Natural Awakenings Charleston, SC April 2021 by Natural Awakenings Lowcountry

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HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

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NATURE TO THE RESCUE Kids Come Alive Outdoors

CREATE

A CALM HOME

SPRING CLEAN YOUR BODY

Eco-Athletes

Working Out with the Planet in Mind

April 2021 | Lowcountry Edition | NALowcountry.com

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April 2021

inspiration

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Create a Nurturing Nest

LOWCOUNTRY Edition

by Marlaina Donato

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ore than being a roof over our heads, home is where we live, love and heal. This past year, we all have been reminded of the importance of having a refuge; a place that shelters not only our physical beings, but our souls, too. With ongoing pandemic restrictions, we have more time on our hands, and with this comes a blessed opportunity to catch up with our bliss. Living space should be inspired space. Creating a haven doesn’t require remodeling the kitchen or buying new furniture, only distilling new joy from the mundane. Adding a luxurious throw to a sofa or putting books to read in a pretty basket by an easy chair invites us to tend to the much-neglected inner life. Putting cut flowers at the bedside or turning a chair toward the sunlight says, “Yes” to life and renewal. Playing uplifting, infectious music on laundry day rouses an element of fun. Practicing easy principles of feng shui—the art of placement—can get previously stagnant energy moving. Repositioning furniture for optimal flow and creating more open space are simple actions that can lighten heavy thoughts or memories. Home is a harbor of habit, and breaking out of the usual routine can be transformative. Here are some activities to try.

n Reserve an evening every week for an old-fashioned “Sunday supper” by candlelight or

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have a rainy-day indoor picnic on the floor in the living room.

n Add one item per day for a month to a bag intended for a local thrift store and then follow through by dropping it off.

n Tidy the desk every other day and keep it uncluttered. n Hang new art prints, photos or paintings to set a new mood. Consider bright splashes of color—a set of red cups, a turquoise pillow or sunny yellow bathroom towels.

n Bring the seasons in; hang a garland of faux ivy, roses or autumn leaves over the showerhead. n Buy or adopt low-maintenance indoor plants like philodendrons and snake plants for a spot of lovely green, even in deep winter.

In a world that fosters a “grass is always greener on the other side” mentality, cultivating soul-nourishment is a sure way to turn the humblest space into a castle. Marlaina Donato is the author of Spiritual Famine in the Age of Plenty: Baby Steps to Bliss. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com. 4

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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.

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Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 4 Create a

Nurturing Nest

9 CLIMATE CHANGE AND OUR HEALTH

The Human Costs of a Warming Planet

12 Healthy Home

How to Detoxify a Living Space

14 Spring Cleaning the Body

Simple Ways to Detox Naturally

16 Eco-Athletes

Working Out with the Planet in Mind

18 Nature to the Rescue Kids Come Alive Outdoors

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DEPARTMENTS 4 inspiration 6 news brief 7 health briefs 8 global briefs 12 green living 14 conscious

eating 16 fit body 18 healthy kids

20 calendar 21 resource guide

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news brief

Learn Local Plant Medicine at Yahola Herbal School

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ahola Herbal School has launched their new flagship course Botanical Medicine Movement. Botanical Medicine Movement is a 6-month program that is both online and in-person. The course contains the word movement because the school wants to create a paradigm shift where using native and naturalized herbs for health is the norm. The course focuses on local native and naturalized herbs and how to incorporate these herbs into daily life to improve health and vitality. The course covers botany and follows the evolutionary history of plants, starting with medicinal ferns and ending with the most evolved medicinal plant family, the asters. Also, the different body systems and supportive herbs for each system are covered: urinary, digestive, circulatory, reproductive, and the nervous system. The course teaches students how to make herbal medicine including herbal infusions and decoctions, herbal vinegars, tinctures, flower essences, salves, facial serums, and body oils. New content is delivered monthly online and reviewed in-person the last Saturday of every month. April Punsalan, found of Yahola Herbal School, works directly with each student to make sure they know their local medicinal flora. Yahola Herbal School is accepting 20 students into the July 2021-December 2021 program. The flagship program will run twice per year. For more information, visit https://courses.yaholaherbalschool. com/courses/botanical-medicine-movement-july-2021 or contact the school at info@yaholaherbalschool.com. See ad, page 19.

health briefs

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Drink Beet Juice to Lower Blood Pressure Hypertension is a global disease that particularly affects people in low-income communities, but a new study by the UK University of Nottingham suggests that beetroot juice may be a practical solution for people with high blood pressure that have little access to diagnostic help or money for medication. Researchers divided 47 people between 50 and 70 years of age in Tanzania into three groups. For 60 days, one group drank nitrate-rich beetroot juice and folic acid; another was given nitrate-rich beetroot juice and a placebo; and the third drank nitrate-depleted beetroot juice. The researchers found that systolic blood pressure dropped by 10.8 millimeters (mm) Hg (mercury) in the nitrate-rich plus folic acid group and 6.1 mm Hg in the nitrate-rich and placebo group. Studies have shown that the high level of nitrates in beets is converted by the digestive system into nitric oxide, which relaxes and widens blood vessels.

Consider Curcumin and Nano-Curcumin for Heart Health Iranian researchers tested 90 patients undergoing elective heart angioplasty, giving one group 500 milligrams (mg) curcumin, the second group 80 mg nanocurcumin, and the third a placebo. After eight weeks, both types of curcumin significantly improved cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C levels. They also boosted antioxidant levels, superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and reduced C-reactive protein levels, indicating less inflammation. The nano-curcumin, however, produced even better results in five of those indexes, leading the authors to conclude that the effects of curcumin on the nano formula may be more conducive for cardiac patients due to its high bioavailability. Nano-curcumin is made through a process that encapsulates the herb, allowing it to be metabolized better.

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Keep Off Junk Foods for Cognitive Wellness New research from Rush Medical College, in Chicago, shows that regularly cheating on a healthy diet undermines its cognitive benefits. For 19 years, researchers followed 5,001 adults over age 65 that were asked to eat the Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on daily servings of fruit, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, fish, potatoes and unrefined cereals, plus moderate wine consumption. Every three years, their cognitive abilities were tested and their diets reviewed, including how often they ate a Western diet of fried foods, sweets, refined grains, red meat and processed meats. After almost two decades, those that adhered most faithfully to the Mediterranean diet were cognitively 5.8 years younger than those that followed it the least.

