Natural Awakenings Fort Myers/Naples- March 2023

Five Benefits of a PLANT-BASED LIFESTYLE

HEALTHY KIDNEYS

Care & Feeding Tips

Home Remedies for PETS

FOOD & NUTRITION

Is Your Home Making You

• Mold in microscopic. By the time you see it, a 1 inch square has over a million spores!

• Mold produces a by-product called MYCOTOXINS, a light-weight vapor molecule that easily travels through your HVAC, is easily inhaled and absorbed through your skin.

• It is well known that mold and MYCOTOXINS cause health issues.

• A water issue - even years earlier - could still be haunting your home.

Acupuncture Center of Naples

Dr.

Arthritis

www.AcupunctureCenterOfNaples.com

COLLIER / LEE EDITION

Publisher Sharon Bruckman

Editors Linda Sechrist

Martin Miron

Randy Kambic

Theresa Archer

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

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CONTACT US

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©2023 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Dr.Xiu Qiong Cen A.P., D.O.M Licensed Acupuncture Physician

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Living and Healing in Paradise

I fell in love with Naples years before my family decided to move here from Michigan in 1982. Little did I realize how much Southwest Florida’s population would grow and how significantly the landscape of our quaint Olde Naples neighborhood would change as it morphed into a sprawling city.

Back then, daily walks down Third Street South with my son peddling his Big Wheel and my daughter cooing in the baby stroller were carefree and uninterrupted by mini-mansions and multiple-storied buildings. Pleasure drives on U.S. 41 to Ft. Myers and Sanibel Island involved long stretches of undeveloped land. I didn’t know how lucky I was to enjoy Naples ahead of the big crowds and traffic jams to come.

So much has changed in our healthcare system, too, in the past 29 years since I’ve been at the helm of Natural Awakenings. People have become increasingly disappointed with conventional treatments and are seeking alternative solutions. They are finding more success with doctors and practitioners that target the root cause of their conditions and embrace therapies that harness the body’s inherent wisdom to create health and balance.

Much of their breakthroughs stem from the use of food as medicine. Our feature story on page 24, “Veggies for the Win: Five Reasons to Choose a Plant-Based Lifestyle,” delineates the numerous benefits that come when we shift to a plant-dominant diet—from disease prevention and anti-inflammatory advantages to improvements in mental health and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Terry Wahls has used her personal battle with multiple sclerosis as an impetus to research and develop groundbreaking dietary and lifestyle solutions for people battling autoimmune diseases. You can learn more about her protocol and studies on page 28. And our Conscious Eating department on page 20 presents lifestyle and dietary recommendations to prevent and treat kidney disease.

Good eating habits don’t stop when we leave the kitchen, and we want to help you extend your nutritional pursuits when dining out. Visit SWFL.NaturalAwakenings.com for a list of the healthiest eateries in Collier and Lee counties.

You’ll find plenty more resources beyond food and nutrition in this month’s issue. As always, our local advertisers are among the best health and wellness practitioners in Southwest Florida, offering spa treatments, sound therapy, yoga, massage and even healthful services for pets.

It’s a great time to be in Southwest Florida, just drive carefully! And please keep all those still recovering from Hurricane Ian in your thoughts, deeds and prayers.

Happy Spring,

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher

Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle magazine publishers empowering local communities with knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

20 LOVING OUR KIDNEYS

Edible Allies, Integrative Treatments and Lifestyle Tips

24 VEGGIES FOR THE WIN

Five Reasons to Choose a Plant-Based Lifestyle

27 THE CELLULAR MAGIC OF COMPASSION

28 TERRY WAHLS on Managing Autoimmune Disease With Lifestyle Interventions

30 FINDING HOPE IN ACTION

Saving Earth and Water With Small Steps

32 THE MANY USES OF OZONE THERAPY

34 THRIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

How to Reduce Inflammation and Promote Neuroregeneration

38 SWEET LULLABY

28

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30

38

28 wise words

30 green living 34 healing ways 36 spa spotlight 37 business spotlight

38 healthy kids 40 natural pet 42 calendar 45 resource guide

nuYou Naples Offers Holistic Methods for Youthful Looks

Spiritual Freedom Event at Eckankar Center

nuYou

Naples offers some of the most popular alternatives to Botox that are gaining popularity among those looking to improve their skin and overall appearance with a holistic approach. The practice provides several more natural procedures that all can improve both circulation and skin along with reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.Treatments include both regular and Chinese herbal micro-needling, a minimally invasive procedure that involves creating tiny punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen production; acupuncture, the centuries-old Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment utilizing thin needles which are inserted into specific points on the face and body to reduce the signs of aging via relaxing specific facial muscles; meditation, a non-invasive treatment that can improve the skin’s appearance by reducing stress and promoting relaxation by lengthening the telomeres of cells including on the face; and facial cupping, involving placing small suction cups on specific parts of the face.

“Everyone has been asking me what I am doing to look so much younger lately! Botox was my answer. However, I’m now choosing alternative treatments that are less invasive and provide similar benefits over time,” says owner Michelle Nelson.

Location: 3415 Radio Rd., Ste. 101. For more information or to make an appointment, call 239-285-0094 or visit nuYouNaples. com. See ad, page 34.

Explore what spiritual freedom means to all of us in a special light interactive program on the topic from 1 to 3:30 p.m., March 19, at the Southwest Florida Eckankar Center. Speakers will share insights and experiences from their own spiritual journeys and contemplative techniques for living a life of rich, personal exploration will be presented at the event which will also include music inspired by the theme, discussion and complimentary copies of ECK Wisdom on Spiritual Freedom.

The book contains stories and spiritual exercises, and the compassionate wisdom of the Mahanta, the Living ECK Master, Sri Harold Klemp. An excerpt: “Spiritual freedom is living to your full potential—heart, mind and Soul. What could be more satisfying?”

Event organizers suggest those that plan to attend to try beforehand a spiritual exercise, the chanting of a special word, Hu. They believe that “connecting with this divine love current of sound can reveal wisdom, understanding and serenity that lie within each individual.”

Free admission. Location: 12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste. 155. For more information, call 239-482-4034. See ad, page 27.

Thermography Practice Expands into Our Area

Lisa’s Thermography and Wellness, owned by Lisa Mack, CCT, HHC, is now treating patients at two area locations—the Lotus Blossom Clinic, in Fort Myers, and the Therapeutic Wellness Center, in Punta Gorda. She has been providing the modality in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania for more than 10 years.

Thermography pinpoints inflammation within the body, which is oftentimes the very first spark of a potential health problem, providing an accurate understanding of our bodies current state and a road map to taking positive steps in our journey to better health.

“Thermography can give you a look at the status of your health, in many cases long before you feel any symptoms or before a specific test is able to diagnose an actual disease,” she says. “In a nutshell, thermography can see your body asking for extra help.”

Locations: 6710 Winkler Rd., Ste. 2, Fort Myers; 100 Madrid Blvd., Ste. 11, Punta Gorda. For more information or to make an appointment, call 855-667-9338, email Lisa@LisaThermographyAndWellness.com or visit LisaThermographyAndWellness.com or on Facebook. See ad, page 20.

Lisa Mack

Free Weekly Ear Acupuncture Clinics

Members of Acupuncturists

Without Borders have begun conducting free weekly ear acupuncture community clinics and other treatments to relieve pain and stress on a weekly basis at three area locations—1 to 5 p.m. on Mondays at the Frozen Flip Flop Yogurt Shop, on Pine Island in St. James City; 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays at the House of Spirits Mystical Botanika, in Fort Myers; and 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays at North Fort Myers Church of the Nazarene.

Ear acupuncture is also known to be an aid toward improving sleep and overall well-being.

The organization works to support people adversely affected by natural disasters in the U.S. and around the world.

Locations: 10191 Stringfellow Rd., Ste. 3, St. James City; 12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste. 108, Fort Myers; 6781 Bayshore Rd., North Fort Myers. For more information, visit AcuWithoutBorders.org.

Return of Mystic Faire in Naples

The Mystic Faire will gather many area psychics, healers, artists and others for its 19th year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 18 at Etudes Dance Studio, in Naples. 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 free. Location: 3285 Pine Ridge Rd. For more information, call 239-949-3387 or visit MysticFaires.com. See ad, page 22.

Illuminate Festivals in Fort Myers

L earn of and experience many health and wellness services and products at Illuminate Festivals Fort Myers from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 11, at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at the Bell Tower Shops, in Fort Myers. Attendees of the local arts and wellness event will be able to experience a holistic mini-session; meet and attend workshops by energy work and body work practitioners along with intuitive readers; shop for crystals, essential oils, luxurious spa products, jewelry and gifts; see the works of talented area artisans, and much more.

Event sponsors include Natural Awakenings magazine, Heather and Phillips, Ketamine and The Food Healing Oracle Deck.

Free admission to event and workshops. Location: 13051 Bell Tower Dr. For more information, visit IlluminateFestivals.com. See ad, page 41.

Gut Microbiome May Influence Obesity

Anewstudymayshed lightonwhysome peoplegainmore weightthanothers regardlessofdiet andactivitylevels.

Ledbyresearchers attheUniversityof Copenhagenand publishedinthejournal Microbiome,thestudyfoundthatbeingoverweightmayalso berelatedtothemakeupofaperson’sgutmicrobiome.The researchersstudied85overweightadultsandfoundthat40 percentoftheparticipantshadmore Bacteroides intheirgut microbiome,whicharemoreeffectiveatextractingnutrients fromfood,possiblycausingleftoverfoodtobestoredasfat. Beforetheybegantheirstudy,theresearchershadhypothesized thatalongdigestivetraveltimewouldallowpeopletoextract moreenergyfromtheirfood,buttheyfoundinsteadthatpeople withshorterdigestivetraveltimeswereactuallytheonesthat extracted the most nutrition. Those with Bacteroides had shorter intestinaltransittimesandhigherbodyweight.

Walnuts to Relieve Exam Stress

Stressed college students might benefit by adding walnuts to their diet before their next exam. A randomized clinical trial published in the journal Nutrients sought to investigate the effects of academic stress and daily walnut consumption on mental health, general well-being and gut microbiota in a group of 80 college students. Walnuts are full of nutrients that support brain and gut health, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, melatonin (sleep-inducing hormone), polyphenols, folate and vitamin E.

The University of South Australia researchers concluded that daily consumption of one half cup of walnuts improved self-reported mood and mental health status, metabolic biomarkers and sleep quality. The data also suggested that walnuts might counteract the negative effects of academic stress on the gut microbiota in women. The scientists noted that more research was needed with respect to males, as far fewer men participated in this study. They also cautioned that the placebo effect could have influenced results, as this was not a blind study.

Supplements That Help the Heart

A new study conducted by researchers at Brown University has identified certain supplements that may be beneficial for heart health. The meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reviewed more than 884 studies on 27 types of micronutrient supplements among 883,627 participants and found strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acid, folic acid and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) are micronutrients that reduce cardiovascular risk. Omega-3 fatty acid was found to decrease mortality from cardiovascular disease; folic acid lowered stroke risk; and CoQ10 decreased all-cause mortality. Omega-6 fatty acid, L-arginine, L-citrulline, melatonin, magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, alpha-lipoic acid, catechin, flavanol, curcumin, genistein and quercetin also showed evidence of reducing cardiovascular risk.

