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EARTH DAY 2022 SPRING IS A STATE OF MIND EATING WITH THE PL ANET IN MIND FAITH-BASED GRASSROOTS CHANGE THE SOUL EXPO DEBUTS IN CHARLOTTE April 2022 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com
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letter from publisher
Renewing Our Resolve CHARLOTTE EDITION
O
ur April “Earth Day” issue is always one of my favorites, and this year I have a lot of seemPUBLISHER Shannon McKenzie ingly unrelated thoughts circulating. In the first DESIGN & PRODUCTION Patrick Floresca three months of 2022, I’ve had several trees fall on my roof AD DESIGN Helene Leininger and fence due to high-wind events. Much more seriously, EDITORIAL Jane Aylward other areas have already been impacted by tornadoes, and Allison Gorman Randy Kambic today the New York Times announced, “Dangerous Storms Martin Miron Threaten the Deep South After Tornadoes Rip Through Texas.” Even more devastating is the fact that Russia invaded CONTACT US Ukraine four weeks ago; we’ve been watching events unP.O. Box 456 fold—a bit in shock—ever since. On the heels of Covid, it feels to me like a big lesson that Cornelius, NC 28031 life as we know it can change significantly and quickly, and that we’re not as in control as Ph: 704-499-3327 • Fax: 866-632-9118 AwakeningCharlotte.com we thought. Publisher@AwakeningCharlotte.com I heard on the radio that Vladimir Putin gave a speech to the Russian public, telling Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com them not to worry about the sanctions against Russia—that the American public won’t tolerate high gas prices, so they won’t last. It surprised me that he thought us so selfSUBSCRIPTIONS Free subscriptions are available for our interested and petty, and I also hoped he wasn’t right. digital issue by emailing On the environmental front, I also hope we step up our efforts to minimize future Publisher@AwakeningCharlotte.com extreme weather events, because our current rate of emissions exceeds what it needs to be, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). NATIONAL TEAM In a way, the last couple of years and recent events have been a long winter, and CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman right now we’re entering spring; this month’s article “Spring Is a State of Mind” tells us COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne that “spring lifts us from lethargy,” invites us “to shake off the winters of our lives—the Layout & Design Gabrielle W-Perillo failures, aborted plans and could-have-beens,” and teaches us there is no better time “to Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert court our passions” than right now. Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Enjoy newfound energy this spring and the many Earth Day and wellness events hapDigital Content Director Rachael Oppy pening in our area and the eco-conscious/sustainable-living organizations and businesses National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell making them happen. And even if with small actions, prove Putin wrong. Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103
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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.
16
10 THE SOUL EXPO
Brings Charlotte Wellness Community Together
10
14 EARTH DAY 2022 Focuses on Collective Responsibility
16 WHY WE NEED WILD PLACES
How to Invite Nature Back into Our Lives and Landscapes
22
22 EATING FOR THE PLANET Diet for a Climate Crisis
24 SPRING IS A STATE OF MIND
26 BRIAN SAUDER
24
on Faith-Based Grassroots Change
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DEPARTMENTS 8 news briefs 10 event spotlight 11 health briefs 12 global briefs 22 conscious eating 24 inspiration 26 wise words 28 resource guide 31 gaston county
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natural guide
April 2022
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news briefs
Earth Mother Gaia Statues at Mama Bessie’s Place
M
ama Bessie’s Place, in Charlotte, has restocked its Earth Mother, Gaia, statues. The piece, designed by sculptor Oberon Zell which includes representations of the evolution of life in the seas and on the land plus the sacred trees of the Celtic tree calendar on her body, can be a highly suitable way to celebrate Earth Day, April 22. The brochure written by Zell that comes with the statue states in part, “Of Earth I sing, eldest of all and Mother of the Gods… So begins the Homeric Hymn to Gaia, the Earth Mother, Gaia (O Gaea) is the name given by the ancient Greeks to the primordial planetary goddess worshipped by humanity since the dawn of the Stone Age. An even more ancient form of Her name, Ge, is the Root of the names of the Earth sciences, Geology and Geography.” It also reads, “No matter what language you speak, no matter where on Earth you come from, you can hold Gaia in your hands and hear Her Message. If you live with Her in your home, workplace, school or place of worship, She will Speak to you, too.” Zell’s hope is that the piece will inspire us to consider what role we’d like to play in securing Gaia’s future. Location: 3010 Monroe Rd., Ste. 104. For more information, call 704-632-9911 or email MamaBessiesPlace@yahoo.com. See ad, page 17.
Learn All Things Bees at Gastonia Farmers Market Event
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earn the key roles that honeybees and all other pollinators play in maintaining nature and our environment, enjoy a taste of what their function yields and much more at Beetopia from 8 a.m. to noon on May 21 at the Gastonia Farmers Market. Representatives of area garden, environmental and bee clubs will inform in special classes on bees and the efforts being made by the city to be good stewards of the land, and attendees can also enjoy world-class Gaston County honey. There’ll also be a wide variety of crafts and other family-friendly activities. The city of Gastonia is officially the 74th Bee City USA affiliate in the nation. Gastonia City Council adopted the Bee City USA Resolution on September 4, 2018. Beetopia was created by Keep Gastonia Beautiful as a family-friendly event to educate, entertain and inform citizens on the importance of pollinators and plants. Location: 410 E. Long Ave., Gastonia, NC. For more information, call 704-869-1008, or follow Keep Gastonia Beautiful on Facebook.
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Charlotte Edition
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Charlotte Sustainability Awards Return for Tenth Edition
S
ustain Charlotte’s tenth annual Charlotte Sustainability Awards presented by Duke Energy, will take place beginning at 6 p.m. on April 22, Earth Day, at the Extravaganza Depot, in Charlotte. For the past decade, Sustain Charlotte has lifted up and honored our region’s smart growth and sustainability leaders through this annual dinner, fundraiser and networking event. Approximately 300 attendees from nonprofits, businesses and local government will come together for a night of celebration, networking and inspiration. All proceeds from these awards help Sustain Charlotte further their mission to inspire choices that lead to healthy, equitable and vibrant communities across the Charlotte metro region for generations to come. Tickets: $105 each or $750 for a table of eight. Location: 1610 N. Tryon St. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.SustainCharlotte.org/awards or www.Tinyurl.com/CLTSustainability2022Tickets.
Blue Unicorn Mountain Retreat Opens in Hillsville, Virginia
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he Blue Unicorn Mountain Retreat, a unique meditation and yoga studio offering regular yoga and meditation classes as well as weekend Pranic Healing courses, will open on April 14 at 152 North Main Street, in Hillsville, Virginia. They will offer Pranic Healing Level 1, Advanced Pranic Healing and Pranic Psychotherapy plus a wide variety of workshops and events such as herbology, meditation retreats, chanting, drumming, sound healing, crystal healing and private energy healing sessions. Visiting the new studio with its eclectic offerings in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia will reduce stress, lead to finding our inner guru and strengthen health and spiritual practices. Level 1 and Advanced Pranic Healing are available for CE hours for massage therapy and social work. Connie Williams, M.Ed., Certified Pranic Healer and Senior Instructor, Sivananda Certified Yoga and Meditation Instructor and Certified Spiritual Life Coach; and Dr. Kenneth Williams, Certified Pranic Psychotherapist, Certified Senior Pranic Healing Instructor and Chiropractic Physician; both studied directly with the founder of Pranic Healing, Master Choa Kok Sui and both have 20-plus years of experience teaching and practicing Pranic Healing. For more information, call 850-380-0561, email BlueUnicornRetreat@gmail.com or visit www.BlueUnicorn.PlanetaryPeace.com. See ad, page 13.
Caara Kivemaki Offers Specials for Sound Therapy Sessions
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method that is gaining popularity as a modality for better health, Caara, Certified Vibrational Sound Coach, provides sessions that bring together energy and vibration to interact with our molecular structure and bring about balance. She offers free, 15-minute, new client consultations and a 20 percent discount on packages of three sessions. Sound therapy offers complementary health techniques that may help facilitate the rejuvenation of one’s mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. It has been used for emotional issues, deep relaxation, anxiety, stress, heartbreak and some general physical ailments. It can also bring about clarity, improved sleep, improved creativity and emotional balance. “Vibrational therapy approaches are effective because they are able to positively influence the human body’s subtle energetic pathways,” says Kivemaki, who has been studying and exploring natural healing and alternative therapies since 1990. She primarily uses tuning forks and has also studied and uses both Soma Energetics and Bradley Nelson’s Emotion Code techniques. “These pathways include the meridian system, the chakras and the etheric body. These energetic systems contribute to the final physical expression of the human form in both health and illness.” “Therefore, the purpose is to release energetic blockages, creating a free flow of energy, allowing the body to return to balance and heal itself as well as awaken the divine healing energy within.”