April 2021

global briefs

Group Hug

World Watchers

Deforestation Alert System Mitigates Climate Change

While human activity has transformed 75 percent of the Earth’s surface and 66 percent of ocean ecosystems, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services determined in a 2019 assessment that approximately 1 million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction, some in mere decades. In response to the crisis, more than 50 countries representing 30 percent of the world’s land-based biodiversity, 25 percent of its land-based carbon sinks, 28 percent of important areas of marine biodiversity and more than 30 percent of ocean carbon sinks have united as the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC 30x30), avowing to preserve 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. The group announced its goal at the One Planet Summit for Biodiversity in January, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, along with the World Bank and the United Nations. “We call on all nations to join us,” Macron said in the video launching of the plan. Biologist E.O. Wilson has called for the “conservation moonshot” of protecting half of the land and the sea. Goals include preventing biodiversity loss, solving the climate crisis and preventing pandemics.

Deforestation, which contributes to warming the planet, is a key factor behind the 40 percent increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide since the beginning of the industrial age. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the global average atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in 2018 was 407.4 parts per million, higher than it’s been in almost 1 million years. Avoiding deforestation is much better than conducting reforestation efforts after the fact, and should be a key global climate change mitigation strategy, says Jennifer Alix-Garcia, a researcher at Oregon State University. The Global Land Analysis and Discovery System (GLAD), founded in 2016 by the University of Maryland’s Department of Geographical Sciences, is based on high-resolution satellite imaging from the NASA Landsat Science program. Subscribers can access data via a free interactive web application, Global Forest Watch. So far, forest loss has declined 18 percent in African nations where GLAD provided alerts when detecting deforestation activities. Previously, government agencies and other groups had to use reports from volunteers or forest rangers.

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Nations Band Together to Preserve One-Third of the Planet

Freedom of Information

A two-year, open-access project organized by more than 20 organizations, including Wellcome, in London, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in Seattle, and Dutch NOW—some of the world’s largest research funders—began requiring in January that scholarly papers published from the work they fund be made immediately available for public reading at no charge. The initiative, Plan S, may usher in the end of journal subscriptions and allow anyone to read scientific literature. Plan S has already prompted several titles, including Nature, to offer openaccess publishing for the first time. 8

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image courtesy of PlanS.org

Access Expanded for Scientific Papers

The Human Costs of a Warming Planet by Sandra Yeyati

lobal warming is not just threatening polar bears far away in the Arctic, and its effects are not somewhere in the distant future. With every new wildfire, hurricane and flash flood, people are understanding that the warming of the planet poses dire consequences for human health right here, right now. It’s personal, and while some sectors of the population are unfairly and disproportionately impacted, we are all in harm’s way.

This is no time to panic, say climate and public health advocates, but rather a moment for preparation, adaptation and mobilization. Prospects are hopeful as we tackle new realities together and evolve our conversations about climate change so we can build resilient, thriving communities. The good news is that many of the individual and policy changes we need to make are exciting opportunities for positive transformation and justice.

Health Threats in Our Midst

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Climate Change and Our Health

The warming of the planet is becoming more noticeable. “That historic two weeks anywhere in the United States where it’s the heat wave of high summer is now six weeks to two months,” says Jay Lemery, M.D., professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado and co-author of Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health. “There are parts of the Middle East now where you can’t be outside and meaningfully cool your body during certain parts of the day.” “With warming, we’re seeing drought, wildfires, hurricanes, extreme precipitation, flooding and sea level rise, all of which have health consequences,” says Surili Patel, director of the Center for Climate, Health and Equity at the American Public Health Association. “With rising temperature and heat waves, we’re seeing heat stroke, dehydration, diarrheal disease, cardiovascular distress and respiratory illnesses. Extreme weather like wildfires, hurricanes and flooding cause direct injuries, as well as vector-borne illnesses (Lyme April 2021

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The Most Vulnerable Among Us Certain segments of the population are more at risk. “Lower socioeconomic groups are suffering more from extreme heat events. The urban heat island effect, which unfortunately correlates very well with poorer neighborhoods, means that they’ll have heat waves seven to 10 degrees hotter in their neighborhoods than surrounding places with more green space,” Lemery says. “You see the public health infrastructure less robust to be able to attend to communities of color—like you saw with COVID. There are also physiologic vulnerabilities. Climate change affects the very young, the very old and the very sick much more because of their preexisting vulnerabilities, and then we have geographic vulnerabilities—people who live on the coast without sea walls or in flood plains. As sea level rise proliferates, and that data is really straightforward, they’re going to be going under increased storm surge stress and flat-out flooding.”

Achievable Public Health Solutions The experts agree that it’s important to frame climate change as a public health issue because it brings a sense of urgency

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to act. “If it isn’t a crisis, if it isn’t something we’re seeing every day on the front page, then you forget about it. And when you forget about it, the funding doesn’t come,” says Patel, whose work focuses on underprivileged communities that need special attention and funding. Sapkota advocates for the development of early warning systems so that local health departments can anticipate and adapt to impending extreme weather events, directing resources to the most impacted and vulnerable communities. In some cases, moving people out of flood plains and vulnerable coastal areas through eminent domain might be needed. Lemery believes that doctors are in a prime position to counsel their patients on preventive measures against climate hazards with “credible messaging repeated over and over again with clarity and no hedging: Wear a mask. Stay indoors during high-heat events. Don’t let children play outdoors when the air quality index is at a dangerous level.” There are many ways to mitigate threats. As experts point out, we know what to do, and it’s just a matter of putting our attention and resources on their implementation. “One of the biggest ways is let’s remove the sources of harmful spewing pollution—move away from coal, oil and