Nations Agree to Protect Biodiversity

Scientists have warned for years that as forests and grasslands are disappearing at unprecedented rates and oceans are pressured by pollution, humans are pushing Earth beyond tenable limits. In December 2022, nearly 200 countries agreed on a Global Biodiversity Framework at the United Nations 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The historic agreement represents hope for real progress to halt the loss of biodiversity. Among its numerous provisions, the framework commits nations to protect 30 percent of the world’s lands, inland waters, coastal areas and oceans by 2030; increase financing for nature restoration and protection; halt humaninduced extinction; and protect the rights of indigenous people. The protections will emphasize areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and services.

Throughout the talks there was division over the strength of the measures and how to finance them. In a statement released by the Wildlife Conservation Society, vice president of international policy Susan Lieberman said, “The [framework] is a compromise, and although it has several very good and hard-fought elements, it could have gone further to truly transform our destructive relationship with nature.” During negotiations, some countries called for a new fund to be set up to help preserve biodiversity, but this recommendation was not included in the final pact.

Injured Whale Makes Long Journey

Each year, humpback whales migrate from the frigid waters near Alaska and western Canada to the warm waters of Mexico and Hawaii to breed and give birth. At the end of 2022, an extraordinary whale named Moon made the 3,100mile journey from British Columbia to Hawaii with a broken back. The Canadian researchers that have been tracking Moon for the past decade discovered that the entire lower portion of her tail was bent into an unnatural “S” shape, presumably as a result of a boat strike.

Researchers speculate the whale made the arduous journey without the use of her tail, essentially using the breaststroke to make her migration. The journey left Moon emaciated when she reached Hawaii, having used up her fat stores and with no hope of recovery, given the scarce food resources in the tropical waters. Moon’s story serves as a cautionary tale for the devastating effects of ship collisions with whales. Boaters are reminded to treat whale areas like school zones and slow down to keep marine creatures safe.

Be Present to the Moments of Life with Mindfulness Meditation

by Linda Sechrist

After 30-plus years working in Lee County’s Early Childhood programs, Maggie Stevens decided to enjoy the second chapter of her life as a mindfulness meditation teacher. In 2019, she enrolled in the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification training with Jack Kornfield, Ph.D., who has been teaching meditation since 1974, and Tara Brach, Ph.D., psychologist, meditation teacher and author of Radical Compassion. She has completed her training and now belongs to Caloosahatchee Mindfulness (formerly Hearts Path to Mindful Living).

“Mindfulness is paying attention to your life in this present moment without judgment. It has also been called clear seeing and friendly attention to the present. When we’re mindful, we reduce stress, enhance performance, gain insight and awareness through observing our own mind, and increase our attention to others’ well-being. Everyone can benefit,” says Stevens.

“I was part of the second cohort of the Jack Cornfield and Tara Brach teacher certificate program. We were 1,400 people from many different countries, and different beliefs—Catholics, rabbis, Christians, Buddhists and more,” advises Stevens.

In 2019, Stevens joined Caloosahatchee Mindfulness, started by a several dedicated individuals, including Maggie Mullins, Mary Robinson and Kathy Leitch. Trained in Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s, MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction program they offered Meditation in the Lee Health cardiac rehab and in some adult living facilities in the area until COVID-19.

“In 2010 members of Caloosahatchee Mindfulness formed The Caloosahatchee Rising Tide Sangha. It’s in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hahn. Our Friday morning sitting meditations at 10 a.m. and at 5 p.m. are for one

hour on Zoom. They include a 20-minute meditation with initial guidance and then silent sitting. After the meditation, there is a group discussion, five-minute silent reflection, and then a thought for the week and check out. These meditations and the sangha are free, and no experience is necessary. All are welcome,” says Stevens, who adds that annual membership in Caloosahatchee Mindfulness is affordable (student/seniors $20, individual $20, and family $60). The goal is to provide mindfulness to the community as a way of helping with well-being.

Beginning March 9 at Lotus Blossom Clinic, located at 6710 Winkler Road, in Fort Myers, Caloosatchee Mindfulness is offering an orientation to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and an eight-week course. The MBSR consists of eight 2.5 hour classes and a seven-hour retreat practice day between weeks six and seven or between seven and eight (date and location to be determined). A home practice commitment of approximately 45 to 60 minutes daily (on days the class does not meet) is asked of all participants. Practice recordings will be provided to participants to guide their home practice.

The course combines systematic practices of mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and yoga with an interactive exploration of patterns of behavior in thinking, feeling, and action. These practices and explorations help participants cultivate attention and emotional regulation skills, helping to reduce rumination and worry. Clinical research conducted over decades suggests that MBSR has potential beneficial effects for both mental and physical well-being.

For more information call 941-888-0116, email CaloosahatcheeMindfulness16@ gmail.com, or visit CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org. See ad, page 11.

•

Maggie Stevens

Smolen

Woman of Impact Campaign

by Lisa Marlene

Jennifer Alvarez Linguidi, founder and CEO of Purely You Spa, with two locations in Naples, is excited to receive a nomination for Go Red for Women’s Woman of Impact campaign. “As part of this year’s class of changemakers, I’ve brought together a team that’s working to make the greatest impact possible on women’s health. We will be raising much-needed funds for the American Heart Association and working to improve the health of our community. I’m counting on the Naples community to support our mission because about 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases, that includes heart disease and stroke, claim the life of a woman every 80 seconds,” says Alvarez Linguidi, who notes that her team

is promoting healthy lifestyles, building awareness and raising critically needed funds to support research and education initiatives.

Go Red For Women launched in 2004 as a campaign to raise awareness among women about their greatest health threat, heart disease. Now a movement, it brings together thousands of women, but not just to wear red and share heart-health facts. “We’re about providing opportunities for women to take charge of their health, building communities that support access to healthy choices, demanding equal access to health care for all women and their families, and increasing women in STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] in upcoming generations,”

says Linguidi, whose interest in natural care began at the age of 21, the result of being treated for a noncancerous desmoid tumor, or fibromatosis.

Chemotherapy left her with severe acne, prompting an interest in becoming a skincare specialist. Researching personal wellness, she explored nutrition, exercise, essential oils and stress reduction while learning the importance of an organic diet and skincare regimen. Free from past health challenges, she now channels her passion for wellness into her organic day spa and into making a healthy impact through the Southwest Florida Community.

Linguidi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University. A graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, she is considered a functional esthetician health coach with a full specialty license in skincare. Trained in a variety holistic healing therapies ranging from body treatments to massage therapy, she is also a member of the National Association of Skin Care Professionals and trained in a variety of skin care therapies from intense pulse light therapy and microdermabrasion theory and technique to dermaplaning and Eminence Organic advanced skin care. Egyptian reflexology, Indian head treatment, Hungarian facelift massage, bamboo fusion and manual facial lymph drainage are also tools of her expertise, as well as several resurfacing technologies such as the HydraFacial machine, Dermalinfusion and microneedling.

Linguidi has trained and motivated thousands of people to transform their skin and life. Currently attending the American Academy of Functional Health, she will complete her certification soon, adding functional medicine practitioner to her designations. Recognized in the industry as an expert, she personally developed the twohour Diamond Glow Experience, which includes a variety of anti-aging techniques.

Purely You Spa is located at 3066 Tamiami

Tr. N., Ste. 302, and 7935 Airport Rd., Ste. 207, 210, 211and 213 in Naples. For more information, call 239-331-8266 or visit PurelyYouSpa.com. See ads, pages 2 and 16.

Jennifer Alvarez Linguidi

Maintaining Mental Health from an Inner Perspective

by Heather Mitchell

The Inner Perspective, the first true therapy and yoga collective in Naples, was created out of a mutual desire of Freddie Henken and Meryl Sykes to address mental health and life satisfaction through therapy and yoga. The Inner Perspective seeks to take therapy off the couch, change the way that people view and use yoga, and put them together to help people lead conscious lives they love.

Henken and Sykes, both New York natives, met in 2013 in Costa Rica at the Nosara Yoga Institute. Each of their journeys to yoga had led them to study and or work with Don Stapleton, Ph.D., and Amba Stapleton, Ph.D., teachers in the Kripalu lineage. Don was the dean of Kripalu education at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health and cofounded the Nosara Yoga Institute. Henken became a lead teacher at the institute, facilitating numerous trainings and transformations. Henken and Sykes’ love of the practice and what it resulted in led them to study with many teachers and develop a romantic relationship that has changed their lives. It moved them to Naples permanently in 2015, led to a master’s degree in social work for Sykes, and to the creation of The Inner Perspective. Yoga has shaped their lives, changing the way they interact with each other and the people/environment around them, the way they view their experiences and their ability to live consciously on purpose by choice. They want to bring that to their clients.

Collectively, they have worked with hospice patients and families, students, parents and teachers within the school system, veterans struggling with PTSD, patients living with cancer and

Parkinson’s, yoga teachers honing their craft and other individuals looking to better their lives through yoga. They are passionate about using therapy and yoga to teach management of our systems, emotional responses and communication. Emotions are not experienced in a vacuum, they are in the fabric of our bodies, experienced as chemical reactions, and can be shifted consciously through perspective, focus and movement. Henken and Sykes bring these concepts to their individual sessions and to their corporate training.

Sykes specifically uses Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) an evidence-based approach that respects the autonomy of clients and focuses on their resilience, strengths and abilities, when incorporating talk therapy into her work. At The Inner Perspective, clients can incorporate movement or not when pursuing therapeutic intervention.

Yoga Therapeutics

Their signature work includes Yoga Therapeutics, which was created by Don and inspired by his studies of Feldenkrais, years of intense practice and teaching letting go of tension and the walls individuals build over time. Henken uses this work to intuitively move his clients through practices that are accessible and healing.

Pranassage

This form of yoga bodywork, created by Amba Stapleton through her work with professional athletes and high-profile celebrities in need of a method to combat stress, is designed to promote relaxation and raise vital energy. Henken and Sykes are two of the few trained practitioners of this powerful tool in the world.

Movement and Talk Therapy

Sykes offers walk and talk sessions or yoga and talk sessions where a client gets off the couch and experiences therapy in a different way. She says, “The body is present through all our life experiences. Let’s let it be present for therapy and see what it has to say.”

Super Sessions

Sykes combines it all in a master session that harnesses creative power. These sessions draw from her years of studying and using talk therapy, yoga and bodywork.

Transformation

Becoming the version of yourself that is capable of creating what you want in life is the goal of the transformation sessions.

Corporate Trainings

“We combine concepts and techniques from talk therapy and yoga to teach skills that help individuals manage their systems, explains Sykes. “This results in higher job satisfaction, less burnout and a ripple effect into the personal lives of participants.”

For more information or to make an appointment, call Inner Perspective, at 239-323-6031 or visit TheInnerPerspective.com. See ad, page 33.

Meryl Sykes and Freddie Henken

The Miracle Mind Magic Machine and Its Effects on the Pineal Gland

by Linda Sechrist

Individuals in search of a method to expand consciousness, feel connected to the universe, sense the oneness that the mystics talk about, relax, alleviate stress, calm the body, help with sleep disorders, increase productivity, enhance cerebral blood flow and achieve a peaceful state of mind might try the Miracle Mind Magic Machine. Catherine Riley offers 30-minute sessions at Goddess I AM, in Naples, and provides personal immersive experienced in clients’ homes by appointment only. As a distributor of the machine, she also provides 10-minute demonstrations at health shows in the area.

