May 2023 Natural Awakenings Volusia - Flagler County Florida edition

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Hello and welcome to our May edition!

This month we celebrate mothers and recognize the people in our lives who blessed us with the qualities that define motherhood. The influence of a mother is impossible to calculate. There’s no role in life more essential, or long lasting. Motherhood is exquisite and inconvenient, challenging and satisfying, and the most important role one can fulfill.

Guest writer and coach Jocelyn Gordon is featured in our Healing Ways section for her holistic preconception preparation program, “Make Space for Baby.” Gordon outlines the four pillars of preparation covered in her six-month program offered to women and their partners.

Breast cancer and it’s connection to cell phone radiation are the focus of Tech Wellness this month. Dr. Devra Davis, president of Environmental Health Trust, has been working for decades on the environmental causes of breast cancer and is now raising awareness about the health risks of cell phone radiation.

All New U Wellness invites you to experience a real-time, therapy-demo of a game-changing aesthetic technology on May 20. See pages 4-5 for information and reservation information. Jo Anne Staley, owner of Natural Concepts Revisited, is hosting a community vegan potluck on May 27. See page 5 for more information.

Be sure to check our website for additional articles at VoFLNatural.com and see the calendar on page 30 for more events.

To your health,

Rebecca Young, Publisher

Rebecca Young, Publisher

Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a Mother.

All New U to Showcase Top Aesthetic Devices

Emface the Nation, a nationwide bus tour featuring game-changing aesthetic technology, will make a stop in Palm Coast on Saturday, May 20. Christine Moore, owner of All New U Wellness, is hosting the tour’s only Palm Coast stop from 9 a.m. until noon at Bartletts Gatherings & Gourmet. Guests will receive a real-time therapy demo, participate in contests, enjoy snacks and more. Due to this limited engagement, reservations must be made in advance.

Emface is a noninvasive facelift using radiofrequency and high-intensity focused stimulation to lift and tighten one’s face like never before. Fewer wrinkles and more lift in only 20 minutes.

Emsculpt Neo is the world’s first and only technology that uses radiofrequency and high-intensity electromagnetic field to simultaneously eliminate fat and build muscle noninvasively.

The noninvasive Emsella chair will also be available for guests interested in improving pelvic floor strength. Emsella utilizes electromagnetic energy to deliver thousands of pelvic floor muscle contractions to help reeducate muscles.

Location: Barlett’s Gatherings and Gourmet, 5368 N. Oceanshore Blvd. To guarantee a real-time demo, one needs to RSVP and specify which treatment. To RSVP, call 386-585-4008 or email AllNewUWellness@gmail.com See ad on page 5.

Derma Botanica—Organic

Botanical Facials and Skin Care

Derma Botanica is a unique facial studio in New Smyrna Beach specializing in holistic, massage-based, organic, botanical facials and skin care. Born from a love of plants, the Earth, and our well-being, Derma Botanica opened in 2022 to offer skin care experiences that integrate the healing power of touch with the intelligence of plants to nourish and heal the skin, and calm the body and mind. Restorative, noninvasive treatments such as gua sha, kansa wand, high frequency, ice globes, and red light and microcurrent are offered to boost benefits and address specific skin care concerns for visible results.

“I have made it my mission to hand select skin care products that protect and feed the microbiome and do not strip the skin with sulfates or contain perfumes, parabens or other harmful ingredients,” notes studio owner Kimberly Hover. “I work with small businesses, herbalists, formulators and farm-toface skin care creators who make plant-based products that are cruelty-free, palm oil free, ethically sourced, wildcrafted, handmade in small batches and contained in glass.”

In addition to being a licensed esthetician, Hover brings to her practice an overview of knowledge about nontoxic skin care, massage and nutrition. She also holds a master’s degree in fine arts from Carnegie Mellon University and has been a certified canine massage therapist since 2009.

Derma Botanica is located at 1710 State Rd. 44 inside Colors Hair Studio in New Smyrna Beach. You can learn more and easily book an appointment at Derma-Botanica.com or call 386-956-9823. Current hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday with afternoon and evening appointments. See ad on page 33.

Kimberly Hover

Vegan Potluck at Natural Concepts Revisited

Natural Concepts Revisited—a retail store dedicated to health, wellness and sustainable practices in Daytona Beach—invites the community to a Vegan Potluck on May 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. This will be the first of what will be a monthly event.

“We are so excited to unify the vegan community,” shares owner Jo Anne Staley. “Come make new friends, discover new recipes, and enjoy sharing the ingredients of your recipe and how you made it.”

Staley says they encourage everyone to bring a dish to share for around eight people. Avoid bringing processed food. Remember to use organic or locally grown ingredients. You can also bring your own utensils and water bottle.

