pride themselves in staying on the cutting edge of dental advancements. For patients, this means that dental work that traditionally requires multiple visits can be done in a single visit with increased accuracy and no messy impressions. Locations: 1000 Copperfield Blvd. NE, Ste. 160, Concord; and 3111 Springbank Ln., Ste. F1, Charlotte. For more information and to make appointments, call 704-782-0797, email Info@KempterDentistry.com or visit www.KempterDentistry.com. See ad, page 8.

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 8

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Accepting New Patients!

704-782-0797

Empower Life Center Offers Authentic Tai Chi Leader Certification Course

he Empower Life Center is offering a new Authentic Tai Chi class leader certification course on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. starting on March 22 and continuing until June 28. This course will teach attendees the foundations and principles of authentic tai chi practice, the main tai chi techniques, the 18 movements Chen Tai Chi short form, and how to teach tai chi safely and effectively in different health and wellness settings. This is a unique opportunity to learn Authentic Tai Chi and share its mind and body fitness benefits for life-long wellness. Regular practice of tai chi has shown to improve several markers of wellness including blood pressure, cardiovascular health, circulation, digestion, blood sugar, joint and muscle health, bone density, posture, balance, stress response, mood, sleep, energy level, metabolism, muscle tone, core strength and overall health. Location: 14136 Lancaster Hwy. For more information or to register (class size limited to 12 students), call 704-542-8088, email info@EmpowerLifeCenter.com or visit www.EmpowerLifeCenter.com. See CRG, page 24.

Multiforce Poses Digestive Health Benefits

ultiforce, an alkalizing, multimineral, dietary supplement, poses a wide variety of health benefits, both in daily living and linked to indulging events like holidays, parties, or family gatherings. The product, produced in Germany under pharmaceutical-grade standards and facilities, has been proven to increase urinary pH which means there is less acidity in the body. Since excess acidity leads to a weakened immune system, premature aging, and many diseases, pH is important to keep in check. Its ingredients include magnesium hydrogenium, a phosphate that acts as a digestive antacid; calcium citrate, which has phosphate-binding properties which results in alkalinity; magnesium citrate, which has a bowel-cleansing effect; potassium bicarbonate, with blood-alkalinizing properties and acting on metabolic acidosis; potassium citrate, a diuretic and alkalinizing effect on the urine by combining with calcium and acid in the kidneys (this also helps prevent the formation of kidney stones); Dicalciumphosphate 2-Hydrate, an easily absorbed calcium which helps control acidity while building bones and helps prevent bone loss, and as an aid to reducing blood pressure and cardiac ailments; along with acerola extract’s antioxidant properties. Stores across the Charlotte region that carry Multiforce include Berrybrook Natural Foods (1257 East. Blvd., Charlotte); Charlotte Vitamins and Health (8206 Providence Rd., Ste. 1800, Charlotte and 7756 Charlotte Hwy., Ste. 104, Indian Land, S.C.); Dilworth Drug & Wellness Center (1300-B East Blvd, Charlotte); Medicap Pharmacy (361 George W. Liles Pkwy. NW, Concord); VITASMART (5303 Poplar Tent Rd., Concord); Alpine Mercantile (1236 Mecklenburg Hwy., Mooresville); Lowry Drug Advanced Health and Wellness (750 Hartness Rd., Statesville) and Belmont’s Drug Store (403 E. Catawba St., Ste. 100, Belmont). For more information, call 941-251-8210 or visit www.MultiforceHealth.com. See ad, page 19.

event spotlight

Charlotte Earth Day Returns at First Ward Park

harlotte Earth Day 2022, presented by OMIMEO Mime Theatre, will return from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 23 at First Ward Park, in Charlotte. The free, familyfriendly celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day—originally scheduled in 2020 but canceled then and also last year due to COVID-19—is a non-political, non-religious, theatrically oriented, educational, interactive experience that engages attendees, especially youngsters, creatively with the challenges facing our natural ecosystems. It features a self-guided Around the World – Learn the Earth orientation through an Earth Passport provided to each 5- to 15-year-old child. They’ll learn and experience many different perspectives regarding the environment in visiting five separate Knowledge Stations: Earth, Water, Fire (energy), Air and Youth Leadership. Other highlights, some utilizing a full professional stage and professional sound system, include an opening and closing parade with the Paperhand Puppets (www.Paperhand.org), from Chapel Hill; many exhibits; vegan and veggie food trucks; an opportunity to join a campaign to end single-use plastic bags; and a multispecies dance party to end the event. Since its founding in 1978, the nonprofit OMIMEO Mime Theatre has followed its mission to maintain and further the art form of mime through performance, education, and entertainment in a variety of private and public venues, producing award-winning, original, theatrical experiences throughout this period. Their goal has been to offer the widest variety of interpretations of this theatrical art form, including mask work, vaudeville, circus arts, dance, physical theater, character work and media (film and video), to as many different audiences as possible. Location: 301 E. 7th St. For more information, call 704-604-1787 or visit www.CharlotteEarthDay.com. See ad, page 2. March 2022

