Natural Awakenings Fort Myers/Naples Florida- March 2022

E R F

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HEALTHY

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HEALTHY

FOOD &

NUTRITION THE PLANTBASED FOOD REVOLUTION

SURVIVING WEEKEND WORKOUTS FROM BURNOUT TO RECOVERY Delicious Plant-Based

MEAT SUBSTITUTES

Journaling Your Inner Wisdom March 2022 | Collier/Lee Edition

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

COLLIER / LEE EDITION

Acupuncture Center of Naples CUSTOM PRESCRIPTION HERBAL MEDICINE for all your health concerns Dr. Cen has more than 25 years experience in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Arthritis • Chronic Pain • Injuries • Insomnia • Stress Menopause • Stroke Recovery • Shingles • Anxiety Migraines • Fibromyalgia • Well-being • Bell’s Palsy & More 5683 Naples Boulevard • Naples, FL 34109 Dr.Xiu Qiong Cen A.P., D.O.M Licensed Acupuncture Physician

Publisher Sharon Bruckman Editors Linda Sechrist

Martin Miron

Randy Kambic

Sara Peterson Design & Production C. Michele Rose

Lisa Avery Contributing Writers Linda Sechrist

Sandra Yeyati Sales & Marketing Christine Miller

Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Accounting Amie Delozier Website Kristy Mayer

CONTACT US 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-350-0141 • Fax: 239-434-9513 swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Digital subscriptions are available through swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com.

239-513-9232

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Nature’s Virus Killer

not a sniffle!” she exclaimed.

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“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?”

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letter from publisher

More Plants Please

In the early 1970s, when I was in my 20s, I decided to give vegetarianism a try, hoping to reap the health benefits of eating more plants and less meat. Pregnant with my first child, Frances Moore Lappe’s 1971 bestselling book Diet for a Small Planet became my bible for wholesome recipes to maintain my strength and nourish the new life growing in my womb. In those days, a meat-free diet was quite the exception. Luckily, my husband was up for the adventure.

We had fun exploring new flavors and loved the notable health advantages.

Today, newcomers can find plenty of support, as evidenced by the newly-revised, 50th anniversary edition of Diet for a Small Planet, and the proliferation of books, documentaries and products that celebrate plant-centered eating to restore our damaged ecology, address the climate crisis and help us live healthier lives.

In this month’s feature story, “Plant-Based Eating Goes Mainstream” on page 28, Carrie Jackson focuses on the latest trends, including veggie burgers at the ballpark, vegan dairy in cafés and tuna substitutes in grocery aisles. Rising to meet market demand, companies are developing novel, plant-based versions of seafood and dairy; growing mushroombased “meat” in labs; combining home-delivered vegan meals with vegan and lifestyle coaching; and helping eateries and breweries create vegan alternatives for menu favorites.

In “Easing into a Vegan Lifestyle, Clever Meat Substitutions” on page 34, Sheila Julson suggests a gentle transition toward plant-prominent eating by switching to one vegan meal a week at first, and then gradually adding more. It’s a smart technique for long-term adoption. She also offers yummy ideas and recipes that feature ingenious ingredientswaps, such as meat substitutions for pizzas and pasta sauce, cauliflower and eggplant “steaks”, jackfruit and banana peels to mimic pulled meat and chickpea flour to simulate ground beef.

Southwest Florida food entrepreneurs also are responding to the increased demand for organic, plant-based foods, making it much easier to find dishes on restaurant menus and supermarket shelves. You’ll discover plenty of local resources in this month’s issue.

Whether you’re a full-time resident or visiting Southwest Florida for a winter warm-up vacation, everybody wants to feel their best and enjoy a vibrant life, and that depends on the kind of fuel we’re feeding our bodies. I hope this month’s edition inspires you to make the best possible choices for the well-being of your family and Mother Earth.

To your health,

Lisa DOyLe - miTcheLL • Certified Biofeedback Specialist by the natural Therapies Certification Board #5771

239.851.4729

www.BluestarBioFeedback.com Follow us!

@bluestarbiofeedback.com 8

Collier/Lee Counties

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher NOTE: This month we reluctantly say farewell to our calendar editor (goddess) Sara Peterson, who has been assisting us in various ways the past 17 years. We will miss her dearly and are looking for someone who has the skillset and interest in this position. It requires approximately 10 hours a month, primarily between the 10th and 15th. Please email inquires to: SharonB@NaturalAwakenings.com.

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

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.

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Contents 21 HOW LOCAL

ACUPUNCTURE PHYSICIANS TREAT LONG-HAUL COVID

24

22 ANN ARMBRECHT

on the Business of Ethical Botanicals

24 THE BOUNTY OF FARMERS MARKETS

Buying Local Boosts Health, the Economy and the Planet

28 PLANT-BASED FOODS

34

GO MAINSTREAM

Healthy Eating Gets Easier with Innovations

34 EASING INTO A VEGAN LIFESTYLE

Clever Meat Substitutes that Please the Palate

40 A WEEKEND WARRIOR SURVIVAL GUIDE

Prevention, First-Aid and Recovery

46

42 BURNOUT RECOVERY Ways to Reset and Find Balance

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, contact Christine Miller at 239-272-8155 or email ChristineM@ NaturalAwakenings.com for Collier County or Lisa Doyle at 239-851-4729 or email LisaD@NaturalAwakenings.com for Lee County. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

Email articles, news items and ideas to: NAEditor@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. Or visit: swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com/ Resources.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

Submit print and online events at swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com/ pages/calendar-listings. Email NAMCalendar@Natural Awakenings.com with any questions.

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.

44 BEYOND PICKY EATING Help for Pediatric Eating Disorders

46 BEYOND KIBBLE

How to Shop for the Healthiest Pet Food

48 JOURNALING TO

ACCESS INNER WISDOM

DEPARTMENTS 10 news briefs 18 event spotlights 20 health briefs 22 wise words 24 green living 32 business spotlight

34 concious eating

37 local recipe

38 40 42 44 46 48 49 53 55

reader spotlight fit body healing ways healthy kids natural pet inspiration calendar resource guide classifieds March 2022

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news briefs

Brown Offers Special on Chef Services

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isa Brown, founder of Free Flowing Health, a whole foods, plant-based chef, Institute for Integrative Nutrition-certified health coach and educator, is providing a 10 percent discount for event catering, in-home personal chef services and coaching this month.

She is passionate about crafting tasty, health-supportive, plantbased meals using only the purest and finest plant-based ingredients and providing 20-minute consultations, menu planning, shopping, prepping, cooking, storage, Lisa Brown cleanup and labeling.

“Like a vegan diet, a whole-food, plant-based diet excludes all meats, fish, dairy products and eggs; however, it also steers clear of most refined and processed foods like refined white flours, refined sugars and processed oils,” says Brown, who is based in Cape Coral and serves the entire area. “‘Whole food’ and ‘plantbased’ are terms used to describe something that’s made from whole, plant foods that have not been refined.”

Consultations include tips on education and alignment, stocking food supplies, planning ahead, having fun, basic kitchen equipment and tools, and practicing mindful and conscious eating.

For more information or to arrange for services, call 646-642-0083 or visit FreeFlowingHealth.com. See ad, page 55.

Regional Wellness Fair in Fort Myers

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he SWFL Wellness Fair, a free event at which individuals will be able to connect with a community of like-minded people, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 27, at WaKe Hatchee Park, in Fort Myers. Attendees will explore local wellness products, services and professionals; take outdoor yoga and fitness classes, fuel their bodies with food and snacks from local food trucks; enjoy live entertainment while picnicking in the park; enter raffle giveaways; support local causes and more.

Free movement classes will be held throughout the day, starting with a group run at 8:15 a.m., a yoga class at 9 a.m., a Pilates class at 10 a.m. and a Zumba class at 11 a.m. The event, created

by Alex C. Wilson, owner of Alex C. Wilson Wellness Co., provides opportunities to invest in and explore new ways to enhance personal well-being toward complete wellness at a time when seeking that state is more important and valuable than ever.

Location: 16760 Bass Rd. For more information, call 239-910-2090, email AlexCWilsonWellness@gmail.com or visit swflWellnessFair.com. See ad, page 33.

The

The

Store Juice Bar

Cafe The

Grocery

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The

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2144 Tamiami Trail N • Naples, FL 34102

7am-9pm Mon-Sat • 8am-4pm Sun foodandthought.com

(239) 213-2222

Customized Wellness at Bergtold Chiropractic

B

ergtold Chiropractic is offering patients new customized wellness packages that cater to individual needs and goals at their state-of-the-art facility, featuring industry-leading holistic services backed by science. Clients’ differing objectives such as quicker athletic recovery and improvement in mood and physical appearance can be met via oneof-a-kind wellness experiences. Dr. James Bergtold has been customizing wellness plans for clients for more than 20 years.

He specializes in combining traditional chiropractic medicine with innovative, modern approaches to wellness.

Treatment plans include cryotherapy, pulsed electromagnetic frequency therapy, compression therapy, hydromassage and traditional chiropractic. Beauty packages feature skincare and lash treatments while detoxifying through lymph drainage.

Location: 7935 Airport Rd., Ste. 200, Naples.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 239-593-6788. See ad, page 16.

Creating new smiles every day :-) • Mercury Free & Mercury safe • Holistic Approach • Ceramic Restorations • Gentle Laser Treatment of Gum Problems and Cavities • Ozone for Cavities

• Nitrous Oxide Gas, Oral Sedation • Orthodontics • Cosmetic Dentistry • Northeast Trained • It’s Worth the Trip!

Laser Dentistry Dr. Gerald Lorino and Dr. Suzanne Lorino

C a L L to Day F o r a n a p p o i n t M e n t 239-936-5442 | www.FortMyersLaserDentist.com 1550 M at t h e w D r i v e | F o rt M y e rs, F lo r i Da 33907 March 2022

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news briefs

Embrace the Dragonfly Effect Event in Cape Coral

A

n Embrace the Dragonfly Effect full-day vision quest for women ready to step up and hold space for others to do the same will be led by transformational energy healer and owner of Candace Tranter Supreme Health and Wellness Candace Tranter from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 19, in Cape Coral. Highlights include breath empowerment with brain/heart coherence alignment, a raw vegan lunch, collaborating to support each other’s vision, a mini-kinesiology healing session, infrared sauna, vision board collaging and closing with nine-breath method healing circle.

According to Tranter, attendees will experience “a journey through their limiting programming and be given tools to transform their lives into those they love and deserve and realign themselves to emerge into the supreme goddess they are meant to be. The benefit of being responsible for our own happiness and vibration creates balance, peace and harmony, not only internally, but our world starts to share around how we feel and think about our life. Getting empowered in this state creates freedom.”

Cost is $280. Event address provided upon registering. For more information and to RSVP (required), call 239-745-2860, email CandaceTranter@gmail.com or visit EmbraceTheDragonflyEffect.com. See ad, page 55.

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239-778-8738

Open House Event and Discounts at Trim and Tone Med Spa

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rim and Tone Med Spa, in Naples, will present an open house providing free demonstrations of many treatments and services from 4 to 7 p.m., March 23. Attendees will be able to experience Cryofacials, ultrasound EpiWave facials, EmSlim Neo and red light LED therapy bed sessions at the special event. In addition, the practice is offering special discounts,

either individually or in packages, on EpiWave facials, Brazilian laser hair removal, cryoskin and endospéres.

They believe that endospéres, cryoskin and EmSlim Neo, used separately or in combination, can target and kill fat cells, reduce cellulite while also building muscle, tightening skin and drain lymphatic fluids.

Location: 13020 Livington Rd., Ste. 16. For more information, make an appointment for open house demos or for other regular appointments, call 239-596-5522, email TrimAndToneSpa@gmail. com or visit TrimAndToneMedSpa.com. See ad, page 17.

Miracle Leaf Health Centers Hosts Special Day with Discounts

F

ollowing its grand opening in January, the Miracle Leaf Medical Marijuana Doctor and Cannibal Card clinic, operated by Miracle Leaf Health Centers of Naples (MLHCN), will present a Customer Appreciation Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 12. Attendees will obtain $20 off medical marijuana cards and an additional 10 percent off on their 150-plus THC and CBD overthe-counter products this month.

MLHCN regards its clinic as a first-of-its-kind operation, bringing decades of medicinal THC and CBD research to a wellness-focused approach for a healthier lifestyle affecting both body and mind as a natural treatment for pain relief and other conditions commonly treated with prescription medication. They point to scientific breakthroughs concerning the endocannabinoid system and their pharmaceutical-grade CBD, along with their medical-based organic THC.