In addition to locally sourced organic produce, fresh nut milks, local honey and natural grocery items for specialty diets, Natural Concepts Revisited has a café; juice bar; and educational center dedicated to health, wellness and sustainable practices. Organic gardening supplies, including locally made compost and organic fertilizer, are also available.

Location: Natural Concepts Revisited, 142 W. International Speedway Blvd., in Daytona Beach. For more information, call 386-341-5068 or visit them on Facebook. com/NaturalConceptsRevisitedllc See ad on page 25.

Light Therapy for Autoimmune Symptoms

Fatigue is often reported as the most disabling symptom for people with autoimmune disorders, significantly impairing their physical, mental and social quality of life. Autoimmune researchers in Denmark, noting previous studies wherein bright light therapy significantly reduced fatigue related to traumatic brain injury and cancer, devised a study involving multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The study was conducted as a randomized, sham-controlled trial of 26 people with MS that reported a Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score greater than 36. Participants received either bright light therapy or a dim red light sham intervention for 30 minutes each morning for two weeks. The bright light therapy decreased FSS scores over the course of the study. However, this benefit occurred in the sham control group as well, highlighting the need for more research on the effects of light therapy on fatigue.

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes With Diet

A Type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis is often regarded as a lifelong sentence and typically treated as such, requiring an increasing number of drugs. However, sustained remission of T2D is now well established.

In a recent primary care-based cohort study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, advice on a lower-carbohydrate diet and weight loss protocols was offered routinely to 9,800 patients with T2D between 2013 and 2021. Overall, remission was achieved in 51 percent of the patients that adopted a low-carb lifestyle, with individuals diagnosed with T2D within the previous year more likely to achieve remission (77 percent) than those that had been diagnosed for longer (20 percent for patients with a T2D duration greater than 15 years). Additionally, about 97 percent of the patients experienced improvements in blood glycemic control. Average low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and systolic blood pressure decreased, and there were also significant financial savings on drugs.

A low-carb diet may give hope to those with T2D as a practical, manageable way to achieve remission, as well as substantial health and financial benefits. Even for those with poorly controlled T2D that may not achieve remission, improvements in diabetic control may be within reach.

Benefits of Water Immersion During Birth

Water immersion during labor is an increasingly popular birthing option for healthy women that experience a straightforward pregnancy, labor spontaneously at full term and plan to give birth in a midwifery-led care setting. The process involves immersion in a birth pool to achieve relaxation and pain relief during the first and possibly part of the second stage of labor. The mother exits the pool for the actual birth, allowing the infant to emerge outside of the water. This method is different from a water birth, during which the woman remains in the pool as the infant emerges into the water and is then brought to the surface to initiate breathing.

In a new systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMJ Open, researchers compared the interventions and outcomes of water immersion, water birth and no-water-immersion births. After reviewing 36 studies encompassing the experiences of about 150,000 women, researchers found that water immersion significantly reduced the use of epidurals, injected opioids, episiotomy, maternal pain and postpartum hemorrhage. There was also an increase in maternal satisfaction and improved odds of an intact perineum with water immersion. Water births were associated with increased odds of the tearing of the umbilical cord from the placenta, making delivery of the placenta difficult, although the absolute risk remained low (4.3 versus 1.3 per 1,000). There were no differences in any other identified neonatal outcomes.

Seniors Avoid the Hospital With Nature

New research has found that exposure to natural environments may reduce the risk of hospitalization for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and Parkinson’s disease. The cohort study included approximately 62 million Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older that lived in the contiguous United States from 2000 to 2016. Researchers looked at ZIP-Code-level greenness, percentages of park cover and blue space (water) cover, as well as hospitalizations. They found that exposure to greenness, park cover and blue space cover reduced hospitalizations for patients with Parkinson’s. Greenness—but not park or blue space cover—was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization due to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Ruslan Huzau/ ShutterStock.com

Scientists Invent Battery Made of Paper

Scientists have developed a water-activated, disposable, paper battery, according to a proof-of-concept study published in Scientific Reports. The developers believe that their invention could be used to power a variety of low-power, single-use electronics, such as smart packaging, environmental sensors and medical diagnostic devices, thereby reducing their environmental impact.

The single-cell battery consists of one square centimeter of paper treated with salts. One side is printed with ink containing graphite flakes, which serves as the positive terminal, and the other side is printed with ink containing zinc powder to create the negative terminal. Another layer of ink containing graphite flakes and carbon black is applied over that, linking the battery’s positive and negative ends to two wires secured by wax.

When a few drops of water are added to the paper, the salts dissolve, releasing charged ions that spread across the paper to activate the battery. In tests, researchers were able to reach a stable 1.2 volts. (The voltage of a standard AA alkaline battery is 1.5 volts.) The battery’s performance decreased significantly after an hour when the paper dried. However, after two more drops of water were added, the battery maintained 0.5 volts for an additional hour.