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disease carried by ticks or dengue fever and malaria by mosquitoes), mold and harmful algal blooms that happen when it’s really hot, but also show up in places that otherwise wouldn’t have because of the combination of heat and flooding.” Lemery notes that incidences of mosquitoand tick-borne diseases are moving higher in altitude and latitude, affecting historically naive populations that have not had levels of disease immunity, the infrastructure or cultural habits to protect them. “These are huge killers worldwide, and we’re seeing more and more of that,” he says. “When you have a warmer winter, spring starts earlier, trees bloom early and pollen season starts early too, and longer exposure to pollen increases your risk of having an asthma attack,” says Professor Amir Sapkota at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, adding that the Northeast is heavily impacted by this phenomenon. “Here in Colorado, in the summer heat, we have these huge swaths of wildfire smoke hanging over Denver, and people come in to the emergency department. Their inhalers aren’t working anymore, and they’re having chest pain and shortness of breath when they’re on oxygen at baseline,” says Lemery. “These are people normally able to walk across a parking lot with their walker and their oxygen, but now they can’t. We see this all summer long, and we admit them for asthma exacerbation,

shortness of breath and COPD (i.e., emphysema), but what we don’t write down is that the air quality is the worst it’s been all year, or that it’s the hottest day of the year.” “Air pollution contributes to climate change, but it also gets into your lungs and irritates them, exacerbating chronic respiratory illnesses, and can even lead to a heart attack,” says Jennifer Roberts, director of the Path of Positive Communities program at EcoAmerica, noting that the biggest culprits are carbon emissions from coal-burning power plants, diesel fuels and ground-level ozone, which is created when pollution reacts to heat and sunlight. “With sea level rise, things are flooding more often and we get septic tanks overflowing, sending fecal matter into our drinking water supplies and expos ing us to diarrheal diseases. We also see offices and industrial sites getting flooded and, whether it’s paint, fertilizers or other toxins, those get into our water and it’s very unhealthy,” Roberts says.

gas—and invest in clean sources of energy, which will also create jobs in these new industries,” says Patel. Another big step would be to promote mass transit and active transportation— walking and biking—over individual, gasguzzling vehicles. Patel advocates for local investments in bike lanes and sidewalks that encourage the switch. Both Lemery and Roberts express excitement about clean-running electric cars as potential game-changers in transportation. Planting trees and vegetable gardens are easy, community-building solutions. “Trees are very beneficial to everything from shade to water filtration to producing oxygen and taking up carbon,” says Roberts, who adds that much can be done to restore and protect streams, ponds and lakes from the ill effects of pollution and development. “You get volunteers to clean up the gunk and increase regulations for developers to keep stuff out of the waterways.”

of small changes, and if everybody makes small changes, that has a bigger effect.” Roberts acknowledges the power of small, individual actions, but stresses that we should not let the big polluters off the hook. “We need to continue to press for policy changes, holding polluters accountable, passing regulations based on protect-

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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Eco-Anxiety and Making Positive Change Jessica Schiff, a second-year master of science student at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, struggles with eco-anxiety—the depression, anxiety or dread associated with climate change. She says, “It impacts the decisions I make for my life and the future, just trying to think about overall impacts. Where is my food coming from? Do I want to have kids or adopt? Should I live in the suburbs or the city because of transportation and fossil fuel consumption? This all adds a layer of unease or uncertainty about the future. Sometimes I look at Greta [Thunberg] and how far she’s taken things, and feel guilty about not taking things to such an extreme. Is it hypocritical for me to care about climate change but still eat meat occasionally or take a plane to explore the world?” Schiff deals with eco-anxiety by taking action. “We’re not going to reverse climate change at this point, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take steps to slow it down or reduce emissions. There are many small things we can each do, like biking or walking instead of taking a car or bus and reducing our use of plastic. It’s a process. You can’t do it overnight, but if you make a lot

ing human health and climate, requiring cleaner cars and buildings, and more. That’s the only way we will get to the scale of change needed to truly bring global warming to a halt.”

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green living

Healthy Home

How to Detoxify a Living Space by Yvette Hammett

s the world moves into its second year of a viral pandemic, many of us are still spending most of our time at home—working, exercising, hanging out with family and as with any other year, cooking and cleaning. There’s no better time to take stock of these surroundings and purge them of any toxins—gases, inhalants or fumes—that may be contributing to a harmful environment. Start with the air. Research shows that indoor air is two to five times more toxic than the air outside, due to inadequate ventilation. This condition, coupled with fumes from synthetic fibers, makeup, paints, cleansers or even a baby’s plastic toys, can contribute to health issues and a less environmentally beneficial abode. A straightforward solution—in addition to getting rid of the pollution-causing objects—is to open the windows and use fans to recirculate the air. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can safely remove many contaminants, but don’t spritz a commercial air freshener: A University of Washington study found that eight widely used air fresheners released an average of 18 chemicals into the air, some of them hazardous, including the likely human carcinogen acetaldehyde.

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Purge plastics. Perfluorinated compounds PFAS and PFOS, known as “forever chemicals”, are found in nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, some cosmetics, and products that resist grease, water and oil. They have been found to cause a wide range of health problems from kidney and testicular cancers to endocrine disruptions. Consider doing a clean sweep of the house to determine which of these can be replaced, paying special attention to plastics. “If you really limit plastics to a few things, you are fine,” says Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., a neuroscience and toxicology expert at North Carolina State University.

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Reconsider kitchenware. Eliminate all nonstick cookware, Patisaul advises. “Use ceramic and other materials that do not have perfluorinated chemicals.” Debbie Steinbock, a nutrition counselor at Mindful Family Medical, in Boulder, Colorado, suggests replacing plastic storage containers, which can leach chemicals when heated. “Use a cast iron skillet and use glass jars and mason jars for food storage.” Chuck out toxic cleaners. Many commercial kitchen, bathroom and other cleaning products are loaded with chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption

and neurotoxicity. They can be particularly toxic for children: A recent Canadian study found that repeated use of a disinfectant reduced beneficial gut bacteria in toddlers, probably contributing to obesity. A good place to start in cleaning out the cleaners is at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website ewg.org; its Healthy Living Home Guide evaluates the health risks of 2,500 cleaning products. It also advises a simple strategy of using vinegar and water or baking soda. Get the lead out. Andrew Rooney, deputy director at the National Toxicology Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, sees lead, which causes brain damage and other serious defects, as a major risk present in water supplies and the paint of older homes. “The thing I want to emphasize is there is no safe level of lead exposure, so eliminating exposure sources is the best protection for your health,” he says. Drinking water contamination comes from the distribution lines and plumbing fixtures, with lead leaching out from repairs or adjustments. “Having your household water tested by a certified lab is the best option to determine if you have water issues,” he says. Consult state and local health agencies for guidance on lead paint or lead in the water lines and how to remove it. Also consider a water filter: ConsumerReports.com has a comprehensive rating of models from pitchers to under-sink setups. Take it a step further. The new EWG downloadable Healthy Living app makes it easy to use a smartphone to check out 120,000 products for toxic ingredients, including cosmetics and foods. “It has a barcode scanner to scan your favorite lipstick or shampoo, and it will pop up an ingredient list and give it a score,” says Patisaul. The database includes ingredients not found on packaging and scores products on a zero to 10 scale. “It pretty much has to be water to get a zero,” she says. Yvette Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. She can be contacted at YvetteHammettHull49@gmail.com.

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April 2021

conscious eating

Spring Cleaning the Body Simple Ways to Detox Naturally by April Thompson

s we shake off the sluggishness of winter, many of us feel an urge to “spring clean” our bodies with a detox or cleanse. Yet health experts say such programs should help jumpstart new healthy habits and not necessarily be seen as a short-term fix. “The air we breathe, the water we drink, the cosmetics we use, the materials we build with and most notably, the food that we eat, are loaded with chemicals that are toxic to our metabolism,” says Alejandro Junger, a Los Angeles cardiologist, author and founder of CleanProgram.com. “The systems in the body designed to clear toxicity are overwhelmed, and this leads to the imbalances and damage that is at the root of most diseases today.” Detoxification functions are performed by many different organs and tissues, including intestinal flora, the immune system, the nervous system and the liver, so its imbalances can manifest in diverse ways, according to Junger. “Symptoms of detox imbalance include sleep and mood disorders, anxiety, rashes, lack of energy and libido, autoimmune disorders, inflammation and cancer.” While some health professionals say that detoxes are unnecessary because the body is capable of cleansing itself, others make a compelling case for the need to help it along, given our heightened exposure to manmade toxic elements. Information of varying repute swirls around the internet, offering approaches ranging from juice cleanses to total fasts.

Everyday Toxin Cleaners Simple dietary strategies can help sweep out toxins, explains Robin Foroutan, an integrative dietitian and nutritionist in New York City. She points to cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale, which promote cytochromes P450, a family of enzymes critical in helping toxins clear the body. She also recommends foods high in fiber that can bind to toxins and bile, and transport them out of the body through the stool. Berries, green tea and turmeric are also helpful for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; even water facilitates the excretion process, supports the lymphatic system and replenishes fluids lost through sweat. Using a water filter and eating organic foods when possible also reduces incoming toxins, she says. Healthy smoothies are a great way to get water, fiber and easily digestible nutrients into our body at the same time, according to Junger. “When using

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Your Journey Begins with Young Living Essential Oils

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a good, clean, protein powder in addition to fruits and leafy greens, healthy fats such as nuts, and coconut or cashew milk, a smoothie can provide us the nutrients needed to support our energy for hours,” he says. Adding herbs like mint or holy basil (tulsi) and spices like turmeric and cinnamon elevate both flavor and healing. Liquids such as celery juice provide highly concentrated nutrients and hydration, but lack the fiber of a blended drink. Both juices and smoothies give overtaxed digestive systems a needed break.

Deep Detox Fasting (occasionally for a prolonged period, such as three days without food) and intermittent fasting (abstaining from food for a shorter period, such as 16 hours per day on a regular basis) are great tools for deeper detoxification, says Junger. “Digestion takes energy and resources from the detox functions, so eating less, eating less often and allowing time for digestion to stop so that detox can intensify is crucial.” For a comprehensive detox, experts recommend working with a health practitioner to assess toxic burdens and develop a personalized plan. Russell Jaffe, a physician in Ashburn, Virginia, crafts a detox program based on four self-assessments, including digestive transit time, urine pH, hydration levels and vitamin C levels. Jaffe claims our bodies are burdened by excess acid, rendering them less resilient to stress and resulting in fatigue, illness and infection risks. “When we enjoy a diet rich in greens, fruits, vegetables, minerals and antioxidants, our cells become more alkaline and more resistant to everyday stress,” he states. Experts emphasize that a short-term program must be part of a longer-lasting lifestyle and diet shift. “It is not enough to do periodic detoxes if you go back to old habits. I offer these programs as a jumpstart in hopes that participants feel so much better that they never want to go back to what they were doing and eating before,” says Junger. Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Detox Delights Sweet Mango Smoothie Sweet fruit paired with spinach for an extra dose of fiber, vitamins and super-green-detoxifying antioxidants won’t change the taste of this beloved fruit smoothie. 1 cup fresh or frozen mango 1 to 3 cups spinach ¼ cup packed mint ½ cup coconut water ½ cup coconut milk 1 Tbsp chia seeds 1 serving dairy-free protein powder Handful of ice Skin and chop mango. Wash spinach. Remove mint leaves from their stems and rinse them with water. Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth (30-60 seconds). Pour and serve immediately. Sprinkle chia seeds on top if desired. Recipe by Kaitlyn Noble of the Clean Program.

Vegetable Yum Soup Soups help provide the body with nutrient- and fiber-rich vegetables in an easy-to-digest format, while soup broths help supply water for detoxification and a sense of satiety. Yield: 4 to 6 Servings 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 garlic clove, minced 2 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated 1 stalk lemongrass, minced ½ tsp crushed red pepper ¾ cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped 5 to 6 cups vegetable stock 1 (14-oz) can coconut milk 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce 3 Tbsp cilantro or parsley, chopped Heat the oil in a large pot and sauté garlic, ginger, lemongrass and crushed red pepper. Stir in the mushrooms, sweet potatoes and bell pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the stock, bring to boil and then reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the coconut milk and soy sauce, and stir. Serve sprinkled with cilantro or parsley (optional). Source: Russell Jaffe, The Joy in Living: The Alkaline Way. April 2021

fit body

75th ANNIVERSARY!