Take Your Next Step To
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Placing Band-Aids On Symptoms
START
Treating The Underlying Cause Digestion Disorders Autoimmune Diseases • Diabetes Anxiety/Depression • Women’s Health Wellness and Prevention
For more information or to make an appointment, call 586-291-3320, email Kivi2php@yahoo.com or visit www.HarmonicWisdom.com. See CRG, page 28.
Annual Earth Day Celebration at the Organic Marketplace
T
he Organic Marketplace, in Gastonia, will present its annual Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 22. Special sales, samples, giveaways, face painting, Earth flag-making and other activities will highlight the free event. The store supplies its customers with the highest quality products and services for healthy lifestyles including a vast selection of nutritional supplements, bulk foods, home goods and beauty products. For those with dietary restrictions, they offer a wide variety of non-GMO, gluten-free, wheat-free, lowsodium and low-sugar foods. They also strive to carry as many local products as possible including local produce, cheeses, soaps and many specialty items. Their commitment in these areas and hosting the Earth Day event is expressed that “With all of the love we get from our community, it is only right to return that love.” Location: 1012 S. New Hope Rd. For more information, call the store at 704-864-0605 or visit www.OrganicMarketplaceNC.com. See ad, back cover.
Dr. Michael Smith and Team Naturopathic Physician
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9
news briefs
Kings Mountain Preserve Celebrates Earth Day
T
erry Robertson, owner of Kings Mountain Preserve, welcomes the public to celebrate their second annual Earth Day festival from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 22. This free, family and pet-friendly event will include live music, food and beverages, guided informational tours, Friday, April 22 4:00 p.m.displays to 8:00 p.m. educational and Earth-friendly giveaways. KINGS MOUNTAIN PRESERVE AsIndian theSprings area’sRd.,only conservation burial ground, Kings Mountain 321 Blacksburg, SC FREE ADMISSION! Preserve serves the community with space to practice environEnjoy live performances by mentally friendly burials and celebration of life services. Kudzu Cowboys Celebrate Sustainability with:
Live Music
Guided Tours
Educational Displays
Earth Friendly Giveaways
Food & Beverage
Need more Location: 321 Indian Springs Rd., Blacksburg, S.C. For more inforinformation? mation, call 877-375-2495, email info@KingsMountainPreserve. (877) 375-2495 com or visit www.KingsMountainPreserve.com. See ad, page 26. www.KingsMountainPreserve.com
Innovative Body Contouring at TrueCare Health
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he popularity of non-surgical body contouring is rising. A 20-to40-minute office procedure performed on the belly, upper arms, chest, double chin, thighs and other areas, it reduces waist size, builds abs, tightens skin and eliminates excessive fat, and features no down time for the client. A major player in this new, innovative approach is TrueCare Health and Wellness, in the north Charlotte area. Heading the clinic is South Carolina native Noble Thomas, Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, who believes that clients are in charge of their own health and “we are here to help them achieve their healthcare objectives.” He believes in finding and addressing the cause of the symptoms and not simply treating symptoms. The practice also focuses on maintaining an optimized and healthy weight and achieving overall wellness using a functional medicine approach. Thomas started his career at the Sickle Cell Foundation, first as Clinical Research Pharmacist and later as Newborn Screening and Outreach Coordinator. In 2008, he became among the first pharmacists to receive mid-level medical provider status and is a Diplomate of the Anti-Aging Health Practitioners Board. People often choose body contouring to look and feel thinner or to attain a certain shape, applied to specific areas of the body when diet and exercise aren’t working. It can also improve loose, saggy or wrinkled skin that occurs with aging. Location: 6487 Morehead Rd., Harrisburg. For more information or for a low-cost consult that’s applied to future services, call 704-9090355, email Info@TrueCareHealth.com or visit www.TrueCareHealth.com. See CRG, page 28. 10
Charlotte Edition
AwakeningCharlotte.com
event spotlight
The SOUL Expo Brings Charlotte Wellness Community Together
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he first annual SOUL Expo will be held at the Central Piedmont Community College’s Harris Conference Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 30. The goal of the event is to reunite the wellness community after two years of Covid-19 isolation, inspire positive change and bring awareness to exciting alternatives to traditional education, health and business practices. The landscape has changed in recent years and many people are in search of alternatives to their job, their child’s education, their healthcare options, and the products they buy. The expo will inform on alternatives that already exist and encourage people to develop their own businesses around their passion. “The goal of The SOUL Expo is to not only expose people to new healing modalities and information, but also to let them know that there is a community of like-minded souls they can connect with,” says Katie Sutton, co-founder of the event along with husband Josh Vogt and colleague Holly Whitman. An intuitive channel, vibrational healer, energy medicine teacher, and founder of Zen Within Academy, an online and in person community to help guide people on their personal path to wholeness and fulfillment, Sutton adds, “It’s time that we begin healing the collective trauma that we have experienced over the last two years and The SOUL Expo is a part of that.” Presenters will include Dr. Cammy Benton who is working with the nonprofit organization, Compass Integrative Health, to launch an integrative health center/hospital, LitPro, a litigation and counseling service taking on Big Pharma, and educators that have created alternative schools and programs to the traditional public education system and more. Twelve workshops and 40-plus vendors will be featured including 30-plus healers and readers practicing reiki, tarot, astrology, aura, ancestral eye readings, mediumship, massage and bodywork healing, and sound therapy. Healing sessions can be booked in advance or as walk-ins. The SOUL Expo will follow the required Covid-19 safety protocols of Mecklenburg County and adhering to the guidelines of the college. Tickets: $35/in advance, $45/at the door. Location: 3216 CPCC Harris Campus Dr. For more information, follow the SOUL Expo on Facebook and Instagram, email info@TheSoulExpo.com or visit www.TheSoulExpo.com. See ad, page 31.
health briefs
Avoid Formaldehyde to Sidestep Cognitive Problems olga/AdobeStock.com
Eat Lots of Fiber to Improve Melanoma Outcomes
A new type of immunotherapy that enables T-cells to fight cancer cells is proving hopeful for people with the deadly skin cancer melanoma, and a new study has found that a high-fiber diet improves the effectiveness of the therapy. Researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported in Science that, by analyzing the gut microbiome in hundreds of patients, they found that higher dietary fiber intake was linked with disease nonprogression among patients receiving immune checkpoint blockade therapy compared to patients eating little fiber. The results were strongest in patients that ate the most dietary fiber, but did not take probiotics, a finding that was replicated with lab animals.
Workers exposed over years to formaldehyde may experience thinking and memory problems later in life, researchers at the University of Montpellier, in France, have concluded. Their study published in the journal Neurology surveyed and tested more than 75,000 people with an average age of 58. Of those, 8 percent were exposed to formaldehyde through their occupations as nurses; caregivers; medical technicians; workers in the textile, chemistry and metal industries; carpenters and cleaners. The risk of developing thinking and memory problems was an average of 17 percent higher in people that were exposed to formaldehyde on the job than those with no such exposure. People exposed to formaldehyde for 22 years or longer had a 21 percent higher risk of cognitive impairment.
Practice Good Dental Care to Lower Heart and Cognitive Risks
popout/AdobeStock.com
A whopping 47 percent of U.S. adults over 30 have periodontal disease, and the consequences can be severe for their physical and mental health, suggests a new study in the journal BMJ Open. Researchers from the UK University of Manchester followed 64,379 people diagnosed with periodontal disease, including gingivitis, marked by swollen and red gums, as well as periodontitis, in which gums pull away from the tooth and bone or teeth are lost. The subjects, with an average age of 44, were compared over an average of three years to 251,161 people without the disease. Those with periodontal disease had a 37 percent higher risk of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and serious mental illness; a 33 percent higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases like arthritis, Type 1 diabetes and psoriasis; an 18 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, stroke and vascular dementia; and a 26 percent higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. “This research provides further, clear evidence why healthcare professionals need to be vigilant for early signs of gum disease and how it can have wide-reaching implications for a person’s health, reinforcing the importance of taking a holistic approach when treating people,” says Caroline Aylott, head of research delivery at the University of Birmingham Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research. April 2022
11
Bitter Twitter
global briefs
Bigger Apple
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that increased farm sizes resulted in a 15 percent decline in bird diversity. Frederik Noack, assistant professor in the Food and Resource Economics Group, part of their faculty of land and food systems, says, “Wildlife is a good indicator of a healthy agroecosystem, and one thing we wanted to understand was the link between farm size and biodiversity in surrounding areas.” A diverse bird population provides natural pest control and maintenance of an overall healthy ecosystem. They studied how various farming indicators impacted the diversity of local birds in the farmland bordering the former “Iron Curtain” in Germany. On the Western side of the former political border, farms are five times larger than on the Eastern side, a legacy of Communist farm collectivization. Although farms in East Germany have been privatized for 30 years, sharp differences in farm size remain along the former border, providing an opportunity to study the impact on biodiversity in an ecologically similar environment. Noack says, “Our results show that the negative impact of increased farm size can be mitigated by conserving land cover diversity within the agricultural landscape. In practice, this could mean incentivizing riparian buffer strips, forest patches, hedgerows or agroforestry.”