Sulfur Shortage Predicted

According to a study in The Geographical Journal led by University College London, a shift away from fossil fuels and an increase in agricultural demand will cause the demand for sulfuric acid to increase considerably from 246 to 400 million metric tons by 2040. The result is an annual supply shortfall of between 100 and 320 million metric tons, or between 40 and 130 percent of the current supply.

Sulfur is a byproduct of processing crude oil and natural gas. As the world decarbonizes in response to climate change, there will be a diminished supply of both fossil fuels and sulfur. Sulfuric acid is required for the manufacture of phosphorus fertilizers used in global food production and for the extraction of rare metals from ores crucial to the transition to a green economy, such as cobalt and nickel used in batteries.

Unless action is taken to reduce the need for this chemical, the study authors warn, environmentally damaging mining will be required to fill the shortfall.

Using Algae for Industrial Carbon Capture, Food, Fuel and Plastic

In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Honda is experimenting with the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii class of algae they have nicknamed “Dreamo”, which can eat twice its weight in carbon dioxide in three to five days, depending on the time of year. Developers are growing Dreamo on the roof of a car factory in Tochigi, Japan, where it can absorb CO2 emissions from manufacturing. It has been genetically modified to grow hardier and five times faster than ordinary microalgae, allowing the growth solution to last months instead of weeks.

The development team is also exploring additional uses for Dreamo. After serving its pollution-fighting role, the algae can be harvested, dried and turned into food, fuel or plastic. Depending upon the amount of nitrogen applied to the algae, its cellular composition can be modified to be either predominantly carbohydrate- or protein-based. When the algae is mostly protein, an enzyme can be added to easily extract the starch to be used as food or as a raw material in animal food, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. When the algae is mostly carbohydrate, it can be extracted as glucose and ethanol to be converted into plastic resin or jet fuel.

Amish Home Furnishings

Amish Home Furnishings, a 40-year-old furniture store renowned for top-quality, solid hardwood furnishings, has expanded their offerings by adding a design center for custom-made Amish cabinets for home and office.

“After receiving many requests from customers looking for kitchen cabinets with the same quality materials, heirloom craftsmanship and unlimited choices offered in our furniture, we have added a cabinetry design center. Gorgeous, solid wood cabinets for kitchen, bath and office are now available in your choice of solid hardwood, finished or painted, with all the built-in quality our customers have come to expect,” explained co-owners Bill Blandy and Sarah Shea.

“Our cabinets are totally customizable, with unique features like cutlery drawers, slide-outs for platters and cooking sheets, organizers for bathroom and office. From new construction to remodeling, our design team will work with you to design your dream kitchen, bathroom or office,” assures Shea.

“All of our furniture, and now our cabinets, are handcrafted using natural hardwoods,” says Blandy. “Every piece is made by Amish craftsmen in America with wood sensibly sourced from renewable forests. Our craftsmen do not work with inferior substrates like particle board or flimsy faux wood veneers.” Blandy affirms that the store’s Amish furniture designers work with a variety of wood including cherry, maple, oak and walnut. “Each board is selected by hand, and inspected for quality, strength, straightness, grain and color,” he explains. “Sometimes our artisans harvest lumber

from the woods on their own property, a sustainable approach that adds another dimension to the story of your furniture.”

The store offers “some of the most beautiful hardwoods available on the face of the planet” in almost every American-made wood and an extensive variety of finishes. And since each piece is built to order, we give shoppers a degree of flexibility and customization that exceeds their expectations.

What’s more, those that love the look and feel of quality wood furniture are thrilled to find a wide variety of styles, ranging from traditional to modern to farmhouse, and everything in between.

“Our Amish craftsmen incorporate hightech, 21st-century elements,” Blandy says. “We’re very aware of technology and add features and benefits you don’t find even in import furniture”—things like hidden storage, cord management for wires and USB ports and outlets in unexpected spots like nightstands.

“People feel good about us, so we’re doing the right things,” Blandy says. “The main goal is we want to provide superb quality goods that are made right here in America.”

Amish Home Furnishings is located at 1220 Ridgewood Ave., in Holly Hill. For more information, call 386-258-3338 or visit AmishHomeFurnishings.com See ad on back cover.

CLIMATE CAFÉ

Earth-Friendly Delights for Mom

by Marlaina Donato

This year, consider putting an ecological spin on Mother’s Day by showering her with gifts that honor Mother Earth. Here are some sustainable gifting ideas.

FLOWER POWER

Lavish her with an eco-friendly bouquet. Conventional blooms that are flown in from South America can be riddled with fungicides, carcinogen-laden floral foams, sheens and other hazardous chemicals, not to mention the huge carbon footprint required to bring them here. Locally grown, organic flowers at farmers markets, sustainable florists and small-business greenhouses are produced with fewer or no chemicals, support pollinators and require no jet fuel to get to mom’s doorstep.