Riley first experienced the machine at Mind, Body Spirit Festival, in London, UK, in 2012. She felt that it expanded her consciousness, relaxed her body and gave a tremendous amount of well-being, as well as a connection to the universe. Having been in the health and wellness industry for many years, she wanted to know more about how the machine worked and its potential benefits. After researching and using it on a regular basis, she found it had

huge potential to dramatically improve people’s lives. The original light machine was developed by a neurologist and a psychologist to help deal with stress control and change brain waves to enter into a deep state of peace and relaxation. “The 16 stroboscopic lights flicker and pulse white light at different frequencies on the forehead area, sometimes known as our spiritual center, or third eye, creating an internal vision of bright lights, shapes, colors or images, with some people reporting psychedelic effects. It directly induces a positive effect on the pineal gland, which is responsible for producing hormones that play a key role in moods and sleep cycle. While one session can offer a profound shift, a series of six or more sessions is recommended for more insightful journeys and long-term benefits,” says Riley.

Riley advises that Dr. Joe Dispenza, a neuroscientist, researcher and New York Times bestselling author who teaches individuals how to heal their mind through meditation and mindfulness, best describes the positive effect of light on the pineal

gland. “The pineal is a tiny gland between the back of throat and the back of the head, which allows us to tune into higher dimensions of time and space.”

As a biological antenna, the pineal is a transducer of information and energy from the quantum field, turning it into vivid imagery and allowing the individual to have an inner vision. Research shows that the pineal has some very unusual properties when it is stimulated by light. Tiny crystals inside begin to shimmer, and once activated, they become sensitive to frequencies of light not perceived by the senses. The pineal allows energy to be transformed into neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin and their derivatives of powerful antioxidants which fit into receptor sites throughout the body. These healing antioxidants are anti-heart disease, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.

Miraculously, the body tweaks these powerful molecules into benzodiazepine, which is like valium in the body. Shutting off the fight-or-flight survival messages, the body is put into stasis and relaxes. Another tweak, and dimethyltryptamine is produced. This is a very powerful hallucinogenic that allows the brain to perceive another world. “Of course, you have to practice with Dr. Dispenza’s pineal gland meditation on his website or use several sessions of the Miracle Mind Magic machine,” says Riley.

The Miracle Mind Magic machine is a hypnagogic light. It is not a medical treatment or therapeutic device. Instead, it turns to consciousness as a state of health and well-being that is always available when not obscured by daily distractions and thought processes. Stepping back into the state where you can access this state of well-being can assist in letting go of any imbalances that may be expressed in your energetic, emotional, astral or physical bodies.

For more information or to make an appointment for a session on The Miracle Mind Magic Machine, call 239-375-8690 or visit MiracleMindMagic.com. See ad, page 31.

Catherine Riley

Meet Maggie Stevens

Fort Myers Resident

Work: I retired after 30-plus years working in Lee County’s Early Childhood programs. I’m now enjoying my second chapter as a mindfulness meditation teacher. I offer classes and mentoring through Metta Mindfulness and through Caloosahatchee Mindfulness, the nonprofit that I currently chair.

Proudest achievement:  I generally don›t think about my accomplishments. Instead, I take great joy in the accomplishments of my own children and grandchildren, as well as those of all my former students and their families.

Expectations for the future: I’m sure that the future will be filled with unexpected changes over which I have no control. I’ve received many challenges and blessings over the past decades and expect that will continue. I try not to have too many expectations, and instead remain hopeful.

Favorite Websites: As I continue my studies in mindfulness meditation, I enjoy reading Tricycle Magazine, The Buddhist Review’s website. I also appreciate the thought-provoking writing and interviews at On Being, The Marginalian, and Sapien. These may be more blogs than websites.

Local or global causes supported: Locally, I support Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Fort Myers Rescue Mission and the Gulf Coast Human Society, which serve suffering humans and animals. Through Caloosahatchee Mindfulness, we provide stress reduction workshops for local organizations. I appreciate those working for justice. I support ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Favorite thing about Natural Awakenings: The focus on local community activities and services. I love their monthly calendar that allows me to sample offerings and plan my month.

Where I pick up my copy of Natural Awakenings: I find it several places that I frequent—Heart Space Yoga, Ada’s and Lotus Blossom Clinic.

Most frequented healthy food restaurant: I love the breakfast bowls at First Watch. As a vegetarian, I appreciate having options.

How I support my community: Through offering mindfulness sessions online or in person, I try to help people lower their levels of stress and calm their nervous systems. When COVID first began, I started two Friday Zoom Mindfulness sessions. I thought the sessions would eventually fade away, but we are still meeting.

Favorite inspirational quote: “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” John Muir

What I am doing to be the change I want to see in the world: I maintain my own practice that helps me recognize suffering in myself and others and meet that suffering with compassion. And, I am committed to Caloosahatchee Mindfulness’ vision of a connected community where mindfulness improves the quality of life and well-being of Southwest Floridians.

conscious eating Loving Our Kidneys

EDIBLE ALLIES, INTEGRATIVE

AND LIFESTYLE TIPS

by Marlaina Donato

TREATMENTS

tions, while the more severe, later stages become increasingly more complex to treat and may require dialysis to mechanically perform the kidneys’ functions. In endstage CKD, many patients are relegated to dialysis treatments several times a month to prevent the accumulation of deadly toxins, while many wait and hope for a lifesaving transplant.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in seven adults are diagnosed annually. Most of these 37 million Americans do not feel ill or notice symptoms until they are in advanced stages of the disease, which is why people with diabetes and high blood pressure should be tested regularly and take steps to protect their kidneys. Managing CKD requires a multilevel approach, including lifestyle and diet changes, use of prescribed medications, avoidance of kidney-harming toxins like alcohol and cigarettes, and close supervision by a doctor that specializes in kidney disease (nephrologist) to ensure that other prescribed medications and over-the-counter or herbal treatments are safe.

Our kidneys are prodigious multitaskers. Through the production of urine, they filter toxins, excrete waste and balance bodily fluids. They also produce certain hormones that regulate blood pressure and aid in other vital functions. While the kidneys don’t usually fail all at once, their effectiveness can deteriorate slowly over

years, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is most often the result of uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure. Simple blood and urine tests help physicians evaluate kidney function and diagnose CKD, which is divided into five stages. The first three stages are mild or moderate, and can respond well to lifestyle modifications and alternative interven-

Integrative and holistic approaches may be of help for those in earlier stages of kidney disease or for those striving to prevent it. “I have been really blessed to be connected with a global team of people who, like myself and everyone I work with, understand that kidney disease is treatable, and the recovery of kidney function is actually possible,” says Fiona Chin, an Australia-based naturopath and co-founder of KidneyCoach.com. Chin adds that she and her colleagues have witnessed significant patient improvement from tailored diet and lifestyle regimens during and after diagnosis, especially when root causes are addressed.

The Kidney-Friendly Kitchen

Promising research published last year in Frontiers of Pharmacology shows that combining Western treatments and Traditional Chinese Medicine can have a positive impact on even late-stage renal failure. Isaac Eliaz, M.D., an integrative medical doctor and founder of Amitabha Medical Clinic,

Danijela/AdobeStock.com

in Santa Rosa, California, says, “Preventing and reducing chronic inflammation is a critical aspect of minimizing CKD risk. An anti-inflammatory diet, moderate exercise program and attention to stress reduction all work to decrease the proinflammatory milieu.” He also highlights the importance of protecting and boosting beneficial gut bacteria, which can be addressed with supplements or prebiotic foods like garlic, leeks, onions and jicama.

Piling whole, plant-plentiful goodness onto our plates and embracing an alkaline diet are key measures in the prevention of CKD by lowering the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Mayo Clinic offers renal-supportive recipes with fruits, vegetables and grains like quinoa. It also recommends avoiding many packaged and processed foods that have phosphorus added to prolong shelf life and enhance taste, such as convenience foods, sodas and sports drinks, flavor-enhanced meats and processed cheeses.

Jarrod Cooper, ND, founder of Advanced Functional Medicine, underscores the importance of nixing proinflammatory foods such as sugars, refined carbohydrates, excessive red meat, trans and saturated fats, caffeine and alcohol. Alcohol negatively impacts liver function, and over time reduces blood flow to the kidneys, leading to CKD, he says. That extra glass of wine can also crank up blood pressure, a surefire path to renal compromise.

Kidney-loving fruits, ac-

cording to Cleveland Urology Associates, include pineapple, cranberries, red grapes and apples, all of which pack an antiinflammatory punch.

Sodium: Friend or Foe?

Chin notes that although salt is essential for nerve and muscle function, a balancing of fluids in the blood and healthy blood pressure, not all salt is beneficial. “Salt is a healthy thing to have in your diet in moderation and in the right form,” she asserts. “Table salt is manufactured salt that is stripped of its natural minerals. During salt processing, the balance of sodium to other valuable minerals is lost. Most salt companies also add anti-caking agents that contain aluminum.” Chin recommends good-quality Himalayan salt or sea salt that also contains traces of other natural minerals.

Various types of seaweeds, like dulce, nori and kombu, are natural sources of sodium that are safe for people that do not have kidney disease. They offer significant benefits for inflammation reduction, blood sugar balance and heart health, including lower blood pressure. Sea vegetables have also been shown to help reduce the risk of kidney stones by inhibiting the formation of calcium oxalate.

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and host of multimedia art exhibits intended for healing the community. Connect at Wildflower Lady.com.

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

CILANTRO LIME CAULIFLOWER RICE

YIELD: 6 SERVINGS

1 head cauliflower, chopped (or 6 cups)

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves

¼ tsp pepper

¼ tsp salt

3 Tbsp fresh lime juice

¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Rinse the cauliflower and pat dry. Chop into florets, then pulse in a food processor or blender. Alternatively, the cauliflower can be

left whole and grated with a box grater. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic for a few minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Increase heat to medium high and add cauliflower. Sauté about 5 minutes.

Transfer to a bowl and toss with salt, pepper, lime juice and cilantro.

BLACKENED SALMON TACOS

YIELD: 8 SERVINGS

4 salmon filets, 4 oz each

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

8 small corn tortillas

THE BLACKENING RUB:

1½ tsp paprika

1½ tsp cumin

1½ tsp dark brown sugar

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp chili powder

¼ tsp black pepper

THE SLAW:

2 cups broccoli slaw

2 cups shredded purple cabbage

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp mayonnaise

2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped

2 small jalapeños, seeds removed and chopped

1 Tbsp lime juice

In a small bowl, combine and mix the paprika, cumin, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, chili powder and

Excerpted from Multiple Sclerosis Diet Plan and Cookbook. Copyright © 2019 Noelle Citarella. Used with permission from Rockridge Press, Emeryville, CA. All rights reserved. COMING

black pepper. Sprinkle over the flesh side of the fish, reserving about 1 teaspoon for the slaw.

Preheat a medium skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and coat the pan evenly. Place the salmon in the preheated pan, flesh side down, and allow it to sizzle for 4 minutes to allow it to brown. Flip it to the skin side and cover the pan for the last 4 minutes or until it reaches the desired temperature.

Meanwhile, combine the slaw ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Heat the corn tortillas. Fill each with about 2 ounces of salmon and about ¼ cup of slaw.

Excerpted from Multiple Sclerosis Diet Plan and Cookbook. Copyright © 2019 Noelle Citarella. Used with permission from Rockridge Press, Emeryville, CA. All rights reserved.

daarnautova/AdobeStock.com

ROASTED CABBAGE STEAKS WITH GREMOLATA

by Chef Lisa Brown

For individuals that want to try something new this St. Patty’s Day, consider transforming cabbage into delicious, tender, caramelized “steaks”. This simple recipe calls for one head of cabbage to be cut into rounds, lightly seasoned and roasted in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes. Gremolata is a fresh, zesty Italian herb sauce made with lemon, garlic and parsley. It brightens and elevates all kinds of dishes and can be used as a condiment or a sauce. Cabbage is a part of the cruciferous family with many nutritional benefits, including high vitamin C, K and fiber content.