Climate Change Research in Central Park The Central Park Conservancy, the Yale School of the Environment and the New York City-based Natural Areas Conservancy are launching the Central Park Climate Lab, a new initiative and climate partnership to study the impacts of climate change on urban parks. Their mission is to work with cities across the country to improve urban park mitigation and adaptation to climate change. New York City Mayor Eric Adams states, “The Central Park Climate Lab begins a new era in research and cooperation that will give our park professionals improved tools to combat the climate crisis, and it will be a model for urban parks across the country.” Because around 55 percent of the world’s population lives in urban areas, the program will use mapping tools to develop interventions and protect urban parkland. With no national standard in place for characterizing and mapping it, the ability to identify broader climate solutions is limited. Research will begin in Central Park and then other New York City greenspaces before expanding to more parks. The data collected will be used to create new, scalable strategies and protocols. Elizabeth W. Smith, president and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, says, “Severe weather events such as unprecedented rainfall, blizzards, high winds and extreme heat and cold, strain resources and impact Central Park’s tree canopy, plants and wildlife.”
Sea Change
Himalayan Glacier Retreat Bodes Consequences for Millions
3532studioAdobeStock.com
Glaciers in the Himalayan Mountains have been growing for millions of years, but researchers at England’s University of Leeds conclude in a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports that they are melting at an exceptional rate compared to other glaciers around the world. The Himalayas are home to nine of the world’s 10 highest peaks, including Mt. Everest, and the source of Asia’s longest river, the Yangtze. They contain the third-largest deposit of ice and snow in the world, after Antarctica and the Arctic. Study co-author Jonathan Carrivick, deputy head of the University of Leeds School of Geography, says, “Our findings clearly show that ice is now being lost from Himalayan glaciers at a rate that is at least 10 times higher than the average rate over past centuries ... and coincides with human-induced climate change.” These glaciers release meltwater that forms the headwaters of several major rivers, and their disappearance could threaten agriculture, drinking water and energy production in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. But the impact is not only regional, it includes the effect on sea level rise and the damage that could wreak on coastal communities globally. Carrivick says, “We must act urgently to reduce and mitigate the impact of human-made climate change on the glaciers and meltwater-fed rivers.” 12
Charlotte Edition
AwakeningCharlotte.com
justin/AdobeStock.com
Industrial Farming is Bad for Birds
Inconvenient Convenience
Plastic On its Way Out at National Parks
justin/AdobeStock.com
A poll by Ipsos conducted for the ocean conservation group Oceana last November found that 82 percent of registered U.S. voters responding would like the National Park Service to stop selling and distributing single-use plastic items. The survey revealed broad appreciation for national parks, with around four in five respondents saying they had been to a park and 83 percent of previous park visitors looking forward to a return visit. Oceana Plastics Campaign Director Christy Leavitt says, “These polling results indicate that Americans, whether Republican or Democrat, want our parks to be unmarred by the pollution caused by single-use plastic.” The results show broad support for a campaign led by Oceana and more than 300 other environmental organizations which sent a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland asking the parks to end the sale and distribution of plastic beverage bottles, bags, foodware and cutlery, and plastic foam products. The proposed Reducing Waste in National Parks Act would see such a policy enacted if passed. “The National Park Service was created to preserve these natural and historic spaces, and in order to truly uphold that purpose, it needs to ban the sale and distribution of single-use plastic items, many of which will end up polluting our environment for centuries to come, despite being used for only a moment,” says Leavitt.
special “tire” around it comprised of a plastic matrix laced with and reinforced by glass fibers. This outer tire is designed to be flexible, yet strong enough to support the car. Michelin Technical and Scientific Communications Director Cyrille Roget says, “It was an exceptional experience for us, and our greatest satisfaction came at the end of the demonstration when our passengers ... said they felt no difference compared with conventional tires.” Goodyear has announced that the Jacksonville, Florida, Transportation Authority will be piloting the company’s own version of an airless tire on its fleet of autonomous vehicles.
Flat-Free
Opening April 2022
igishevamaria/AdobeStock.com
Airless Tires Increase Safety, Limit Waste Michelin’s new airless tires don’t puncture, so they should last longer, which means fewer tires will need to be produced, thus limiting waste. Their Unique Puncture Proof Tire System (UPTIS) is an important step on the road to sustainability. The company notes that millions of tires end up in landfills early because of puncture damage, along with all the tires that are old and worn out. Disposed tires can become fire hazards, releasing gases, heavy metals and oil into the environment. The U.S. alone produced more than 260 million scrapped tires in 2019. The new tires can also be made from recycled plastic waste, according to industry publication Interesting Engineering. UPTIS, in development for more than a decade, combines an aluminum wheel with a
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.
• Seasonal Pranic Healing Courses April-October • Half and Full Day Retreats • Reduce stress and anxiety
Contact Us: 850-380-0561
BlueUnicornRetreat@gmail.com 152 N. Main St. Hillsville, VA 24343 www.BlueUnicorn.PlanetaryPeace.com April 2022
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EARTH DAY 2022 Focuses on Collective Responsibility by Ronica A. O’Hara
Earth Day Celebration (April 22-24) – 8am-7pm. Celebrate Earth Day at the Anne Springs Close Greenway with exciting outdoor activities all weekend. See website for schedule; activities include lead-line horse rides, fishing clinics, kayaking, guided hikes, reptile encounters, historic cabin tours and more. Free entrance. $5 parking non-members. 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. 803-547-4575. www.ascgreenway.org/events/signatureevents/earth-day-celebration. Earth Day Park and Neighborhood Clean-Up with Keep Charlotte Beautiful – 9am-12pm. We need a lot of energetic volunteers to help with a thorough cleanup of Albemarle Road. Email VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov or call 980-314-1046. Albemarle Road Park, 9120 E WT Harris Blvd, Charlotte
Invest in Our Planet
As 1 billion people around the globe gather to mark Earth Day on April 22, they will be focusing on an increasingly critical goal: the need for everyone—governments, citizens and businesses—to do their part to combat climate change. “Everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable,” is the day’s emerging motto. While Earth Day themes over the past 52 years have often centered on specific issues, such as plastic pollution and deforestation, this year’s broader theme, “Invest In Our Planet,” reflects a growing consensus that, at such a critical point for the Earth’s future, governments will not solve the climate crisis by themselves. “Like the industrial, space and information revolutions, all sectors of society can and must play major roles—this time with the extraordinary responsibilities to get it right,” reads a statement from EarthDay.org. Activism involves not only lowering carbon emissions, but also making sure that the benefits of the coming Green Revolution are spread evenly throughout society, the statement says. “In 2022, we all must enter into one partnership for the planet,” says Earth Day President Kathleen Rogers. Events, such as rallies and social media campaigns, aim to encourage action and legislation, as well as educate on corporate and personal sustainability. Art shows 14
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allow attendees to visualize a better future while data collection for citizen-based science research and workshops find ways to build local green economies. All are appropriate ways to participate this Earth Day, as well as clean-up campaigns and tree plantings. To learn about personal actions, including step-by-step instructions on how to organize an event, visit EarthDay.org. Help Charlotte and Greater Charlotte celebrate victories and support future progress by participating in these local Earth Day 2022 events.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21
Women Working for the Earth Summit (April 21-24) – 10am-9pm. Virtual summit brings together voices of thirty-five women and non-binary leaders ushering in a new paradigm – Winona LaDuke, Terry Tempest Williams, Leah Penniman, Rosemary Gladstar, Linda Black Elk, and many more. Learn more at www.natureevolutionaries.com. Free to attend live. Registration required. www.natureevolutionaries. com/women-working-for-the-earth.
FRIDAY, APRIL 22
Ballantyne Earth Day Event – 8am12pm. Securely shred old documents and recycle electronics at the annual Ballantyne Earth Day Event. 13856 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Charlotte. www.goballantyne.com.