CHOICE CHOCOLATES

Satisfy mama’s sweet tooth with organic, fair-trade chocolate that helps cocoa farmers earn a living wage and does not promote deforestation. Opting to buy ethical chocolate prevents child and slave labor and provides women equal pay as well as opportunities to own a business. Look for certified, fair-trade labels as well as non-GMO and organic certifications.

BLING BLESSINGS

Adorn her with ethically sourced and sustainable jewelry created from recycled precious metals, Fairmined Ecological

gold and conflict-free gemstones. Beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations can be found at local artisan fairs or online from eco-conscious jewelers. Look for sellers with sustainable jewelry certifications and those that use recycled, upcycled or reclaimed materials.

Fill her cup with bird-friendly, shadegrown, fair-trade coffees and teas that offer a healthier caffeine fix while protecting bird populations and canopy cover. Choosing products labeled Rainforest Alliance Certified or Bird Friendly helps to ensure the habitat for 40 species of migratory songbirds that winter in plantations.

LOCAL LUXURIES

There are so many ways to support the local economy while treating mom to an unforgettable experience that makes her feel extra-special. Give her a gift certificate for a massage, aromatherapy session or makeover at an organic salon. Treat her to a fabulous dinner at a vegan restaurant. Subscribe her to receive a monthly produce box from a community-supported agriculture outlet. Pack a healthy picnic and spend the afternoon together at the park. Create a gift basket of goods made by local artisans, including beeswax candles, pottery or body treats like handmade soaps and lotions.

Breast Cancer and Cell Phones

Cell phone manuals tell you not to place your phone directly on your body; however, most women are unaware of these warnings. Numerous doctors recommend that people keep the phone away from the brain and body, especially the breast.

EHT organized a conference at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club featuring breast surgeon Dr. Lisa Bailey, former president of the American Cancer Society of California, who gave a lecture recommending women keep cell phones out of the bra. The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition created educational curriculum for classrooms to prevent breast cancer. In 2017, the California Department of Health released an advisory on how to reduce cell phone radiation stating, “Carry your cell phone in a backpack, briefcase or purse; not in a pocket, bra or belt holster.” The American Academy of Pediatrics and the North Carolina Public Health Department both state “Avoid carrying your phone against the body, like in a pocket, sock or bra. Cell phone manufacturers cannot guarantee that the amount of radiation you are absorbing will be at a safe level.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Dr. Devra Davis, president of Environmental Health Trust (EHT), has been working for decades on the environmental causes of breast cancer. She now is raising awareness about the health risks of cell phone radiation.

Cell phones emit microwave radiation, like your microwave oven, but at much lower power. The World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for the Research on Cancer classified cell phone radiation as a Group 2B “possible” carcinogen in 2011 and today—more than a decade later—numerous WHO experts recommend an upgraded classification.

Breast tissue absorbs wireless microwave radiation. Research shows a link between cell phone radiation and breast cancer. Case reports are published documenting how women are developing unusual breast cancers directly where they carry their phones in their bras. Young women, even with no family history, are developing this type of breast cancer.

In a case-control study of the association between smartphone use and breast cancer risk among Taiwanese women, participants with smartphone addiction had a significantly higher risk of breast cancer. Individuals with the habitual behavior of smartphone use (more than 4.5 minutes) before bedtime had a significantly increased risk of breast cancer compared to those that used a smartphone for fewer than 4.5 minutes before bedtime. Additionally, a closer distance between the smartphone and the breasts when using the smartphone exhibited a significantly increased risk. Participants that carried their smartphone near their chest or waist-abdomen area had a significantly increased risk of breast cancer compared to those that carried the smartphone below the waist.

n Keep your phone away from your body, and especially out of your bra.

n Turn your phone on airplane mode with Bluetooth off to shut off the radiation.

n Use wired landlines for calls (not cordless).

n Use wired computers for email and internet browsing.

n Educate yourself on the published research.

n Spread the word on social media. Make your bra a #NoPhoneZone!

Source: Environmental Health Trust, a think tank that promotes a healthier environment through research, education and policy. For more information, visit EHTrust.org

SOLVING STRESS

HOLISTIC TIPS FROM LIFESTYLE DOCTORS

by Linda Sechrist

Medicine is changing as a new class of doctors endeavors to treat the whole person rather than the symptoms of disease, helping their patients achieve optimal health with lifestyle changes, medicine, herbs, supplements and modalities tailored to the individual. No longer reaching for a prescription pad as often, these functional and integrative physicians are spending an average of 45 minutes per office visit. Using their sleuthing skills and innovative skillsets, they ask probing questions about a patient’s current lifestyle and history, pinpoint the root cause of a problem and craft customized solutions.