Eco-Athletes Working Out with the Planet in Mind by Marlaina Donato

rom human-powered gyms that generate electricity to Earth-friendly activewear, professional and recreational athletes alike are increasingly working out with the planet in mind. Taking a recycled yoga mat to class, nixing the plastic water bottle and going “plogging”—picking up litter while out for a run—are just a few examples of eco-fitness in motion. “We believe that movement and nature go hand-in-hand, yet the world of sports isn’t as green as it should be, with plastic bottles at events, junk food in canteens and monotonous movement in the gym,” says Saraï Pannekoek, co-founder of the Sustainable Athlete Foundation, which strives to create a sustainable sports environment through coaching, workshops and campaigns.

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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI

Working Out Green Links between personal fitness and environmental toxicity are critical. Sixty percent of clothing is manufactured with fossil fuel-derived plastics, and activewear rates highest for ecotoxic fibers. Choosing workout clothes made from sustainable bamboo and cotton can soften the impact. With name brands like Adidas offering sustainable footwear, staying fit doesn’t

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need to increase the toll on the environment. Pannekoek, who hosts the Sustainable Athlete Podcast with co-founder Paul Venner in Amsterdam, emphasizes personal responsibility. “We believe that there isn’t a quick fix. It’s all about habits and conscious behavior, while still being able to peak perform.” Supplementing the usual gym routine with self-powered workouts and outdoor activities like gardening, sustainable charity races and hiking are sound choices that can help to buffer climate change. “Being ecocentric enriches life and enhances health, but while it’s personally gratifying, it also makes you keenly aware of just how far the world is from taking action sufficient to keep climate change in check. We all need to do more,” says Bruce Rayner, founder and chief green officer at Athletes for a Fit Planet, in Portland, Maine, who was enlightened to the problems firsthand at a half-ironman distance race. “When I got to the finish line, I was given my obligatory plastic water bottle. I looked around for a recycling bin, and all I saw was an overflowing trash bin.” Founded in 2008, Rayner’s organization partners with pro-environment races like the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, recently named the most sustainable 10-miles-orless race in the country.

Fueling Up, Protecting Natural Resources A pillar of the eco-fitness movement is eating clean and going plant-based for the health of people and planet. “Diet is a big part of being eco-fit. The best action you can take is to support local farms, specifically organic farms,” emphasizes Rayner. To minimize global greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, eating more nutrition-packed produce, whole grains,

legumes and nuts instead of animal products supports sustainability. For Adam Layzell, sports therapist, nutritionist and author of How to Train Your Vegan: The Comprehensive Guide to Plant-Based Fitness, going vegan is a win-win situation. “A vegan diet encourages fat loss, improves endurance and recovery and has plenty of all the necessary components such as protein to build strength and muscle.” Layzell underscores that the vegan diet preserves animals and their ecosystems, prevents deforestation and destruction of wild land and lowers the impact on climate change and global warming.

Athlete Engagement For Lewis Blaustein, managing editor of GreenSportsBlog.com, climate change action and sports are an ideal marriage. He recently launched EcoAthletes.org to encourage sports figures to speak up about global warming. “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Sport has the power to change the world.’ EcoAthletes aims to show that athletes are the agents of that change and that they, by mobilizing millions if not billions of fans, can do so on climate.” Blaustein sees a surge of climate-concerned athletes leading radical changes. “There will be many different looks—from athletes endorsing green products à la solar power, electric vehicles, etc., to athletes speaking out for environmental/climate justice in a similar fashion to WNBA and NBA players on Black Lives Matter.” Pannekoek concurs, “All small steps taken still go a great distance. Elite athletes are role models. If they would support more conscious brands to influence the youth, we believe that they can make such a difference.”

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

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves. ~William Arthur Ward April 2021

healthy kids

Nature to the Rescue Kids Come Alive Outdoors

image courtesy of Meraiko

by Ronica O’Hara

s Angela Hanscom of Barrington, New Hampshire, watched her preschool daughters at play, she realized that a surprising number of their friends had problems with balance, coordination and muscle weakness, conditions she was attuned to as a pediatric occupational therapist. Teachers told her that compared to past years, young children were falling out of chairs and bumping into each other and walls more often—all evidence of poor proprioceptive skills, the “sixth sense” ability to feel and position the body in space. Hanscom also realized that almost none of the children played outdoors, which “fascinated and scared” her. Nationwide, even before the lockdowns and online schooling 18

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brought on by the pandemic, the average child spent seven hours per day looking at screens and only seven minutes per day playing freely outdoors. Recent studies show that today’s children have poorer hand grip strength, slower running speeds and lower cardiovascular fitness levels than previous generations. Meanwhile, a growing body of research finds that spending time in nature makes kids happier, healthier and more functional. Hanscom’s solution was to establish TimberNook, camps in which children from 18 months to 14 years of age are encouraged to explore natural settings in imaginative, largely unstructured, minimally supervised play. Now in its eighth year, 38 TimberNook-affiliated camps are located in the U.S., Canada, the UK and Australia. Hanscom’s book, Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, has garnered more than 300 fivestar reviews on Amazon.com. “Children thrive physically, mentally and emotionally when they are given frequent outdoor play experiences, especially with other children. When children do not get enough of these opportunities, it comes at a great cost to their development,” she says. Journalist Richard Louv, author of the seminal Last Child in the Woods, agrees. “The scientists who study the human senses no longer talk about five senses, they list conservatively nine or 10, and some believe that humans have as many as 30 senses,” he says. “Yet today, children and adults who work and learn in a dominating digital environment expend enormous energy blocking out many of the human senses—including ones we don’t even know we have—to focus narrowly on the screen in front of the eyes. That’s the very definition of being less alive. What parent wants his or her child to be less alive? Who among us wants to be less alive?” That dawning realization is motivating parents and teachers to find ways to get their children actively involved with nature in ways that open their senses while also moving their bodies. This often means hitting the local trails and nature preserves, sometimes with binoculars, bug jars, bird and plant guides and a

scavenger list in hand. “‘Hiking’ can be a bit of a drag to young children, but ‘exploring’ (while still hiking) helps open their minds to the beauty and wonder of the outdoors,” says Tanya Gray of Woodstock, Georgia, a homeschooling blogger at TwoPineAdventure.com. To improve kids’ hearing, Lilach Saperstein, an Israeli audiologist who hosts the podcast All About Audiology, asks children to close their eyes and describe only what they hear. “The wind, the rustle of leaves, a running water stream, crickets, birds, their own breathing, the swish of their sleeve or pant—this is a great way to introduce mindfulness, as well.” To awaken sight, sound and smell, Boston plein air artist Diana Stelin hands kids paper and art supplies out in nature. “Allowing kids to sit with sounds around them and with smells of various seasons makes them truly feel part of our grand universe. It also allows their minds to quiet down and reset, making them pay more attention to detail, to their inner landscapes and to people around them.”