Yield: Serves 4

GREMOLATA

1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, very finely chopped (thick stems removed)

3 garlic cloves, finely minced

Zest of one lemon

2 tsp lemon juice

½ cup cold-pressed olive oil

¼ tsp kosher salt

¼ tsp pepper, more to taste

Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

Place chopped parsley, garlic, zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl and mix until well combined. For a looser consistency, add a little more oil. Adjust seasonings to taste. For heat, add a pinch of chili flakes.

Gremolata is best served fresh and keeps in the refrigerator covered for up to three days.

ROASTED CABBAGE

1 medium head green cabbage, loose leaves removed

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp coconut aminos

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp kosher salt

¼ tsp ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 425˚ F and lightly grease a baking sheet. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Remove any loose outer leaves from the head of cabbage. Slice off the root end (bottom) of the cabbage. Set the cabbage upright and slice into 1-inch thick slices. Use a pastry brush to cover both sides of the cabbage slices with the olive oil mixture, or use fingers to rub the oil in. Arrange the cabbage slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Roast the cabbage for 25 minutes, flip and roast for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the cabbage is tender with crispy edges. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes for an extra-crispy cabbage steak.

As soon as the cabbage slices are done roasting, transfer to a serving platter or individual plates. Serve with gremolata and enjoy.

Lisa Brown, owner of FreeFlowingHealth.com is an in-home personal plant-based chef and educator. For more information or to book her for a private event, call 646-642-0083.

Veggies for the Win

FIVE REASONS TO CHOOSE A PLANT-BASED LIFESTYLE

by Kiki Powers, MS, CNC

Many of us have come across the term “plant-based eating”. Perhaps the regimen was recommended to us by a medical or nutritional professional. We may have read about it in a magazine or seen a documentary on the subject. Scientists around the globe have studied this lifestyle choice, and persuasive evidence is mounting that eating a preponderance of foods from plant sources has health merits.

The concept is attributed to T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., the Jacob Gould Schurman professor emeritus of nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University. Based on his extensive research, he has advocated a low-fat, whole food, plant-based diet since the 1980s, and his commentary appears in Forks Over Knives, an influential 2011 documentary on the subject that is still worth viewing.

Americans love their cheeseburgers and french fries, and breaking a habit that we thoroughly enjoy might be challenging at first. But we need not completely ban such delights from our menu, so long as our plates are brimming with vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, beans, healthy oils, nuts and seeds most of the time. Gradually transitioning to a whole food, plant-based, low-fat diet is the winning formula for positive change and longterm compliance.

Here are five compelling reasons to make this promising dietary shift.

Cost-Effective Disease Prevention

As so many Americans struggle with chronic health issues, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease, physicians are hard-pressed to find the right combination of treatments to help their patients lead healthier lives. At the same time, healthcare costs continue to skyrocket. In 2020, health spending rose to $4.1 trillion, or $12,530 per capita, according to the American Medical Association.

In a 2013 article published in The Permanente Journal, California physicians surveyed leading research and case studies and found that plant-based diets offer patients a lowrisk, cost-effective intervention to regulate weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and

cholesterol levels. They also asserted that such eating regimens could reduce the number of medications patients would have to take for chronic disease, and that physicians should recommend such diets to all of their patients, especially those suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or obesity.

Besides saving money on drugs and medical procedures, a plant-based menu has never been easier or more affordable. According to recent data conducted by the UK nonprofit Veganuary, plant-based meals eaten at home cost 40 percent less than meat- or fish-based meals and take one-third less time to prepare.

“The most powerful tool I discovered while in practice for both preventing and treating chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and arthritis was the implementation of a plant-based nutritional plan to a patient’s life,” says Ted Crawford, a board-certified family physician featured in two inspiring documentaries about the life-changing benefits of a plant-based diet: Eating You Alive and PlantWise

Flavor, Freshness and Flavonoids

The latest food trend is a “burger” made entirely of plants. The race is on to see which one looks and tastes closest to a juicy, all-beef patty. Whether it’s mushrooms posing as “steak” or wheat-based seitan kneaded into “chicken”, recipes catering to carnivores have their audience. For some, these tasty alternatives may offer a path toward becoming a vegetarian or vegan.

Oven-roasted on a sheet pan, splashed with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice, sprinkled with fresh herbs and spices, served with a creamy dip, slow-cooked in a crockpot, baked into a pie, frothed into a sweet smoothie or freshly pulled from the vine, consider the fact that whole, plant-based foods taste delicious on their own and deserve the spotlight.

They are good and good for us, packed with nutrition while low in fat and calories. The vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables—as varied as the rainbow—are evidence of the many healthful attributes they offer. Ditching animal fats, white flour and sugar in favor of fresh, whole plant foods found at a local farmers market ensures a rich intake of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, phytonutrients, fiber, antioxidants, flavonoids, protein, fiber and more—the building blocks of a robust, disease-fighting body.

Those that believe a plant-based diet is too limiting might be surprised to learn that there is a wealth of meat-free culinary possibilities. Garth Davis, M.D., author of Proteinaholic: How Our Obsession With Meat Is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It, notes, “Just 12 plants and five animals compose about 75 percent of the world’s food, and yet there are approximately 300,000 known edible plant species, only about 150 of which are used commonly around the world.”

There are so many plant-derived flavors and recipes yet to explore. Try a new plant-based recipe weekly. Let the kids select their favorite fruits and veggies to prepare. Enjoy reimagining old favorites like lasagna, enchiladas, chili and tacos. Simply swap out the meat in favor of beans, tofu, tempeh or faux meat products, which have become quite sophisticated in recent years.

PLANT-BASED RESOURCES

Documentary Films championing plant-based diets

n PlantPure Nation

n Forks Over Knives

n Eating You Alive

n What the Health

Websites offering tips, recipes and advice for plant-prominent menus

n HappyHerbivore.com

n ForksOverKnives.com

n NoraCooks.com

n CleanFoodDirtyGirl.com

Cookbooks that make whole, plant-based foods shine

n Oh She Glows Every Day, by Angela Lindon

n The Happy Herbivore Cookbook, by Lindsay S. Nixon

n The PlantPure Nation Cookbook, by Kim Campbell

n The China Study Cookbook, by LeAnne Campbell

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

While acute inflammation is a protective bodily response to heal infections and repair tissues, metabolic inflammation—or metaflammation—refers to chronic, systemic inflammation. According to a 2020 study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, metabolic inflammation is associated with increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease.

Numerous studies have explored the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of foods. According to a 2021 article in Harvard Health Publishing, the following foods cause inflammation: refined carbohydrates like white bread; fried foods like french fries; sodas and other sugary drinks; red meat; processed meat, including hot dogs, sausage and cold cuts; and margarine, shortening and lard. Conversely, the best anti-inflammatory foods are tomatoes; olive oil; leafy, green vegetables such as spinach, kale and collards; nuts like almonds, walnuts, pistachios and pecans; and fruit such as apples, strawberries, blueberries, cherries and oranges. Omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines are also recommended for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Environmental Sustainability

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, total greenhouse gas emissions from global livestock represents 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Cattle raised for both beef and milk are the animal species respon-

sible for the most emissions, which include methane and represent about 65 percent of the livestock sector’s emissions. Industrially produced meat is also a leading contributor of global deforestation and habitat loss as large swaths of the Amazon and other land masses are cleared for cattle ranching and to produce animal feed.

According to a new model developed by California scientists and published in the journal PLOS Climate, a global phase-out of animal agriculture and a shift to plant-based diets over the next 15 years would have the same effect as a 68 percent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions through the end of 2100, thereby boosting humanity’s chances of avoiding the projected devastation of climate change. Such benefits would result from a decline in the methane and nitrous oxide emissions associated with industrialized meat production, coupled with a recovery of natural ecosystems as fewer forests and land masses are cleared for animal feed production.

Improved Mental and Emotional Health

Sarah Thomsen Ferreira, an integrative registered dietician and manager of clinical nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine (CCCFM), notes, “Certain foods and nutrients help your brain to make chemicals that can impact your mood, attention and focus, while other foods can zap your energy.” The CCCFM recommends a diet that combines complex carbohydrates with lean proteins and colorful produce. While lean proteins may include white-fleshed fish and white-meat poultry, healthy, plant-based, lean proteins are also found in beans, peas, lentils and tofu.

Diet can support emotional well-being and perhaps even help ward off depression and anxiety. A 2017 clinical trial explored how a plant-based diet, daily exercise and mindfulness techniques would affect 500 adult men and women diagnosed with moderate to severe depression and anxiety. After 12 weeks, participants reported improvements in depression and anxiety, according to the study abstract published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

Eating a plant-based diet makes sense on many levels. Make the switch.

Kiki Powers is a health writer, blogger and national speaker specializing in plant-based nutrition and healthy green living. Learn more at RawKiki.com.

The Cellular Magic of Compassion

by Marlaina Donato

Dropping off a homemade treat on a neighbor’s porch or going out of our way for a stranger can make the recipient’s day, but the giver also gets a boost. Thanks to a scientifically proven cascade of feel-good chemicals like oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, performing regular acts of kindness forges new neural pathways in the brain, amping up our cognitive ability while reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The “helper’s high” is as real as the runner’s high and, according to sources cited by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, neurotransmitters stimulated by compassion have a stronger influence on health and longevity than exercise and other positive lifestyle factors.

Studies show that practicing kindness for just seven days increases happiness, but the magic is ephemeral. Oxytocin, the “love chemical” that bonds humans to each other, floods the bloodstream for only four minutes after a positive interaction, which means the more doors we hold for each other and the more we offer small soul-gifts to others, the more we train our brains to be happier and our bodies to be less sensitive to chronic pain patterns.

Of course, giving must be counterbalanced with a healthy ratio of receiving. Expressing compassion to ourselves is equally as important and effective. Including the self is paramount in purposeful generosity. Allowing ourselves the full range of human emotions without judgement, giving our bodies that much-needed extra hour of sleep, buying fresh flowers for our office and crediting ourselves for daily accomplishments are all easy ways to turn on endorphins.

The more joyful we can be in our own skins, the more likely we are to beam that joy out into the world. Being both giver and receiver to ourselves blesses us with an understanding of why expressing benevolence is vital to the planet. “The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be,” said the Dalai Lama, exemplifying how giving in itself is the greatest reward.

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and host of multimedia art exhibits intended for healing the community. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

TERRY WAHLS

O N MANAGING AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE WITH LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS

by Noelle Citarella, MS, RDN, CDN, IFNCP

Terry Wahls, M.D., is a certified practitioner at the Institute for Functional Medicine, as well as clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa, where she conducts clinical trials testing the effect of therapeutic diet and lifestyle to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. She is the author of The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles, as well as an accompanying cookbook, The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life.

When Wahls was diagnosed with MS and later relegated to a tilt-recline wheelchair in the early 2000s, she decided to fight back. Drawing upon her medical background, she identified certain nutrients that were critical for brain health and started taking supplements. The disease’s progression slowed as a result, spurring her to dig deeper. Since then, through rigorous scientific study and numerous clinical trials, Wahls has developed groundbreaking dietary and lifestyle recommendations that alleviate autoimmune disease symptoms. No longer bound to a wheel-

chair, she bikes to work every day and stands as a living testament to the power of tenacity and strenuous scientific inquiry.

What are the key components of the Wahls Protocol?