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an extremely safe, non-invasive, painless medical treatment administered in a chamber in which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen under pressure. This produces up to a 15-fold increase in blood oxygen concentration in every cell of the body, stimulating healing in all tissues, including the brain. Cognitive function usually peaks around the age of 30, and then declines, commonly manifesting as overall slowness in thinking and difficulties sustaining attention, problem solving, multitasking, holding information in mind and word-finding. Many people over 60 experience a decline that results in dementia (brain cell death and tissue loss). Telomere shortening is the goal of the biology of aging. The significant improvement of telomere length shown during and after HBOT protocols (requires 60 daily consecutive treatments, five days per week) provides the scientific community with a new foundation of understanding that aging can be targeted and reversed at the basic cellular-biological level. Researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Shamir Medical Center led by leading world hyperbaric researcher Dr. Shai Efrati, released a study in 2020 that demonstrated the ability of HBOT to lengthen telomeres by 25 percent (see www.tinyurl.com/ HBOTAgingReversal). Initially used to treat divers that were experiencing “the bends” from surfacing too quickly, HBOT has evolved into a therapy for 14 insurance-covered conditions, such as treatment of non-healing diabetic wounds, osteomyelitis, radiation injury from cancer therapy and others. Supported by research and used in other countries for more than 80 conditions, studies have shown great benefit for concussions, traumatic brain injury, autism, stroke, irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder and patients having cosmetic surgery. HBOT is a more potent anti-inflammatory than steroids; stimulates the body’s own production of stem cells by 800 percent; stimulates new blood vessel growth; activates the body’s immune system; and acts as a signal inducer of DNA for more than 6,000 genes, turning on good genes and turning off bad genes. With cosmetic surgery, it is recommended to do one treatment the day before the surgery and five to 10 more afterward to reduce swelling and bruising, resulting in less scarring and reducing the chance of infection. Dr. Roger Hunter is the owner of Nirvana Hyperbaric Institute, located at 146 Medical Park Rd., Ste. 110, in Mooresville. For more information or a free consultation, call 704-471-4100 or visit www.NirvanaHBO.com. 10

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Foods go beyond impacting the physical body, they also impact how the brain functions. A 2021 University of Barcelona study of the nutrition habits of more then 800 elderly participants concluded that eating more plant-based foods improves cognitive function, while other foods like saccharin, commonly found in artificial sweeteners, increased the risk for cognitive decline (see www.tinyurl.com/UnivBarcelonaCognitiveFunction). If food is fuel, think about the kind of fuel the brain needs to run at optimal levels. If a car is given poor-quality fuel for years, it’s not going to run efficiently. Eventually, it will break down. The brain acts in a similar way. Foods like beets, which are high in nitrates, help increase blood flow to the brain and improve its function. Foods that contain trans fats, like fried fast food or baked goods containing vegetable oils, can negatively impact how the neurons communicate, decreasing brain function. In the long term, consuming foods that negatively affect the brain can increase brain fog, forgetfulness, anxiety and depression, and the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Reduce consuming added sugar and refined carbohydrates, which research shows creates an insulin spike that negatively impacts brain function. Instead, begin eating a diet supportive of brain health, including foods high in brain-fueling nutrients such as avocado, dark chocolate, leafy greens, broccoli, fish, walnuts, blueberries, coconut, and pumpkin seeds. Start the day with a vegetable, protein, and fat instead of carbohydrates. Making the connection between how we feel mentally and what we eat is the first step in achieving optimal brain health. Keep a diary and keep track of how the brain responds. Dr. Michael Smith is a naturopathic physician at Carolinas Natural Health Center, located at 6404 Bannington Rd., Ste. A, in Charlotte. For more information, call 704-486-2448 or visit www.CarolinasNaturalHealth.com.

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Reversal of Aging and Cognitive Decline

Give the Brain Better Nutrition for Best Health

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local health briefs

health briefs

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Take Vinegar to Lower the Blues Depression relief may be as close as the vinegar bottle on the kitchen shelf, according to a new study from Arizona State University involving 25 healthy college students divided into two groups. Fourteen drank two tablespoons of Bragg’s apple cider vinegar diluted in one cup of water twice daily with meals, while 11 students consumed a vinegar tablet that contained 1/100 as much vinegar twice daily. After four weeks, using psychological tests and urine samples, the researchers found a 20 to 34 percent reduction in self-reported depression scores from the test group compared to slight increases in depression in the control group. Several metabolic alterations were found consistent with improved mood, including enzymatic dysfunction in the hexosamine pathway, as well as significant increases in glycine, serine and threonine metabolism. “With over 40 percent of college students selfreporting moderate-to-severe depression—a 77 percent increase over the past decade—simple and safe strategies that effectively reduce depression in this population are urgently needed,” the authors write.