In Celebration of Our Planet for Earth Day

O

n April 22, the SWFL RESET Center and Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Earth Day at the Fort Myers Unitarian Universalist 12-acre campus. The RESET Center’s activities, featuring the art of Paul Arsenault, a conversation with Joe Bonasia, SWFL regional director for the Florida Rights of Nature Network, about the Right to Clean Water, and a cocktail reception with RESET’s board of directors, begin at 5 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m. performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, “The Pastorale”, by the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra.

Pastorale is a celebration of our planet. Audients will also enjoy Anna Clyne’s Restless Oceans and Christopher Theofanidis’s Dreamtime Ancestors. Concert tickets will be discounted for attendees of RESET activities.

For more information, call SWFL RESET Center at 239-2725778 or visit SwflRESET.org and GulfCoastSymphony.org/ concert/gulf-coast-chamber-orchestra-earth-day-celebration.

Location: 5201 Tamiami Tr. N., Unit 3. For more information, call 239-935-8998 or visit MiracleLeafFL.com/Naples. See ad on page 39 and present it to obtain discounts.

March 2022

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news briefs

New Concierge-Style Practice in Naples

D

ActivAte Your Stem cellS for heAlth And heAling With Stem Cell Activating Patches that are Safe, Non-Invasive, Cost-Effective

• Heal faster after wounds or injuries • Sleep better and have more energy • Feel less pain and get back to the activities and sports you love • Reduce over-the-counter drugs that either don’t work or compromise your body • For less than a cup of coffee a day, you can have a level of health and vitality that you have not experienced since you were in your youth.

beth greer

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info@accessholistichealing.com www.accessholistichealing.com

• Zyto Bioscan • Dry Salt Booth • Infrared Sauna

Quantum Healing in marcH ACCESS HOLISTIC HEALING 840 111th Ave N Suite 8 Naples FL 34108

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Collier/Lee Counties

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r. Melissa MacVeen and WellcomeMD recently opened a new conciergestyle family medicine practice at 11181 Health Park Boulevard, Suite 2260, in the medical ofDr. Melissa MacVeen fice complex by Naples Community Hospital North, in Naples. MacVeen, who has been practicing as a supervising physician in a Naples medical clinic for the past four years, often for mature patients with complex conditions that require acute attention, is accepting a limited number of new patients.

“It’s my mission to keep patients out of the ER and hospitals as much as possible,” she says. “WellcomeMD restricts the number of patient members. This allows me much more time with each patient and the ability to provide a comprehensive, nurturing environment. Every member has a unique history that requires tailored recommendations to improve their health.”

If a patient needs to be admitted to the hospital, MacVeen has access to both the Naples Community Hospital and the Physicians Regional Healthcare System.

For more information or for a consultation, call 239-776-6812 or visit WellcomeMD.com.

See ad, page 23.

coming in april issue

Sustainable Living

Access Holistic Healing Now in Naples

A

ccess Holistic Healing, formerly in Bonita Springs, has relocated and is now providing wellness services at 840 111th Avenue North, Suite 8, in Naples.

Owner Michele Durham, AANWP, CH, MBA, practices the Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique by Dolores Cannon Michele Durham as a certified level-two practitioner.

The practice also offers the Zyto Bioscan system, which can test digestion, detoxification, immune and hormone systems, the results of which can lead to a customized plan to live a healthier lifestyle and may include self-hypnosis. She also provides life and wellness coaching, crystals, a bookstore, Nature’s Sunshine pure, non-GMO supplements, energy healing with Access Bars and light and sound therapy. Durham also provides dry salt booth and infrared sauna sessions, along with other modalities.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 239-776-2211, email info@AccessHolisticHealing.com or visit AccessHolisticHealing.com. See ad, page 14.

CasaShanti Hosts Acupuncture Clinics

D

r. Tenelle Wilson, a NCCAOM boardcertified and licensed Florida acupuncture physician, owner of Chrysalis Acupuncture & Wellness, is leading one-hour acupuncture clinics starting at 6 p.m. every Monday evening this month at CasaShanti, in downtown Fort Myers. Up to 10 attendees at each session can realize Dr. Tenelle Wilson with client the benefits of this natural method that promotes healing without the use of medications, and may feel immediate relief, as well as on a long-term basis.

Auricular acupuncture is effective for stress management and anxiety, which is of major importance at this time. It promotes healing, releases endorphins, decreases the sympathetic nervous system activity (fight-or-flight response), activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest response), relaxes overly tight musculature and assists with detoxification.

Wilson received a Bachelor of Science degree in Alternative Medicine from Everglades University, Sarasota, earned a master’s in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine from the Academy of Five Element Acupuncture, in Gainesville, and is also certified in acupuncture point injection therapy.

Cost: $30 per session. Location: 2052 Cottage St. To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.com/e/265198565047. For more information, call 239560-5224, email CasaShantiswfl@gmail.com or visit CasaShanti.us.

See ad, page 43.

March 2022

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news briefs

Mystical Moon Starts ‘Digging Deep’ Meetings

T

he Mystical Moon’s Bonita Beach location is launching a new weekly group that meets at 7 p.m. every Tuesday to learn and practice various tools to incorporate into a contemplative practice. Upcoming topics for the course, Digging Deep: Contemplative Practice and Coaching with Jodi, will be Crystals, March 1; Music, March 8; Books, March 15; and Imagination, March 22.

Meditation, divination, journaling, crystals and creativity will be hallmarks of the sessions, and can be used as needed or weekly for a group coaching experience. The benefits of a regular meditation and contemplative practice can help with creative blocks, self-discovJodi LaMure ery, healing and stress relief.

“The past couple of years have left many people with added stressors and uncertainty,”

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says Jodi LaMure, manager of the Bonita location. “All of these changes have inspired some to search for new tools to deal with daily living and the constant flux we are all in. This group will help with that.”

Cost: $15/class. Bonita location: 8951Bonita Beach Rd. S.W., Ste. 255. Fort Myers location: 8890 Salrose Lane, Ste. 107. For more information or to RSVP (required), call 239-301-0655, email Info@TheMysticalMoon.com or visit TheMysticalMoon. com. See ad, page 6.

Return of Mystic Faire

T

he Mystic Faire will gather area psychics, healers, artists and others for the 18th year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 19, at Etudes Dance Studio. There will be massage, reiki, animal communication, tarot, mediums, angel portraits and art, feng shui, crystals, candles, incense, spiritual art, books, jewelry, Native American art and drums, mandalas and more.

A food court will be set up and attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods for local food banks.

Cost: $5. 12 and under admitted free.

Location: 3285 Pine Ridge Rd. For more information, call 239-949-3387 or visit MysticFaires.com. See ad, page 47.

kudos Ronnie Cummins, co-founder and international director of the Organic Consumers Association, was presented with a Visionary Award for his work

by Karen Howard, executive director of the Organic Karen Howard and & Natural Health Ronnie Cummins Association at their seventh annual conference held January 25 to 27 at the Diamondhead Beach Resort, in Fort Myers.

The event included expert speakers including keynote Dr. Pierre Kory, a critical care physician and president of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance; a presentation on HRI Labs’ new testing program for pesticides; and networking events.

Beauty has no Season We have you covered from head to toe!

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News to share?

Send your submissions to: NAeditor@ NaturalAwakenings.com Deadline is the 10th of the month.

TRIM & TONE MEDSpA

13020 Livingston Rd #16. Naples, Florida 34105

239-596-5522

March 2022

17

event spotlights

How Should I Wear My Hair?

IntroducIng

Facial Symmetry analySiS

A half hour long beauty consultation that analyzes a series of facial measurements to help determine the moSt Flattering hair Style that you can wear now.

Betty Ann Murphy • Master Stylist • Color Expert • Advanced Volumation Eyelash Extension Expert Trained and certified by Xtreme Lash

Heart Over Hustle Women’s Weekend Retreat

C

indy Roros will host the Heart Over Hustle Women’s Weekend Retreat from April 21 through 24, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, in Bonita Springs. An inspirational speaker and life coach, Roros uses her own story to invite others to live from a place of mindfulness and gratitude. When the leader of workshops received the diagnosis that led to her double mastectomy she was grateful to have the tools and techniques she had learned throughout 10 years of studying with luminaries such as Gabby Bernstein, a New York Times bestselling author, Tony Robbins, a well-known self-help author and coach, and many others. “I put into practice all that I knew about how to connect deeply with myself, and how to refresh and renew my mind, body, and spirit. I needed all of it to help me in my healing and recovering process. Sharing my story with workshop attendees is my way of paying it forward,” says Roros, founder of Heart-Centered Souls, LLC. Heart Over Hustle kicks off on April 21 at 4 p.m., when the excitement begins with a welcome gift for each attendee. The weekend will be filled with specially curated transformational workshops and activities to indulge and deepen the connection with oneself and others, sound bowls, beach meditations, energy sessions with certified facilitators, a delicious mix and mingle dinner, lots of fun, sun and more. The weekend wraps up on April 24 at noon with a beautiful closing ceremony. “Each woman leaves with a renewed sense of self, tools to bring into daily life and a sisterhood that will last a lifetime,” says Roros, who has been hosting women’s workshops for five years. “Witnessing the growth, healing and connection that occurs when women come together to support one another is truly amazing.”

In 2019, Roros decided to expand into weekend retreats, hosting them in Park City, Utah, New Jersey, New York and now Florida. “It’s a blessing to create a beautiful space for women to leave all the hustle and bustle of daily life, support one another and truly connect with their heart, all while having fun and creating amazing friendships.”

For more information or to register, go to Cindyroros.com/heart-over-hustle-retreat, call (908)256-4090 or email heartceneredworkshops@gmail.com. See ad, page 39.

Healing Artisan Jewelry Sage & Incense Aura Photos Crystals Readings/Healing Inspirational Gifts bam0309@gmail.com 501 Goodlette Road, Suite B-104 Naples, FL 34102 18

Collier/Lee Counties

(239) 228-6949 600 Goodlette Road N. Naples FL 34102

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Classes & Events Psychic Development 2 Monthly Psychic Fairs Goddess Gatherings Energy Healings

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Crohn’s Charity Service Foundation’s 2022 Wellness Festival in the Park

by Linda Sechrist

A

s the Crohn’s Charity Service Foundation (CCSF) Wellness Festival in the Park on April 8 approaches, Yvette Stafford, the Naples nonprofit organization’s founder and CEO, tends to reminisce, expressing a sense of deep gratitude for all that has transpired since the organization’s start in 2011. “After helping my son to minimize his suffering with Crohn’s disease, I began working to fulfill his request to do all that I could to inform others of the help that’s available to them. The foundation, which I do this through, assists individuals, as well as their families, with Crohn’s, inflammatory bowel disease and colitis. We help them regain and sustain a normal life by providing information, awareness and financial assistance to rebuild confidence and self-esteem,” says Stafford.

In 2016, upon recognizing the need to address the challenge of Florida’s medical marijuana laws that then excluded Crohn’s patients, Stafford enrolled in horticultural classes with America’s first cannabis college, Oaksterdam University, in Oakland, California, to get an education in the industry. Today she educates the community via events such as the wellness festival, which features doctors, dispensaries and local community businesses that provide wellness services.

CCSF is a member of Feeding America, NoKid Hungry and the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. Out of love for the community, Stafford has become adept at fundraising, arranging events such as the TOP Golf 2022 Food Bank Fundraiser in Fort Myers on March 20. “The money we raise at the event helps to feed our kids throughout the summer months,” says Stafford, who is also a woman with green thumbs that help 14 garden plots at the Golden Gate Community Center to flourish.

Not one to let a weed grow under foot, in 2017 Stafford began taking CCSF to MJBizCon. The three-day conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center showcases exhibits, pre-show forums, and more than 140 speakers, plus networking and partnership building opportunities. For the event, Stafford organizes a red-carpet fundraiser to recognize the efforts of individuals, organizations and businesses working locally and nationally to educate the public and legislators about the need for legalizing

marijuana with its many health benefits.

“We have dispensaries in Bonita Springs that have allowed me to have our CCSF “Miss Blueberry” bus on site so that we can participate in Patient Appreciation Days. We give out a bag of food so that people visiting the dispensary can save on groceries at the same time,” explains Stafford, who emphasizes that CCSF’s sole mission is to build community and serve the individuals in it. “We’ve distributed 119,000 pounds of food in the last 60 weeks. We’ll never stop creating new ways to keep doing this.”

Miss Blueberry, with a solar generator and panels, has no need for gasoline. It also has a refrigeration unit to keep food fresh.

“In a hurricane, which disrupts the food chain, we are self-sustainable so that we can continue to distribute food to families in need. We never forget that we are here to serve,” emphasizes Stafford.

Chron’s Charity Service Foundation Wellness Festival in the Park Celebration Day is Apr. 8, noon-9 p.m. Meet the doctors and dispensary day is Apr. 9 and 10, noon-9 p.m. Location: Riverside Park, Old US 41 Rd., Bonita Springs. For more information call 239-2007214 or 239-250-2323. See ad, page 25.