The protocol is a lifestyle that supports the steadily improving health of everyone, not just MS patients. It focuses on eating more vegetables and fruits, and ensuring sufficient protein. It reduces or eliminates added sugars, ultra-processed foods, dairy and gluten-containing grains. While the diet may get more complex, a great place for anyone to start is including more nonstarchy vegetables, less processed food and more meals cooked at home. The protocol also includes lifestyle interventions, such as time in nature, meditation, mindfulness and physical activity. Even for patients who are wheelchairbound, going from chair to bed, exercise will improve their quality of life. It is a way of approaching living that creates a more healthy, nurturing environment.

What excites you most about your current MS study?

Seeing what happens with brain volume and quality of life. We hypothesize that lifestyle changes will get the rate of brain volume loss to match that of healthy aging. MS patients have brains that are shrinking three times faster than in healthy aging.

Jonathan

D. Sabin/TerryWahls.com

This increases the risk for anxiety, depression and early cognitive decline. Our study will be the largest and longest dietary intervention study done in the setting of relapsing-remitting MS. We are recruiting people ages 18 to 70 diagnosed with MS. During the participants’ three visits, they will complete surveys, conduct functional tests, provide blood and saliva samples, and get an MRI. The participants will be divided into three groups. One will follow a modified paleo diet; the second an olive oil ketogenic, time-restricted diet; and the third will be the control group. We are optimistic that the first two groups will get to healthy aging, and the control arm will likely improve, as well.

What is metabolic flexibility, and how do you improve it?

Fasting improves metabolic flexibility—the ability to switch between protein, fat and glucose for fuel. Fasting for two days increases stem cells. While periodic fasting is beneficial for metabolism and regenerative processes, it is hard to sustain because of our strong biologic drive to eat and dislike for being hungry. An easier dietary pattern to sustain long term is time-restricted eating in a window of six to eight hours. Our current clinical trial incorporates this eating pattern.

Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew when you were getting started?

How important managing stress is. When I was diagnosed with MS, I could tell that stress made my symptoms worse. I feel I would have done much better had I maintained my meditation. I am fond of hormetic stress, that “sweet spot” where stress could be beneficial. Without stress, our bones and muscles disappear. Without the stress of having to learn, our brain disappears. We just need an equal measure of relaxation and recovery.

What is your takeaway on lifestyle modifications and multiple sclerosis?

You can reverse symptoms of MS and restore function. You can have a great and meaningful life at your level of function. It is important to find joy, gratitude and purpose in life as it’s unfolding now, and doing so will help with the energy and commitment needed to do the work that can change the direction of your healing journey.

To learn more about Wahls’ studies, visit wahls.lab.uiowa.edu. To participate, visit wahls.lab.uiowa.edu/join-study or contact the study team at MSDietStudy@healthcare.uiowa.edu.

Noelle Citarella is a registered dietitian specializing in neurological nutrition and autoimmune disease in the Buffalo, N.Y., area.

FINDING HOPE IN ACTION

SAVING EARTH AND WATER WITH SMALL STEPS

by Marlaina Donato

In her book One Makes the Difference: Inspiring Actions That Change Our World, environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill asserts, “Everything we do and say does change the world. Even our inactions have impact.” Spring-boarding from Hill’s keen observation, the efforts each of us make can add up to much more than we ever imagine.

This year, the International Day of Forests and World Water Day are celebrated during the spring equinox (March 21 and 22), when nature kicks into high gear for annual renewal. For those dedicated to Earth awareness, this is a wonderful opportunity to commune with like-minded activists and learn about our impacts on vanishing resources.

Progress as Incentive

It is easy to be hopelessly discouraged when we look at the statistics of vanishing rain forests, polluted waterways and an astonishing output of “forever chemicals”, but focusing instead on the headway we’ve made worldwide can be a shot in the arm. The ozone layer, according to reliable accounts, is in recovery, thanks to reduced production of chlorofluorocarbons. Plastic policies in cities across the U.S., Europe and Australia are reducing waste, especially plastic shopping bags, plates, straws and cutlery. To fight the demise of vital coral reefs due to ocean acidification caused by the plastic pandemic, scientists are seeding reefs with coral offspring to promote restoration. The United Nations biodiversity conference held last year initiated an agreement among world leaders to restore 30 percent of natural resources by 2030 through concentrated efforts across the globe.

Fostering Forests

Major culprits of deforestation are food production (soy, corn and livestock), illegal logging and excessive paper manufacturing, which uses hazardous chemicals that compromise the air and human health. But there is much we can each do to counterbalance this devastation.

Besides going paperless whenever we can at home and work, opting for paper alternatives like bamboo, hemp and sugarcane can reduce energy production and pollution. “The three Rs—recycle, reuse and reduce are still very important,” says Todd Larsen, executive co-director at Green America. “Look for paper products made with post-consumer recycled fiber, and consumers can encourage companies they support to use recycled paper as much as possible.”

The people behind TreeSisters.org, a registered charity in the UK spearheading social change and tropical reforestation, explain, “Tropical forests are more than ‘the lungs’ of our world. They are the beating heart of the hydrological cycle. As weather stabilizers, rain creators and cleansers, they are intimately tied to our health and our food.”

Supporting reputable organizations for land and water extends beyond funds. Volunteer

work, initiating a fundraiser and spreading the word about their efforts on social media or over a coffee break are love in action. Choosing to buy from organic farmers with Earth-positive practices like crop rotation, cover cropping and composting is an investment in the future. Brady Smith, the public affairs officer for the Coconino National Forest, in Arizona, emphasizes, “If people can practice ‘leaving no trace’ ethics, that would go a long, long way in helping preserve our forests.”

Walking Our Talk for Water

It is a frightening prospect that the world’s oceans will have more plastic than marine life in just 30 years. The impact of overfishing adds to the grim reality, but we can choose sustainable, wild-caught seafood that requires minimal fresh water (and produces fewer carbon dioxide emissions than the beef industry).

According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization, one in three people suffer from the consequences of contaminated water. Supporting clean water projects sponsored by charities like Water. org can help provide safe drinking water for families in impoverished countries. Donating $200 can help a family receive a water credit loan to connect to a water supply inside the home. A borrower’s payback rate in a country like the Philippines is an inspiring 99 percent.

Full Circle

Even surfing the net can have environmental implications. Instead of conducting web searches on Google, consider Ecosia. They use the profit they make from people’s searches to plant trees where they are needed most. What we do matters.

Canadian activist Maude Barlow’s inspiring words at the World Future Council last year remind us, “We can’t know what the outcome is going to be, but we have to have faith that others are doing very important work and that, collectively, that’s going to make a difference.”

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and host of multimedia art exhibits intended for healing the community. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

DIANA MACIAN, M.D.

The Many Uses of Ozone Therapy

by Linda Sechrist

Although not the conventional standard of care, ozone therapy administered by medical professionals, is an effective measure for prevention and wellness. An old and valuable treatment, ozone is making a comeback. “It’s been in use for many years as an antimicrobial for water purifications, and is common in industries such as cleaning, sanitation, flood restoration and fire departments,” says Dr. Carole Roberts, director of Naples Center for Functional Medicine.

Ozone is a gas formed when electricity is applied to the oxygen molecule (O2). It will split this molecule into elemental oxygen (O). These oxygen atoms will bind to another oxygen molecule (O2) to form ozone (O3). Hundreds of studies that have been done using the gas for everything from infected wounds to rheumatism/arthritis and skin disease, diabetes, chronic inflammation, hypertension, cancer, SARS, AIDS and neurological issues.

Naples Center of Functional Medicine

Roberts advises that there are several methods for administering ozone therapy. The first, major autohemotherapy is similar to an intravenous (IV) vitamin drip. The difference is that an individual’s blood is first withdrawn from a vein into an IV bag, then medical ozone is infused into the bag. The mixture is then dripped back into that individual’s vein. Roberts, advises that ozone therapy can also be applied in a transdermal ointment, and some dentists use it to sterilize cavitations.

“I like to use ozone for low-grade ‘stealth infections’; viruses and microbes that live on in body after diseases. For example, mononucleosis is caused by Epstein-Barr, which persists in the body for a long time. Herpes virus is another where flare-ups are triggered from time to time,” advises Roberts.

Roberts has also used ozone topically for slow-healing wounds. “I wrapped a plastic bag around a diabetic ulcer on a patient’s leg and pumped ozone into it. You can even insufflate ozone into the middle ear and brain via earpieces that look like a stethoscope. It’s also effective on chronic fatigue syndrome as well as Lyme disease. Additionally, ozone bumps up mitochondria function, which play an essential role in cells in the generation of adenosine triphosphate, used for all cellular functions such as the transportation of different molecules across cell membranes, building new cells and the execution of apoptosis, the programmed death of damaged cells,” she says.

SPARK Health Technologies

Sue Mahany, owner of SPARK Health Tech nologies, facilitates transdermal sessions using hyperthermic ozone and carbonic acid transdermal technology (HOCATT). During a 30-minute HOCATT session in a personal ozone steam sauna, an individual sits with only their head exposed to the air while their body receives the benefits of ozone through their skin, along with carbonic acid, steam, photon light and oxygen. During a session, the individual is inhaling pure oxygen delivered via two small tubes in front of the nasal passages. The system helps to boost the immune system, reduce stress, rebalance hormones and boost energy.

Since the 1980s, Dr. Robert Rowen, co-owner of The Robert Rowen, M.D., and Terri Su, M.D., Clinic, in Santa Rosa, California, has been extensively using integrative approaches such as ozone to resolve health challenges. A short video at DrRowenDrSu.com explains the five major benefits of ozone, which deactivates virus, bacteria, fungus, mold and parasites; improves blood flow by making red blood cells more flexible; increases immunity and antibody production; breaks down petrochemicals; and removes toxins, in addition to accelerating the production of energy in the mitochondria, considered the powerhouse of cells.

Naples Family Dentist

Dr. Paul Mabe, DDS, owner of Naples Family Dentist, and his holistic dental hygienist, Yvette Mabe, RDH, consider ozone one of the most unique antibacterial substances they have ever seen

Dr. Carole Roberts

VIP client experiencing HOCATT therapy at SPARK Health Technologies

in dentistry. These dental professionals have found numerous uses for ozone during routine dental hygiene checkups, tooth extractions, preparations for fillings, crown preparations, dental surgery, peri-apical abscesses under inflamed gum tissue and even teeth whitening for patients with high sensitivity to tooth-whitening gel. “We apply it directly for two minutes per tooth and the patient continues at home with infused olive oil. Teeth are two to three shades lighter, nearly as effective as the gel,” says Paul.

For example, rinsing with ozone water at the beginning of the dental appointment essentially kills bacteria and acid in the oral cavity. Ozonated water is used throughout the teeth cleaning process and bottles of ozonated water are situated on the dental chairs for drinking or swishing. After removing the old filling and all the decay matter, teeth are cleaned with ozone gas and rinsed with ozone water. This seals off the dentinal tubules, making the tooth less sensitive.

Written in conjunction with four medical doctors, Marc J. Seifer, Ph.D., in his latest book, Ozone Therapy for the Treatment of Viruses: The Science and the Promise of Healing with Ozone, writes about an accessible history of ozone treatment, an overview of the inner workings of the immune system, the testimony of doctors that have used it with success and patients who have received it. He notes that ozone has been successful in treating long-haul patients—those with long-term lingering effects. “Just as the parable states, ‘What is old is made new again’. Something that is so easy to administer and so effective as to kill bacteria, molds and parasites and deactivating viruses should never go out of date,” says Roberts, who cautions, “Never inhale ozone. If it enters the mouth, nose or eyes, it can burn and cause coughing, nausea, vomiting or headaches.”