Run 10 Minutes for a Brain Boost Exercise is used by people of all ages to elevate a sluggish mood, and new research shows that a mere 10 minutes of moderate-intensity running also boosts cognitive function. In tests with 26 subjects, researchers from the University of Tsukuba, in Japan, found that a short burst of running improved the set of cognitive processes involved in planning, organizing and self-control by increasing blood flow to the bilateral prefrontal cortex. “Given that running is a whole-body locomotive exercise, it may confer more mental health benefits compared to other forms of exercise such as cycling,” says study author Hideaki Soya, Ph.D.

Eat Alpha Lipoic Acid-Rich Foods to Live Longer A high dietary intake of foods containing alpha lipoic acid (ALA), a plant-based amino acid essential to the body’s metabolism, is associated with a 10 percent lower risk of death from all causes, an 8 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease death and an 11 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease, reports a new study in The BMJ, a peer-reviewed medical trade journal published by the British Medical Association. An international team of researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 41 studies involving 1,197,564 participants that were followed for up to 32 years. They found that each additional gram per day of ALA (equivalent to one tablespoon of canola oil or a half-ounce of walnuts) was linked to a 5 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease death. “A higher intake of ALA, however, was associated with a slightly higher risk of cancer mortality,” the researchers wrote. ALA is found in nuts, soybeans, canola oil, flaxseed, chia seeds and other food sources such as avocados, dairy products, navy beans and oatmeal.

March 2022

global briefs

Rescue Bugs

As part of a process begun in 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture labeling rule for food products altered at the genetic level was finalized and implemented on January 1 to uphold the integrity of labeling claims and increase marketplace transparency. Bioengineered food is defined as containing detectable genetic material modified by in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques that could not have been modified through conventional breeding or found in nature. Crops include alfalfa, apples, canola, corn, cotton, eggplant, papaya, pineapple, potato, salmon, soybean, squash and sugar beets, and will be updated annually. The rule also applies to food products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Food labels must disclose that the food is bioengineered or contains a bioengineered food ingredient. Exemptions include small food manufacturers with annual sales of less than $2.5 million; food served in restaurants, delicatessens, food trucks, trains and airplanes; and products that contain an unavoidable or accidental presence of a bioengineered substance of up to 5 percent per each ingredient in the final product. Activist groups agree that extensive consumer education is required to avoid confusion.

Bacteria May Become Plastic Pathfinders

Millions of tons of plastic are dumped in the environment annually, and reducing that amount is critical. A study by the Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, published in the journal Microbial Ecology, discovered that microbes in oceans and soils worldwide are evolving to eat plastic. The research scanned more than 200 million genes found in DNA samples taken from the environment and found 30,000 different enzymes that could degrade 10 different types of plastic. This is the first, large-scale, global evaluation of the plastic-degrading potential of bacteria, which found that one in four of the organisms analyzed carried a suitable enzyme. The researchers observed that the number and type of enzymes matched those of plastic pollution in various locations. Many plastics are hard to degrade and recycle. The explosion of plastic production in the past 70 years, from 2 million metric tons to 380 million metric tons a year, has given microbes time to evolve to deal with plastic. Using enzymes to rapidly break down plastics into their respective building blocks will allow new products to be made from the old, decreasing the need for new production. This research highlights new enzymes that could be adapted for industrial use.

photo courtesy of USDA

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Now Labeled as Bioengineered (BE)

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Shell Game

Spawning Saga

More than 300 melting glaciers between British Columbia and Alaska have the potential to create 3,800 miles of new salmon habitat by 2100, according to a study by a team of scientists modeling glacier retreat in the Pacific mountain region of North America at Simon Fraser University, in Canada, published in the journal Nature Communications. Co-author ecologist Jonathan Moore says, “This showcases how climate change is fundamentally transforming ecosystems; what is now under ice is becoming a brand-new river.” The team looked for glaciers situated at the headwaters of rivers that had the potential to carve out new streams as they melt. The qualifying streams would connect to the ocean, where salmon spend most of their lives, but without steep inclines. The models showed that some new streams could yield increases as high as 27 percent in salmon-accessible habitats. Lead author and spatial analyst Kara Pitman notes, “Once conditions stabilize in the newly formed streams, salmon can colonize these areas quite quickly. It’s a common misconception that all salmon return home to the streams they were born in. Most do, but some individuals will stray, migrating into new streams to spawn, and if conditions are favorable, the population can increase rapidly.” As the glaciers continue to thaw, that land might become available for mining, but knowing where the streams will appear can help direct conservation plans. 12