March 2022

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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 self-reporting 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.

Try Lavender and Valerian to Reduce Fatigue Fatigue that hampers daily activities is a major symptom of heart failure, the leading cause of U.S. hospitalization for people over 65. To explore inexpensive and accessible herbal treatments, researchers at the Aja University of Medical Sciences, in Tehran, Iran, divided 120 heart-failure patients into three groups: one received aromatherapy, breathing in lavender essence every day; another took 530 milligram capsules of valerian root extract daily; and the third group had conventional medical therapy with no herbal supplementation. After 15 days, fatigue was significantly reduced in both herbal groups, while individuals receiving only conventional care did not experience a noticeable relief in fatigue.

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health briefs

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There’s good news for coffee and tea drinkers in recent research: consuming two to three cups a day of each beverage has been found to significantly lower the risk of stroke by 32 percent and of dementia by 28 percent compared to abstainers.

Researchers from Tianjin Medical University, in China, analyzed a databank of 365,682 UK residents between 50 and 74 years of age that reported their coffee and tea consumption over 11 years and found that drinking both beverages in the course of a day correlates with a lower risk of stroke and dementia compared to drinking either one exclusively. Also, drinking three to six cups of coffee alone or in combination with tea was associated with a lower risk of post-stroke dementia. “Coffee and tea are distinct beverages with both overlapping and different contents. One potential mechanism may be related to the combined protective role of the different antioxidants and other biological contents in these two beverages,” the study concluded.

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Drink Coffee and Tea to Reduce Dementia and Stroke Risk

How Local Acupuncture Physicians Treat Long-Haul Covid

“For patients that also have a qi deficiency in the lungs, Chinese herbs and homeopathic remedies are helpful. Additionally, our new practitioner, acupuncture physician Michelle Brown, has used her medical laser to treat injured lungs, including my own, which were impacted by COVID-19,” says Martin.

With a stethoscope resting on a patient’s chest, Brown listens for crackly sounds that could be the result of congestion in the lungs.

“I’ve had success with two separate cases of long COVID in the lungs, where I treated each lobe with a 15-minute protocol that was used in scientific research performed with my FDA-cleared Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Class 4 laser. This laser, which uses light to favor and accelerate the body’s natural healing process, is the most progressive for treating pain, inflammation and edema,” says Brown.

Patented MLS technology delivers therapeutic wavelengths of 808 nanometers (anti-edemic and anti-inflammatory) and 905 nanometers (analgesic). An energetic synergy is created when delivering these wavelengths that produces greater anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects than either can produce on its own, while minimizing the risk of thermal damage.

by Linda Sechrist

Fort Myers Acupuncture & Massage

N

early three years into the pandemic, some individuals that experienced the first wave of COVID-19 or the second wave of The Omicron variant continue to deal with a range of symptoms that can last weeks or months after being infected with the virus, even if their illness was mild or presented no symptoms. While uncomfortable and inconvenient, the most common lingering “long COVID” indications such as fatigue, loss of taste and smell, shortness of breath or troubled breathing, cognitive dysfunction described as “brain fog”, and tiny blood clots can even show up as a relapse, with old or new symptoms.

According to the World Health Organization, the constellation of post-symptoms long-haulers experience generally occurs three months after symptomatic COVID-19 begins and lasts for at least two months. Sometimes symptoms never disappear after the initial infection. Occasionally, they appeared months after recovery, or after an asymptomatic case. This may mean that individuals in recovery from COVID-19 are not necessarily in the clear.

While scientists continue proposing numerous hypotheses such as a weakened immune system, widespread inflammation, low levels of certain antibodies, reactivated viruses in the blood stream and existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma for myriad symptoms, local acupuncture physicians are offering individuals some relief with needling, Chinese herbal formulas, homeopathic remedies and laser therapy.

Lotus Blossom Clinic, Fort Myers

“While I always examine an individual before determining how to treat them, I generally use some acupuncture points to help get the energy moving in the body, particularly for someone noting that their energy level is low,” says David Martin, AP, DOM, coowner of Lotus Blossom Clinic.

“In patients I’ve treated, it appeared that the immune system was still battling the virus, which has several viral components.

I strengthened the immune system using acupuncture points to help the body clear itself of the virus, in addition to the use of homeopathic antiviral injections, which also provide support for the immune system,” says Brian Healy, AP, DOM, owner of Fort Myers Acupuncture & Massage.

Healy, trained in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Western biomedicine and Ayurveda, adds that old injuries or previous areas of concern in the body may flare up, which is why treatment is always an individualized approach. “Along with acupuncture protocols, I’ve also had success using a Chinese formula called 8 Treasures, which helps to tonify qi and blood.”

Local Resources

Acupuncture Center of Naples, 5683 Naples Blvd., in Naples. 2395139232, DrCenAcupuncture@gmail.com. See ad, page 6.

CasaShanti Emporium, 205 Cottage St., in Fort Myers, hosts Dr. Tenelle Wilson AP, for a 10-person acupuncture clinic every Mon. evening in Mar. 239-560-5224. See ad, page 43.

Fort Myers Acupuncture & Massage, 16680 McGregor Blvd., Ste. 2, in Fort Myers; 239-437-9355, FortMyersAcupunctureMassage.com.

See ad, page 53.

Gulf Coast Acupuncture, 6249 Presidential Ct., Ste E, in Ft Myers.

239-841-6611, GulfCoastAcupuncture.com. See ad, page 53.

Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd. #2, in Fort Myers; 239-2771399, LotusBlossomClinic.com. See ad, page 53.

March 2022

21

wise words

Ann Armbrecht

on the Business of

Ethical Botanicals

photo courtesy of Bryce Youk

by April Thompson

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What surprised you the most in your journey around the world tracking the herbal supply chain?

I was surprised by the level of mechanization and scale, and the careless way plants were often handled—sometimes stored in open sacks and huge piles, with one type of plant spilling into another without controls for moisture and rodents. But I was also surprised to discover my own naiveté about the supply chain. These were both important realizations to help me come to a more nuanced, realistic assessment of the challenges the different stakeholders face in bringing herbs to market.

What should consumers consider when purchasing herbal products?

Alternative medicine and health care frame wellness as a personal choice, focused on the individual’s health, yet we have a responsibility back to the plants that heal us and the people who care for them. We can’t be well unless the planet is well. By purchasing an herbal product that has been produced in ways that care for the Earth and local communities, we can start to heal the planet and address social inequities.

Purchasing Organic Certified products is a start. Someone I met at Organic India said every time you have a cup of herbal tea that isn’t certified organic, it’s like steeping a cup of pesticides. It doesn’t make any sense to consume something for its medicinal properties that has been made with pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Certified Organic is not a perfect system—no certification is—but it operates as a stand-in for relationships and trust. These herbs change hands up to 15 times to get to a consumer, so there has to be a way to keep a paper trail and ensure product integrity. When consumers ask for Certified Organic, it signals to the marketplace that sustainability matters and helps drive change in the industry.

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riter and anthropologist Ann Armbrecht explores the relationship between humans and the planet, notably through her work with plants and plant medicine. Her book The Business of Botanicals: Exploring the Healing Promise of Plant Medicines in a Global Industry tells the stories of the people and places behind the global industry of herbal products which are largely invisible to the consumers that spend $9 billion annually on them. Armbrecht is the director of the American Botanical Council Sustainable Herbs Program and is co-producer of the documentary film Numen: The Nature of Plants, inspired by her experience studying herbal medicine with herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

Although her current work focuses on the herb industry, she is interested in broader questions about how the purchasing choices everyday citizens make impact the world. Armbrecht is also the author of the memoir Thin Places: A Pilgrimage Home, based on her time conducting ethnographic research in Nepal and her continued questioning of culture and community back home in the U.S.

Seeking out fair trade products is also great when possible. The FairWild certification, for example, works toward ecological, social and economic sustainability in the supply chain of wild-collected products.

What key trends are you seeing in the herbal industry?

There is a trend toward regenerative farming, which focuses on issues like how cultivating plants affects soil and biodiversity.

There is also a new focus on social equity for people growing and collecting herbs, as many of them are living on the fringes of society in precarious situations. We are doing case studies to look at details like how the structure of contracts and timing of payments affect smallholder herb farmers so we can make appropriate recommendations and hold companies accountable.

What gives you the most hope about the herbal industry right now?

The people I got to know in my travels are working really hard to take care of the plants and of the communities to bring a sense of ethics, equity and transparency into the system. A lot of money is made at the very end of the value chain and not at the source.

Individuals and companies in the industry are working to address these imbalances.

More consumers are asking questions and becoming empowered citizens, and that also gives me hope. When I studied herbal medicine, what was most powerful for me was learning simple ways to take care of myself and my then-1-yearold daughter. Learning to make these simple remedies was deeply empowering.

Without that knowledge, it’s easy to be overwhelmed walking through the supplement aisle of the drugstore, not knowing where to begin other than to read labels and try to compare one marketing claim to another. Taking steps to learn more about herbs and where they come from helps people make a shift from consumer to citizen. That level of engagement also brings more meaning and connection, which people are hungering for.

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

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March 2022

23

green living

THE BOUNTY OF FARMERS MARKETS

Buying Local Boosts Health, the Economy and the Planet

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by Sandra Yeyati

T

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.

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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 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, inseason, 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

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t e e F y p p Ha

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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 cross-contaminated. 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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March 2022

27

Healthy Eating Gets Easier with Innovations

by Carrie Jackson

P

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 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

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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.

Alfano is also the co-founder and CEO of VegTech Invest, an investment management firm that is the first global exchange-traded 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

vladimir/AdobeStock.com

Plant-Based Foods Go Mainstream

animal-free. “We believe that today’s investors want a more resource-efficient, climate-friendly and cruelty-free food and materials supply system, and want to invest their dollars in the same,” says Alfano.

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 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.

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 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 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.

Eating Out Gets Healthier

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 March 2022

29

photo courtesy of VegNews.Plantable.com

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.

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Empowering Women to Live a Life They Deserve

by Lisa Marlene

C

andace Tranter, transformational energy healer and owner of Supreme Health and Wellness, has been a massage therapist for 20 years. Also certified as a level 3 qigong instructor and breath facilitator, Tranter’s main passion is using kinesiology and her intuition to identify and facilitate the release of trapped emotional energy in and through the body. “If ignored, trapped emotional energy will, over time, become physical and emotional pain, with the potential of and disconnecting you from your authentic self,” says Tranter, who offers one-on-one breath empowerment sessions, as well as one-on-one healing session using massage.

“My monthly Embrace the Dragonfly Vision Quest retreats for small groups in my home are for helping women realize that deep inside is an essence that is trying to fully express itself through them. The only thing holding them back is an illusion, an old story or paradigm that has full control over their behavior.

I encourage them by letting them know that the dragonfly is here to reveal the mysteries beyond the illusions and empower them to live a life they love and deserve,” advises Tranter.

Tranter teaches five fundamentals—prayer, breathwork, movement, nutrition and connection to nature and each other—that she identifies as essentials for building life force energy centers we are constantly depleting. During the retreats, women know they are in a safe space to be vulnerable, share their vision, make a vision board, participate in a 9-breath method healing circle and identify any subconscious programming that is keeping them stuck in patterns that no longer serve their life.

A mastermind group that Tranter hosts once week with her support team of women that have been through her retreats keeps the women accountable and allows them to share how they are using the tools they have learned to break programming. “Everything is great in a retreat, and then the women go home to work in the real world where there is no support. The weekly mastermind group lets them be vulnerable together and hold each other accountable. They share their wins for the week and how they are manifesting the world they want with their thoughts,” advises Tranter.

For more information, including cost and more details of Embrace the Dragonfly Vision Quest retreats or to register, call 239-745-2860, email CandaceTranter@gmail.com or visit EmbraceTheDragonflyEffect.com. See ad, page 55.

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conscious eating

Easing into a Vegan Lifestyle CLEVER MEAT SUBSTITUTES THAT PLEASE THE PALATE

by Sheila Julson

istetiana/AdobeStock.com

T

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oday’s wide availability of vegan meat substitutes in the grocer’s freezer helps break the ice for people that want to experiment with plantbased foods. The taste, convenience and quality of these products has improved greatly over the past decade, but like many convenience foods, some packaged faux meat products can be high in sodium or fillers. While packaged, meat-alternative products are ideal for a tasty occasional treat, there’s a whole world of options beyond the freezer aisle for those that want to expand their vegan palates.