Local Resources

Naples Center for Functional Medicine is located at 800 Goodlette Rd. N., Ste. 270, in Naples. For more information or to make an appointment, call 239-649-7400 or visit NaplesCFM.com. See ad, page 47.

Spark Health Technologies is located at 11983 N. Tamiami Tr., Ste. 150, in Naples. For appointments and more information, call 802-752-6342 or visit SparkHealthTechnologies.com. See ad, page 32.

Naples Family Dentist is located at 877 111th Ave., Ste. N #3, in Naples. For more information, call 239-566-7737 or visit NaplesFamilyDentist.com. See ad, back cover.

Root Causes, which offers ozone therapy, is located at 12734 Kenwood Lane, Ste. 4, in Ft. Myers. For more information, call 239-4252900, email Frank.RootCauses@gmail.com or visit RtCausesMD. com. See ad, page 19.

Dr. Paul Mabe

Thriving With Multiple Sclerosis

H OW TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION AND PROMOTE NEUROREGENERATION

by Noelle Citarella, RDN, CDN, IFNCP

For people with multiple sclerosis (MS), the concept of “thriving” is becoming increasingly attainable thanks to advances in lifestyle-related research. While MS is not yet curable, life choices that reduce inflammation and promote neuroregeneration can slow or reverse disease progression. This is great news for nearly 1 million Americans living with MS, as estimated by a 2019 National Multiple Sclerosis Association study.

Tony Ferro, the founder of Change MS, credits diet modifications for improving his own symptoms of numbness, tingling, blurred vision, extreme fatigue, brain fog and depression. “It was hard work, but the more I learned and understood, the more I applied and the better I felt,” he says. Recognizing the transformative power of behavioral and attitudinal choices, his nonprofit helps people with MS adopt a wellness mindset and learn strategies to achieve their fullest potential.

According to a 2018 review article published in Current Nutrition Reports, a number of recent studies provide strong preliminary

evidence that diet can influence the rise and progression of MS and its symptoms. Largescale clinical trials are needed to be certain, but the emerging research suggests that the right foods not only provide essential nutrients for cellular function and repair, but also offer anti-inflammatory effects that slow MS activity, protect the nervous system from further damage and allow for nervous-system repair.

A study spearheaded by Terry Wahls, M.D., at the University of Iowa, found a significant improvement in fatigue, quality of life and mental health in MS patients following a modified paleo diet that was rich in certain vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes that have been found to support energy production and nerve repair.

Eating to Reduce Inflammation

Vegetables should make up the bulk of each meal, followed by a smaller portion of fruits. Eat many different-colored varietals to benefit from a full gamut of bioactive compounds. Consume sulfur-rich foods like broccoli, cabbage, asparagus and leafy greens daily.

Quality protein is essential, including omega-3-rich fish, like salmon, twice weekly. Saturated fats found in butter, cheese and red meat are associated with inflammation and should be limited. Use olive oil, which contains more than 30 neuroprotective antioxidants and has been shown to reduce inflammation and promote immune tolerance.

An elimination diet may identify food triggers that exacerbate MS symptoms.

Maintaining a Healthy Microbiome

Most people need 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily. Consume fermented foods, such as pickled vegetables and kefir, as well as prebiotic ingredients like onions, garlic, oats, bananas, apples, cocoa and flax seeds. The microbial fermentation of prebiotic fiber and phytonutrients produces beneficial byproducts including vitamin K, biotin, neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and short-chain fatty acids, which help promote gut integrity, mood, immune balance and overall health.

Fasting Regularly

Studies have found that fasting for 12 to 16 hours increases cell repair and positively impacts hormone balance, metabolism and weight. Start with an overnight fast of 12 hours and slowly extend the fasting period one hour at a time to lengthen the body repair window.

Improving Sleep

The body does most of its restorative work while we sleep. Adequate, quality slumber is crucial for healthy immune function, balanced hormones and tissue repair.

Ensure that the bedroom is quiet, dark and cool. To keep circadian cycles on track, get a daily dose of sunlight. Consider taking melatonin, L-theanine, lemon balm, holy basil, reishi mushrooms or other natural supplements recommended by a healthcare provider, as needed.

Remaining Active

For people with MS, regular physical activity can improve their quality of life. According to Dr. Lacey Bromley, a physical therapist who specializes in neurological rehabilitation, “Study after study examining the influence of exercise and physical rehabilitation on persons with MS continue to provide positive outcomes. With the correct rehabilitation program, there is ample opportunity for the central nervous system to recover lost function by enhancing previous motor programs or developing new neural pathways.”

Staying Hydrated

Fluids are essential for important bodily functions, including digestion, nutrient absorption, temperature regulation and toxin excretion. They also help prevent constipation. Bladder dysfunction, a common MS symptom, leads many patients to restrict fluid intake. This is inadvisable because even mild dehydration can promote fatigue, cause urinary tract infections and impair cognitive function and exercise performance. A better approach is to decrease caffeine and alcohol consumption while slowly increasing fluid intake to build up a tolerance for additional fluids.

A Life Worth Living

By focusing more attention on the delights that can be added rather than what is taken away, people with MS can move forward on a much brighter path.

“We want to support our cells, brain and body with the nutrients we need to thrive, not just survive,” Ferro says. “Make small, obtainable goals, stay consistent and keep a journal to track your food, symptoms and journey along the way.”

Noelle Citarella is a registered dietitian specializing in neurological nutrition and autoimmune disease in the Buffalo, N.Y., area.

Accelerate Healing with Energy.

Using light energy through distance healing, your healing process can move forward more smoothly.

“My knee was warm for about 3 full hours after I left. It seemed to heal further after I slept the first couple of nights. While my knee was not healed 100%, it was significantly better and I was able to go on my Montana ski trip the next week.

P.S. Another month after my ski trip my knee has continued to improve.”

Robert, Gainesville, GA

Practicing by donation for nearly 10 years. Questions? Call Bill at 770-990-9191 or visit https://www.distancehealer.me

New Cryoskin Treatment at Mandala Spa

by Savannah Noir

Mandala Spa, in Naples, is now featuring Cryoskin to help individuals achieve the look they have been striving for. With no suction, surgery or downtime, women and men can lose inches with a safe, painless and effective 28-minute treatment that destroys fat cells with controlled thermic shock technology.

The appearance of cellulite affecting most women, even athletes and fitness fanatics, can be reduced with CryoSlimming/ CryoToning. It increases circulation and boosts the production of collagen, which naturally breaks down cellulite, reducing the orange peel appearance of cellulite and improving the elasticity of skin.

A clinical study was carried out at the Societé Francaise d’Accreditation Santé, in Paris, to determine the effectiveness of CryoSlimming over the course of five sessions, where 15 out of 16 participants experienced a significant reduction in waistline measurement.

Applying CryoFacial reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to improve the appearance of skin. It uses cold therapy that increases oxygen and nutrient supply to tissue, stimulating production of collagen and improving elasticity of skin and tightness of facial muscles.

“Clients that have tried Cryoskin have been extremely pleased with the results. When diet and exercise aren’t enough, Cryoskin’s cold temperatures can help you slim your body, look more youthful and feel more beautiful in your own skin. With one wand and three different treatments—CryoSlimming, CryoToning, and CryoFacial—there is a treatment that is right for everyone,” says Elizabeth Nunez, owner of Mandala.

The Mandala Spa, located at 300 Fifth Ave. S., Ste. 203, in Naples, offers CryoSkin. For more information or to make an appointment, call 239-571-9880 or visit NaplesMandalaSpa.com. See ad, page 9.

Jennifer Vear Hoy MS, MS

The Gift of Animal Communication

by Yvette Lynn

As a young child, Anne Merrill had a gift that she dismissed as childish imagination. “I thought it was silly for me to think that I was communicating with animals, so I didn’t pay attention until I got much older and started following Danielle Mackinnon, author of Animal Lessons: Discovering Your Spiritual Connection with Animals. Her name kept popping up relative to the things I was researching on the internet. When I contacted her, I found out about the courses she offered and enrolled so I could fine tune my intuition that was already working,” says the resident of Madison Park, in East Naples.

Merrill met with Mackinnon and other participants once a week via Zoom for nearly a year. “In-between, we practiced what we learned. Danielle arranged phone calls with clients where she gave readings so we could learn from them how to do our own. There was plenty of practice, and I learned how to decipher the things I was hearing but hadn’t trusted. Learning to trust in what I was hearing and the images I was seeing was a big part of the process. Animals communicate with me in different ways. Some animals show me pictures, while others show me words. Sometimes they show me comical things, which keeps the reading light,” she says.

Helping people when their animals are getting ready to pass over the rainbow bridge is something that Merrill particularly enjoys. “There is just something about it that makes me feel good about helping them understand what is happening to their furry companions. I also enjoy the kind of calls about issues such as why does my dog turn over his meal dish or chew up the furniture, or why is my cat scratching the furniture or urinating outside the litter box. I love everything about what I do. I’ve come to be more and more trustful and confident of knowing exactly when I’ve connected with the intuitive voice and not my own internal monologue,” says Merrill.

For more information or to schedule a reading email Anne@ AnneMerrill-Intuitive.com or visit AnneMerrill-Intuitive.com. See ad, page 41.

Anne Merrill

SWEET LULLABY BETTER SLEEP FOR CHILDREN

by Marlaina Donato and Kirby Baldwin

Sleep is essential for both survival and the ability to thrive, yet as children’s schedules get busier and they spend more time in front of screens, their average sleep time often decreases. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids between the ages of 6 and 12 get nine to 12 hours of sleep per night for optimal health, they’re regularly getting less, and about 15 to 25 percent of youngsters and adolescents have trouble falling and staying asleep.

In a recent study published in The Lancet, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that children that get less than nine hours of sleep per night have notable differences in areas of the brain that influence memory, intelligence and wellbeing compared to those that sleep more than nine hours. According to researchers, such insufficiencies in early adolescence can lead to long-lasting neurocognitive consequences.

Why Kids Aren’t Sleeping

Anna Esparham, M.D., FAAP, an integrative medical expert with the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends that parents look for clues as to why their children can’t sleep, including stress, increased screen time and less physical activity. However, there may be other underlying issues.

A lesser-known culprit that may contribute to a child’s compromised sleep is impaired mouth syndrome (IMS), a term coined by dentist Felix Liao, a certified airway-centered mouth doctor and past-president of the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine. “Most people, including many dentists, don’t realize the influence that the mouth has on the body,” he says. “The mouth is the portal to the inside. With impaired mouth syndrome, the child can still chew, smile and talk, but the body’s health can be compromised.”

While birth trauma, concussion and viruses can precipitate mouth breathing, and chronic allergies often exacerbate matters, immature swallowing can set off a cascade of problems. The mouth is a critical infrastructure for proper breathing, circulation, digestion, energy and sleep. IMS occurs when jaw development is insufficient, thereby giving

rise to numerous difficulties, such as a narrower airway, which can cause hypoxia, or low levels of oxygen. Liao notes that poor sleep quality can also lead to learning and behavioral problems.

“Breastfeeding stimulates bone growth and jaw development through the tongue’s instinctive action and ideally enables a child to have a mature swallow by age 2,” says Amy DayriesLing, DMD, FAIHM, a national spokesperson for the American Dental Association. In her book Solve Your Sleep: Get to the Core of Your Snore for Better Health , Dayries-Ling connects the dots between the vital role of the tongue during breastfeeding, balanced stimulation from the vagus nerve and beneficial spaces between milk teeth for a welldeveloped dental arch.