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Flip Side of Melting Glaciers May Benefit Salmon

Direct Primary Care

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Plant-Based Foods Go Mainstream Healthy Eating Gets Easier with Innovations

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by Carrie Jackson

lant-based eating has seen an explosion in the past few years as consumers become increasingly aware of how their food choices impact their health and the environment and align with their ethics. According to market research firm SPINS, plant-based eating is now a $7 billion market in the U.S., with $1.4 billion represented by plant-based meat. Consumers can now expect to see veggie burgers at the ballpark, vegan dairy at the cafe, tuna substitutes in every grocery store and a plant-based entrée at Michelin-starred restaurants. Whether vegetarian, vegan or flexitarian, almost 40 percent of Americans are shifting to a plant-based diet, according to a 2018 Nielsen report. While a plant-based diet supplies essential nutrients and reduces the risk for some cancers, consumers now rank the health of the planet as their number one concern, overtaking personal health, which has been the top priority in recent years, according to market researcher Innova Market Insights. Such an 14

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eating regimen can lead to a more sustainable use of resources, combat climate change and help preserve biodiversity. According to a University of Illinois study published in the journal Nature Food, animal agriculture is responsible for 57 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions from food production, which accounts for 35 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.

Plant-Based Companies Align with Values Elysabeth Alfano, the founder of Plant Powered Consulting, sees a plant-based diet becoming a lifestyle as consumers demand a broader range of options. “It’s becoming increasingly normal to find plant-based foods and meat alternatives in every grocery store. Oat yogurt, seafood alternatives and vegan honey are now mainstream. People are seeing how inefficient and harmful meat production is and are making the connection between saving the environment and their lifestyle choices,” she says.

Dairy and Seafood Alternatives Abound In the grocery store, it’s never been easier to shop for plant-based options. Companies are getting creative and optimizing products that stand on their own merits, instead of just mimicking meat, fish and dairy. With alternatives such as oat, almond and even potato milk touting sustainable credentials, as well as a creamy texture, plant-based dairy is having a surge. Sales in the plant-based seafood sector grew 23 percent from 2019 to 2020 according to market data from The Good Food Institute. Nestlé recently launched Vuna, a vegan tuna alternative made of pea protein, wheat gluten, rapeseed oil, salt and a flavor blend, and other companies are jumping on board as consumers are becoming more aware of the seafood industry’s environmental problems, particularly overfishing. While a handful are specializing in proteins derived from fermentation and others are developing lab-grown seafood, most are focusing on plant-based

products. Due to their fibrous consistency, jackfruit and yam root are ideal fish alternatives for fillets and sticks. Vegan fish stock, as well as plant-based scampi and king prawns, can be found in vegan grocery stores and such online shops as ShopVejii.com and GTFOItsVegan.com.

Mushrooms Become a Plant-Based Superfood Mushrooms are having a heyday due to their versatility, and companies are harnessing them as a source of fiber, protein and antioxidants. Meati.com is a Boulder-based startup that uses mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, to create a whole-cut product that offers the protein of animal meat with the nutrients of fungi. “We believe that systemic change can start with people replacing animal meat even a couple of times a week. Eating Meati chicken or steak shouldn’t feel like a huge departure from animal products, and the nutrition offered is superior to any food out there,” says Christina Ra, vice president of marketing and communications. “People can enjoy eating Meati and feel great about how they’re nourishing their bodies.” With $50 million in recent venture capital funding, the company is building an 80,000-square-foot production facility and plans to start selling its substitute chicken and beef in national markets later this year. Meati has drawn on ancient, natural processes to grow clean, sustainable sources of nutrition. “Mycelium is an infinite, selfreplenishing food source. Made from a closed-loop system, Meati ORGANIC FOODS, PRODUCTS AND SUPPLEMENTS

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Alfano is also the co-founder and CEO of VegTech Invest, an investment management firm that is the first global exchangetraded fund of plant-based companies; it launched January 4 on the New York Stock Exchange, comprising 37 publicly traded companies actively innovating with plants and plant-derived ingredients, and producing products that are animal-free. “We believe that today’s investors want a more resource-efficient, climatefriendly and cruelty-free food and materials supply system, and want to invest their dollars in the same,” says Alfano.