Arielle and Brandon Hawthorne, coowners of Twisted Plants, a popular, plantbased restaurant in the Milwaukee area, make their vegan food approachable by creating plant-based foods that mimic everyday, non-plant-based options. “I think that motivates people to try it because they feel they can still have the same flavor and taste they’re used to, but in a healthier version,” Arielle says. They use items like jackfruit, a species of tree in the fig family, which takes on the taste and consistency of pulled pork when shredded and marinated in sauces or spices.

Going plant-based does not mean going without. Del Sroufe, a vegan chef based in Columbus, Ohio, culinary specialist at the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutritional Studies and author of the Forks Over Knives companion cookbook, recommends that people craft satisfying, plant-based entrées at home by starting with recipes they like, and then looking for plant-based versions of those. “If you like pizza, you can still have pizza. If you like Italian cuisine, there are plenty of Italian recipes,” he says.

Priyanka Naik, a self-taught Indian vegan chef, Food Network champion and

author of the new vegan cookbook The Modern Tiffin, advises to gradually start a plant-based diet with one meat-free day per week and then increase. She adds that when eating out, opt for vegetarian or vegan options to be sure a plant-based lifestyle is sustainable outside of the home kitchen.

Plant-Based Options BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER BITES

Sheila Julson is a Milwaukee-based freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines throughout the country.

This healthier version of buffalo wings is meat-free and baked instead of fried, but full of flavor and spice. It can be eaten plain or, as Sroufe recommends, as a Buffalo Po’ Boy sandwich, served on a whole-grain hoagie or sandwich buns with cabbage and peanut slaw. ½ cup water ¼ cup almond butter ½ cup red hot sauce, plus extra for tossing with the cooked bites ¾ cup whole-wheat pastry flour ¼ cup nutritional yeast 1 ½ Tbsp granulated garlic 1 large-head cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets (about 6 cups) Preheat the oven to 375° F. Combine everything except the cauliflower in a large bowl.

Mix well. Add the cauliflower florets and toss until thoroughly coated.

Place the coated florets on a nonstick baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Toss with extra red hot sauce if desired.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Del Sroufe.

siriwan/AdobeStock.com

The concept of protein at the center of every dinner plate has been ingrained in American culture. Dismantling that perspective opens up a whole new world and encourages thinking about vegetarian and vegan food in a new light, Naik says.

Sroufe adds that we often believe we won’t get enough protein from plant-based foods. “There’s been a lot of science to refute that. The World Health Organization has identified people that exist healthfully on less than 6 percent protein in their diets.”

Fruits, vegetables and grains are often more economical than packaged convenience foods, especially when purchased from local farmers markets. Pasta, rice and beans, which can be purchased in bulk, are budget-friendly. Naik cooks with the objective of putting vegetables at the forefront, using her Indian ancestry and global influences to make veggies the star of the show.

Cauliflower and eggplant can be prepared in “steak” form as a main course or stand in as healthier versions of pub-food appetizers like buffalo chicken wings. For those craving meatier flavors, chickpea flour becomes crumbly when water is added, effecting a good substitute for ground beef. Adding chipotle, cumin and other seasonings emulates taco meat. “Chickpea flour is high in protein and is used in a lot of Indian cuisine,” Naik says. “You can buy the flour or grind dry chickpeas to make the flour.”

Jackfruit adapts easily to myriad recipe styles. Sroufe notes it can be used in dumplings and tacos. Hawthorne also uses it to make vegan ribs and in beef-style stews.

Don’t toss that banana peel—Naik says using clean, organic banana peels after the flesh has been removed is a zero-waste approach to plant-based eating. Cooks can shred the peel with a fork and sauté it with soy sauce and other spices to mimic pulled meat.

Tofu gets a bad rap, Sroufe says, noting that many people worldwide eat soy products without experiencing digestive issues.

He often uses tofu for a number of presentations. “Silken tofu can be used to make pudding. Crumbled tofu can be substituted for ricotta in lasagna, or you can marinate tofu to make bacon for sandwiches. It’s a good, filling food.”

Sroufe also uses millet as a base for meatloaf, meatballs and sloppy joes. Several mushroom varieties have meaty textures, and when battered and fried, they emulate fried chicken. Hawthorne also uses mushrooms as a meat replacement in Philly cheese steak sandwiches. Seitan, made with a vital wheat gluten base, can be used for meatballs.

By experimenting with an array of vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds to create balanced textures and flavors, even the choosiest omnivores won’t miss the meat.

photo courtesy of Del Sroufe

Substitutes at Home

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ONE-PAN SKILLET EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA Inspired by the Italian restaurants of her Staten Island neighborhood while growing up, Naik has created a vegan version of this Italian favorite.

(meat side should be tender and able to pierce with a fork).

photo courtesy of Priyanka Naik

Sprinkle with a bit of kosher salt, cover with the lid and cook another 4 to 5 minutes. Eggplant should be very soft, fork tender and cooked, but not falling apart.

Remove from pan.

1 Tbsp neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil) 1 medium-sized Italian eggplant, split in half lengthwise 2 tsp olive oil 1 tsp Calabrian chili oil 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 1 sprig fresh oregano 1 cup jarred marinara sauce

1 sprig fresh basil (extra for garnishing) 3-4 Tbsp water 1 Tbsp sugar 1 Tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp red pepper flakes 4 slices vegan mozzarella ⅓ cup plain breadcrumbs Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pour about 1 Tbsp neutral oil into a medium or large nonstick skillet. Heat over mediumhigh flame. Meanwhile, score the meat of the eggplant in crosshatches. Do not to cut all the way through the skin.

Place eggplant slices meat side down into the hot skillet and cover with a lid. After 3 to 4 minutes, check the eggplant to be sure it’s turning golden brown; if it looks charred, lower the heat. Cover with lid and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Flip eggplant slices

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Lower heat slightly and pour in olive oil and Calabrian chili oil. Once hot, add garlic, sautéing until slightly golden. Add the sprig of oregano.

Once super-fragrant, pour in the jar of sauce and a sprig of basil and water. Lower the heat to medium-low. Add sugar, tomato paste, salt, black pepper and chili flakes.

Mix until incorporated and smooth. Once the sauce starts bubbling, add eggplants meat side-up.

Cover the lid and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Put cheese slices on top of the eggplant and close with the lid. While the cheese is melting, toast breadcrumbs in a separate pan. Sprinkle in salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toast until golden brown and crispy. Turn off heat.

Remove lid from eggplant and once cheese is fully melted, top with breadcrumbs and fresh basil, and remove from heat. Serve with Italian crusty bread.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Priyanka Naik.

local recipe

Tropical Key Lime Pie Smoothie Start St. Patrick’s Day with a wee bit of green in this delicious and healthy tropical key lime pie smoothie.

Yield: 2 servings 1 cup coconut water 1 cup frozen mango 1 cup frozen pineapple ½ banana 1 cup fresh spinach or mixed greens (packed) 10 fresh mint leaves, more for garnish Juice from 5 key limes Zest from two key limes, more for garnish ⅛ tsp vanilla extract Coconut shreds for garnish

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Meet Rafael Campo Naples Resident

Work: I’ve been part of the SWFL Blue Zones Project team since 2016, when I got involved as a volunteer, facilitating purpose workshops in Spanish for the Hispanic community.

Today, I’m responsible for connecting, linking, and involving individuals with what we do—creating a healthier community by helping people understand how changing little things in their daily habits can transform their well-being. I’m also the events and volunteer coordinator, always trying to promote opportunities for people to engage with the project and community.

Proudest Achievement: My family makes me feel proud every day and every morning, despite the morning rush of getting my little one to school. Proud father of two girls, I’m surrounded by women; my wife and mother-in-law.

I’m proud that I chose Naples as my home. From the many places around the world where I could have settled and started over, I can’t think of a better neighborhood than this one.

Expectations for the Future: Community growth and expansion is unavoidable. We are seeing this every day in Naples. Collier County is growing fast. My expectation is that this area that I call home can grow in an organized way, considering the multiple factors that make it special, and that I can continue to be a factor and a promoter of making it a better place.

Favorite websites: I am a big sports fan and consume a lot of sport news, especially soccer-related news. While I enjoy all sports, my favorite website where I find the latest news is Mundodeportivo.com.es Local causes supported: Being part of the Blue Zones Project and being so involved with volunteers and promoting a healthier community, one of the things that I find more important and relevant for the people that live here and for our visitors are our local parks, including our beaches and green spaces. I appreciate how appealing and pleasing it is to walk or drive around and see people enjoying the outdoors with their families and pets.

Most frequented healthy food restaurant: I love food and can eat anything and everything any time any day, so it really depends on where I am. I enjoy a late breakfast and we have some Blue Zones Project-approved restaurants that can accommodate a very good offer like Skillets, First Watch, or the Sunburst Café.

How I invest in my community: Mostly by connecting people, volunteering with our volunteers, talking to people about how to be healthier, facilitating purpose workshops and being active, friendly, helpful, happy and eager to help anyone any time.

Favorite quote: Dar es Dar. It is the name of a song by Fito Paez. It basically means: “Give, just give…!”

Rita Davis

M.Ed., Reiki Master

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reader spotlight

What I am doing to be the change I want to see in my community: I’m learning more everyday about our SWFL community and about where I live. To know what’s happening and where it is happening is the only way to commit and get involved. This way, it will always be my choice to do more or to do less and find the right fit for my contributions.

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

March 2022

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fit body

A WEEKEND WARRIOR SURVIVAL GUIDE

prevention, first-aid and recovery

by Marlaina Donato

A

t first glance, it seems harmless to sit at a desk all week and then dive into gardening, hiking, shooting some hoops or playing softball with the kids. We think nothing of it until that pulled hamstring, stiff shoulder or painful knee makes itself known, slowing us down for a few days or weeks. At the other end of the spectrum, weekend warrior injuries can be more serious, taking months and even surgery to be resolved.

With prevention, simple exercises and minimal investment of time, most suffering can be avoided. Recovery time can be shortened by integrating traditional firstaid approaches with complementary modalities like homeopathy, herbal remedies, essential oils and supplements.

monkey business/AdobeStock.com

Full-Spectrum Prevention

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Maintaining our cars prevents them from breaking down on the highway, and our bodies are no different. Muscles are meant to move regularly, and if we’re doing our part, the body will be stronger, more flexible and less prone to sprains, strains and chronic pain. “Common causes of injury are not warming up the body before exercising, pushing yourself before you are ready, not taking enough rest, improper form and not listening to aches or pains,” says New Jersey fitness trainer and mindset coach Nadia Murdock. She stresses the importance of exercising regularly three to five times a week to improve muscle strength, increase endurance and transport oxygen and nutrients where they are needed most in the body.

“With this routine under your belt, you can find more comfort in tackling an adventurous weekend without pain or injury.”

Whether putting down a new floor, raking leaves or playing a game of tennis, toughing out an annoying muscle twinge or

ignoring stiffness in a joint can set us up for trouble down the road.

“The ‘no pain, no gain’ mindset is definitely not beneficial over the long run for health maintenance,” says physical therapist Brennan Hussey. In his private practice in Evergreen, Colorado, and Appleton, Wisconsin, Hussey most often sees weekend warrior mishaps that target the lower back, shoulder, hip and knee. Identifying unhealthy habits and compromised alignment can prevent ongoing issues, he says, and a head-to-toe evaluation and approach are key.

“Pain is obviously what brings people in for treatment most often, but if I treat with pain as the focus, I will miss the dysfunction that’s actually causing the pain response,” he says. “I’ve found hands-on, or manual, therapy best treats the various dysfunctions that cause pain, whether chronic or acute, and usually within a very low number of visits.”

falconnadixl/AdobeStock.com

logo3in1/AdobeStock.com

logo3in1/AdobeStock.com

First-Aid and Recovery Essentials

RICE—rest, ice, compression and elevation—is the name of the game when injury strikes, but adding essential oils to a first-aid and recovery regimen can offer significant benefits. Diluted external use of lavender, cypress and eucalyptus can minimize bruising, pain and swelling. Essential oils are also reliable allies for dealing with general discomfort after an active weekend.

“In my 30 years using essential oils, plus raising two active boys, I’ve found that the most effective way to use essential oils for post-activity soreness is with topical application,” says Liz Fulcher, a clinical aromatherapist and owner of the Aromatic Wisdom Institute, in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. “Specifically, I add 15 to 20 drops of essential oil into one fluid ounce of unscented lotion or cream, which is a 5 percent dilution—too strong for all-over use, but great for spot application of topical issues. Apply the blend into the affected area as often as needed for approximately two days.”

Her powerhouse favorites for aches and pains include German chamomile (M. chamomilla), helichrysum (H. italicum), ginger (Z. officinale), black pepper (P. nigrum), frankincense (B. carterii), lavender (L. angustifolia) and tea tree (M. alternifolia). For open wounds, she reaches for the distilled herbal waters known as hydrosols to wash the area before applying lavender and tea tree to avoid infection. Helichrysum essential oil is remarkable for bruises and other topical trauma, she says.

