Celebrating Our Femininity

This past month, I’ve been expressing my creativity in a “Painting Like Georgia O’Keefe” class at the Naples Art Institute. It’s been many years since I put paintbrush to canvas, and keeping up with our talented instructor Genie Kell and my fellow students has certainly been intimidating, but oh-so-rewarding.

I fell in love with O’Keefe’s work the first time I saw her larger-than-life abstract paintings of flowers as an art student in the late 70s. Often referred to as the “mother of modern feminist art”, her use of color and form to capture the essence and feeling of objects delighted and inspired me, offering new ways of looking at the world and femininity. I’ll never be able to personally thank Georgia for opening my heart and mind to new possibilities, but perhaps I can pay my gratitude forward by developing my own expressive talents and sharing them with others— maybe through a painting!

I am also inspired by the dedicated work and talents of all the contributors to this month’s special Women’s Wellness issue, which is chock-full of cutting-edge information and tools to help you live your best life. From managing stress and balancing hormones to maintaining radiant skin and learning to own our regal elegance, so many of the articles this month highlight how important it is for women to take care of and love themselves. For me, learning self-care has been one of the great lessons of life.

Kudos and deep gratitude to my longtime senior editor, creative wordsmith and friend Linda Sechrist, whose significant contributions this month and every month are shared not just locally, but nationally across our Natural Awakenings family of publications. And deep appreciation for local writer and editor Sandra Yeyati who now holds the esteemed position of national editor of our Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation under the umbrella of KnoWEwell. Without these two women’s friendship and support, none of this would be possible each month.

This month’s issue is a celebration of femininity and all those that mother us. I want to express my deepest gratitude for all the women in my life who have nurtured and supported me in my journey: my mother, sisters, daughter, girlfriends and mentors. We are all mothering something or someone, just remember to include yourself. Happy Mother’s Day to all of us!

Creatively yours,

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher

How To Advertise

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

Editorial Submissions

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

Calendar Submissions

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

Regional Markets

14

SKIN FITNESS Daily Routines for a Radiant Appearance

CONVERGE

Tips From Lifestyle Doctors

30 Contents healing ways 32 business

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Book Club-Plus Events at Lotus Blossom Clinic

Lotus Blossom Clinic, in Fort Myers, is launching a new concept—classes that combine a book club meeting with dietary advice. Practical and useful information for preventing bone loss and building better bones from Dr. R. Keith McCormick’s recently released book Great Bones, Taking Control of Your Osteoporosis and food-as-medicine tips and delicious samples will be provided from 1:30 to 3 p.m. every third Saturday of the month.

Great Bones, which recounts how McCormick, who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympic Games, was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in his mid-40s, also contains cutting-edge information on testing and lifestyle changes in dealing with the condition that is helpful for both the public and medical personnel.

Studies have shown up to 50 percent of women and 20 percent of men will sustain at least one osteoporotic-related fracture in their lifetime. “For overall health and well-being, it’s important to share knowledge, ideas, and have open discussions about possibilities and solutions,” says Deb Martin, at the clinic. “Also, it’s essential to find a supportive group to help bring balance and harmony to our health journeys.”

Cost: $10. Location: 6710 Winkler Rd., Ste. 2. For more information, call 239-277-1399 or visit LotusBlossomClinic.com. The book is available on Amazon or OsteoNaturals.com. See ad, page 45.

Nolan Offers Post-Op and Other Wellness Services

Licensed Massage Therapist Dianne Nolan, of Tough Love Wellness, in Naples, provides mobile cannabidiol medical massages women’s wellness coaching throughout Southwest Florida and other services especially for those recovering from orthopedic or plastic surgery procedures and dealing with other ailments such as grief. Post-operation lymphatic drainage typically entails three to 10 sessions within two to six weeks. She also helps those with long COVID, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, Lyme disease and lupus, along with enabling somatic release of pent-up emotions and aiding athletes looking to recover more quickly from injuries.