To help someone manage stress, a functional or integrative doctor may suggest a daily dose of herbal tea, nightly entries in a gratitude journal, a visualization practice, brisk walks, gardening, art therapy, mindful meditation, a nutrient-rich diet that reduces food allergies, yoga poses and regular sessions of qigong or tai chi. Armed with an extensive list of better-for-you choices than addictive, prescription sleeping pills or tranquilizers, individuals are empowered

to improve their health and eliminate stress. Studies suggest that 75 to 90 percent of illnesses are stress related. Getting to the root cause before it escalates into cardiovascular disease, depression or diabetes is what curious and compassionate doctors do.

“Because sleep is a great resolution to almost anything, it’s one of the first things I consider,” says Carrie Jones, a functional and naturopathic doctor in Portland, Oregon. “Stress can be physiological, caused by parasites, viruses, bacteria and toxins, as well as blood sugar imbalances. Not getting enough sleep, or poor sleep, is stressful to the body, which is on alert all the time.”

According to Jones, finding ways to coax the body into feeling safe can help people relieve stress and get a good night’s sleep.

“People rarely realize that basic things such as joy, play, laughter and a community of supportive people have anything to do with feeling safe enough to sleep deeply. It’s why I inquire about those things,” she explains.

TIPS FOR SOUNDER SLUMBER

n Turn the thermostat down in the bedroom. A cool temperature combats insomnia.

n Snuggle under a weighted blanket. The gentle pressure signals the autonomic nervous system to go into rest mode.

n Install blackout shades. Light decreases melatonin, the sleep hormone.

n Avoid alcohol before bed, as it can disrupt the sleep cycle.

n Stop using electronics, including social media, television and phones, two hours before getting under the covers. The blue light emitted by screens restrains the production of melatonin.

Connecting and spending quality social time with friends helps to alleviate stress. Anna Cabeca, a triple board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, advises, “Every day, stress causes the stress hormone cortisol to go up and oxytocin, the connecting hormone, to go down, lessening the desire to connect. It’s a double whammy for women in perimenopause and menopause, because hormones are declining, and stress overloads the already overtaxed endocrine system.”

Rebecca Hunton, personalized medicine doctor and founder of Radiantly Healthy MD, in Melbourne, Florida, coaches her patients to modify unhelpful habits. “I’m always looking for that one thing that patients can easily change. Sometimes it’s teaching them the difference between stress resilience and stress avoidance. A stress avoidance activity is spending two hours playing a game on your phone that leaves you beating yourself up and feeling like, ‘Why did I waste all that time?’ If, on the other hand, an activity leaves you feeling energized and wanting to tackle the other things on your to-do list, you just did a stress resilience activity,” says Hunton.

STRESS RESILIENCE ACTIVITIES

n Meditation

n Prayer

n Chanting a mantra

n Expressing creativity, such as cooking or painting

Carol Penn is a dual board-certified physician and movement coach in New Jersey. While observing her 87-year-old father practicing qigong, a form of meditation in motion, she had an epiphany and saw a powerful life lesson occurring before her eyes. “Moving with strength and grace through his practice so close to the end of his life, it occurred to me that he was role-modeling what it would be like for me to be kind to my future self. I teach my patients from this perspective, visualizing their future selves full of health, vitality, wonder and awe,” says the author of Meditation in a Time of Madness

Qigong has psychological and physical components, regulating the mind, body movement, breath and posture. “It balances and calms the autonomic, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems so that you feel less stress upon completion of the practice. Movements are designed to build longevity on a cellular level,” Penn explains.

According to Lorraine Maita, a board-certified functional and

integrative doctor in New Jersey, “The body sends out hormonal fight-or-flight signals when it’s distressed. In the initial stages, there’s a release of adrenaline, followed by cortisol, keeping your body on high alert. To most people, stress is just worry, and they’re thinking they’re handling it, but stress can be like a viral program running in the background all the time. It’s still there whether you’re reacting to it or not, whether you’re stuffing it under the surface or not. It’s why you go to therapy with mental stress, or why you need someone to talk to for processing it.”

Maita is a proponent of alternative modalities that help people modulate the stress response. “I recommend HeartMath to my patients, which is self-regulation technology based on more than 32 years of scientific research on the psychophysiology of stress, resilience and the interactions between the heart and brain,” says the author of Vibrance for Life: How to Live Younger and Healthier.

Jaquel Patterson, a naturopathic physician and medical director of Fairfield Family Health, in Connecticut, might determine if her patient is suffering from chronic stress by testing their saliva for cortisol levels in the morning and evening. Noting that her favorite teas for sleep and relaxation are chamomile and passionflower, she explains that passionflower is for someone that can’t fall asleep because there’s a radio playing in their head. “For dealing with stress, I like adaptogens, such as Siberian ginseng, rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, holy basil and L-theanine. The stress response requires a lot of B vitamins, along with magnesium and vitamin C,” she says.