To engage the sense of taste, Malorie Thompson, editor of TheVeganInsider.com, takes her children foraging for edible plants on treasure hunts on a trail or around their Northern California neighborhood. She says, “Bonus activity: use the foraged food to make a meal afterward!” Most of all, nature should be both physical and fun. “Point excitedly at the full moon, shout at it and say hello. Pick up leaves and chestnuts and rocks and create beautiful art together. Stop to smell the twigs and flowers and roll on the grass—who can make it faster down the hill? Make sandcastles and animals. Tie colorful ribbons on tree branches. Look for the shapes of animals in the clouds,” says Milana Perepyolkina, of Salt Lake City, who wrote about forest bathing in Gypsy Energy Secrets. “The only way to get your children to be excited about nature is for you to be excited about nature first,” she notes.

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calendar Submissions for the May issue must be received no later than April 10 and can be entered at NALowcountry.com. $15 per entry for print edition

Plans ChangeCall ahead to confirm events will occur as scheduled.

SUNDAY, APRIL 4

Easter Service OUTSIDE on the Church Lawn – 10:30-11:45am. Music by Brad Henty, Chris Crosby and Becca Darling. Special metaphysical interpretation of the Easter story. In case of rain, a limited amount of people will go into the sanctuary, Email unitycharleston@msn or call ahead 843-566-0600 to be put on the list. Please wear masks and socially distance. Donation. Unity of Charleston, 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston. 843-566-0600. unitychs.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

ONSITE Healing Energetic Intensive – 2-5pm. Join William Brown, BA, MS, Psychic Medium, Channel, Reiki Master and Co-founder of Reiki for Vets and Allison Brown, MS, PhD, author, Reiki Master, Quantum Healing Practitioner, and Co-founder of Reiki for Vets for a retreat filled with healing energies. Includes retreat meal. $40 suggested donation. Bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks, Mt. Pleasant. 843-847-1927. blissspiritualco-op.org/onsite-healing-energeticintensive-w-william-allison-brown.

TUESDAY, APRIL 13

Native Drum Making – 7-4pm. Runs through Wed., April 14. Participants will share in the ancient wisdom of our Native sisters and brothers by creating a hand-held drum in the native tradition. Drums can be used to amplify and extend our prayerful intentions. The program includes blessing and awakening of the drum to give it its voice. Materials fee: $110. $170. Springbank Retreat, 1345 Springbank Rd, Kingstree. 843-382-9777. SpringbankRetreat.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 16

Geo-Justice – 7-1pm. Runs through Sun., April 18. Led by Springbank staff member Dr. Jim Conlon. “Through a dynamic integration of prose, poetry and prayer, we will envision a new world that is creative and compassionate, as we listen to the music of the universe and experience the beauty of the earth,” Conlon says. $290. Springbank Retreat, 1345 Springbank Rd, Kingstree. 843-382-9777. SpringbankRetreat.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 19

Basketry – 7-4pm. Runs through Wed., April 21. Led by Linda Szocik and Springbank staff member Anita Branganza. Participants will be invited to enjoy the contemplative art of basketry. No experience needed; materials provided. Woven into the schedule will be time for personal reflection and communal prayer. $350. Springbank Retreat, 1345 Springbank Rd, Kingstree. 843-382-9777. SpringbankRetreat.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 30

Dream Drives Action – 7-1pm. Runs through Sun., May 2. Led by Springbank staff member Dr. Jim Conlon. Dreams are the result of a fully intuitive process that attunes our imagination to the mind of the universe, that is, the divine, Conlon says. “Dreams are serum for the soul. When we dream, we imagine how the world could be and become energized to bring it about. Our dreams are like shining stars that bring forth courage and the commitment

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to begin again.” Participants will be challenged to ignite their imagination, recapture their capacity to dream, rekindle an experience of hope, and believe that tomorrow can be different from today. “When we dream, we summon the psychic energy and moral courage necessary to move forward into the future,” Conlon says. $290. Springbank Retreat, 1345 Springbank Rd, Kingstree. 843-382-9777. SpringbankRetreat.org.

ongoing events

sunday Power of Eight Intentions Virtual Discussion Group – 1-2:30pm. Unity of Charleston Rev Sarah Scott Putnam leads the weekly Zoom virtual group based upon Lynne McTaggart’s “Power of Eight”. The book is recommended but not necessary. Tap into your extraordinary human capacity for healing, using the miraculous power of group intention and its mirror effect. Email unitycharleston@msn for login instructions. Donation at www.unitychs.org. Donation. Unity of Charleston, 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston. 843-566-0600. unitychs.org.

monday ONSITE/ONLINE Starseeds Unite Gathering – 7-8:30pm. 2nd Mon. A class for anyone interested in finding out more about Starseeds, different alien races and the dimensions we reside in, galactic contact and command, light language, light codes and how we can serve Earth at this time. Free. Donations to bliss Spiritual Co-op appreciated. Bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks, Mt. Pleasant. 843-847-1927. blissspiritualco-op.org/ monthly-starseeds-unite-gathering-w-maria-fink.

tuesday Power, Freedom, and Grace Book Study – 6:307:30pm. Unity of Charleston virtual book study led by Rev Scotti Putnam. This is a book study group on the powerful book by Deepak Chopra. In this eight week gathering, we will discuss the mystery of our existence and its significance in our eternal quest for happiness. Email scotti@ sarahscottputnam.com or unitycharleston@msn for login instructions. Donation at www.unitychs.org. Donation. Unity of Charleston, 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston. 843-566-0600. unitychs.org. ONSITE/ONLINE Write Your Stories – 7-8:30pm. Enjoy a grounding meditation followed by a warm up exercise; writing one short story per week within 20 minutes and 30 minutes of sharing and constructive, encouraging feedback. There will be an opportunity for works to be considered for publication. Free. Donations to bliss Spiritual Co-op appreciated. Bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks, Mt. Pleasant. 843-847-1927.