According to a 2016 review of studies in the American Journal of Therapeutics, soft tissue injuries respond well to immediate and subsequent internal use of the homeopathic remedy Arnica Montana 30x, as well as topical arnica in the form of gels, oils and sprays. Remedies like Ruta graveolens and Rhus tox offer further support for sprains and strains. Bolstering the diet with antiinflammatory spices and supplements like turmeric, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, vitamin E with mixed tocopherols, bromelain, borage and flaxseed oil can also provide support.

In the end, maintaining an active lifestyle all week long can lower the risk of needless suffering. “With consistent movement, you will understand how your body moves and responds to certain conditions.

This will start to create a deeper understanding of what your body can tolerate,” advises Murdock. “The biggest takeaway is consistency.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

TIPS TO PREVENT INJURY ADVICE FROM FITNESS TRAINER NADIA MURDOCK: Start with a gentle warmup if you are stretching before your workout. This helps to loosen up the joints and improves the blood flow to the muscles in your body. Try incorporating a few jumping jacks or a minute of running in place. Avoid bouncing in the stretch; hold the stretch for at least 20 seconds and don’t rush it.

A few simple moves: FORWARD LUNGE: Kneel on one knee, place the other leg forward at a 90-degree angle, making sure the knee is over the ankle. Lean into the movement to feel the stretch in the inner thigh. Hold for at least 20 seconds and then switch legs.

STANDING QUAD STRETCH: If you need additional support in this stretch, you can use a wall or chair. Raise one foot behind you; on the same side of the body, reach back to grab your foot at the ankle and pull it toward your seat, stretching the thigh. Keep the knees close and square your hips by keeping them forward.

Hold for at least 20 seconds.

Repeat on the other side.

SEATED STRADDLE LOTUS: Sit down on the floor with the soles of your feet together in front of you. Gently press your knees to the floor while placing your forearms on the inside of the knees. Push down as you lean your body forward toward the ground.

Make sure you are leaning forward from the hips. Hold this stretch for at least 20 seconds and repeat if you feel you need to.

March 2022

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healing ways

Burnout Recovery Ways to Reset and Find Balance

fizkes/AdobeStock.com

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.”

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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 American employees, 52 percent reported

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

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

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

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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.

March 2022

43

healthy kids

Beyond Picky Eating Help for Pediatric Eating Disorders

vadim guzhva/AdobeStock.com

by Marlaina Donato

M

ost kids go through food phases and bouts of fussiness during mealtime, but more serious problems can lurk beneath the surface of such all-too-common behaviors. Eating disorders are often associated with teen and adult females, but children of any gender under 12 can be afflicted with anorexia nervosa, bulimia and other conditions unique to younger kids.

“Eating disorders used to be primarily a college-aged issue; now eating disorders show up in young teens and even children as young as 5 years old,” says Marcia Herrin, a dietitian and nutritional counselor in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and author of Nutrition Counseling in the Treatment of Eating Disorders and co-author of The Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders.

Consequences of childhood eating disorders can include permanently stunted growth, impaired immunity, hypoglycemia and delayed puberty, but healing from an eating disorder can occur with early detection, quality care and proactive efforts by the 44

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family. Current research has broadened the medical definition, allowing earlier diagnosis and prevention, reports the New York City-based National Eating Disorders Association.

More than Body Image

While eating disorders are fueled by many factors, each child is an individual, and so any child’s struggles around food will be particular to them. Herrin, the founder of the Dartmouth College Eating Disorders Prevention, Education and Treatment

program, says, “It is important for parents to know that the main risk factor for developing an eating disorder is genetic. This means some children are genetically at risk and others are not.”

The fires of predisposition can be fueled by “body dissatisfaction, dieting and involvement in activities that favor thinness, such as dance, gymnastics and running,” says Herrin, adding that the disorder defies stereotypes. “Because a child is male or has always been on the heavier side doesn’t mean that child is immune from developing an eating disorder.”

Being repelled by foods with certain colors, tastes, textures or smells and having phobias around vomiting or choking are often catalysts to disorders. “Extreme picky eating that leads to restricting food intake is now considered an eating disorder in its own right, called avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID),” says Herrin. “The main difference between the child restricting food intake because of anorexia nervosa and the child with ARFID is that those with ARFID don’t care about weight or have body image issues.”

For Cassandra Lenza, an eating disorder therapist and the owner of Healing on Hudson, in Hoboken, New Jersey, the lasting imprints of a pervasive “diet culture” cannot be ignored. “The main and persistent risk factor for the development of eating disorders is early dieting,” she says. “Children under 12 who are dieting or exposed to dieting in their environment are more susceptible to the development of eating disorders than children who are not.” It is imperative, she says, that parents model healthy eating and provide a child with the tools for success.

Kids’ Eating Disorders Some common disorders in children 12 and under include: ANOREXIA NERVOSA: Signs and symptoms include weight loss (often dramatic), distorted body image, intense anxiety/fear of weight gain and other behaviors that prevent weight gain.

AVOIDANT/RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE DISORDER (ARFID): Signs and symptoms include extreme pickiness; lack of interest in food without body dissatisfaction; aversion to specific tastes, smells, texture and appearance of foods; avoidance of certain foods/food groups or habitual eating of only a few foods; fear of swallowing; anxiety about getting bellyaches or getting sick; weight loss and/or stunted growth from insufficient nourishment and malnutrition.

PICA: Signs and symptoms include eating non-edible substances such as crayons, paper, grass, rocks, feces, hair, paint chips, cleaning powders or clay; health problems such as constipation or diarrhea, intestinal obstruction or infection, anemia or lead poisoning. It is often seen in children on the autism spectrum that have a history of abuse or neglect, or mental health conditions like schizophrenia, anxiety or obsessivecompulsive disorder. It can also be caused by a zinc deficiency.

SUBTLE WARNING SIGNS FROM CASSANDRA LENZA INCLUDE:  Child discussing dieting, food obsessions or weightcontrol measures; discussing exercise with greater interest, especially if she/he has not discussed exercise or movement before  Social confinement and isolation  Increased body dissatisfaction  Changes on child’s growth chart

A Whole-Child Approach

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

Other signs: delayed puberty, eating smaller food portions, weight changes, thinning hair, hiding food, digestive problems, downy hair growth on body, severe mood swings or tantrums, excessive movement TIPS FOR PARENTS FROM MARCIA HERRIN INCLUDE:

JessBaileyDesigns /Pexels.com

Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness training and yoga have been shown in studies to help both children and adults to process critical emotions, thoughts and eating patterns. Lenza attests to the effectiveness of holistic, multidisciplined care for reversing the common effects of eating disorders like exhaustion and gastrointestinal, hormonal or cognitive impairment. “We recommend a three-pronged treatment approach for all children which includes working with a therapist who treats eating disorder behavior, a registered dietitian who can help nutritionally and a pediatrician who can monitor the child medically,” she says.

Habits and bonds within the family unit go a long way toward prevention. “Having a family dinner most days of the week substantially reduces the risk of a child developing an eating disorder,” says Herrin. For recovery, she advises, “The most effective treatment for children up to age 19 is family-based treatment (FBT). In FBT, clinicians show parents how to help their child eat enough to restore health. The type of eating that is most effective is good old-fashioned meals with plenty of calories from carbs, fat and protein.”

With observant parents and quality care, children have a brighter future. “The early signs are often subtle,” counsels Herrin.

“Trust your intuition.”

� Avoid labeling food as good or bad. It is better to serve all kinds of foods in moderation. � Avoid talking about dieting, weight or judgments about different body types or sizes. � Never tease a child about their weight or changing body.

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natural pet

Beyond Kibble How to Shop for the Healthiest Pet Food

by Sheila Julson

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swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

When purchasing kibble, look for brands that are minimally processed and provide vitamins directly from the ingredients; a long list of supplements on an ingredient list means the food has been highly processed.

There has been recent debate within the animal care community as to whether grain-free diets are more helpful or harmful to pets. O’Brien Greenleaf notes the jury is still out on how some grains affect pets or whether grain-free diets are better. “It depends on how contaminated or genetically modified the grains are, and whether grains agree with your pet,” she says. Testing is now available to help determine ingredients to which a pet may be allergic.

She also recommends adding high-quality fish oil to pet’s food to help quell inflammation that can cause skin issues and other disorders.

Smaller Manufacturers Emphasize Quality Control

Randi Ross owns the franchise in Campbell, California, for Ben’s Barketplace, a Northern California pet food store chain that specializes in quality foods for dogs and cats. She notes that corporate mergers and acquisitions over the years have put many large pet food brands that are carried at bigbox stores into the hands of conglomerates that also produce candy, soap and other non-pet products. This can lead to lack of oversight and quality control issues.

Many smaller, specialty pet food stores carefully screen the brands they carry. They offer products made by smaller companies that produce just pet food and embrace a holistic, farm-to-table philoso-

mat hayward/AdobeStock.com

P

eople are always striving to improve the quality of life for their pets. For some, this means making homemade dog and cat food or buying meat directly from a local butcher, but not all pet parents have the necessary time, space or finances. While there are better quality kibble and canned pet foods available today than in the past, along with frozen raw and freeze-dried raw foods, an overwhelming volume of choices can confuse even the savviest consumer.

Cecille O’Brien Greenleaf, a holistic veterinarian in San Jose, California, advises pet parents to use the same criteria they do when shopping for human food—look for the freshest, cleanest ingredients possible, a limited ingredient panel and no chemicals and pesticides.

“Look for human-grade ingredients that offer the most vitality,” she emphasizes. She notes that some larger manufacturers have been caught using the least expensive ingredients they could find, including diseased animals that have been rejected from the human supply chain.

Ingredients on panels are listed by weight from highest to lowest, so the first one listed is the one that weighs the most. It should be pure meat— chicken, beef, venison or fish. Proteins such as chicken liver, organ meat or eggs may follow. “If there are many synthesized items in the ingredient list, that is to be avoided,” she says.

Frozen raw and dehydrated raw foods provide optimal nutrition while more closely mimicking pets’ primal eating patterns. The extrusion process that some pet food manufacturers use to make kibble can overcook the product. To compensate, synthesized vitamins are often sprayed onto the finished product, similar to how many children’s breakfast cereals are produced, she explains.

Local K9 Kitchen Owners Love Their Dogs

by Yvette Lynn

279photo/AdobeStock.com

R

phy regarding how they source their ingredients and manufacture their foods.

The melamine pet food recall of 2007, in which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found chemical contaminants in vegetable proteins imported from China used as ingredients in pet food, prompted many people to look for “Made in the United States” on packages. However, even if a brand is labeled as American- or North American-made, it doesn’t necessarily mean all of the ingredients were sourced from America, Ross says.

Freeze-dried raw meal toppers and pour-over broths have become popular ways to add nutrition and flavor to kibble.

When purchasing those products, she says, the same rules apply as when shopping for food: look for single or limitedingredients on product panels and be wary of excessive filler ingredients like corn or wheat.

“We help educate people on the true cost of pet ownership,” Ross says. “Spending a little more money now on high-quality pet food ultimately keeps dogs and cats healthier, reducing the need for veterinarian visits, pharmaceuticals and antibiotics.”

Sheila Julson is a Milwaukee-based freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines throughout the country.

unning a household with four dogs—a 13-year-old chihuahua/shih tzu mix named Jena, Brody, a nearly 11-year-old golden retriever, Louie, a 4-year-old mixed black Labrador and a hound/Labrador mix named Kona—Kendra Locke and Corene Petitpren had serious reasons to begin making their own dog food. The owners of K9 Kitchen, LLC, in Immokalee, Locke and Petitpren were adamant that kibbles weren’t going to pass their dogs lips. “It’s basically junk food for pets, and we were concerned about how often it got recalled,” says Petitpren, who notes that she and Locke had long careers in healthcare and were aware of the effects on humans that regularly consumed processed foods containing hormones and antibiotics.

The duo initially began making dog food after meeting a dog walker that made her own. “Kendra started mixing up a recipe of sweet potato, oatmeal and rice. One of our dogs had a bad case of dandruff, which we noticed improved, and Jenna, who’d never eaten a full meal in her whole life, gobbled up every crumb. That’s when we said, ‘Let’s start a dog food business,’” recalls Petitpren. After researching regulations for pet food, they created what they considered a nutritious recipe and sent it off to a laboratory for testing. “Not being chemists or nutritionists, we were surprised when our first recipe was rejected.”

After more research, the women located a veterinarian nutritionist with experience in pet nutrition and pet food recipes. “She knew what measure of correct ingredients made the most nutritious recipe. We worked to balance the nutrients in our ingredients, and then turned it over to her to do her magic, which she did, right down to the gram.