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Earth Day Beautification Day – 3-6pm. Help us beautify the grounds of Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center. Email VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov. 2921 Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte. Earth Day Festival at Kings Mountain Preserve – 4-8pm. Come out and enjoy the sights and sounds at the 2nd annual Earth Day Festival at Kings Mountain Preserve. Live music performed by Kudzu Cowboys, guided tours, educational opportunities, giveaways, and food and beverages. Free. Kings Mountain Preserve, 321 Indian Springs Rd., Blacksburg. 877-375-2495. www.kingsmountainpreserve.com. Ballantyne Movie Night: WALL-E – 5-9pm. “WALL-E” in celebration of Earth Day. Order food truck bites and take part in green-friendly activities before the flick on April 22. $5 per person and proceeds benefit Keep Charlotte Beautiful. Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte. www.goballantyne.com. 10th Annual Charlotte Sustainability Awards – 6-9pm. Celebrate sustainability leadership in Greater Charlotte by attending Sustain Charlotte's 10th annual Charlotte Sustainability Awards, presented by Duke Energy. We bring together sustainability leaders from various disciplines and sectors to celebrate Charlotte's incredible strides towards a smarter and more sustainable future. Individuals -$105, Table for 8 - $750. Extravaganza Depot, 1610 N. Tryon, Charlotte. www.sustaincharlotte.org/awards.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23
Gastonia Shred Day – 8am-12pm. Celebrate Earth Day, keep electronics out of our landfill and protect yourself from identity theft. Limit of 3 cardboard banker boxes of sensitive materials per vehicle. Also, Electronic Recycling (Goodwill Recycling will handle all data destruction). Accepting any electronics. No Tube TV's. Free. Gastonia Farmers Market, 410 E. Long Avenue, Gastonia. 704-869-1008. www.cityofgastonia.com/the-events/shred-day.html. Earth Day with Kids in Nature – 10am-1pm. Presented with Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK) and Great Outdoors University. Eco-friendly exhibits and vendors, hikes, scavenger hunts, nature crafts and STEM activities. Free. Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Rd, Matthews. www.matthewsnc.gov. Arbor Day Celebration Free Fun-K – 10am-2pm. A Fun Free run/walk for everyone followed by the City of Statesville Arbor Day Celebration. Register for run: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Statesville/ArborDayFunK Runners, walkers, dogs, strollers, and everyone else is welcome. Statesville Soccer Complex, 2012 Simonton Rd., Statesville. www.facebook.com/events/1160947714745514/?ref=newsfeed. Charlotte Earth Day 2022 – 10am-3pm. An interactive, science-based, theatrically presented, family-learning celebration of life on Earth to encourage good stewardship. A one-day event for the whole family. Bring the kids, go on an information treasure hunt and use your Earth Passport at five knowledge stations. Free. First Ward Park, 301 E 7th St., Charlotte. www.charlotteearthday.com. 2nd Annual Kids in Nature Earth Day Celebration – 10am-3pm. With yoga starting us off, artisan vendors, raffle prize pack, food trucks, kids' activities like face painting, balloon animals, story time, scavenger hunts and educational exhibits. We wish to encourage kids and families to get outdoors. Free. Lindsay Pettus Greenway, 453 Colonial Dr, Lancaster. www.downtoearthco-op.com.
Charlotte Drive Electric Earth Day – 10am-3pm. Check out a variety of electric vehicles (EVs) in person to learn more about the benefits of EVs and talk to current EV drivers about their experiences. Just a block away from the Charlotte Earth Day Celebration in First Ward Park. Free. Victoria Yards, 408 N Tryon Street, Charlotte. www.driveelectricearthday.org/ event?eventid=3167.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30
Garibaldi Festival Arbor Day Celebration – 12-6pm. Presented by the Environmental Sustainability Board, eco-friendly vendors, flower raffle and ladybug release. Stowe Park, 24 S Main St, Belmont. www.cityofbelmont.org. Earth Jam 2022 – 4:30-7:30pm. Join us at Robbins Park and enjoy free "green" activities including crafts, demonstrations, wildlife habitat improvements, nature walks, plus live bands and more. For sponsorship opportunities and event information, call Mike Wolf at 704-892-6031 x192. FREE. Robbins Park, 17738 W. Catawba Avenue, Cornelius. 704-892-6031. www.cornelius.org/282/Earth-Jam.
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Why We Need
WILD PLACES
How to Invite Nature Back into Our Lives and Landscapes
danita delimont/AdobeStock.com
by Sheryl DeVore
O
n a blustery day, Julian Hoffman stood outdoors and watched wild bison grazing in the restored grassland of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, fewer than 50 miles from downtown Chicago. For him, it was a wild place, affording a glimpse of what North America looked like hundreds of years ago when bison roamed the continent by the millions. “We’re witnessing, in a way that’s both terrible and tragic, just what the profound cost is of continuing to destroy the natural world,” he writes. Saving wild places is critical for human health and wellbeing, say both scientists and environmentalists. But defining what a wild place is or what the word wilderness means can be difficult, says Hoffman, author of Irreplaceable: The Fight to Save Our Wild Places. “If wilderness means a place untouched by humans, then none is left,” he says. Even the set-aside wildernesses where no one may have ever stepped have been altered through climate change, acid rain and other human interventions. Humans are also losing the wilderness that is defined as land set aside solely for plants and creatures other than humans. Prominent naturalist David Attenborough, whose most recent documentary is A Life on Our Planet, says that in 1937, when he was a boy,
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about 66 percent of the world’s wilderness areas remained. By 2020, it was down to 35 percent. A wild place can be as spectacular as Yellowstone, a 3,500-square-mile national park in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, filled with hot springs, canyons, wolves, and elk. It can also be as simple as a sky filled with a murmuration, or gathering, of thousands of swooping starlings, which once caused two teens to stop taking selfies and photograph the natural scene above them instead, as Hoffman witnessed in Great Britain. Such regions that offer vast tracts of natural beauty and biodiversity are even found in and around major cities like Chicago, says Chicagoland nature blogger Andrew Morkes. “A wild place is also where you don’t see too many people, or any people, and you can explore,” he says. “You can walk up a hill and wonder what’s around the next bend.” “A wild place could be a 15-minute drive from home where we can walk among plants in a meadow, or a tree-lined street, or front and back yard, if landscaped with wild creatures in mind,” says Douglas Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts with Your Yard.
danita delimont/AdobeStock.com
Sustaining Our Species
“We need these places to save ourselves,” says Tallamy, who heads the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. “Humans are totally dependent on the production of oxygen and clean water, and that happens with the continued existance of flowering plants, which are dependent on the continued existence of all the pollinators. When you lose the pollinators, you lose 90 percent of the flowering plants on the Earth. That is not an option if we want to stay alive and healthy.” Our mental and emotional health is also at stake. According to a recent overview in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, studies have shown that natural settings can lower blood pressure, reduce depression and anxiety, and help the immune system function better. People have saved wild places over time, of course. “The world’s ancient redwoods are still with us today because people in the early 1900s fought to protect and preserve what they could already see was rapidly diminishing,” Hoffman says. “In the year 2022, we are the beneficiaries of those past actions. Yet less than 5 percent of those old-growth redwood groves are left, and we live in an age where we’re losing an extraordinary range of wild species; for example, 3 billion birds have disappeared from the skies of North America in just the past 50 years. That’s why people need to continue to fight for wild spaces.”
Community Crusaders In researching his book, Hoffman went looking for wild-space struggles. In Glasgow, Scotland, he met people that fought to save an urban meadow from being turned into a luxury home development. “I’d never experienced as much joy in any one place as when I spent time with the community fighting to preserve this tiny meadow,” he recalls. “They campaigned and lobbied politicians, and eventually, the government backed down. And now the whole community is able to enjoy this site where a lot of urban wildlife thrives.” Once-wild places may also need human help to again become wild refuges. The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, where
Hoffman saw the buffalo, “was once an arsenal for the production of extraordinary quantities of ordnance for a number of wars,” he says. After hundreds of die-hard volunteers dug out invasive plants, scattered seed and documented wildlife on the 18,000-acre prairie, visitors can now walk among big bluestem and golden alexander, and listen for the sweet song of meadowlarks in the grasslands and chorus frogs in the wetlands. Conservation volunteers working to save wild places hail from every state. In fact, nearly 300,000 volunteers contribute more than 6.5 million hours of volunteer service a year to the U.S. National Park Service, from leading tours to studying wildlife and hosting campgrounds. One doesn’t have to be an environmental crusader to save wild places, Hoffman stresses. Exploring local wild places and sharing them with others can help save them, as well. “We can only protect those places that we love,” he says. “And we can only love those places that we know.” Sadly, roughly 100 million people, including 28 million children, do not have access to a quality park within 10 minutes of home, according to The Trust for Public Land. Projects, such as the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, which enables urban communities to create outdoor spaces, can help. The U.S. Department of the Interior committed $150 million to the program in 2021. “Every child in America deserves to have a safe and nearby place to experience the great outdoors,” says Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
A Homegrown National Park Tallamy says one of the most important ways to get people to appreciate and save wild places is to begin in their own yards. “We have wilderness designations. We have national forests. We have national parks. We have 12 percent of the U.S. protected from development,” he says. “Yet, we are in the sixth great extinction. Our parks and our preserves are not enough. My point is that we have got to focus on the areas outside of parks and preserves.” He urges what he calls a “homegrown national park,” in which homeowners, land managers and farmers create a habitat by replacing invasive plants with native species.
