Next Month: TOP WOMEN IN WELLNESS

Don't miss interviews and lifestyle tips for reducing stress.

Scan the QR code to JOIN US LIVE ONL INE as these top women in wellness share their expert insights for reducing stress and achieving WELLthier Living!

Transcendence in Costa Rica

Over a decade ago, I met with Brian and Jody Calvi here in Naples to learn about the healing center they had just opened in Costa Rica. As they described their 42-acre tropical paradise situated 2,000 feet above sea level, I immediately put it on my travel wish-list. The couple lovingly cultivated the mountainside retreat with fruit trees, vegetable and herb gardens, and beautiful wooden cabins overlooking the valley and Pacific Ocean.

As a result of our conversation that day, we created a contest in all 94 of our Natural Awakenings magazines across the country. The lucky winner was presented with a one-week stay at Farm of Life (FincaDeVida.com). For my role in orchestrating the promotion, I also received a complimentary stay, and 12 years later, I was able to finally visit this unforgettable destination.

My daughter Alina and I just returned from a Women’s Wisdom retreat at Farm of Life that brought together 12 goddesses and an enlightened leader, Lacey Budge, who artfully inspired us with yoga and movement classes, hikes to nearby waterfalls, healing circles, fireside chats and heart-opening songs. Delicious, healthy meals prepared by the vegan chef and her crew brought us together for lively discussions around a big kitchen table.

We were encouraged to walk barefoot as much as possible to connect to the Earth and receive its many healing benefits. It took a few days before I could proudly report to Alina that I had made it all the way up the steep mountain path without any shoes. I attribute my frequent barefoot walks on the beach here in Naples for helping to prepare me.

As I’ve been wrapping up this special Earth Day edition of Natural Awakenings, I’m still reverberating from my experience in Costa Rica. With fresh eyes, I am looking for new ways to live more sustainably on my little plot of land here in Southwest Florida, and to support organizations and activities that awaken my community. More than ever, here and across the world, we are experiencing the devastating consequences when we do not honor our Mother Earth and all living beings. Time is overdue to become a bigger part of the solution.

For now, I hope you can find a nice hammock or lovely resting spot where you can wiggle your toes and read the thoughtful solutions and resources we have brought together to inspire you in this month’s issue of Natural Awakenings.

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.

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How To Advertise

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

Editorial Submissions

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

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

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Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-206-2000. For franchising opportunities call 239-206-2000 or email Natural Awakenings@KnoWEwell.com.

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Olympian Advice on Controlling Osteoporosis

Dr. R. Keith McCormick, author of Great Bones: Taking Control of Your Osteoporosis, will discuss the nature and findings of his new book to provide insights for doctors, patients and others of the ailment from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on April 1 at the Lotus Blossom Clinic, in Fort Myers.

The former Olympic athlete was able to restore his status as a triathlon superstar after breaking 12 bones and overcoming osteoporosis due to his own research as a chiropractor.

Location: 6710 Winkler Rd., Ste. 2. For more information or to RSVP, call 239-277-1399 or visit LotusBlossomClinic.com. See ad, page 45.

Free Blood Donation Event in Cape Coral

Compassionate

Healthcare of Florida will hold one of its bimonthly blood drives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 29 in Cape Coral. The free event, conducted in a OneBlood Donation Bus, will provide donors with a $20 E-gift card, a wellness check, a $100 gift voucher toward a same-day medical marijuana certification or recertification, OneBlood and other organization materials and items.

Each donation of blood can save the lives of up to three patients and help battle a current blood shortage.

After applying vouchers, donors can receive medical marijuana renewals for as low as $49 and $99 for new certifications.

Location: 2612 Santa Barbara Blvd., Ste. 9. For more information or to schedule a certification appointment, call 833-633-3665. Visit OneBlood.org to register for making a blood donation. See ad, page 26.

Next Month: TOP WOMEN IN WELLNESS

Women’s

Women’s Wellness Series

and KnoWEwell for a women’s wellness event entitled Overcoming Stress: How to Balance It All. Each Tuesday at 5 p.m. PDT/ 8 p.m. EDT, top integrative and functional medicine experts in women’s health will present cutting-edge insights into the many ways that stress can impact hormones, thyroid function, fertility and libido, and also provide tangible recommendations to improve skin care, aging, sleep and mindset. The speakers are:

Scan the QR code to JOIN US LIVE ONL INE as these top women in wellness share their expert insights for reducing stress and achieving WELLthier Living!

, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, author of

, naturopathic doctor, author of Clean Skin From Within

, naturopathic doctor, author of Cracking the Beauty Code

, functional medicine physician specializing in hormone

, naturopathic physician, success coach, author of Women and Lyme

, board-certified physician, mindset coach, author of on healing your gut

, naturopathic doctor specializing in hormone health

, holistic-integrative fertility and hormone doctor

, personal trainer and lifestyle expert

The $59 event fee includes all Tues. evening sessions. To learn more and register, visit Tinyurl.com/KWWstress or scan the QR Code.