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blissspiritualco-op.org/onsite-online-write-yourstories-w-julie-koewler-tish-voit.

thursday QHHT group regression – 7-8:30pm. 4th Thur. Introduction to QHHT (Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique) QHHT is a multi-dimensional regression-based therapy, exploring the subconscious mind for root causes of issues at the emotional, physical and spiritual levels. Guided by the Higher the Self, which is connected to the collective consciousness whereby infinite knowledge and wisdom is accessed. Quantum Healing/Donna Brenner. Donation based. Bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks, Mt. Pleasant. 843-847-1927.

friday ONLINE Well-Being through Energy Psychology & Energy Medicine – Noon-1pm. 4th Fri. A lively, experiential class to learn and practice one Energy Psychology and two Energy Medicine techniques for enhancing well-being, reducing stress, regaining calm, clearing negative beliefs, lifting one’s mood, helping with focus and sleeping through the night. Free. Donations to bliss Spiritual Co-op appreciated. blissspiritualco-op.org/well-energypsychology-energy-medicine-w-paula-mcguire.

saturday ONSITE/ONLINE Introduction to Access Bars – 10-11:30am. 2nd & 4th Sat. The Access Bars have the capacity to create shifts in the body, in the level of awareness and in one’s level of joy! See the link for more information and for full details of the schedule. Free. Donations to bliss Spiritual Co-op appreciated. Bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks, Mt. Pleasant. 843-847-1927. blissspiritualcoop.org/introduction-to-access-bars-w-ravi-kirin. Power of Choice Virtual Discussion Group Unity of Charleston – 11am-12:30pm. 1st Sat. Jackie McCullough leads the 1st Saturday virtual discussion group on Zoom. Jackie is a Life Options Coach/ Counselor. She helps us to choose joy, peace and happiness instead of fear, anxiety and depression. We will also explore a writing technique to “Write Ourselves Well.” Email unitycharleston@msn.com for login instructions. Donation on www.unitychs. org. Donation. Unity of Charleston, 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston. 843-566-0600. unitychs.org. ONSITE Chakradance – 12:30-2pm. 4th Sat. Blending free-flowing movements with particular frequencies of sound, Chakradance will free the energy in your body and open you to a deeper experience of life. Join Facilitator Mimi Pfeffer and let Chakradance activate, tune and balance the chakras. Free. Donations to bliss Spiritual Co-op appreciated. Bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks, Mt. Pleasant. 843-847-1927. blissspiritualco-op. org/onsite-chakradance-w-mimi-pfeffer.

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 Publisher@NALowcountry. com.

ALTERNATIVE HOLISTIC MEDICINE Michael Bauerschmidt, MD

Deeper Healing Medical Wellness Center 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 360 Mt Pleasant SC 29464 843-388-5995 DeeperHealing.com Experience a refreshing MD consult at Deeper Healing Medical Wellness Center where they take the time to dive deep to uncover root causes and focus on healing the body naturally. Dr. Michael Bauerschmidt, an expert in Functional & Environmental Medicine, offers state-of-the-art treatments for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, a powerful cellular cleansing program, progressive allergy treatments, natural pain management, chelation and IV infusions. Dr. B is a leading expert on environmental toxicity and a compassionate professional who teaches tirelessly on how to live “well” in our modern world.

DR. PATRICK S. LOVEGROVE Merge Medical Center Mt Pleasant 843-469-1001 MergeMedicalCenter.com

AMA board-certified MD specializing in family medicine, holistic internal medicine, Antiaging, Chinese medicine, naturopathy. Merge Medical Center … where modern thinking meets natural healing. Services include Primary Care, Weight Loss, Fatigue management, Bioidentical hormones, Colonics, Acupuncture, Massage, Reiki, Chiropractic, IV vitamins, and Bemer therapy.

bIOMAGNETIC THERAPY Paula McGuire

Mt Pleasant/Charleston 843-732-0293 • Paula@ireinst.com ireinst.com

1319 Savannah Hwy, Ste C Charleston (in Artisans Inc. Salon) 843-813-1838 • YourGroomingGuru.com Your Grooming Guru, Barbara Brant-Williams, is an experienced hair-stylist, makeup artist and certified Organic Color Specialist practicing out of the Artisans Salon. Charleston’s go-to source for hair, makeup and beauty product knowledge. See ad, page 11.

Peace, Love, and Harmony Cleaning

Jeannine Despeaux, Owner Charleston SC area • (843) 822-4557 PeaceLoveandHarmonyCleaning.com/

BioMagnetic Therapy can help create balance, restore vitality within the body and facilitate clearing of viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic infections; allergies; ADD; autism; autoimmune issues; heavy metal and other toxicity; chronic pain; infertility; herpes; MS; among other conditions. See ad, page 11.

Founder Jeannine Despeaux is a yoga and meditation practitioner. The company mission is to bring peace of mind, loving care, and budget harmony to your home or business. CDC approved or natural cleaners. Regular, deep and move-out cleaning packages. References available.

CHIROPRACTORS

COACHING

ACCURATE CHIROPRACTIC

3373 S Morgans Point Rd, Ste 307 Mt Pleasant • 843-971-8814 CoursonChiropractic@gmail.com MtPleasantChiro.com Holistic Family Care practice, offering a variety of techniques and therapies to help improve overall health and wellness. Proudly serving the Charleston area for 17 years.

COLUCCI CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER

Dr. Gina Colucci 1806 Trolley Rd, Summerville 843-875-5700 • ColucciChiropractic.com Serving the Summerville area for 29 years. Specializing in holistic care; weight loss and nutritional cleansing; pain management; bio-identical hormones; sugar detox; stress testing; chiropractic; peripheral neuropathy; detox footbaths; emotional (TBM/NET) and wellness care.