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Tallamy speaks from experience. He lives on a 10-acre former farm in Oxford, Pennsylvania. “It had been mowed for hay and when we moved in, very little life was here,” he says. “We have been rebuilding the eastern deciduous forest here, getting invasive plants under control and replanting with species that ought to be here.” He’s now counted more than 1,400 different species of moths on his property and documented 60 species of birds nesting within the landscape. “We have foxes who raise their kits in the front yard,” he says. Lots of acreage is not required, he says. In Kirkwood, Missouri, homeowners created a wild place on six-tenths of an acre on which they’ve documented 149 species of birds. “If one person does it, it’s not going to work,”
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he stresses. “The point is to get those acres connected. When everybody adopts this as a general landscape culture, it’s going to help tremendously. By rewilding your yard, you are filling in spaces between the true wild places and natural areas. The reason our wild spaces are not working in terms of conservation is because they are too small and too isolated. Even the biggest national parks are too small or too isolated.” Tallamy says people can create wild spaces in their yards by reducing the amount of lawn they have or even getting rid of it. They can grow native plants and discontinue the use of pesticides and herbicides, which are disrupting ecological function of wild places the world over, as research shows. Hoffman agrees, “We’ve
O Re c n l y E m yc l e Bo pt y & J t tles ugs
cultivated a culture of tidiness. It’s actually very easy to welcome wildlife into your home places, often by doing fewer things, by not bringing the leaf blower out and by leaving some dead wood where it fell, which creates important shelters for insects, for example. “Such wild yard spaces encourage wonder. Suddenly, the kids are out there and they can be absolutely fascinated by a small glittering beetle. For me, to experience the wild is to go to the shore of a lake, to be present in the mystery, to be among the lake’s reed beds, to see a marsh harrier sleek out of those reeds and to know you’re part of something much larger,” he says. “There’s so much joy and beauty and complexity in being in the presence of
April is Plastic Bottles & Jugs Recycling Month
Learn more at www.WipeOutWaste.com 18
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other lives besides human.” That in itself is reason enough to save wild places. Sheryl DeVore has written six books on science, health and nature, as well as health and environmental stories for national and regional publications. Read more at SherylDeVore.wordpress.com.
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CREATING A WILD SPACE AT HOME In their book The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden, University of Delaware ecology professor Douglas Tallamy and landscape designer Rick Darke show how to create wild spaces in yards, including what and where to plant and how to manage the land. They advise homeowners to: n Stop using pesticides and herbicides. n Replace non-native plants with those
native to the region.
n Reduce lawn space, converting it to
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native plants.
n Leave leaf litter, withering plants and
dying trees alone to provide shelter and food for wildlife. n Create a small pond or another water feature.
“Mourning cloak butterflies overwinter as mature adults. If you say, ‘Hey, let’s just clean up all of that so-called leaf litter,’ you could be cleaning up the habitat of mourning cloaks and killing them,” says Darke, who has served as a horticultural consultant for botanic gardens and other public landscapes in Texas, Maryland, New York, Illinois and Delaware. “That’s not litter. It’s meaningful habitat. “A dead tree in your home landscape, called a snag, often contributes as much to the local ecology as a living tree,” he adds. “For example, woodpeckers build nests in holes or cavities in a snag, and countless insects find shelter and nourishment in the organic material of the snag.”
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green profiles Conscientious businesses and organizations striving to protect the environment and help us reduce our collective carbon footprint.
The Patio Farmer
The Patio Farmer is a woman-owned business that tailors services to help YOU grow food at home (and reduce your carbon footprint), no matter how much (or little) space you have. Erin (owner/farmer) has years of experience growing food in all spaces and LOVES teaching individuals and community groups. Book a consultation, join or host a class, sign-up for Plant Club (monthly subscription program) or place an order for home delivery to begin (or continue) your food-growing journey. The Patio Farmer is here to help! Location: Serving Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston and surrounding counties. For more information, email ThePatioFarmer@gmail.com or visit www.ThePatioFarmer.com.
Kings Mountain Preserve and Retreat Center As the Charlotte area’s only Conservation Burial Ground, Kings Mountain Preserve is proud to offer the most environmentally sensitive method of burial in our nation. Bodies cannot be embalmed, and any containers must be 100% biodegradable. No concrete vaults or metal caskets are permitted. In addition, a Green Burial avoids producing an average of 534.6 pounds of harmful carbon dioxide per cremation. Facilities include an outdoor pavilion and chapel for ceremonies in nature, as well as a retreat center that sleeps up to 6. Location: 321 Indian Springs Rd., Blacksburg, SC. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 877-375-2495 or visit www.KingsMountainPreserve.com.
Sustain Charlotte
Sustain Charlotte's mission is to inspire choices that lead to a healthy, equitable, and vibrant community for generations to come. We promote smart growth by collaborating with local neighborhoods, government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses to solve challenges to the long-term social, economic, and environmental health of our community. Affordability, livability, and access to essentials goods and services without a car are key areas for which Sustain Charlotte advocates. We invite you to become a member today. Location: 1100 S. Mint St., Charlotte. For more information, visit www.SustainCharlotte.org.
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Organic Marketplace
Over the last 29 years, Organic Marketplace has sought to be at the forefront of business practices that lessen our collective carbon footprint. Raised beds in the rear of the store for fresh organic produce for Sprouts Cafe as well as to beautify the environment. Our landscape has always been chemical-free with an emphasis on pollinator friendly plants. Packaging waste is addressed with our bulk foods, herbs, and culinary spices department. Plastic bags were discontinued eight years ago to combat plastic pollution in our oceans. Location: 1012 S. New Hope Rd., Gastonia. For more information, call 704-864-0605 or visit www.OrganicMarketplaceNC.com.
Organic Salon LKN
Lea Cassanova, owner and stylist, has dedicated herself to finding better alternatives to harsh chemicals and wasteful plastics in her salon. Opting to use organic, low- and chemical-free products, glass wherever possible, and reusable items, the salon has a low carbon footprint. “With so many people choosing the importance of living a healthier lifestyle, I am happy to offer natural services with beautiful results. You don’t have to compromise our world’s resources or health for beauty!” Schedule an appointment today. Location: 427 E. Mills Ave., Mooresville. For more information, call 704-883-6564, email OrganicSalonLKN@gmail.com or visit www.OrganicSalonLKN.com.
Claudia Josephine Design
A 2022 Charlotte Sustainability Awards nominee for Inspiring Small Business, Claudia Josephine Design’s “ecoluxe” focus enables informed choices when building, remodeling, and decorating. Our sustainable approach encourages the reuse and upcycle of select existing elements and proposes eco-friendly, quality furnishings and décor that provide clients with enduring, timeless finishes. Sustainable, eco-friendly design can be stylish and home-healthy. To embark on a full-scale, luxury design experience, visit our website to view our portfolio and select services. Call us today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Mecklenburg County Compost & Mulch Completing the Circular Economy with Yard Waste
Spring is compost and mulch season! Did you know your curbside yard waste (leaves, grass, and brush) is upcycled into high quality gardening products? Recycling yard waste saves landfill space, remains local and is affordable. Mecklenburg County has high quality compost available in conveniently packaged 1.25 cubic foot bags or sold in bulk, like a full pick-up truck. Reduce your carbon footprint with upcycled yard products available at the Compost Central and Foxhole Full-Service Centers. Check out www.MeckMulchMadness.com for more details. Locations for pick-up: 140 Valleydale Rd., Charlotte; 17131 Lancaster Hwy., Charlotte. For more information, visit www.MeckMulchMadness.com.