Correcting Structural Problems

From a holistic perspective, improperly working muscles of the tongue, throat and face or a compromised jawbone can foster a predisposition to a number of seemingly unrelated conditions, including dental problems, teeth grinding, asthma, bedwetting, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, poor growth, swollen tonsils and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. Dayries-Ling recommends that parents seek out a myofunctional therapist that can help retrain muscles and free up the airway. Building an integrative team is vital, including a dentist trained to address structural issues.

As a certified, airway-centered mouth doctor, New Jersey-based holistic dentist Nemie Sirilan understands the link between sleep deprivation and airway obstructions. She uses 3D scans and thorough examinations to identify craniofacial abnormalities and customize treatments that correct structural anomalies.

“When I examine young patients, I want to see how baby teeth are forming, whether they have a tongue-tie and how their upper and lower jaws are positioned, to see if they have some kind of bad bite. These are all telltale signs of airway obstruction,” Sirilan explains, adding that another common indicator of breathing difficulties is the

wearing down of tooth enamel that results from persistent teeth grinding.

Sirilan recommends that parents consult an airway-centered mouth doctor as soon as possible before other complications arise, noting that these problems are often easily corrected with customized corrective appliances, as well as collaborative consultations with other practitioners, including functional doctors, nutritionists, chiropractors and physical therapists to treat the whole person.

Life seems to be a much brighter place after a good night’s sleep, and kids are our future. Digging deeper for their optimum, long-term well-being is a vital investment.

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and host of multimedia art exhibits intended for healing the community. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

Kirby Baldwin is an editor and writer for KnoWEwell, the Regenerative Whole Health Hub and parent company of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp.

Empower Natural Health By Mouth

Your Pain,

“Get your airway back, get your sleep back, get your life back” – Angela, patient “Impaired Mouth Diagnosis should have been the first course in dental school.”

– Dr. J. Yelle, Monument, CO

An AMD’s Mission: To help you turn back illness and turn on wellness naturally through our evidence-based impaired Mouth diagnosis and Holistic Mouth solutions HolisticMouthSolutions.com

Join free Webinar to learn more. s

Natural Remedies for Pets

SEVEN NON-TOXIC TREATMENTS FOR COMMON AILMENTS

by Karen Shaw Becker, DVM

Natural remedies and healing therapies are not just for humans, they also help pets overcome illness and maintain optimal health. Used properly, plants, herbs, essential oils and other natural, non-toxic substances can complement and often replace drugs and other chemical agents. Here are seven healthful solutions.

Coconut oil is a source of medium-chain triglycerides, which benefit cognitive function. It is also rich in lauric acid, a powerful antimicrobial agent for yeast infections, allergies and skin conditions (when used topically). Feed dogs and cats one-quarter teaspoon of 100 percent organic, coldpressed, human-grade coconut oil for every 10 pounds of the pet’s body weight twice daily.

Manuka honey is an allnatural, effective remedy. Clinical trials have shown that it can eradicate hundreds of strains of bacteria, including certain antibiotic-resistant varieties. A Unique Manuka Factor rating of 10 or higher is recommended for medicinal use. Manuka honey can be used to manage resistant ear and skin infections, as well as large, superficial wounds that cannot be closed surgically. Given orally, manuka honey is effective at addressing H. pylori, the bacteria that contributes to gastrointestinal irritation, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and excessive E. coli blooms in animals with dysbiosis.

Aloe vera has multiple applications. To reduce a dog’s discomfort from skin irritations, cuts or wounds, clean the affected area and apply the raw, inner gel of the plant to provide a soothing effect. For constipation, a small amount of whole leaf aloe vera juice, a natural laxative, can be added to a dog’s food. Inner leaf aloe juice, which doesn’t contain the skin, helps heal gastric ulcers, colitis and leaky gut.

Lavender oil is used in aromatherapy to help calm nervous or anxious animals. For a dog with noise phobia, place a few drops on their collar or bedding before a stressor occurs, if possible, or diffuse the oil around the house for a calming effect. Lavender oil can also be beneficial for treating hot spots. Add a few drops to manuka honey or coconut oil and apply after disinfecting the wound twice daily.

Oregano oil contains potent antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties. It can be used to calm itchy skin, soothe irritated gums and assist in balancing a dog’s gut flora. It is also a beneficial herb for dogs with kennel cough or recurrent infections. Oregano oil should always be diluted before using it in or on pets.

Ginger is a widely used, nontoxic, non-irritating remedy for soothing tummy troubles. It can be given orally or used in oil form by adding a few drops to a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, and massaging the mixture into the skin on the pet’s belly. Alternatively, add small amounts of freshly grated ginger or the dry herb to a tasty meatball or other yummy treat. Use no more than one-sixteenth teaspoon for kitties, one-eighth teaspoon for small dogs under 10 pounds, one-quarter teaspoon for medium-sized dogs, one-half teaspoon for large dogs and three-quarter to one teaspoon for giant breeds. Give the ginger one to three times a day, as needed.

Chamomile is an effective calming agent that has analgesic and anti-spasmodic properties and is beneficial in soothing the central nervous system. Use a cool chamomile tea bag against a wound, irritation or bug bite on the dog’s or cat’s skin to provide a soothing effect. Something else to consider is a soothing chamomile after-bath rinse. Add five chamomile tea bags to two quarts of very hot water and steep until the water is cool for up to three hours to allow the maximum amount of polyphenols to release into the water. Remove the tea bags and pour the rinse over a freshly bathed pet from the neck down. Massage into the skin and do not rinse.

Veterinarian Dr. Karen Shaw Becker has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their pets. To learn more, visit DrKarenBecker.com.

Merrill-Intuitive Animal Communicator

Guzel

calendar of events

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.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

Tarot Time – 7-8pm. For new, intermediate and experienced tarot readers. If you still do not have the confidence to read strangers, this is your opportunity. Everyone gets a free reading while tuning in to their skills and intuition. $5. House of Spirits Mystical Botanika, 12995 S Cleveland Ave, Ste 108, Ft Myers. RSVP: 239-362-0628. HouseOfSpiritsShop.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

Sound Bath – 4:45-6pm. Also Mar 19. With harmonic alignment. Relax and recharge yourself through the healing vibrations of seven crystal singing bowls, Native American flute, drumming, Koshi chimes, singing, toning and more. $35/person. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com. See ad, page 15.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Orientation and 8-Wk Class – Mar 8 -May 3. 6-8:30pm. With Anne Louise Kracmer. $300/ nonmember, $225/member. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2, Ft Myers. Register: 941888-0116. CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

Goddess Circle – 7-8:30pm. With Pam Bzoch. This month, we will be honoring the Welsh Goddess Arianrhod. Connect with the divine feminine and like-minded sisters. This circle will often include meditation and ritual. $25. The Mystical Moon Bonita Springs, 8951 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Ste 255, Bonita Springs. RSVP: 239-301-0655. TheMysticalMoon.com. See ad, page 4.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

Psychic Fair – 5-8pm. Mini-readings with experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 mins. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com. See ad, page 35.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

Illuminate Fort Myers – 10am-5pm. Exhibitors may include aura photography, bodywork, energy work, including reiki, original art, vetted intuitive readers, crystals, essential oils, handmade jewelry and gift items, luxurious spa products and more. Free admission, free workshops, low-cost services. Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Dr, Fort Myers. IlluminateFestivals.com. See ad on page 41 and news brief on page 11. Breathwork comes to Marco Island – 12-2:30pm. Global Unified Breathing session is about coming together and learning through experiencing the power of own breath, the importance of breathing properly, using your breath as a self-healing tool. $35. Massage and Holistic Healing of Marco Island, 559 E Elkcam Cir, Marco Island. 586-294-0964. GlobalUnifiedBreathing.com.

Messages from Heaven – 2-4pm. Sandy Alemian will bring through messages from spirit for audience members. You’ll laugh, you may cry; you’ll be reminded that love never dies. $40. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

Light Code Activations – 9-10:30am. 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. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

Illuminate Punta Gorda – 10am-5pm. Exhibitors may include aura photography, bodywork, energy work, including reiki, original art, vetted intuitive readers, crystals, essential oils, handmade jewelry and gift items, luxurious spa products and more. Free admission, free workshops, low-cost services. Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda. IlluminateFestivals.com.

Breathwork comes to Marco Island – 12-2:30pm. Global Unified Breathing session is about coming together and learning through experiencing the power of own breath, the importance of breathing properly, using your breath as a self-healing tool.

$35. Massage and Holistic Healing of Marco Island, 559 E Elkcam Cir, Marco Island. 586-294-0964. GlobalUnifiedBreathing.com.

Sports Performance Workshop for Tennis Players & Golfers – 1-3pm. Based on the Amrit Desai Method of integrated yoga blended with breakthroughs in the neurosciences, Peggy Sealfon shares empowering techniques from ancient yogic methods to cutting-edge re-patterning that heightens performance. $35/advance, $40/day of. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Reiki Healing Circle – 5-6pm. Experience an atmosphere of healing while using reiki energy to remove blockages by balancing the many chakra energy channels. Great for healing emotional and physical pain; non-invasive. $10. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

Breathwork comes to Marco Island – 7-9pm. Join us for an evening of clearing, rejuvenation and cleansing. Experience more energy and ease within the body. This is an introduction into the power of your own breath. $35. Massage and Holistic Healing of Marco Island, 559 E Elkcam Cir, Marco Island. 586-294-0964. GlobalUnifiedBreathing.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

An Evening with Ultra-Dimensional Beings of Light – 7-8:30pm. Feel the love, feel the healing and be illuminated during this channeling event. A vibrational shift, a gift from their dimension to ours. Space limited. $25. The Mystical Moon Bonita Springs, 8951 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Ste 255, Bonita Springs. RSVP: 239-301-0655. TheMysticalMoon.com.

Breathwork comes to Marco Island – 7-9:30pm. Global Unified Breathing session is about coming together and learning through experiencing the power of own breath, the importance of breathing properly, using your breath as a self-healing tool. $35. Massage and Holistic Healing of Marco Island, 559 E Elkcam Cir, Marco Island. 586-294-0964. GlobalUnifiedBreathing.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

Tibetan Bowls Meditation – 7-8pm. Tibetan sound bowls promote relaxation and powerful healing properties. The sound waves (vibrations) from the bowls act on the energy field of your body and cause you to relax. $15. House of Spirits Mystical Botanika, 12995 S Cleveland Ave, Ste 108, Ft Myers. 239-362-0628. HouseOfSpiritsShop.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

Mystic Faire – 10am-6pm. Annual gathering of psychics, healers, artists, product vendors and more for its 19th year. Food court available. $5, free/12 & under. Etudes Dance Studio, 3285 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. 239-949-3387. MysticFaires.com. See ad on page 22 and news brief on page 10.

Psychic Fair – 11am-4pm. Mini-readings with experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 min. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com. See ad, page 35.

The Sacred Feminine & The Sacred Masculine: The Truth About Biology, Energy and Relationships – 1-8pm. With Barbara Segura, of Limitless Light. Class explores feminine and masculine energy and the physiology that drives behavior. Learn the truth of how your brain and your energy work and how they impact your relationships. $250. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com. See ad, page 15.