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uses less than 1 percent of the water and land needed for animal meat production,” says Ra. The company grows and harvests the mycelium indoors in stainless steel fermentation tanks using only water, sugar and nutrients. Unlike the animal agriculture industry, no antibiotics, growth hormones or pesticides are used.

members diagnosed with cancers. Since launching Plantable in 2016, she has observed more clients coming in on their doctor’s recommendation. “We’re seeing a shift towards more consumerdriven health care, where doctors are understanding that meal planning and nutrition are critical to overall health. The community in general is also taking more ownership of their own health and gaining more knowledge of the benefits of a plant-based diet,” she says.

Vegan Coaching and Delivery Make It Easy For people that aren’t ready to experiment with plant-based cooking themselves, vegan and vegetarian meal-delivery services are popping up. One such program is Plantable.com, founded by Nadja Pinnavaia and designed to give clients the tools to transition into a plant-based lifestyle. Customers sign up online for

photo courtesy of VegNews.Plantable.com

Eating Out Gets Healthier

either a seven- or 28-day program that includes daily shipped meals, one-on-one counseling through phone calls and texts, and lifestyle recommendations to form new habits. “Our goal is to make plant-based eating so tasty and effortless that it becomes a way of life,” Pinnavaia explains. She says the idea behind Plantable, which is based in New York, but will ship anywhere in the country, is to make plant-based eating less of a barrier for people. “Most of our clients are either looking to kickstart a new lifestyle and don’t know how to begin, or they are busy and want the ease of prepared meals made from scratch with real, clean ingredients. Our menu is a whole-food, plant-based way of eating that is filled with fiber and packed with nutrients. We focus on legumes, tofu and nuts as sources of protein,” she says. Pinnavaia, who holds a Ph.D. in quantum chemistry, became interested in food and nutrition after having too many family 16

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For people dining out, there is no shortage of plant-based options, and that goes beyond a salad and fries. Eleven Madison Park, in New York City, is the first vegan restaurant to receive a Michelin star. Even fast-food chains are getting on board, with McDonald’s introducing the McPlant burger and KFC debuting a Beyond Chicken made of soy and wheat. Joe Hehl, the founder of Dragged Through the Garden, a Chicago-based company that consults with restaurants and breweries looking to expand vegan options, has seen an uptick in interest. “Adding a plant-based option or two on the menu can absolutely set some new eyes on a restaurant’s operation. Now this place will show up in searches for ‘restaurants with vegan options’ and appeal to an audience who potentially wouldn’t have eaten there otherwise. Plus, it’s not super-costly on the bottom line,” he explains. He adds that the availability of meat substitutes on a menu, such as an Impossible Burger, makes it easy for people trying to cut down on their meat intake. “Mainstream substitutes are a little more accessible than something like a bowl of quinoa to someone who is not vegan. This new era of plant-based burgers offers an alternative for those who want to wind down their meat intake, but are unsure how to start,” he says. Hehl also offers clients recipes and guides for recreating vegan versions of traditional fast food and kitsch menus. Past recipes have included a Vegan Philly Cheesesteak and the Vegan Chorizo Sloppy Joe, for which he offers step-by-step instructions and encourages followers to have fun and experiment with ingredients such as oat milk. “I grew up in a very meat-and-potatoes household and had no knowledge of cooking whatsoever. As I learned about some of the benefits of a plant-based diet, I decided to embrace it as a challenge to myself,” he says. “My favorite plant-based ingredients to use are garlic powder and smoked paprika! Some people are eating plant-based ingredients without even realizing it.” Consumers have no shortage of options as plant-based eating and lifestyle choices continue to go mainstream. Companies are meeting the demand with creative, sustainable products and services that are better for the planet, healthier for the body and allow people to align their values with their purchases. As the interest increases, new innovations are likely to explode on the scene and the plant-based followers are ready. Carrie Jackson is an Evanston, IL-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.