Location: Serving Charlotte and surrounding areas. For more information, call 860-796-3415, email Claudia@ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com or visit www.ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com.
Greenfaith Charlotte
Rev. Amy Brooks Paradise with Greenfaith CLT galvanizes Charlotte’s faith communities to meet this stark moment of the climate crisis and environmental injustice. “We can mitigate the climate crisis by stopping the money pipeline for oil/gas/plastics Plants that already impact BIPOC and frontline communities throughout the nation,” says Brooks-Paradise. Greenfaith CLT with Rise St. James of Louisiana join forces to stop the Formosa Plastics Plant along “cancer alley” and its funding by Bank of America. Location: Join the Vigil/Demonstration at BofA at 11 a.m. on April 26 at Trade and Tryon in Charlotte. For more information, visit www.GreenFaith.org. April 2022
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conscious eating
greatest future threat to our climate because forests also sequester carbon and provide a home for diverse flora and fauna.
Eating for the Planet
Make Simple Swaps
DIET FOR A CLIMATE CRISIS
W
vector mine/AdobeStock.com
by Sheila Julson
hat we choose to put on our plates influences not only our physical health, but also the health of the environment. While much of the climate conversation focuses on the burning of fossil fuels, commercial food production—particularly livestock—uses large amounts of land, water and energy. Wasted food contributes to approximately 10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Leigh Prezkop, food loss and waste specialist for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), says agriculture accounts for about 70 percent of the world’s fresh water use, while pasture and crop land accounts for about 50 percent of the Earth’s habitable land. “The environmental impacts begin with the soil,” Prezkop explains. “Soil that’s depleted of nutrients loses its ability to capture carbon and produce nutrient-rich foods. The long chain continues with the processing and packaging of that food, and then transporting it to grocery store shelves and, eventually, to the consumer’s home.” 22
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Eat Less Meat
Animal agriculture is the leading cause of climate change, argues author, screenwriter and playwright Glen Merzer in his latest book, Food Is Climate: A Response to Al Gore, Bill Gates, Paul Hawken & the Conventional Narrative on Climate Change. “When we have 93 million cattle farmed in the U.S. and 31 billion animals farmed globally each year, they create mountains of waste,” says Merzer, a dedicated vegan of 30 years. “That waste infiltrates water supplies and causes contamination, such as E. coli outbreaks, in foods like lettuce and tomatoes that are grown downstream.” He adds that cows belch methane, a far more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and that grass-fed cows belch even more of it than grain-fed, feedlot cows. In addition, nitrogen fertilizers used to grow animal feed run into waterways. Overfishing and ocean warming threaten populations of phytoplankton, which sequester carbon dioxide and seed clouds. Deforestation to create grazing land may be the single
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Prezkop emphasizes that despite these problems with the industrial food chain, changing the way we produce food is also the solution. The WWF works with suppliers to educate and promote regenerative production practices. On the consumer side, changing the way food is produced can be achieved by changing people’s dietary demands. “We don’t prescribe people to eat a certain way. We do believe different people and cultures have different dietary needs,” she says. “The global north eats a lot of meat, so we do recommend a plant-forward diet while still incorporating animal proteins, depending on individual dietary needs.” Merzer argues that we have little control over fossil fuel burning, but we can control our diets. He promotes plant-based eating as a primary solution to climate change. Changing mindsets about “normal” traditions, such as having hamburgers on the Fourth of July or turkey on Thanksgiving, can be difficult, but achievable with the planet at stake, he says. Sophie Egan, founder of FullTableSolutions.com and author of How to Be a Conscious Eater: Making Food Choices That Are Good For You, Others, and the Planet, advises to start small by looking at the foods eaten most frequently and identifying ways to make simple swaps. “If you have toast with butter every morning, that could be changed to a nut butter. A sandwich with cold cuts every day for lunch, that can be replaced with a roasted vegetables and hummus sandwich or an avocado sandwich. You can still eat something in a familiar form, but replace ingredients with lower-emissions options,” she says. If someone is intimidated by switching to an all plant-based diet, a flexitarian option emphasizing foods from the plant kingdom while enjoying meat only occasionally may be more sustainable throughout a person’s lifetime. Her book contains a “protein scorecard” from the World Resources Institute that lists animal
and plant sources in terms of greenhouse gas emissions per gram of protein from the worst offenders to the least, with beef (along with goat and lamb) being at the top. Prezkop recommends eating a wide variety of foods. “Currently, 75 percent of food produced is from 12 plant species and five animal species, despite that there are thousands of varieties. This means
kravtzov/AdobeStock.com
MUNG BEAN CURRY
3 cups water 1 cup dried mung beans 2 dry bay leaves ½ medium onion, chopped 3 cloves raw garlic, minced 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced ½ tsp turmeric powder ½ tsp yellow curry 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro or sweet basil 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice Black pepper to taste Rinse the mung beans, then soak overnight in water. The next day, discard the water, rinse the beans again and add 3 cups of water and bay leaves. Bring the beans to near boil and reduce heat to simmer. Scoop away the white foam that forms on the surface of the water and discard. Simmer covered for about 40 minutes. Add the onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric and curry, and continue simmering for an additional 20 minutes. Stir in chopped cilantro or basil, lemon juice and black pepper. Serve over rice or another grain. Courtesy of Joanna Samorow-Merzer, reprinted with permission from Own Your Health, by Glen Merzer.
there’s less diversity happening in the field. Diversity helps with regeneration and healthy soils. Producing the same crops over and over means there’s no crop rotation and no diversity happening, leading to degraded soils and deforestation to produce more of the same crop.” Egan adds that diets that are over-reliant on just a few food sources like corn, wheat, rice and soy threaten the Earth and can lead to food insecurity. “Think of it as risk management with a financial portfolio: We have a diversified portfolio of foods available to feed a growing population, but as the climate warms, extreme weather events threaten yields because lack of fresh water and unhealthy soil threaten the planet and, ultimately, food production.” Eating food that is as close as to its original state as possible is better for the planet. “The more food is processed, the more resources it took to get it to market,” Prezkop notes.
Cut Food Waste Prezkop says approximately 40 percent of the food produced globally is lost while still on the farm or further up the supply chain. “When food is wasted, we’re not just throwing away food, but everything it took to produce that food is also wasted—the water, the fertilizer and the land.” A recent WWF report entitled Driven To Waste cites new data indicating that food waste contributes to approximately
10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions—nearly twice the emissions produced annually by all the cars in the U.S. and Europe. Egan suggests using a shopping list; impulse buys can be forgotten and are prone to spoiling. Keeping food visible by putting fruits and vegetables front and center ensures they won’t be forgotten. Leftovers can be kept from languishing by designating a section of the refrigerator for food to eat first or a day of the week to eat leftovers for dinner. “You can freeze just about anything,” Egan says, from leftover bread to cheese, which can be shredded before frozen. Even scrambled eggs can be poured into a freezer container to use later. (For more ideas, check out SaveTheFood.com and Dana Gunders’ Waste-Free Kitchen Handbook.) Nonprofits throughout the country are creating solutions to divert food waste from the landfills. Keep Austin Fed, a nonprofit comprised of mostly volunteers, helps neighbors experiencing food insecurity by redistributing wholesome, nutritious, surplus food from any food-permitted business. Volunteers pick up leftover food from urban gardens, rural farms, grocery stores and caterers serving area tech firms. All prepared food accepted and redistributed is handled by licensed food handlers. Executive Director Lisa Barden says that Keep Austin Fed redistributed 982,428 pounds of food, or the equivalent
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of 818,695 meals, in 2021, thus keeping it out of the waste stream. Similarly missioned organizations exist nationwide. FoodRescue.us, with 40 locations in 20 states, provides assistance and even a dropoff/pickup app for people starting local groups. Since its founding in 2011, it has provided 85 million meals and kept 109 million pounds of excess food out of landfills. Its website offers a potent plea: “Fight Hunger. Help the Planet. Be the Rescue.”
inspiration
Spring is a State of Mind by Marlaina Donato
Sheila Julson is a Milwaukee-based freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.