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

Spiritual Friends Gathering – 9am-12pm. With Maggie Stevens and Ken Laszczych. Free. Lakes Park, Pavilion A3. 941-888-0116. CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

Spiritual Freedom Here and Now – 1-4pm. An afternoon of spiritual exploration. Talks, stories, music and interactive discussion. Eckankar of SW Florida, 12995 S Cleveland Ave, Ste 155, Ft Myers. 239-482-4034. Meetup.com/eckankarinfortmyers. See ad on page 27 and news brief on page 8. Sound Bath – 4:45-6pm. With harmonic alignment. Relax and recharge yourself through the healing vibrations of seven crystal singing bowls, Native American flute, drumming, Koshi chimes, singing, toning and more. $35/person. Love Yoga Center,

4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com. See ad, page 15.

FRIDAY, MARCH 24

Reiki Circle – 7-8:30pm. With Pam Bzoch. Reiki energy set within a circle allows the circle to become a sacred space of deep healing. March will focus on the third eye chakra, responsible for intuition and psychic sight. $25. The Mystical Moon Bonita Springs, 8951 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Ste 255, Bonita Springs. RSVP: 239-301-0655. TheMysticalMoon.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25

Metaphysical Fair – 10am-3pm. Skilled and experienced practitioners of tarot, animal communication, body balancing, intentional manifesting, acupuncture, psych k and reiki offer mini-sessions. Shop the vendor tables, enjoy healthy snacks, laugh and celebrate in the outdoor play area, and attend free classes. Center for Spiritual Living, 406 SE 24th Ave, Cape Coral. CSLCapeCoral.org.

Psychic Fair – 10am-4pm. Choose from our professional, gifted psychics and readers. Services include tarot readings, clairvoyance, mediumship, soul chart progression session, chakra cleansings, reiki and BioMat sessions. Readings also available over the phone. $25/25 mins. House of Spirits Mystical Botanika, 12995 S Cleveland Ave, Ste 108, Ft Myers. RSVP: 239-362-0628. HouseOfSpiritsShop.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 26

Spring Rebirth Immersion – With DamaDé and Kaya Leigh. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

plan ahead

THURSDAY, APRIL 6

Sol y Luna Tantric Shamanic Festival – Apr 6-9. Sol y Luna is an immersion where we learn to master self-acceptance, self-love and self-allowing. It’s a safe gathering for learning, practicing, and embodying tantric shamanic practices. $575 general admission; 10% off with code SOLYLUNA10. H’OM, 25100 SW 153rd Ave, Homestead. SolyLunaFestival.com.

ongoing events

daily

Enhancing Cognition Program: Hope for Memory Loss, Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Dementia and Parkinson’s – Ready for powerful breakthroughs in preventing, stopping and reversing cognitive decline? Our new program is based on 30+ yrs of medical research addressing all 8 causes of decline. Lotus Blossom Clinic: 239-277-1399. LotusBlossomClinic.com.

Thermography Clinic – This non-invasive diagnostic tool creates a digital map of your body that illustrates heat patterns that may detect the inflammation connected to a disease or abnormality. Lisa Mack offers various scans, including breast and full body. To schedule: LotusBlossomThermography. youcanbook.me. See ad on page 20 and news brief on page 9.

Tutankhamun: Return of the King Exhibit – Thru Mar. Closed Tues. Depicts the enigmatic, opulent age of 18th-dynasty Egypt. The pharaoh’s sacred and personal possessions reconstruct Tutankhamun’s reign and the historic discovery of the tomb. IMAG History & Science, 2000 Cranford Ave, Fort Myers. 239-243-0043. theIMAG.org.

monday

Free Weekly Ear Acupuncture Clinics – 1-5pm. Also Tues & Wed (see listings below). With Members of Acupuncturists Without Borders. Treatments to relieve pain and stress on a weekly basis. Frozen Flip Flop Yogurt Shop, 10191 Stringfellow Rd, Ste 3, St. James City. AcuWithoutBorders.org. See news brief, page 10.

tuesday

Free Weekly Ear Acupuncture Clinics – 3-6pm. See Mon listing. House of Spirits Mystical Botanika, 12995 S Cleveland Ave, Ste 108, Ft Myers. AcuWithoutBorders.org. See news brief, page 10.

wednesday

Book Club – Thru Mar 29. 10-11:30am. With Helen Leddy. Free/members. Zoom. Register: 941-8880116. CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

Free Weekly Ear Acupuncture Clinics – 1-5pm. See Mon listing. North Fort Myers Church of the Nazarene, 6781 Bayshore Rd, N Ft Myers. AcuWithoutBorders.org.

Sangha Midweek Meditation – 6-7pm. With Anne

Louise Kracmer. Free. Zoom. Register: 941-8880116. CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

A Search for God Edgar Cayce Study Group –6-8pm. Weekly study group meeting based on the Edgar Cayce readings. New members welcome. Free. Unity of Fort Myers Sanctuary, 11120 Ranchette Rd, Ft Myers. 850-556-7604. JaneSelman@ gmail.com. UnityOfFortMyers.org.

thursday

Tai Chi – 11am-12pm. With Dee: Experience readily available “Qi” (life force) through guided breathing and gentle, graceful movement. All levels welcome: $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2, Ft Myers. Register: 570-417-9823. LotusBlossomClinic.com.

Crystal Bowl Sound Healing – 6:45-7:45pm. Experience the healing power of sound vibration while the frequencies of quartz crystal singing bowls reverberate through the body, bringing it back into a state of harmonic resonance, promoting deep relaxation and healing. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2, Ft Myers. 239-2771399. Register: JennyLotusBlossom@gmail.com. LotusBlossomClinic.com.

friday

Meditation – Thru Mar. 10am & 5pm. With Maggie Stevens. Free. Zoom. Register: 941-888-0116. CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

Sound Healing – 1-4pm. With Alyssa. nuYou Naples, 3415 Radio Rd, Ste 101, Naples. 239-2850094. nuYouNaples.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-2132222. FoodAndThought.com.

Crystal Bowl Meditation – 6:30-7:30pm. 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fri. With Laurie Barraco. Unwind and de-stress. Align your chakras. $15. The Mystical Moon Bonita Springs, 8951 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Ste 255, Bonita Springs. RSVP: 239-301-0655. TheMysticalMoon.com.

saturday

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-2132222. FoodAndThought.com.

community resource guide

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 NAMadvertising@naturalawakenings.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 4.

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.

MIND BODY SOUL ACUPUNCTURE

Dr. Christine Schierozek, DAOM, LAc

9371 Cypress Lake Dr, #14, Ft Myers, 33967 239-600-0039 • mindbodysoulacupuncture.com

Board-certified Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, specializing in internal diseases, such as IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, bloating, weight gain, constipation, chronic headaches and pain. Acupuncture and herbal medicine without side effects.

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 4.

BIOFEEDBACK

COUNTING MY BLESSING, Cynthia Sharpe

Certified Biofeedback Specialist Energy Work Practitioner

239-298-6969 • CynChronisity.com

Using her various professional, caregiver and parental experience, Cynthia helps facilitate each client in feeling mentally and physically balanced using biofeedback and energy work.

BODYWORK

ART OF HOLISTIC MASSAGE Est. 1991 Alvina Quatrano, LMT FL MA 50896 For Info or Appt: 732-266-5276

AOHMassage.com

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 selfmassage video at AOHMassage.com

LUMINOUS HEALING

Tiffany Angelique Hume, LMT, CST, MSS Unwind.be SchedulingTiffany@gmail.com 323-834-8125

Integrative Body, Mind, Spirit Therapy: intuitive, in-depth physical, mental and emotional balancing. CranioSacral therapy, spiritual counseling, intuitive guidance, energy medicine, deep tissue-structural balancing.

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.

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

RB INSTITUTE, INC.

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

Since 1993, Gravity enclosed Colonics using UV/oxygen/ozone sterilized medical grade water. Also more than 33 years Veteran Therapeutic Massage Therapist. Proficient in deep tissue, sports and Relaxing Pure Fiji massage. Reflexology, Crainosacral, Visceral Manipulation, Manual Lymph Drainage and Xp2 System, Heart Centered Therapy, Raindrop Therapy, ear candling, MPS, Halo Photonic BlueViolet Lazer Botanical System, Asyra/Qest4 MSA Biofeedback Meridian Stress Analysis, ozone steam cabinet and applied ozone therapies, infrared sauna, ionic foot detox by AMD, BEMER, Power Plate, hyperbaric chamber. MM7376. MA18351.

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.

DENTAL HEALTH GO NATURAL DENTISTRY

Yolanda Cintron, DMD

2021 E Commercial Blvd, Ste 208 Ft Lauderdale FL 33308 • 855-381-6001

954-945-7355 (new patients)

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.

NAPLES FAMILY DENTIST

Paul D. Mabe, DDS

877 111th Ave N, #3, Naples, 34108

239-566-7737 • GotMySmileBack.com

Biological dentistry for total-body wellness. Metal and toxin-free. Biocompatible Zircon Implants and metalfree crowns. BPA-free ceramic fillings. PRF: Platelet Rich Fibrin. Ozone Therapy. Sleep Apnea. See ad on back cover.

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 14.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Dr. Lindsey Berkson, MA, DC, CNS, DACBN, CAN 800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • 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 47.

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 boardcertified internal medicine physician trained in functional/integrative medicine, genomic interpretation, and antiaging. 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 47.

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 47.

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Lina Sakr, MD

800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com

Dr. Sakr is a board-certified internist specializing in metabolic and nutritional medicine, anti-aging medicine and women’s health at Naples Center for Functional Medicine See ad, page 47.

ZORAYDA “JIJI” TORRES, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

Internal Medicine, Functional Medicine

Office: 239-444-5636 • UpstreamMD.com

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 9.

HEALTHY DINING

FOOD & THOUGHT

ORGANIC FARM MARKET & CAFÉ

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

Open: Mon-Sat, 7am-9pm; and Sun, 8am-4pm. Florida’s only 100% organic market and café. Fresh produce delivered daily. Homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner. See ad, page 8.

HOLISTIC CENTER

ACCESS HOLISTIC HEALING & HYPNOSIS

Michele Durham, CHHP, AANWP, CH, MBA 840 111th Ave N, Ste 8, Naples, 34108 239-776-2211 • info@accessholistichealing.com

AccessHolisticHealing.com

Certified Holistic Health & Hypnosis Practitioner specializing to rebalance the mind/body/spirit. Offering sound and light therapy for pain, medical-grade dry salt and infrared sauna, crystals, books and more. See ad, page 31.

METAPHYSICAL STORE

HOUSE OF SPIRITS

12995 S Cleveland Ave, Ste 108, Ft Myers 239-362-0628

HouseOfSpiritsShop@gmail.com

Visit us on Facebook & Instagram

Intuitive readings, tarot/oracle decks, oils, incense, candles, books, statues, crystals, reiki, monthly psychic fairs, seances, classes and BioMat therapy. A warm atmosphere and positive energy with unique and unusual items to purchase. Se habla Espanol.

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 29.

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 6.

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 41.

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 37.

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.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

PEACEFUL SUMMIT COUNSELING

Jennifer Vear Hoy, MS

1048 Goodlette-Frank Rd N, #201, Naples, 34102 • 239-450-8090

Specializing in grief/loss, assertiveness training, anxiety, anger management, addictions, depression and relationship problems. See ad, page 36.

TRAVELING MASSAGE THERAPY

TOUGH LOVE WELLNESS

Dianne Nolan, LMT, MLD-C

ToughLoveWellness.com 239-399-0314

In-home bodywork, flexibility, fitness and wellness coaching, serving Marco Island to Cape Coral. Specializing in post-surgical lymphatic drainage, cupping therapy, athletic performance, headaches/ TMJ, neuropathy, scar tissue, fibromyalgia/“invisible disease” pain management and trauma-informed bereavement/grief massage.

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.