Citing Hal Elrod’s book The Miracle Morning, Patterson recommends starting every day with a set of stress-relieving rituals Elrod calls “Life S.A.V.E.R.S.” She explains, “S is for silence, like meditation. A is for affirmations. V is for visualization, so you can visualize how your day is going to be. E is for exercise. R is for reading, and S is for scribing, writing things in a journal.”

Pointing out the differences between stress and anxiety, Patterson notes that anxiety is a continual rumination of thoughts, second-guessing and overthinking. Anxiety can cause stress, but stress can occur without anxiety. People with high anxiety sometimes have heart palpitations. Some stress is good for us. Without any stressors, Patterson cautions, we are unmotivated, lethargic and lacking in enthusiasm.

TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS TO QUIET THE ANXIOUS MIND

n Reflect Orb: This handheld biofeedback device can help an individual self-monitor their body’s physiology and learn to control the involuntary body-mind connection.

n Meditation apps: Insight Timer, Calm and similar apps offer guided meditations, relaxing music videos and meditation instruction for newbies and experienced practitioners.

n YouTube videos: Look for musical compositions with energy frequencies and binaural beats that encourage relaxation, promote positivity and decrease anxiety.

Linda Sechrist has been a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings publications for almost 20 years.

WHY DID YOU WRITE YOUR BOOK?

Because I was heartbroken after speaking to an 8-year-old in Parkland, Florida. I asked him, “Are you looking forward to going back to school?” not realizing his older sibling was one of the teenagers murdered in the Stoneman Douglas school shooting. He responded, “I feel like something bad could happen, and no one will be able to help me—not my parents, not my teachers, not even the president.”

An 8-year-old shouldn’t be afraid to go to school, and if that’s what our society is becoming, then children need resiliency skills, a way to self-soothe, and so do their parents. The book is a response to gun violence, but it also applies to the pandemic and other unprecedented events that cause that kind of internal chaos and disorientation that leads to mood disorders, depression, anxiety and suicidality. Whether it’s meditation, yoga, journaling or something else, mind-body skills can get you back to your center so you can function at a higher level from a place of calm and relaxed awareness, versus out of fear and nervousness.

Carol Penn ON

FINDING CALM IN A CHAOTIC WORLD

by Sandra Yeyati

Dr. Carol Penn, double board-certified in family and obesity medicine, is a movement, meditation and mindset coach who teaches people to prioritize selfcare to achieve their best and highest selves. She is certified in mind-body medicine, fitness and personal training, yoga and qigong, and draws inspiration and wisdom from a previous career as a dancer and dance educator with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Penn is the author of Meditation in a Time of Madness: A Guidebook for Talented Tweens, Teens, Their Parents and Guardians Who Need to Thrive.

WHY DO YOU DEFINE MEDITATION AS RELAXED AWARENESS?

Many people think that you have to sit in a certain posture and have no thoughts to meditate, but that isn’t true. We have 60,000 thoughts a day, and we don’t pay attention to most of them. Meditation allows you to slow your thoughts so they’re not as overwhelming and don’t interfere as much. When thoughts slow down and there’s space between them, your body also begins to slow down. Neurotransmitters like dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins are released in the brain, and you feel their downstream effect, which we call relaxation.

WHAT IS SOFT BELLY BREATHING?

Many times, you get into this rigid kind of breath where you’re holding your belly in and your shoulders are thrown back. People think they look better if they have a flat, tight belly, and that’s how they’re moving in the world, but they’re not getting the full experi-

ence of the breath. Soft belly breathing relaxes the torso, particularly that area just below your navel. This type of breathing allows the diaphragm to push down and massage everything beneath it, improving digestion and elimination processes and allowing the lungs to fill out from their bases where you pick up all the oxygen and nutrients that need to be carried throughout the body. As you inhale, say the word “soft” to remind yourself to soften and let go of any muscle tension. As you exhale, say “belly” to be reminded not to hold that part of the body in a rigid way.

WHY DO YOU SAY THAT MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE?

Motion is synonymous with life. There’s always something moving, even when we’re asleep. Even gentle movement helps the body release endorphins, which elevate our mood, reduce pain and bring us pleasure. We want to bring that flow and fluidity into our lives so that we can tap into it on purpose. Have you ever noticed the less you move, the harder it is to move? Movement needs to be encouraged throughout the lifespan.

WHAT MOVEMENTS DO YOU RECOMMEND?

One starts in a standing position. Notice how the rib cage moves as you soft belly breathe. Soften the knees, drop the chin to the chest and as you inhale, lift the arms and feel yourself float away slightly from the body to create a gentle undulation of the spine. This stimulates the “mu” receptors that cause our brain to release pain-reducing endorphins.