Those potatoes that start to sprout, the straggler stalks of celery wilting in the back of the crisper drawer or that pompon of green carrot tops can all be used to make vegetable stock. This is a very general recipe with plenty of creative license to get more mileage from leftover vegetables that normally would have been discarded. Start by collecting vegetable scraps that typically aren’t used—thick asparagus ends, carrot tops and broccoli stems. Even wilted kale or limp carrots that are no longer good to eat fresh, but are still free from mold or mush, can be added. Coarsely chop scrap veggies and put them into a freezer bag. Store them in the freezer until four to five pounds of vegetable scrap have been accumulated. yield: about 3 quarts 4 to 5 lb vegetable scraps (can include the freezer bag of vegetable scraps, green tops from a fresh bunch of carrots, slightly wilted kale, turnips that are starting to turn soft or any combination) 2 bay leaves
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6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed 2 medium onions, cut into quarters 6 quarts water Salt to taste Coarsely chop all vegetables and add to a large stockpot. (If the vegetables are still frozen, dump them into the stockpot; they’ll begin to thaw during the cooking process.) Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently. Cook for about two hours or until the liquid is reduced by about half and the color begins to fade from the vegetables. Let the mixture cool. Strain the stock into a large bowl. Compost the vegetables, as they are now flavorless; all of the flavors have been cooked into the broth. Strain broth a second time through a cheesecloth or sieve for an even clearer broth. Salt to taste and portion into Mason jars. Store in the refrigerator for one to two weeks, or freeze if saving for later use. Courtesy of Sheila Julson.
AwakeningCharlotte.com
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very year, spring lifts us from lethargy, her blossomed enthusiasm nudging us to take down the curtains for an annual wash, clean out the closets, and plot this year’s garden. If we pause and listen carefully, we can also hear an invitation to shake off the winters of our lives—the failures, aborted plans and could-have-beens. All of life depends upon nature’s green ambition, yet we tend to take it for granted, not unlike the faint whisper of discontent that hints at the need for change. In the darkness of our fear-based comfort zones, there is a thwarted impulse to take that class at the community center, plant new ideas or try our hand at something new. “I’m too old,” we proclaim. “I can’t do that,” we assume. “They’ll think I’m crazy,” we say. But spring begs to differ. The most delicious possibilities are those that give us stage-fright butterflies in the belly and wake us up at night with the nagging question, “What if?” Perhaps, if the caterpillar could foresee its winged destiny, it would be too overcome with self-doubt to even begin. Author Marianne Williamson says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” As April puts on a new playlist of birdsong and our gardens remind us how to grow one inch at a time, we can make a point to wear that colorful shirt, begin the first chapter of a long overdue memoir or decide that we are deserving to fall madly, happily in love. For today, make an appointment with delight and put fresh flowers on the desk, walk barefoot after the rain or simply try on a new perspective. If we tune out the naysayer in our brains, we might even hear loved ones cheering us on. Spring, in all her punctual glory, teaches us the vital necessity to court our passions, and there is no better time than now. Marlaina Donato is an author, composer and visionary painter. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.
tsuguliev/AdobeStock.com
SCRAP VEGETABLE STOCK
Nature’s Virus Killer Copper can stop a virus before it starts By Doug Cornell cientists have discovered a with a tip to fit in the bottom of the natural way to kill germs fast. nostril, where viruses collect. Now thousands of people When he felt a tickle in his nose are using it against viruses and bacteria like a cold about to start, he rubbed the that cause illness. copper gently in Colds and his nose for 60 many other seconds. illnesses start “It worked!” when viruses get he exclaimed. in your nose and “The cold never start multiplying. got going. That If you don’t stop was 2012. I have them early, they had zero colds spread and take since then.” over. “We don’t Copper kills viruses almost In hundreds of make product instantly studies, EPA and health claims,” university researchers confirm copper he said, “so I can’t say cause and effect. kills microbes almost instantly just by But we know copper is antimicrobial.” touch. He asked relatives and friends to try That’s why ancient Greeks and it. They reported the same thing, so he Egyptians used copper to purify patented CopperZap® and put it on the water and heal wounds. They didn’t market. know about microbes like viruses and Soon hundreds of people had tried it. bacteria, but now we do. Feedback was 99% positive if they used “The antimicrobial activity of copper copper within 1-3 hours of the first sign is well established.” National Institutes of bad germs, like a tickle in the nose or of Health. a scratchy throat. Scientists say the high conductance Users say: of copper disrupts the electrical balance “It works! I love it!” in a microbe cell by touch and destroys “I can’t believe how good my nose it in seconds. feels.” Some hospitals tried copper “Is it supposed to work that fast?” for touch surfaces like faucets and “One of the best presents ever.” doorknobs. This cut the spread of “Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!” MRSA and other illnesses by over half, “Cold sores gone!” which saved lives. “It saved me last holidays. The kids The strong scientific evidence had crud going round and round, gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea. but not me.” He made a smooth copper probe “I am shocked! My sinus cleared, no ADVERTORIAL
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more headache, no more congestion.” “Best sleep I’ve had in years!” The handle is curved and textured to increase contact. Copper can kill germs picked up on fingers and hands after you touch things other people have touched. The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished. Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the science teams. He placed millions of viruses on a copper surface. “They started to die literally as soon as they touched it.”
Customers report using copper against: Colds Flu Covid Sinus trouble Cold sores Fever blisters Canker sores Strep Night stuffiness Morning congestion Skin infections Infected sores Infection in cuts or wounds Thrush Warts Styes Ringworm Threats to compromised immunity CopperZap® is made in the USA of pure copper. It has a 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA28. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call tollfree 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. April 2022
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wise words
Brian Sauder on
Faith-Based Grassroots Change by Sandra Yeyati
W
ith degrees in natural resource management, environmental science, religion and business administration, Mennonite Reverend Brian Sauder is an adjunct professor at two Illinois seminary schools, as well as president and executive director of Faith in Place, a Midwest nonprofit headquartered in Chicago that helps diverse faith-based groups become community leaders in a shared quest for environmental, social and racial justice.
If you look at the history of the U.S. environmental justice movement, from Warren County, North Carolina, where black church women laid their bodies on the road to stop toxic waste dump trucks in their community, to Dr. Benjamin Chavis’ coining of the phrase “environmental racism” through the United Church of Christ, there’s a legacy of people of faith and diverse spiritualities calling out environmental racism and organizing the community to take action. We view ourselves in that historical lineage, with a mission to provide the tools, resources and programming for our faith partners to continue to advance these valuable pursuits.
How does Faith in Place work?
It’s very grassroots. We believe in a Green Team model, which is a core group of people within a faith community, anywhere from three to 30 individuals, depending on the size of the community. Through coaching, we help teams evaluate the community’s needs and assets, set goals for the year, and create a strategic plan to address needs through programming, advocacy and a network of nonprofit partners.
Why are Green Teams effective in bringing about change?
The messenger matters. When you work with a community, it’s the people in that community that are going to understand the culture, the theology, the context, the history, the politics of the local body; so they understand how to meet people where they’re at and how to talk about these issues in a way that’s effective and attainable. 26
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AwakeningCharlotte.com
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How are places of faith uniquely positioned to address environmental and racial justice?
quangho/Shutterstock.com
Can you describe a noteworthy Faith in Place project?
We partnered with a Green Team that wanted to address the need of hunger in their community by turning four acres of land that they had into a congregationsupported agriculture project (CSA), where people paid upfront to get a weekly bushel of produce grown on the land, while the church tithed 10 percent of it to local food pantries. Over several years, we helped them write a business plan, approach the committee structure of the church, hire a farmer, set up a legal structure and launch Sola Gratia Farm, which today is employing a bunch of people and stocking local food pantries with fresh tomatoes, kale, fruits and vegetables grown right there in the community. Once Faith in Place shared this story, other faith partners wanted to replicate it. We now support five different CSAs across Illinois.
advocacy, youth empowerment, and water and flooding prevention. We also advocate to policymakers. Last year in Illinois, Green Teams helped pass the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act by convincing legislators to not only reduce carbon emissions, but also prioritize employment opportunities in the new green economy for high-unemployment neighborhoods.
What is your philosophy concerning the intersection
What areas of environmental justice do you focus on? A Green Team might say, “We have an issue with lead pipes in our communities,” or, “We have an issue with high schoolage youth needing employment.” Our programs, which are shaped by the needs of our Green Teams and are constantly being reevaluated and reshaped, cover sustainable food and land use, climate change and energy, environmental
We’ve got to be committed to the transformation that we seek. Our spirituality calls us to remember how connected we are. One way to describe justice is love in action—a love that begins with ourselves—and as we love ourselves more deeply, it spurs outward action that seeks to dismantle injustice. Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer and editor. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.
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Does Faith in Place welcome all denominations?
Absolutely. Whether it’s an institution of religion or a spiritual tradition, people are bringing the wisdom of the ages to bear on understanding the moment we’re in. Everything is connected, and the ecological crisis is a spiritual crisis. The healing of me and the healing of you and the healing of Earth are bound together, and this mutuality is core to all our different spiritualities and traditions. At our annual Green Team summit, people from different regions, backgrounds and religions come together, all united by the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land where our food is grown and a deep sense of calling and purpose. It’s hope-inspiring in a world that is so divided.