Post-op service appointments are often booked at the time of surgery; grief massages focus on improving nervous system regulation; cupping helps boost circulation and diminishes the appearance of cellulite; and manual lymphatic drainage for detoxing is suggested at least once a month for ongoing health maintenance.

Nolan explains that one session won’t undo years of neglect and abuse. “Our lymphatic system is basically our body’s garbage disposal, and it doesn’t move if we don’t move. There’s a lot of misinformation on the topic out there.”

For appointments and more information, call 239-399-0314, email Dianne@ToughLoveWellness.com or visit ToughLoveWellness.com. See ad, page 47.

Vitamin C Convention in Clearwater Beach

Renowned experts, scientists and clinicians will gather to discuss the powers of vitamin C for fighting COVID, cancer, cardiovascular disease, oral and systemic health connection and beyond from September 14 to 16, at the annual 2023 VCICI C-Mposium, in Clearwater Beach. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the levels of certain pro-inflammatory molecules in the body, such as cytokines and C-reactive proteins (CRP), and to improve overall immune function. For decades, pro-oxidant, highdose vitamin C therapy has been proven to have anti-cancer effects by promoting the death of cancer cells and inhibiting the growth and spread of tumors.

Antioxidant high-dose vitamin C therapy may help reduce the severity of symptoms and improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients, as well as mitigate injuries related to the spike protein of SARSCoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19. The pandemic brought increased attention to the benefits of vitamin C in treating respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, Long COVID and spike protein-related injuries. Since the 1930’s, vitamin C has been the most researched topic on PubMed , yet it is the most misunderstood and misapplied critical therapy by healthcare providers.

For more information, visit vcici.org/ conference. See ad, page 13.

Men’s Wellness Series

Join Natural Awakenings and KnoWEwell for a life-changing series entitled The Healthy Man each Tuesday in June at 5 p.m. PDT/8 p.m. EDT.

Topics

n Lifestyle choices that add years to a man’s life and life to his years n Tips to maintain youthful energy, a desired weight and a healthy libido n Strategies for optimal eye health n Good posture techniques for peak human performance and pain-free aging n Habits that create resilient kids and a lasting legacy

Speakers

n Ben Greenfield, human performance consultant and author of 17 books including Boundless Parenting n Dr. Eric Plasker, chiropractor and author of The 100 Year Lifestyle n Dr. Tracy Gapin, board-certified urologist and author of Male 2.0 and Codes of Longevity n Dr. Krista Burns, chiropractor, founder of the American Posture Institute and author of The Posture Principles n Christopher Smith, co-founder of Family Brand and the Campfire Effect, creating leaders at home and in business n Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, board-certified optometrist and pioneer in neuro-optometry n Dr. Tarin Forbes, board-certified integrative doctor specializing in anti-aging and metabolic medicine n Dr. Alan Christianson, naturopathic endocrinologist specializing in thyroid disease and author of The Metabolism Reset Diet and The Thyroid Reset Diet

Admission is $59, which includes all Tuesday evening sessions and a one-year membership to KnoWEwell. To learn more and register, visit Tinyurl.com/KWWmen or scan the QR Code. See ad, page 5.

Discounted Herbal Services in Naples Carmen

Portner, of Holistic Harmony LLC, is providing discounted herbal consultations for those without adequate access to health care. Clients can receive a thorough herbal assessment and two follow-up visits for $105, a 70 percent discount, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays by appointment at Counseling of Southwest Florida’s clinic in Naples through July.

The goal of Holistic Harmony is to make herbal medicine more accessible to the community and provide affordable complementary or alternative medicine to those in need. The clinic has experience working with women’s issues, digestive issues, low immunity, poor sleep, low energy, stress and tension, among other conditions. Portner, a graduate of the East West School of Planetary Herbology, is a clinical herbalist with four years of experience.

Cost of herbs is not included in this offer. Location: 2345 Stanford Ct., Ste. 601, Naples. For appointments and more information, call 239-688-4585, email Info@HolisticHarmonyllc.com or visit HolisticHarmonyllc.com. See ad, page 35.