Another is to shake it off, like when a dog is walking along and all of a sudden their back twitches, they shake and then continue along their merry way. If we’re bothering them, dogs will literally shake it off. They don’t let it anchor in the body, in their muscles and in their nervous system the way that humans do. Some people wake up tired. Their jaw hurts because they were clenching their teeth all night. By shaking off that tension for one to three minutes, you loosen the tight ligaments where we habitually hold tension.

WHAT IS “TAKING YOUR SEAT ON YOUR THRONE,” AND HOW CAN IT HELP US?

I came up with that when teaching women how to meditate from a seated position. Women wear so many hats that life can feel weary, so asking them to sit down as if they’re taking a seat upon the throne of their own well-being gives them a way of sitting that’s different than just plopping down and collapsing because they’re exhausted. It shifts the energy and mental picture. You are more than the exhausted mother, executive, wife or caretaker. There’s a regal elegance, calm and quiet strength inside, and we’re going to meet her in our time of meditation.

Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings.

Preconception Preparation

FOUR PILLARS TO BECOMING THE HEALTHIEST PARENT BEFORE CONCEPTION

by Jocelyn Gordon

The purpose of this article is to explore the four pillars of physically preparing for conception and a healthy baby.

THE FOUR PHYSICAL PILLARS OF PRECONCEPTION PREPARATION

n Lifestyle Changes

n Reducing Toxic Load

n Managing Stress

n Addressing Unhealthy Generational Patterns

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

The ability to achieve pregnancy and bring a baby to full term should be the most natural thing in the world; however, for many, the journey is not so easy. The rates of unexplained fertility are at an all-time high, the median sperm rates are said to be 0 by 2045, and endocrine and autoimmune imbalances require many women with polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and fibroids to extend extra effort (and money) to get pregnant.

Contributing to fertility challenges are environmental toxins, chronic stress and unaddressed intergenerational trauma, which create a predisposition to chronic disease—physical and mental.

Now more than ever, to reclaim the natural birthright of fertility and to ensure healthy generations from your child to their offspring, it is important to orient the body to health well before sperm and ovum meet.

WHAT IS PRECONCEPTION PREPARATION?

Preconception preparation is the process of preparing for the rigors and joys of conception, pregnancy, birth and parenting. A primary focus includes preparing physically by making lifestyle changes, reducing toxic exposures, managing stress and optimizing fertility. The goal of physical preconception preparation is to improve the quality of the sperm and ovum, and the health of the mother and the baby before conception, as well as to reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and labor. This may require detoxing to minimize toxic influences from chemicals in consumer products, improving the diet to ensure egg and sperm quality, integrating health interventions to address long-standing chronic issues, optimizing fertility by resetting daily habits, and developing body literacy to identify optimal times for conception.

Emerging science highlights the preconception window of three months to one year before conception as a powerful time for interventions that nurture a healthy pregnancy; vital childhood; and longevity for you, your baby and offspring.

In addition to physical investments and health interventions, an expanded experience of preconception preparation includes emotional and spiritual healing, financial planning, relational well-being and cultivating a web of support.

Lifestyle changes are an important part of preconception preparation for both men and women. Making changes such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can all improve fertility and health.

Inflammation has been linked to cancer, autoimmune disorders and chronic pain. Excessive inflammation is also being identified as a culprit contributing to infertility and delayed fertility. Diets rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins have shown to increase fertility in both men and women by reducing oxidative stress and improving hormone balance. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E may help reduce inflammation and protect against damage to the reproductive organs. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to reduce inflammation, improve egg quality and regulate hormones. A study published in the journal Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology found that B vitamins, such as folate and vitamin B6, could reduce oxidative stress and improve sperm motility in men and hormone balance in women.

Eating a rainbow—having plates and servings with pigment-rich and thus nutrient-rich food—is a great way to start creating a fertility-boosting diet. Be sure to speak with your healthcare providers about your gut health and absorption to identify supplements assisting with your nutrient uptake.

Do you know your body mass index (BMI)? Exercise helps to reduce stress, regulate hormones and improve blood flow in the pelvis. That said, it is important to understand BMI before conception, as being underweight or overweight can cause hormonal imbalances and affect ovulation or sperm health. A study conducted by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine found that underweight women may take up to a year or longer to conceive, and specifically found that women with a BMI of less than 19 were twice as likely to take longer than a year to conceive compared to women with a BMI between 20 and 25.

Okay, you know the dangers of smoking and excessive drinking on our personal health; however, did you know that both have been shown to increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, leading to increased risk of obesity, developmental delays and chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes later in life? Excessive drinking during pregnancy can also have an epigenetic impact on the baby, as the toxins in alcohol can alter the expression of genes. Excessive drinking is defined as consuming more than 14 drinks per week for men and more than seven drinks per week for women.

Nicotine addiction can be hard to beat and social alcohol consumption is normalized in our society. Be sure to seek help for weaning off these substances and habits.