We make our wholesome, premium dog food, pup-sicles and treats with human-grade ingredients. There are no steroids, antibiotics, hormones or preservatives and we use all natural, grass-fed, lean prime meats which we hand-trim and grind in small batches for consistency. We roast the veggies and scramble the eggs in our commercial K9 Kitchen.

We deliver to your door as well as selling our meals and treats at locations in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, University Park and Lakewood Ranch, which are all listed on our website. We also ship throughout the U.S.,” says Locke.

From personal experience, Locke and Petitpren know that feeding dogs healthy and balanced meals means fewer trips to the vets for allergies, food intolerances, food allergies and upset bellies.

The K9 Kitchen LLC is located at 170 Airpark Blvd., in Immokalee. For more information, call 239-898-0795 or email info@The K9Kitchenllc.com. See ad, page 14.

Mystic Faire

Saturday, March 19 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Etudes Dance Studio, 3285 Pine Ridge Rd (Between Livingston & Airport-Pulling)

$5 cover at the door 12 & Under Free

For more information contact Candyce, 239-949-3387 www.mysticfaires.com March 2022

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inspiration

Journaling to Access Inner Wisdom

GET INTO THE BRAIN OF THE OLDER, WISER YOU. Imagine the version of you six months from now that has gotten through the muck you’re currently in. What deep wisdom and advice does it carry?

by Nadine Kenney Johnstone

START WITH A LOVING GREETING. Address your present self compassionately, the way you would to a child or dear friend. “Hi darling. It’s a brand-new day, sweetheart.”

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR HARDSHIPS WITHOUT JUDGEMENT. What is your wiser self observing from the outside? Let it state what it notices. “I can see that you’re hurting. You’ve been through it, haven’t you?”

LET THE PAST BE PROOF OF YOUR EMOTIONAL ENDURANCE. Be an investigator and dig up examples of how you’ve coped with previous hardships.

Remember that time you thought you couldn’t deal, but you did?

ashlyn ciara/Unsplash.com

STATE WHAT THE WISER-YOU KNOWS. What does this perspective offer to the situation? Be the scribe as you channel wiser-you’s messages. Try this prompt: “Your heart knows that ...”

O

n a summer afternoon in 2015, I sat in my favorite coffee shop waiting on lifechanging news. With each minute, my anxiety mounted, so I turned to the only thing that calms me in a stressful situation—my journal. As my pen scrawled across the page, I instinctively wrote a letter from my future self to my present self. I just needed someone to reassure me. And that “someone,” apparently, was me.

I’ve been writing these inner-wisdom letters ever since, and it has been one of the most helpful practices in managing my anxiety. Women that have attended my retreats say it is the most impactful thing we do. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, grab a pen and follow these simple steps.

CREATE A SIMPLE CEREMONY. Sitting down with your favorite mug or journal makes this exercise feel sacred. Write in the light of dawn or by the glow of a candle, whatever brings you joy.

SET A TIMER SO YOU DON’T OVERTHINK IT. Perfectionism is the enemy of creativity. For 10 minutes, tell yourself to just write whatever comes, no matter how imperfect.

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swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

REQUEST THE NEXT RIGHT STEP. Ask your wiser self, “What do I need in order to heal from this?” Listen for the answer. It might take the form of advice, a mantra or a simple step: Rest. Pause.

Stay. Hug. LIST WHAT YOU CAN LET GO OF. Dump your obsessive thoughts onto the page, as well as anything you can’t control.

While you think you can control other people’s reactions, you can’t.

CLOSE WITH LOVE AND SUPPORT. “I love you and I’m here for you in your heart.”

READ WHAT YOU WROTE. Be amazed by the wisdom that came simply because you tapped in and asked. Bring your hands to your heart and say thank you.

Nadine Kenney Johnstone is the host of the podcast Heart of the Story, a writing, meditation and yoga nidra instructor, and a workshop and retreat leader.

calendar of events

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

The events described in this section were scheduled to take place at the time we went to press. Please check ahead to confirm their status.

SATURDAY, MARCH 5

SATURDAY, MARCH 19

Community Kirtan and Vegetarian Potluck – 5-8:30pm. Hosted by Linda Collins and Dan Gorney. Potluck (5pm) followed by kirtan. Bring a vegetarian dish to share and a mat or cushion for comfort. Chairs provided. Bring a musical instrument – chords and lyrics are displayed on a large screen for all to follow along. $20 love offering.

Unity of Naples Church, 2000 Unity Way. 775-3009.

UnityNaples.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 6 Rap with the Rev – 11:30am-12:30pm. 1st Sun. Whether new to Unity and want to know what’s next or a longtime member seeking spiritual expansion, join in the sanctuary after Sunday service for a one-hour gathering. Bring thoughts and questions, and dive deeper into the morning discussion. Free.

Unity of Naples Church, 2000 Unity Way. 775-3009.

UnityNaples.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 Intimate Kirtan Concert – With David Newman.

Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Good Points Acupressure Back Release Webinar – 7-8pm. Acupressure for self-care with well-known Naples therapist Alvina Quatrano, LMT Anyone can do it. Monthly offerings. aohMassage.com/ project/60-minute-good-points-seva-self-care/Zoom Event. $10. aohmassage.com/project/60-minutegood-points-seva-self-care.

THURSDAY, MARCH 10 What is Concierge 2.0? Webinar – 12:30-1:30pm.

Dr. Melissa MacVenn, will discuss pro-active, antiaging medical care with a focus on high-satisfaction, highly healthy nutrition strategies, and modest but effective level of exercise. Hosted by WellcomeMD, Naples. RSVP: 946-9226. See ad on page 23 and news brief on page 14.

FRIDAY, MARCH 11 Somatic Movement Workshop – 11am-12:15pm.

2nd Fri. With Joanie Flavin. These slow and mindful techniques can physically help reduce pain, mental stress, and emotional anxiety. Stay supple, reduce fatigue and insomnia, and improve joint mobility and regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Bring a mat (also provided).

Class packages available. $20. Lotus Blossom Clinic, LLC, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2-3, Ft Myers.

277-1399. Preregister: JoanieFlavin@gmail.com.

LotusBlossomClinic.com.

Psychic Fair – 5-8pm. Mini readings with some of Naples’ most experienced psychics and healers.

Services include: mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 minutes. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949.

GoddessIAM.com.

Access Bars Practitioner Certification – 9am5pm. One day class. Also April 1. Learn the 32 points on the head and all their parts/meanings by receiving two one-hour sessions and giving two one-hour sessions. Plus, receive a book and three head charts. $350. RSVP name and phone number to Info@AccessHolisticHealing.com.

Vision Quest – 8am-5pm. With Candace Tranter.

The Embrace the Dragonfly Effect vision quest will take you on a journey through your limiting programming, give you tools to transform your life into one you love and deserve and realign you to emerge into the supreme goddess you are meant to be. $280. Cape Coral. 745-2860. CandaceTranter@ gmail.com. EmbraceTheDragonflyEffect.com. See ad on page 55 and news brief on page 12

SATURDAY, MARCH 12 Customer Appreciation Day – 11am-2pm. Hosted

by Miracle Leaf medical marijuana doctor and Cannibal Card clinic, operated by Miracle Leaf Health Centers of Naples (MLHCN). Attendees will obtain $20 off medical marijuana cards and an additional 10 percent off on their 150-plus THC and CBD over-the-counter products this month.

5201 Tamiami Tr N, Unit 3. Info: 935-8998 or MiracleLeafFL.com/Naples. See ad on page 39 and news brief on page 13.

Connect to Your Heart to Manage Stress and Anxiety – 4-5:15pm. Feeling stressed or anxious lately? In this class, Nick Kidawski will teach you how to tap into the power and intelligence of your heart to help you feel calm, stop stress in the moment, and renew and replenish your energy during the day. $20. CasaShanti, 2052 Cottage St, Ft Myers. 208-9872.

Cambier Park Drum and Dance Circle – 6-8:30pm. Drummers of all nations and spectators are welcome to attend for community drumming, dancing, hula-hooping and self-expression. Familyfriendly. BYO chair. Check Facebook for updates.

Free. Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave S, Naples. Facebook group: SWFL Community Drum Circle.

SUNDAY, MARCH 13 Light Code Activations – 9-10:30am. Join for channeled energy, activations and messages. These activations can be shortcuts to ease and grace, healing and prosperity. $22. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

Breath Empowerment – 10:30-11:30am. With Candace Tranter. Breath empowerment is a journey through the emotional, physical and spiritual body to clear away what no longer serves you. Emerge into the amazing salt caves at Sol of life, and come away buzzing in the frequency of love. $45. 7452860. $45. Sol of Life Salt Cave & Tibetan Tea House, 2400 First St, Ste 100, Ft Myers. 918-4716.

EmbraceTheDragonflyEffect.com.

Reiki Healing Circle – 5-6pm. Join amazing facilitators for a reiki healing circle every 2nd Sunday.

Experience an atmosphere of healing while using reiki energy to remove blockages by balancing the many chakra energy channels. Reiki practitioners, students, first-timers welcome. RSVP or drop-ins welcome. $10. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd, Naples. GoddessIAm.com.

Naples Spring Mystic Faire – 10am-6pm. Featuring psychics, healers, artists and others for its 18th year. Food court. Bring canned goods for local food banks. $5, 12 & under/free. Etudes Dance Studio, 3285 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. Info: 949-3387 or MysticFaires.com. See ad on page 47 and news brief on page 17.

Psychic Fair – 11am-4pm. Mini readings with some of Naples’ most experienced psychics and healers. Services include: mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 minutes. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949.

GoddessIAM.com.

Psychic Fair – 11am-5pm. Psychic, medium, tarot, oracle card, rune stone, aura camera photos. Our readers are licensed and in the top of their fields. $30.

Center Of Eternal Light, 260 Professional Place, N Ft Myers. 599-4700. CenterOfEternalLight.com.

Full Moon Gathering – 6:30pm. Energy flows where intention goes! Join 3rd degree initiate, Nyx Buzzbee, and guest once a month when the moon at the fullest for a magical full moon gathering and ritual. $10-$13 love offering. CasaShanti, 2052 Cottage St, Ft Myers. 208-9872.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20 Singing Bowls and Gongs Meditation Series – 6-7pm. 3rd Sun. Thru Apr 17. Dana Marie House will facilitate relaxing and meditative crystal bowls and gongs, in an hour of sound therapy bath in an outdoor courtyard under the stars. Bring your mat, bean bag, lawn chair or blanket and pillow. $20 donation. Weather permitting. RB Institute, Inc, 13550 Reflections Pkwy, 5-502 Ft Myers. Advance RSVP: 571-5234. QuantumHealing-SacredSound. com/about.html.

Food Bank Fundraiser – 6:30-9:30pm. Hosted by Crohn’s Charity Service Foundation and No Kid Hungry Organization. Top Golf, 2021 Topgolf Way, Ft Myers. $125/table bay, $175/lounge bay, food and drinks included in both options. Register: 200-7214, Ticketstripe.com/Crohns-TopGolf. Info: 250-2323.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 Trim and Tone Med Spa Open House – 4-7pm.

Learn about the variety of treatments and services and also obtain special savings on many of them.

Those that call ahead of the special event can receive free demonstrations of CryoFacials, ultrasound EpiWave facials, EmSlim Neo and red light LED

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and Sunday at 10:30am. $20/class with package deals available at MysticalBookshop.com. Free. Jaycee Park, 4125 SE 20th Pl, Cape Coral. 338-7816.

therapy bed sessions. 13020 Livingston Rd, Ste 16, Naples. Info: 596-5522, TrimAndToneSpa@gmail. com or TrimAndToneMedSpa.com. See ad on page 17 and news brief on page 12.

Higher Shelf Bookstore – 9am-noon. Spiritual/ metaphysical books, inspirational cards, meditation CDs, sacred ceremonial instruments, jewelry, incense and more. Unity of Fort Myers campus, 1112 Ranchette Rd, Bldg B. 278-1511. UnityOfFortMyers.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 Embrace The Dragonfly Effect – Mar 25-27. With Candace Tranter. Dive deeper into self-love with the ingredients of prayer, breath, movement, nutrition and connecting to Mother Earth under Tranter’s guidance. The Mermaid and Her Fisherman, 106 North Peninsula Ave, New Smyrna Beach. Info/ register: 745-2860, CandaceTranter@gmail.com or EmbraceTheDragonflyEffect.com. See ad on page 55 and news brief on page 12.

Astral Dimension/Projection – 6-7:30pm. Learn tried and tested methods to reach the stars and go beyond the average lucid dream. Astral projection is an ancient art that pushes the boundaries of both science and mysticism alike. $50. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949.