Dr. Ann Jenkins, Not Your Ordinary Chiropractor

12-C Carriage Ln, Charleston SC 29407 (West Ashley) 843-270-9913 • DrAnnJenkins.com Exclusive to the area: Whole Body Magnetic Therapy. Mention Natural Awakenings for a BOGO Magnetic session. Holistic family care. Relief of neck, back and emotional pain. Homeopathy and essential oils.

beauty consultant YOUR GROOMING GURU

CLEANING SERVICES

CHURCHES Unity Church of Charleston

SHERRY KACHANIS

North Charleston • 843-743-9488 SherryKachanis@gmail.com SherryKachanis.com Transformational Coach and Shamanic Healer. Break through unconscious barriers to fully LIVE the LIFE you desire! Monthly Meditation/Shamanic Healing, Moon Ceremonies and Healing Retreats.

COUNSELING HOLISTIC YOU COUNSELING

Angel Muehlenkamp, MA Professional Counseling Summerville 843-327-1440 • LivingAngel777@gmail.com UniquelyuNow.com We are here to live in the fullness of who and what we truly are. Angel uses her unique ability to Connect to Source to assist you in moving beyond daily limitations. Open to a brand new way of living. Talk, Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy; Quantum-Touch; Reiki; Intuitive Counseling; Art of God; Life Coaching; and Spiritual Counseling.

DENTISTRY I SMILE MATHIS FERRY DENTISTRY Wendy S. Haefner, DDS 1571 Mathis Ferry Rd, Mt Pleasant 843-884-1215 • MathisFerryDentistry.com

Biological dentistry using IAOMT protocol. Natural products free of BPA and mercury. Mercury-safe filling removal. Now offering ozone therapy! See ad, page 3.

Rev. Ed Kosak, Minister 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston 843-566-0600 • Unitychs.org

Sunday Service: 10:30 am. Are you more spiritual than religious? Do you believe in many paths to God? Then please join us.

April 2021

NUTRITIONIST

ESSENTIAL OILS YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS WITH LISA BAYOREK

JANA DAVIS, MS, RD, CDE

Lisa Bayorek, Member #10796546 Charleston MYYL.com/LisaBayorek

Curious about essential oils? I would love to share Young Living with you! I offer classes on family wellness, chemical-free cleaning, business opportunities and more! See ad, page 14.

HEMP OIL PrimeMyBody Hemp Oil

843-847-1927 • AnaHaugsoen@msn.com Anah.primemybody.com/ Learn about our Endo-Cannabinoid System, Phyto-Cannabinoids and Hemp Oil! There is research on more than 250 conditions and cannabidiol. Hemp oil might be the most important product you add to your health regimen!

215 East Bay St., Suite 201-A Charleston, SC 29401 www.carolinagreenliving.com Online booking available 843-801-4686 CarolinaGreenLiving@gmail.com Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with over 25 years of experience. Private consultations, grocery store tours, public speaking. Owner of Carolina Green Living LLC, which focuses on teaching clients about avoiding toxins and other environmental factors that can impact health.

ORGANIC SALON & BOUTIQUE COTTAGE AROMA BELLA DAY SPA 2671 Ft Trenholm Rd, Johns Island 843-266-3619 CottageAromaBella.com

Relax and renew your mind, body and soul while enjoying our luxurious services. All treatments are tailored just for you using the finest all-natural products. See ad, page 13.

Integrative Medicine Lowcountry Wellness Center 1941 Savage Road, 100E Charleston • 843-793-1353 info@lowcountry-wellness.com Lowcountry-Wellness.com

Holistic and Integrative Primary Care offered in an affordable monthly membership model. Bringing healthcare back to true patient driven care between you and Dr. Penni! See ad, inside front cover.

SALON INDIGO

732 S Shelmore Blvd, Ste 100 Mt Pleasant (Shelmore Village) 843-991-6835 Our experienced team of hairstylists and skin care specialist use 100 percent-certified organic products. We specialize in haircutting, coloring and make-up application. We sell All Nutrient™, Moroccan Oils, Dr. Hauschka™, 100% Pure™, iLike™ and many other boutique items.

For Less than $3 per day... You Can Start Marketing Your Business! You Can’t Even Boost A Facebook Post To 30K People For This Price! Reach over 30K Lowcountry Area Natural Health & Wellness Readers per month with a community resource Guide Listing You will also receive: One News Brief or *Health Brief every 6 months (your opportunity to share what’s new with your business or to expound upon a health issue within your area of expertise) – approximately 200 words PLUS Up to 3 Calendar Events per month! Listing appears both in print and online! *Health Brief needs to be backed by reputable studies, etc.

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QUANTUM HEALING Donna Brenner QHHT Practitioner level 2

Donna Brenner Quantum Healing Mt. Pleasant (973) 714-5501 Quantumhealers.com/donnabrenner

to the body.

QHHT (Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique) is a regression technique that can help with clearing emotional and physical blockages, releasing trauma, anxiety, depression and OCD, while bringing balance, energy flow, and well-being back

Spiritual Hypnosis DR ALLISON BROWN, QUANTUM HEALING PRACTITIONER 843-425-4906 allison.brown@drallisonbrown.com DrAllisonBrown.com In-person or online sessions available

Experience BQH, a heart and energy-based regression experience that is considered one of the most advanced healing modalities on the planet today. Connect directly with your Wisdom Team for purpose, guidance, and healing!

SPIRITUAL LIFE COACH LAURA GRIFFITH GARLAND, PHD

Charleston Holistic Center 2366 Ashley River Rd, Bldg 8, Charleston 843-452-7996 • DrLaura.Coach@gmail.com CharlestonReikiAndTarot.com Transform your life from the ordinary to the extraordinary by understanding how the aspects of your being interact and block your progress. Together, we can heal your past and find your true future. See ad, inside front cover.

WATER Your Water Girl

Margaret Blalock (843) 647-8885 • yourwatergirl.com Specializing in gold standard certified filtration and advanced Japanese technology. Turns tap water into Ph- balanced, antioxidantrich, alkaline drinking water and waters capable of removing pesticides from produce while replacing harmful cleaning, sanitizing and personal care products.

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Natural Awakenings Charleston, SC April 2021

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