Nature’s Virus Killer

not a sniffle!” she exclaimed. Businesswoman Rosaleen says when people around her show signs of cold or flu, she uses copper morning and night. “It saved me last holidays,” she said. “The kids had crud going round and round, but not me.” Attorney Donna Blight tried copper for her sinus. “I am shocked!” she said. By Doug Cornell “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” cientists have discovered a cold never got going. That was A man with trouble breathing natural way to kill germs fast. September 2012. I use copper in the through his nose at night tried copper Now thousands of people nose every time and I have not had a just before bed. “Best sleep I’ve had in are using it against viruses and bacteria single cold since then.” years!” he said. in the nose and on “We can’t In a lab test, technicians placed 25 the skin. make product million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. Colds start health claims,” he No viruses were found surviving soon when cold viruses said, “so I can’t after. get in your nose. say cause and Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams Viruses multiply effect. But we confirming the research. He placed fast. If you don’t know copper is millions of disease germs on copper. stop them early, antimicrobial.” “They started to die literally as soon as they spread and He asked they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. relatives and Some people press copper on a lip New device puts copper right In hundreds friends to try it. right away if a warning tingle suggests where you need it. of studies, EPA and They reported unwanted germs gathering there. university researchers have confirmed the same thing, so he patented The handle is curved that viruses and bacteria die almost CopperZap® and put it on the and textured to increase instantly when touched by copper. market. contact. Copper can That’s why ancient Greeks and Soon hundreds of people had kill germs picked up on Egyptians used copper to purify water tried it. The feedback was 99% fingers and hands after and heal wounds. They didn’t know positive if they used the copper you touch things other about microbes, but now we do. within 3 hours after the first sign people have touched. Scientists say the high conductance of unwanted germs, like a tickle The EPA says copper of copper disrupts the electrical balance in the nose or a scratchy throat. still works even when Dr. Bill Keevil: in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in Early user Mary Pickrell tarnished. Copper quickly kills seconds. said, “I can’t believe how good CopperZap is made cold viruses. Tests by the EPA (Environmental my nose feels.” in the U.S. of pure Protection Agency) show germs die “What a wonderful thing!” copper. It has a 90-day full money back fast on copper. So some hospitals tried exclaimed Physician’s Assistant Julie. guarantee. It is available for $79.95. Get copper for touch surfaces like faucets Another customer asked, “Is it supposed $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA27. and doorknobs. This cut the spread of to work that fast?” Go to www.CopperZap.com or call MRSA and other illnesses by over half, Pat McAllister, 70, received one for toll-free 1-888-411-6114. and saved lives. Christmas and called it “one of the best Buy once, use forever. The strong scientific evidence gave presents ever. This little jewel really Statements are not intended as inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When works.” product health claims and have not been he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Frequent flier Karen Gauci had been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to a smooth copper probe and rubbed it suffering after crowded flights. Though diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any gently in his nose for 60 seconds. skeptical, she tried copper on travel disease. “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The days for 2 months. “Sixteen flights and ADVERTORIAL

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green living

THE BOUNTY OF FARMERS MARKETS

Buying Local Boosts Health, the Economy and the Planet

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by Sandra Yeyati

hroughout the nation, an estimated 8,000 farmers markets offer some of the freshest food available anywhere. Often open on weekend mornings or select weeknights, these nutritional meccas allow local farmers to sell their fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat and dairy directly to consumers, thereby providing an attractive business channel for them. “If you buy direct from a farmer, 97 cents of every dollar goes home with the farmer, whereas if you buy from a traditional grocery store, only 17 cents makes its way back to that farmer,” says Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association. Dollars spent at farmers markets boost local economies. “When farmers make money, they buy seeds at their local co-op or purchase tools from a nearby hardware store, which infuses economic capital into rural communities,” says Katie Myhre, technology research manager at the Farmers Market Coalition. “If we can focus on growing the capacity of our farms within our 18

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region and building consumer habits around what we can grow locally, that’s going to help our region become more resilient.” This type of localized commerce offers environmental benefits, too. Produce from a local source carries a much smaller carbon footprint than one that travelled halfway across the country. “Farmers markets are uniquely positioned to encourage environmentally responsible farming by providing a solid economic platform to climate-positive farmers that are taking care of land and water quality,” Myhre asserts. According to a study commissioned by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, 72 percent of consumers know “nothing” or “very little” about farming or ranching. Farmers markets facilitate ongoing dialogues between growers and consumers, serving as valuable educational sites. “Getting to know your farmer offers you an opportunity to ask questions directly to the person growing the product and make a choice accordingly, whereas when

you go into grocery stores, you’re fed a lot of advertising and greenwash labeling with terms that you don’t understand,” Myhre says, adding, “While many small farmers decide not to go through the costly United States Department of Agriculture organic certification process, their farming practices are often just as clean or even more so, and at a farmers market, consumers are able to look the farmer in the eye and learn about their growing methods.” Maxwell appreciates the opportunity to make an educated choice. “As a consumer, you have to decide what is your highest value. For me, the most compelling reason to shop at a farmers market is the peak, in-season, quality of the food, the incredible taste and nutrition that you get because it was freshly harvested and didn’t have to be transported over long distances. The number of people that touch your food is significantly lower at a farmers market, so there’s less opportunity for it to be mishandled or crosscontaminated. It carries the name of the producer on it. This is their life’s work, and their reputation is on that label. I sense that there’s a real desire to ensure great quality and safety.” Regularly buying fresh food from a farmers market allows families to get into the habit of eating in season. “Cooking seasonally allows you the opportunity to capture the incredible flavor profiles of what’s fresh. It has just been picked and