GoddessIAM.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26 Spring Shanti Serenity Spa Saturday – 10am5pm. Shift into Spring with a day of self-love.

Recharge, cleanse and rejuvenate at CasaShanti’s monthly spa day where you can experience services at special pricing. Choose a reading, reiki session, facial, or ionic detox footbath, or any combination of services for your 2022 wellness. $35-$45 sessions available. 2052 Cottage St, Ft Myers. 208-9872.

Riverside Park Drum and Dance Circle – 6-8:30pm. Drummers of all nations and spectators are welcome to attend for community drumming, dancing, and self-expression. Family- friendly.

BYO chair. Check Facebook for updates. Free.

Riverside Park Band Shell, 10450 Reynolds St, Bonita Springs. Facebook group: SWFL Community Drum Circle.

SUNDAY, MARCH 27 Breath Empowerment – 10:30-11:30am. With Candace Tranter. Breath empowerment is a journey through the emotional, physical and spiritual body to clear away what no longer serves you. Emerge into the amazing salt caves at Sol of life, and come away buzzing in the frequency of love. $45. 7452860. $45. Sol of Life Salt Cave & Tibetan Tea House, 2400 First St, Ste 100, Ft Myers. 918-4716.

EmbraceTheDragonflyEffect.com.

Reiki I Class – 3-8pm. Join Nikki Busbee, reiki practitioner since 2007 and reiki master since 2011 for a five-hour session. Includes history and introduction, instruction and techniques that you can begin using immediately, attunements and paired practice. Attendees receive a personalized binder, reiki lineage and Reiki I Certificate. $75.

CasaShanti, 2052 Cottage St, Ft Myers. 208-9872.

SWFL Wellness Fair – 10am-5pm. An up-andcoming event where individuals can connect with a community of like-minded people; explore local wellness products, services, and professionals; take outdoor yoga and fitness classes, fuel their bodies with food and snacks from local food trucks; enjoy live entertainment while picnicking in the park; enter raffle giveaways; support local causes and more. Wa-Ke Hatchee Park, 16760 Bass Rd, Ft Myers. swflWellnessFair.com. See ad on page 33 and news brief on page 10.

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Mid-Cape Farmers Market – 10am-2pm. 125 SW Third Pl, Ste 200, Cape Coral. MercolaMarketcc.com.

plan ahead FRIDAY, APRIL 8 Pre-420 Wellness Festival in the Park – Apr 8-10.

Noon-9pm, Fri-Sat; noon-7pm, Sun. The first day of the Wellness Festival, which is in coordination with the city of Bonita Springs, will be a Celebration Day and the weekend will facilitate meetings with doctors and dispensing of products. Riverside Park, Old US 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Info: 250-2323.

See event spotlight on page 19 and ad on page 25.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21 Heart Over Hustle Women’s Weekend Retreat – Apr 21-24. 4pm, Thur to Noon, Sun. Hosted by Heart-Centered Souls, LLC. Filled with specially curated activities to indulge, connect and deepen relationships with oneself and others, attendees will refresh and renew their mind, body and spirit to create beautiful alignment with ease and grace allowing more peace, joy and abundance. Cost: One payment of $995 or three each of $375. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, 5001 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs. Info/register: 908-256-4090, HeartCenteredWorkshops@gmail.com or CindyRoros.com/heart-over-hustle-retreat. See event spotlight on page 18 and ad on page 39.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 SWFL RESET Center Earth Day Event – 5pm.

Celebrate Earth Day on a 12-acre campus featuring the art of Paul Arsenault, a conversation with Joe Bonasia, SWFL regional director for the Florida Rights of Nature Network, about the Right to Clean Water, and a cocktail reception with RESET’s board of directors (5pm) followed by a 7:30pm performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op.68, “The Pastorale”, by the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra. Fort Myers Unitarian Universalist. Info: 272-5778, SwflRESET.org and GulfCoastSymphony.org/concert/gulf-coast-chamber-orchestraearth-day-celebration. See news brief, page 13.

ongoing events

sunday Community Yoga – 8:30-9:30am. Free the first Sunday of every month. Weekly classes include Monday and Friday at 9am, Wednesday at 6:15pm,

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

Sunday Morning Celebration Service: Unity of Ft Myers – 10-11am. A spiritual community open to all. Experience loving acceptance and comfort during challenging times. Come listen to inspiring, empowering, and uplifting messages from Rev. Crystal. 1112 Ranchette Rd. 278-1511.

UnityOfFortMyers.org.

Sunday Celebration Service – 10-11:15am.

Spiritual inspiration from Rev. Denise Schubert and Rev. Claudia René. Musical inspiration by Amy and Jesse Hughes. Love offering. Unity of Naples Church, 2000 Unity Way. 775-3009. UnityNaples. org. Livestream at Facebook.com/unityofnaples or YouTube.com/unityofnapleschurch.

Sunday Night Spiritual Gathering – 5:30-7pm.

A Zoom venue for spiritual seekers to gather and have positive conversations. We teach and practice affirmative prayer and embrace our inherent divinity. Our principles are positivity as we work through life’s puzzles. Love offering. Obtain link by emailing RevLuluLogan@gmail.com. RevLulu.org.

Fort Myers Drum Circle – 7-9pm. Dance, drum, hoop or just enjoy the beats. BYO chair. Downtown Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St, Ft Myers. Facebook page: Fort Myers Drum Circle. Info: Facebook.com/groups/fortmyersdrumcircle.

monday Lunar Flow – 7am. With Maggie. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples.

LoveYogaCenter.com.

Women’s CoDA Meeting – 10-11am. With Jennifer Bear Hoy MS. A 12-step program to find ways to create more loving relationships with ourselves and others. Peaceful Summit Counseling, 1048 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 201, Naples. 450-8090.

Grief Group Counseling – 2-3pm. With Jennifer Bear Hoy MS. Receive help and share memories in a group setting. Peaceful Summit Counseling, 1048 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 201, Naples. 450-8090.

Acupuncture Group Clinic – 6-7pm. With Tenelle Wilson, Acupuncture Physician. An acupuncture session requires 30 minutes for full benefit, and includes five small, sterile, disposable needles placed on the ears. $30. CasaShanti, 2052, Cottage St, Ft Myers. 208-9872. RSVP: Eventbrite.com/e/ group-acupunction-and-sound-bath-experiencetickets-265198565047.

Gentle Flow Yoga – 7pm. With Chrissie. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples.

692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

tuesday Chair Yoga – 10:30am. With Carla Hyde. All levels.

Calm the mind as you stretch, strengthen, and bal-

Gentle Beach Yoga Class – 9-10am. With Dr. Brian Healy. All levels and beginner-friendly. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water and at least one beach towel. A yoga mat is optional. Free; parking fee: $2. San Carlos Bay Preserve and Bunche Beach, 18201 John Morris Rd, Ft Myers. Info: 437-9355 or FortMyersAcupunctureMassage.com.

ance the body. The chair offers so many possibilities for movement. $15/class or 5/$60. Heart Space Yoga Collective, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Ste 30, Ft Myers.

850-8177. HeartSpaceYogaCollective.com.

Kundalini Yoga – 11am. With Dama. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples.

LoveYogaCenter.com.

The Green Market – 9am-1pm. Fresh air and fresh produce make Saturday mornings worth rising for.

Discover an exclusive selection of locally grown, caught and cultivated foods and other products available for purchase. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 939-2787. ArtInLee.org/ experience/saturday-greenmarket.

Meditative Yoga and Yoga Nidra – 3:30pm. With Peggy Sealfon. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Multidimensional Healing Group – 6:30-8pm on Zoom. Connecting and healing with spirit guides and loved ones in spirit. Mediumship master Patti Wilson facilitates therapeutic conversations with loved ones that have crossed over and helps develop your own abilities in multidimensional communication. $30/class or $100/4-classes. Register: 2701876, SpiritualCoach@hotmail.com.

Digging Deep: Contemplative Practice and Coaching – 7pm. With Jodi. Learn how to embellish your contemplative and meditative practice using a variety of the tools in the store. Crystals, March 1; Music, March 8; Books, March 15; and Imagination, March 22. Bring a journal. $15. The Mystical Moon, 8951 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Ste 255, Bonita Springs. TheMysticalMoon.com.

wednesday Qigong – 10-11am. Join JaySun (Jason) Wechs in person to learn and practice the ancient art of qigong (Sheng Shen form), a spiritual form of the practice.

Qigong has been taught in China for thousands of years. Experience and expand your own healing energy. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, LLC, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2-3, Ft Myers. Register: 277-1399.

Strength and Stability Yoga – 6pm. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples.

LoveYogaCenter.com.

Wisdom Wednesday Service – 6-6:45pm. Midweek service on Facebook Live or YouTube. Engage in topics and conversations that awaken the mind, lift the spirits and open the heart. Musical inspiration provided by Amy and Jesse Hughes. Free. Love offering. Unity of Naples Church, 2000 Unity Way. 775-3009. Facebook.com/UnityOfNaples.

A Search for God Edgar Cayce Study Group – 6-8pm. Weekly study group meeting based on the Edgar Cayce Readings. New members welcome. 850-556-7604 or JanEselman@gmail.com.

In-person or Zoom. Free. Unity of Fort Myers Sanctuary, 11120 Ranchette Rd, 1120 Ranchette Rd. UnityOfFortMyers.org.

thursday Guided Walk at CREW Flint Pen Strand – 9-11:30am. Join CREW Trust volunteers on an interpretive walk through Flint Pen Strand, a unique part of the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW). Tour the Kehl Canal, headwaters of the Imperial River and through various habitats that are undergoing restoration. $5. 15970 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita. Register: Eventbrite.com/e/guidedwalk-thursdays-at-crew-flint-pen-strand-tickets-18 3727492877?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

Iyengar Yoga – 9:15am. With Carla Hyde. All levels. Explore the art and science of letting go and experience gratitude and joy, all while enjoy-

ing the physical aspects of Iyengar yoga. $15 per class or 5/$60. Heart Space Yoga Collective, 13451 McGregor Blvd, Ste 30, Ft Myers. 850-8177.

HeartSpaceYogaCollective.com.

Love Flow Yoga – 5:30pm. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Crystal Bowl Service – 6:30-7:30pm. 2nd & 4th Thur. With Linda Collins. Bring a mat, pillow or blanket; chairs will be provided. Experience this serene, peaceful practice and melt into the divine with the gorgeous sounds of the singing bowls. $20 suggested love offering – no one turned away.

Unity of Naples Church, 2000 Unity Way. 775-3009.

UnityNaples.org.

Crystal Bowl Meditation – 6:45-7:45pm. With Jenny Hong. Participants will comfortably lie down or sit while the frequencies reverberate throughout the body, promoting deep relaxation and healing on all levels. Physical distancing and face masks required. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, LLC, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2-3, Ft Myers. 277-1399.

Preregister: JennyLotusBlossom@gmail.com.

LotusBlossomClinic.com/events.

Psychic Development – 7:30-9pm. With Heather Anderson. Develop your psychic gifts. Begins with a discussion inspired by source, work on your psychic abilities and conclude with individual readings in the group. Connect to your highest self and enjoy the energy of like-minded individuals looking to open themselves to the possibilities for expansion. $20. Center Of Eternal Light, 260 Professional Place, N Ft Myers. 599-4700.

CenterOfEternalLight.com.

SWFL Community Drum Circle – 6-8:30pm.

Meets biweekly at Cambier Park, Naples or Riverside Park, Bonita (except most holidays).

Sponsored by House of Gaia. Drummers of all nations and spectators are welcome to attend for community drumming, dancing, hula-hooping and self-expression. Family-friendly. BYO chair. See event section for dates/locations.

Check Facebook for updates: SWFL Community Drum Circle.

Couples Massage – 6-9pm. With Alvina Quatrano, LMT: MA50896.Part 1: Concepts of Meaningful Touch. Part 2: One-On-One Tutorial. $400/couple ($500 value). CEs for MTs CEBroker 50-9777. Art of Holistic Massage, 3323 Olympic Dr, Ste 721, Naples. 732-266-5276. aohMassage.com/project/ couples-massage.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food and Thought Courtyard, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples.

coming in the april issue

Sustainable Living

friday Sacred Alignment – 11am. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 692-9747.

LoveYogaCenter.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food and Thought Courtyard, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples.

saturday The K9 Kitchen at Bonita Springs Farmers’ Market – 8am-noon. Bring your dogs to the the K9 Kitchen booth at Bonita Springs Farmers Market and let them sample wholesome, premium, gourmet dog food, treats, and frozen Pup-sicles! And take some home. Free to attend. The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26795 South Bay Dr, Bonita Springs.

Thek9Kitchenllc.com.