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community resource guide
DENTISTRY
Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com to request our media kit. ACUPUNCTURE EMPOWER LIFE CENTER
Camilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM 704-542-8088 EmpowerLifeCenter.com 28 years of experience in acupuncture, Chinese medicine and integrated health. Specializing in identifying and correcting the root cause of your health concerns. P ain c onditions, digestive disorders, stress, women’s health and chronic disorders. Classes in authentic Qigong, Tai Chi and Taoist yoga.
CHRONIC & DIFFICULT CASES HAAS WELLNESS CENTER
3315 Springbank Ln, Ste 102 704-837-2420 HaasWellnessCenters.com
Specializing in chronic and difficult cases and holistic and wellness care. We identify and treat the root cause of your health issues. Call today for a free 15-minute consultation. See ad, page 4.
COLONICS
BODY CONTOURING TRUECARE HEALTH AND WELLNESS
6487 Morehead Rd Harrisburg/N Charlotte 704-909-0355 Info@TrueCareHealth.com www.TrueCareHealth.com
Non-surgical body contouringsafely eliminating excessive fat and tightening skin with laser, lipo, fat-freezing and other technologies-weight loss and optimal health services with a functional medicine approach. Schedule low price consult, receive credit toward services.
HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA
1308 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia 704-823-1577 HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com
Our principle service is Colon Hydrotherapy, but we also offer a wide variety of other services. We o ff e r b o t h t r a d i t i o n a l a n d alternative therapies to assist clients in achieving optimal health, wellness and balance.
COMPOUNDING PHARMACY STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY
3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.com
CBD STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY
3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.com/CBD
Charlotte’s CBD experts. CBD consultations available with a licensed Pharmacist ($50 per ½ hour). Consultation fee applied to any CBD purchase. Professional grade CBD products available in store and online.
Charlotte’s most experienced and trusted compounding pharmacy. Skilled pharmacist can prepare custom medications to meet needs of the individual patient. Specializing in women’s and men’s health as well as veterinary medications.
DEEP STRESS RELIEF HARMONIC WISDOM
Certified Vibrational Sound Coach 586-291-3320 • Charlotte www.HarmonicWisdom.com Deep Stress Relief. Solfeggio tuning fork frequencies to help facilitate balance, change, and rejuvenation of mind, body, and spirit. “Everything in life is vibration.” A. Einstein. Call today for free consultation.
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KEMPTER HOLISTIC DENTISTRY
3111 Springbank Ln, Ste F1 1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 160, Concord 704-782-0797 KempterDentistry.com Biologically minded family dental office offering 3D digital dentistry, preventative dentistry, safe mercury removal and sleep apnea screenings. In a relaxed and caring environment, all patients are given devoted time. Call the office today to request a new patient consultation. See ad, page 19.
DIRECT PRIMARY CARE 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 19.
ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING 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 18.
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 19.
HYPNOTHERAPY LAKESIDE COUNSELING & HYPNOTHERAPY
Amy Bernstein, LCSW, LISW-CP, CH 8211 Village Harbor Dr, Cornelius 704-252-1568 www.LakesideTherapy.com Create new healthy habits this spring! Hypnosis helps with anxiety, worry, depression, sleep, health, clarity, confidence, healthy weight and more. Customized hypnosis recordings included. Schedule your free 15-minute call today.
coming in the may issue
Women's Wellness
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.
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 and vibrational therapy, to intuitive channeling, to guided meditation– in order to deliver healings tailored to each person's needs.
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 9.
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 2.
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.
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, Autoimmune disease, A nxiety, ADHD. C h a r l o t t e ’s o n l y d o c t o r specializing in homeopathy. We focus on treating YOU to uncover the cause of your health condition and empower you to better health! See ad, page 9.
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NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS ACID-REDUCING
SPIRIT AND SOUND THE CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL AND VIBRATIONAL RENEWAL
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 23.
Barbara Griggs, LSH, CVSP, CVSC barb.griggs04@gmail.com 248-321-6098 www.SpiritandSound.net
Call today for free consultation. Discover avenues to overcome uncertainty and fear. As a licensed spiritual healer, intuitive, and Certified Vibrational Sound Practitioner/Coach, let's awaken the strength and commitment necessary to honor your journey.
ORGANIC SALON ORGANIC SALON LKN
SPIRITUAL CENTERS
427 E Mills Ave, Mooresville 704-883-6564 www.OrganicSalonLKN.com
HEARTLIGHT SPIRITUAL CENTER
Harnessing nature's beauty with professional organic products while creatively designing the ideal hair routine and style to fit your life. Call today for a free consultation. See ad, page 13.
RETREAT CENTER BLUE UNICORN MOUNTAIN RETREAT
152 N Main St, Hillsville, VA 850-380-0561 BlueUnicornRetreat@gmail.com www.BlueUnicorn.PlanetaryPeace.com Join us in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pranic Healing Courses, yoga, meditation, energy healing sessions and more. April-October. Dr. Kenneth and Connie Williams, Senior Certified Pranic Healing Instructors. See ad, page 13.
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 17.
SPIRITUAL CENTERS 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.
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.
Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors Natural Awakenings throughout appreciatesthe thearea. generosity of its distributors
Please consider supporting throughout the area. these major distributors by Natural Awakenings Please consider supporting there and picking appreciates theshopping generosity major each distributors up thethese magazine monthby of its distributors shopping there and picking from one of the racks. throughout the area. up the magazine each month Check out the latest events at Thank you! from one of the racks. Natural Awakenings www.AwakeningCharlotte.com/Calendar Please consider supporting Thank you! appreciates the generosity these major distributors by of its distributors Natural Awakenings appreciates the there generosity of its distributors shopping and picking throughout the area. up the magazine each month throughout the area. Pick up magazines monthly at: from one of the racks. Please consider supporting Thank you! these major distributors by
shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks. Thank you!
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Charlotte Edition
AwakeningCharlotte.com
gaston county natural guide Connecting Gaston County to leaders in natural health, wellness and green living. To find out how you can be included in the Gaston County Natural Guide, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com.
ORGANIC MARKET & SUPPLEMENTS
SPA HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA
1308 E. Garrison Blvd, Gastonia 704-823-1577 HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com
ORGANIC MARKETPLACE
1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-864-0605 OrganicMarketplaceNC.com 9am -7pm M/F, 9am-6pm Sat. Reliable community partner, local source for education, organic foods, personal care, products, supplements, aromatherapy, organic wine/beer and pet products. See ad, back cover.
Offering traditional and alternative therapies seven days a week to help you achieve optimal health, wellness and balance. Colon hydrotherapy, massage, far-infrared sauna therapy, energizing foot spa and yoni or v-steam.
WEIGHT LOSS CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE
Lidia Adkins, CFMP, DC, PKT 216 S. New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-271-9757 • CWLI.net
Developer of the “40 Day Transformation” system, a physician designed and administered functional approach with programming tailored to the unique metabolism needs of each individual, to provide safe and sustained weight loss. Call for a free consultation.
To place a listing call 704-499-3327 or email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com
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Join us in celebrating
EARTH DAY
April 23nd,10am-4pm A celebration with store discounts, raffles, vendor samples, gift baskets, giveaways and more! (Free Earth Day Bags while Supplies Last)
SHOP GREEN I-85
I-85
EAST GARRISON
S NEW HOPE
HWY 74 ARMSTRONG PARK DR
H
ORGANIC MARKETPLACE
ROBINWOOD
1012 S. New Hope Rd. Gastonia, NC 28054
704.864.0605 www.organicmarketplacenc.com
Healthcare with a holistic approach NorthEast Internal & Integrative Medicine combines traditional primary care with evidence-based, alternative medicine therapies to promote wellness.
We offer: • Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Aromatherapy
• Preventive
• Massage
• Treatment
therapy • Nutritional therapy • Osteopathy • Therapeutic touch
annual physicals of chronic disease • Non-narcotic treatment of chronic pain • Healthy lifestyle changes
Schedule an appointment today at 704-403-7050 704-403-7050. Our services are covered by most insurance plans.
NorthEast Internal & Integrative Medicine 707 Memorial Blvd., Concord, NC 28025 AtriumHealth.org/NorthEastInternal Publication: Natural Awakenings Specs:7.5” x 4.75”
Client: Atrium Health NE Internal & Integrative Med Job#: ATRP-06847