tastes incredible—very different from the flavors you get from grocery store products that were produced someplace else, maybe even weeks or months ago,” Maxwell explains. Myhre concurs: “If we can build our habits, cooking preferences and skills around those seasonal rhythms, that’s a really beautiful benefit. It’s awesome for me to know that these herbs were harvested yesterday. There’s also a wide diversity of products. You’re not going to see 12 varieties of squash at your big-box grocery store. I’m always surprised by what I see, and it’s a really fun experience as somebody who loves food. Taking home really great-tasting products that were produced with so much care is a central benefit.” For many, the farmers market is a community gathering. In addition to local growers, they often include cottage food vendors offering homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, sauces, preserved and pickled items and other delicious foods, as well as arts and crafts vendors and musical entertainment. “The wonderful thing about the farmers market is that it leads with joy,” Myhre says. “It’s fun. You don’t invite friends to the grocery store, but you might meet your friends for coffee at the farmers market.”

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healing ways

Burnout Recovery Ways to Reset and Find Balance

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by Ronica O’Hara

“I

’ll sleep when I die,” Kristina Shea used to joke about her three hours of nightly shut-eye. In retrospect, she says ruefully, “It almost became a reality.” Her hectic life as a single, widowed mother juggling her child’s needs, a high-powered career, university classes, fitness teaching and a two-hour work commute came to an abrupt stop eight years ago when she got off an escalator in the Toronto business district and collapsed. “It was burnout which manifested into physical symptoms such as extreme high blood pressure, red rashes, eczema and even a brain cyst,” she recalls. “I was emotionally and physically drained, with little joy left for life.” 20

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Determined to reset, she switched jobs, prioritized sleep, practiced yoga, meditated and took long nature walks. When COVID-19 shutdowns hit and she was laid off, she was at a loss, but rebounded, and inspired by her own healing process, started a CBD-enhanced natural skincare product line. “Still to this day, it is an active healing process,” she says. “It is very easy to go back to old patterns of behavior.” Burnout, once primarily a workplace concern, is turning into a societal norm. During the long slog of the pandemic, its telltale symptoms have become commonplace: fatigue, cynicism, apathy and feeling ineffective and disconnected. Among

AwakeningCharlotte.com

American employees, 52 percent reported feeling burned out in a March 2021 study, with two-thirds saying it had worsened during the pandemic. Belgian researchers found parental burnout in the U.S. to be among the highest in the world—even before COVID-19 closed schools. Record numbers of healthcare workers, caregivers and therapists report feeling physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted, with grave implications for those they are helping. Over time, burnout can bring on such health consequences as depression, insomnia, cardiovascular disease and immune disorders. Turning around burnout requires a simple first step. We must admit what’s going on, says Eileen McDargh, author of Burnout to Breakthrough and an executive coach in Dana Point, California. “Until we stop and literally look at what we are doing, we remain on the hamster wheel,” she says. “And then, we must listen to what our head is saying to us, and perhaps even more important, what our heart—our intuition—is telling us. The heart knows the truth.” From this self-assessment, other steps can follow, she says, such as asking, “What can I change about this? What can I avoid? What can I amend? And what— at least for the short term—can I accept?” A stressful situation can also be proactively reframed by viewing it as a challenge, a learning opportunity, a way to help others or as having a higher purpose. Other helpful strategies include: ACCESS POINTS OF JOY. By asking ourselves what three specific activities or things truly make us feel alive, engaged and happy, we can figure out how to work them into our days and restructure our life. In one study, physicians that spent about 20 percent of their time—roughly one day a week—on the activity they found the most meaningful had half the rate of burnout as those spending less time on those pursuits. FIND POINTS OF CONTROL. Feeling helpless is a trademark of burnout, “but there is always something we have control over. Our physical body is a great place to start: sleep, exercise, diet...” says

“Until we stop and literally look at what we are doing, we remain on the hamster wheel.” ~ Eileen McDargh

McDargh. Even little steps matter, such as putting greens into smoothies, turning off digital devices a half-hour before sleeping or dancing to a short tune. TAKE MICRO-BREAKS. “You don’t have to wait for the next vacation to recharge,” says Michelle Risser, a licensed clinical social worker and burnout expert in Worthington, Ohio. “Some examples: stand up and stretch between meetings. Feel your feet on the ground and take a nice, slow breath. Breathe in on a count of five, out on a count of seven. Listen closely to a piece

of music.” As few as 10 minutes sitting or walking in nature improves mood, focus, blood pressure and heart rate, report Cornell researchers. ENHANCE GRATITUDE. Studies among firefighters and professional athletes have found gratitude to be significantly protective against burnout—in part because it causes us to pause and savor an uplifting feeling. Developing the habit is as simple as writing down a few specific reasons to be grateful before bedtime several days a week. “Gratitude is a powerful energy enhancer,” says McDargh. Shea concurs, “When we take the time to just be, feel gratitude, the sun on our face, this helps rewire the way we think—and we can then begin to heal our bodies.” Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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Take Your Next Step To