March 2022

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community resource guide

BOOKS AND GIFTS

Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email NAadvertising@naturalawakeningsmag.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE ACUPUNCTURE CENTER OF NAPLES Dr. Xiu Qiong Cen, AP, OMD (China) 5683 Naples Blvd, Naples 34109 P: 239-513-9232 • F: 239-513-9293 DrCenAcupuncture@gmail.com

Licensed acupuncture physician with 28 years experience in acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Experienced in pain management, women’s health, insomnia, migraines, digestion issues and much more. See ad, page 6.

FORT MYERS ACUPUNCTURE & MASSAGE

Brian Healy, AP, DOM, LMT, CKYT 16680 McGregor Blvd, Ste 2, Ft Myers 33908 239-437-9355 FortMyersAcupunctureMassage.com 28 years experience treating orthopedic conditions of the back, neck, shoulder and knee using acupuncture, bodywork, Chinese herbal medicine, yoga and meditation.

Free phone consultations.

LOTUS BLOSSOM CLINIC

Acupuncture – Oriental Medicine David Martin, AP, DOM Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita 239-277-1399 • LotusBlossomClinic.com Offering treatment for many health issues: pain, anxiety, stress, PTSD, fertility, heart, strokes, digestive and immune disorders. U.S. veterans: no cost with a V.A. referral.

PHYLLIS C. WEBER, AP

Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine 6249 Presidential Ct, Ste E, Ft Myers 33919 239-841-6611 • GulfCoastAcupuncture.com Specializing in pain, chronic disorders, overall wellness, allergy treatments (NAET) and kinesiology.

Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to heal all on its own! AP771.

AYURVEDA CHRISTINA CARLIN, AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER

Ayurveda Clinic, Massage & Yoga Therapy 501 Goodlette-Frank Rd N, Ste A107, Naples 34102 • 239-450-6903 Practicing holistic medicine since 1987. Professional Member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, specializing in highly personalized Ayurvedic treatments and lifestyle consultations, Massage and individual Yoga sessions for chronic and acute problems. Pancha Karma, Shirodhara and skin care. Ayurveda and Yoga Study program available. MA0023929, MM0008584, FB0716888. See ad, page 6.

BODYWORK

MYSTICAL BOOKSHOP LLC

13141 McGregor Blvd, Ste 7, Ft Myers 33919 239-338-7816 • MysticalBookshop.com Contact@MysticalBookshop.com Mystical Bookshop is not just books! We also offer one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry, crystals, classes, monthly community circles and much more.

CHIROPRACTOR NETWORK CHIROPRACTOR Dr. Michele Pelletiere 3411 Bonita Beach Rd, Ste 302, Bonita Springs • 239-949-1222

N.S.A. Practitioner level III. “Healing waves” release tension throughout the body, increasing wellness and quality of life, promoting new strategies for a healthy spine and nervous system.

COLON THERAPY

ART OF HOLISTIC MASSAGE Est. 1991

RB INSTITUTE, INC.

CDC guidelines followed (mask etc). Zero Balancing, Process Acupressure, Reiki. Webinar classes all discounted; call for registration. Reflexology, SEVA Stress Release, Insomnia, MT’s get CEs. Free self-massage video at AOHMassage.com.

Since 1994, gravity-enclosed UV/ Oxygen/Ozone sterilized medicalgrade water colonics, therapeutic, relaxing, chair, sports, prenatal massage, Craniosacral/SER, Heart Centered therapy, manual lymph drainage & XP2 System, visceral manipulation, HALO Photonic Blue-Violet Laser Botanical System, Asyra/Quest4 MSA Bio Meridian Stress Analysis, ear candling, Lakota YLEO Raindrop Therapy, Tuning Fork/Crystal/Bowls Therapy, reflexology, MPS, cupping, ozone steam cabinet and applied ozone therapies, infrared sauna, ionic foot detox by AMD, BEMER sessions, Power Plate, Hyperbaric Chamber, PER 2000 PEMF and notary. MM7376. See ad, page 30.

Alvina Quatrano, LMT FL MA 50896 For Info or Appt: 732-266-5276 AOHMassage.com

PAULA TERRY, LMT

239-821-3088, by appt. (Collier & Lee) Trained at the Upledger Institute, Paula utilizes CranioSacral Therapy combined with Heart-Centered Therapy, Somato Emotional Release™, Lymphatic Drainage, love and nurturement to foster the healing your body needs. Doula services.

MA35358.

TRINITY PERSONAL FITNESS

Lisa A. Hall, RYT 732-766-2002

By Appt Only - In Person or Virtual Reiki Master, Lifewave skin patches (phototherapy), Holobody coach, yoga/pilates, personal training. Optimal health from the inside out; certified and insured since 1999.

C. Robyn Berry, LMT, CRR, CCT, CLDT 13550 Reflections Pkwy, 5-502 & 5-503, Ft Myers • 239-939-4646 • RobynBerry.com

COMPOUNDING PHARMACY UPTOWN CHEMIST

Pharmacy, Compounding, Wellness Norman Ruiz-Castaneda, PharmD, Owner/ Pharmacist 2700 Immokalee Rd, Ste 24, Naples 239-431-4217 • UptownChemist.com Norman is a licensed pharmacist with 15+ years of experience, specializing in compounding. He offers a personable approach in consultation, practicing with integrative medicine and fostering a relationship with the prescribing doctor; creating a “hometown” pharmacy for all of our patients.

Blossom by blossom the spring begins. ~Algernon Charles Swinburne March 2022

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DENTAL HEALTH THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR DENTAL EXCELLENCE

Yolanda Cintron, DMD 2021 E Commercial Blvd, Ste 208 Ft Lauderdale FL 33308 • 954-938-4599 GoNaturalDentistry.com All phases of dentistry for optimum health, holistic, bio-compatible dentistry. Sedation dentistry. Removing of toxic metals, replacing them with bio-compatible materials. Laser dentistry for painless surgeries and extractions. Zirconia/ceramic implants. Natural bone augmentation/plasma rich growth factor. Oral DNA testing. Add gums to receding gums.

ROGER J. PINT, MPH, DMD

9200 Bonita Beach Rd, Ste 111 Bonita Springs, 34135 • 239-676-8730 BonitaDentalStudio.com Dr. Pint can join your health journey and play a role in minimizing toxicity; this includes protection while removing dental materials plus consultation. All X-rays are digital and minimal. See ad, page 23.

DOG FOOD – PREMIUM THE K9 KITCHEN LLC

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Eduardo Maristany, MD 800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com Eduardo Maristany, M.D. is a board-certified internal medicine physician trained in functional/integrative medicine, genomic interpretation, and anti-aging. Dr. Maristany incorporates genomic intelligence and cutting-edge tools to provide his patients with comprehensive genetic health risks and benefits, and a personalized health plan for optimal wellness. See ad, page 55.

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Carol L. Roberts, MD 800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com Carol L. Roberts, M.D. has practiced functional/integrative/holistic medicine for 25 years. She provides patients with testing to uncover causes of chronic illness, guidance in resolving health issues and education to assist the patient in her own healing. She is Medical Director at the Naples Center for Functional Medicine, formerly the Hughes Center. See ad, page 55.

ZORAYDA “JIJI” TORRES, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

Internal Medicine, Functional Medicine Office: 239-444-5636 • UpstreamMD.com

TheK9Kitchenllc.com 239-898-0795 info@TheK9Kitchenllc.com Cape Coral residents Corene Petitpren and Kendra Locke, founders of The K9 Kitchen LLC, provide hand-crafted, premium, vet nutritionist-approved dog food and treats for nationwide delivery. See ad, page 14.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Dr. Torres is a board-certified internist with over 17 years of experience and knows the limitations of conventional internal medicine. She is among the few Certified Practitioner M.D.s, trained by the Institute For Functional Medicine. See ad, page 12.

HEALTHY DINING FOOD & THOUGHT ORGANIC FARM MARKET & CAFÉ

2132 Tamiami Trl N, Naples 239-213-2222 • FoodAndThought.com

Dr. Lindsey Berkson, MA, DC, CNS, DACBN, CAN 800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 229-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com Dr. Lindsey Berkson is a hormone scholar and functional medicine specialist focusing on hormones, anti-aging and medical nutrition at Naples Center for Functional Medicine. See ad, page 55.

Open Mon-Sat 7am-8pm.

Florida’s only 100% organic market and café. Fresh produce delivered daily. Homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner. See ad, page 10.

HOLISTIC CENTER ACCESS HOLISTIC HEALING & HYPNOSIS Michele Durham, CH, MBA 840 111th Ave N, Ste 8, Naples, 34108 office: 239-301-3501 • cell: 239-776-2211 AccessHolisticHealing.com

Specializing in hypnosis, QHHT, NLP, SRT. Offering sound and light therapy, massage therapy, reiki, access bars, salt therapy, Conscious1Vibe crystals and bookstore. Joined by Dr. Daniel Stanciu offering IV Infusions and nutrition testing. See ad, page 14.

NATURAL & ORGANIC MARKET ADA’S NATURAL MARKET

7070 College Pkwy, Ft Myers 33907 Mon-Sat: 9am-8pm, Sun: 9am-7pm Ph: 239-939-9600 • Fax: 239-288-6210 AdasMarket.com Natural and organic produce and grocery items. Vitamins and supplements. Organic juice and smoothie bar. New Green Leaf Café. Market-prepared foods.

1000s of gluten-free items. See ad, page 27.

NATURAL & ORGANIC PRODUCTS ANATTA

447 Broadway, Ste 204 New York City, NY 10013 347-762-1268 • AnattaMarket.com Anatta is a global online marketplace for natural, organic and raw products from farmers worldwide.

The newly-formed company’s products include a variety of essential oils and waters, and its unique business model eliminates overhead costs by connecting customers directly with farmers.

MAGNETUDE JEWELRY

MagnetudeJewelry.com/LisaDoyle ljbluestar@hotmail.com 239-851-4729 We use the strongest Neodymium bio-magnets (4000 gauss) to attach our “‘tudes” to our bases.

These bio-magnets help to overcome the harmful effects of EMFs by increasing cellular energy and vitality. Interchangeable, beautiful and most are designed with powerful gems with your health in mind. See ad, page 8.

No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere. ~Sheryl Crow 54

Collier/Lee Counties

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

NUTRITION D-SIGNED NUTRITION, LLC

Dee Harris, RDN, LDN, CDE Bonita Bay Executive Center 3531 Bonita Bay Blvd, Ste 300, Bonita Sprgs 239-676-5249 • D-SignedNutrition.com Nutrition is our lifeblood. Healing with food starts with a personalized plan to address inflammation, nutrient insufficiencies, toxic burden and imbalances in the body.

See ad, page 26.

classifieds

Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $25 for up to the first 20 words and $1 for each additional word. Must be pre-paid. Email listing, include billing contact info, by 10th of month prior to publication to: NAClassifieds@ NaturalAwakenings.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY START A CAREER YOU CAN BE PASSIONATE ABOUT – Publish your own Natural Awakenings magazine. Home-based business

complete with comprehensive training and support system. New franchises are available or purchase a magazine that is currently publishing. Call 239-5301377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com/mymagazine.

SERVICES THE FIDDLE FLOWERS FIDDLE GRAM – By JamesSteven Farnsworth. A wonderful gift of one dozen beautiful roses in a vase and gift card, plus a lovely mini-concert of violin or fiddle music. Special intro price: $55 local delivery. Call/text: 510-2927786, JsfViolin@gmail.com. TheHealingViolin.com.

MARCY HESS, BS

501 Goodlette Rd N, Ste C208, Naples 239-231-6028 ThePerfect10Strength@gmail.com Looking and feeling strong and healthy is the first reason for working with a nutrition coach.

Let me help you get back on track for life without dieting! See ad, page 52.

PLANT-BASED CHEF & CATERING LISA BROWN

Plant-based Chef & Educator 646-642-0083 FreeFlowingHealth.com Chef Lisa offers customized, personal, plant-based chef services and catering to busy professionals and individuals looking to eat healthier and feel better.

TRANSFORMATIONAL WORKSHOPS SUPREME HEALTH AND WELLNESS Transformational Workshops Candace Tranter, MA, CQI Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita, Naples 239-745-2860 EmbraceTheDragonflyEffect.com

Energy transformer, women's workshops, classes and retreats. Emotional, physical and spiritual Empowerment through prayer, breath, movement, nutrition and nature.

YOGA MEREDITH MUSICK, LMT, E-RYT 2000 239-269-8846

Master Yoga Teacher and massage therapist with 28 years experience, serving Naples since 1999. Sundamaged skin repair clinician, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, sports and neuromuscular therapy, cranio facial and TMJ relief, heal injuries. Improve posture: alignment-based yoga and posture classes.

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