Better Health STOP

Placing Band-Aids On Symptoms

The Five Signs of Eating the Right Food by Camilo Sanchez

START

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

utrition is one of the three pillars of physical health along with proper exercise and digestive health. Many of us know what foods are considered healthy, but sometimes we eat right and still don’t feel great. Here are the five signs our bodies signal that we are eating the best foods:

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Food feels light and easy to digest. When eating, food should feel light and be easy to digest (provided we aren’t overeating). There should be no bloating, gas, heaviness, mucus, acidity, heartburn or biliousness during or after a meal. In the Ayurveda system of medicine, there’s the principle of the “three doshas”—Vata (air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (water)—referring to the three main waste products of digestion: gas, mucus and acidity. “Dosha” means a fault, stain or defilement. Each dosha has a primary site of activity or location in us associated with the gastrointestinal system—Vata, in the large

intestine (colon); Pitta, small intestine; and Kapha, the stomach. When Vata, Pitta and Kapha become excessive or aggravated in their organs, corresponding conditions of gas and bloating, acidity and heartburn, and mucus and heaviness can take place. Eating the right foods keep doshas in proper shape.

Feeling satisfied after eating. Healthy nutrition should elicit satisfaction and feeling nurtured and supported, not full and heavy. We shouldn’t feel hungry between meals. It’s not the quantity, but the quality of food that’s eaten and its efficient digestion and assimilation that’ll provide a sense of fulfillment, lightness and satisfaction. Proper food should be assimilated into cells to support physical and mental functioning. Yogic nutrition teaches the principle of “Mitahara”, meaning moderation in food intake. It says that the body should be filled one-third each of solid food (earth element), liquid (water element) and empty (ether element). The digestive tract needs space to breakdown, digest, oxidize and assimilate food nutrients. Overeating, even if healthy foods, will impair digestion, aggravate the doshas and create metabolic toxins (autotoxemia). We should stop eating before we feel full. Feeling full means we have eaten too much.

Experiencing sustained energy. Food is designed for nurturing, sustaining and repairing the body. The right type should provide sustained energy and stable blood sugar levels for four to six hours. Eating the right breakfast should energize us throughout the morning, until lunch time. As the digestive system becomes healthier, the body becomes more efficient at assimilating and utilizing essential nutrients, requiring less amounts of food.

Not having cravings. Occasional cravings for particular foods are normal and should be satisfied. However, regular and ongoing cravings—caused by imbalances in the gut bacteria (dysbiosis), emotional habits, neurotransmitter imbalances and mineral deficiencies— indicate a bodily dysfunction.

Experiencing mental clarity. The brain is a metabolically active organ with high energy demands. It’s estimated that it utilizes about 25 percent of the glucose supply from the heart and 20 percent of the cardiac blood output. Especially high-sugar and processed food can lead to lethargy, brain fog and lack of mental focus. Junk food both disrupts digestion and gut health, and also alters the biochemical balance in the brain.

Camilo Sanchez, LAc, MAOM, owner of Empower Life Center, located at 14136 Lancaster Hwy., in Charlotte, a licensed acupuncturist with a master’s degree in Oriental medicine, author and teacher of qigong, tai chi and Taoist yoga, offers The Three Pillars of Health, a new holistic course to upgrade health and vitality. For more information or to register, call 704-5428088, email info@EmpowerLifeCenter.com or visit www.EmpowerLifeCenter.com. See CRG, page 24.

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DIRECT PRIMARY CARE

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Check out the latest events at

www.AwakeningCharlotte.com/Calendar

GARDENING THE PATIO FARMER

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HOMEOPATHY CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

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INTEGRATIVE HEALER KATIE SUTTON

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INTEGRATIVE PEDIATRICIAN INFINITE HEALTH, PLLC

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NATURAL DOCTOR DARRYL ROBERTS, ND

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NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

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NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS ACID-REDUCING

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ORGANIC SALON ORGANIC SALON LKN

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RETREAT CENTER BLUE UNICORN MOUNTAIN RETREAT

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SPIRITUAL CENTERS HEARTLIGHT SPIRITUAL CENTER

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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 19.

Natural Awakenings Charlotte - March 2022 Issue

Articles inside

The Five Signs of Eating the Right Food

healing ways

green living

Plant-Based Foods Go Mainstream

health briefs

local health brief

event spotlight

news briefs