REDUCING TOXIC LOAD

In 2020, a study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that breast milk samples taken from mothers in the United States contained concentrations of flame retardants, bisphenol A (BPA), dioxins and other harmful chemicals. The same toxins and more have been found in tap water across the U.S.

The environment we live in is filled with toxins, including chemicals, heavy metals and pollutants, that can accumulate in our bodies and lead to a variety of health problems. Research has found that exposure to toxins, such as heavy metals and pesticides, can reduce fertility in both men and women. Reducing exposure to these toxins is an important part of preconception preparation. It is important to note that a detox should be done a minimum of three months or more before trying to conceive. This is to ensure that mobilized toxins (moved outside the cells) are minimal when actively trying to conceive.

Today, you can begin reducing your toxic load by removing nonstick pans from your home, eliminating BPAs, sourcing organic and clean meats and produce, avoiding foods that contain pesticides, and drinking filtered water.

MANAGING STRESS

Sleepless nights, tech overwhelm, excessive demands on one’s time and resources, financial challenges, job insecurity, relationship drama, and unprocessed trauma all contribute to stress and fertility challenges. Physiologically, stress can affect the body in a variety of ways. Stress hormones, such as cortisol, can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which can interfere with ovulation and disrupt the menstrual cycle. In men, stress can reduce the production of testosterone, which can lead to lower sperm count and quality. Stress can also reduce libido and cause sexual dysfunction. Additionally, stress can lead to fatigue, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues that can further interfere with fertility. Managing stress is an important part of preconception preparation. A healthy diet, exercise, time soaking up the sun, and reducing toxic load can all help remediate stress. Creating boundaries around tech and cultivating a sleep routine can help balance hormones by promoting healthy circadian rhythms. That said, it is important to recognize emotional and environmental/circumstantial stress triggers and develop strategies to address them. Talking to a therapist or counselor may be

… continued on page 20

It is important to recognize and address generational trauma so you can experience more joy in life and cultivate joy, health and abundance for your future generations.

beneficial in helping to identify triggers, manage stress levels, and address challenging relationship patterns.

ADDRESSING UNHEALTHY GENERATIONAL PATTERNS

Generational trauma is the transmission of emotional and psychological pain from one generation to the next. It is caused by traumatic events that have been experienced by a parent or ancestor, and can be passed down through generations. This trauma can manifest in physical, psychological and emotional symptoms. It can also lead to a cycle of substance abuse, poverty, violence and poor health outcomes.

Reflect on your life and the health patterns that show up in your family. Consider the traumatic experiences from your childhood and notice how they affect the way you think and act as an adult. Are these experiences you would like for your child?

It is important to recognize and address generational trauma so you can experience more joy in life and cultivate joy, health and abundance for your future generations. Attending to chronic pain and disease, and feelings of depression, anxiety and worthlessness now may help future generations avoid the negative effects of generational trauma, such as chronic health issues, men-

tal health disorders and infertility. Become a pattern breaker by receiving the help you need to understand, process and heal from your own experiences, as well as the experiences of your forebears.

By investing in the four pillars of physical preparation before conception, you can create a new narrative for you and your future generations: one of joy, health and abundance. With time, dedication

and the right support, you can reclaim the natural birthright of fertility and create a healthier, brighter future for yourself and your loved ones.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jocelyn Gordon helps women and their partners prepare their heart, home, body and relationships for the sacred path of parenthood. She assists with physical preparation, fertility optimization, ancestral healing, emotional well-being, and values and lifestyle visioning to include financial planning and cultivating a web of support. Jocelyn works one on one to address fertility blocks and support clients through the intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) processes. She has helped many women over 35 to become pregnant. Make Space for Baby is Jocelyn’s six-month group holistic preconception preparation program for women and their partners ready to look at all aspects of their life on their way to becoming parents.

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email Jocelyn at Contact@JocelynGordon.com. To apply for the next Make Space for Baby cohort, visit JocelynGordon.com/ make-space-for-baby

The Divine Messiness of Motherhood

by Marlaina Donato

T he pitter-patter of little feet is one of life’s most beautiful blessings, but motherhood has always been a challenging role. In today’s world, the calling is more complicated than ever, and the average Mama Bear has a lot on her many plates. Despite support systems, juggling it all is often an obstacle course moms navigate behind closed doors.

It’s okay to not be okay. Society tends to impose unnecessary guilt upon mothers for voicing what most parents feel at one time or another. Feelings are human, and so too is being overwhelmed. Self-care enables us to nurture others, and it begins by being gentle with ourselves as we weave a tapestry of work, soccer games, homework and bedtime baths. Even when the threads are haphazard and tangled, it is healing to surrender to the realization that sometimes we cannot do it all, and it is not a sign of failure. Showing only the good days on social media or going on autopilot can add pressure, instead of peace.

“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one,” says author Jill Churchill. Being a good mother begins by being good to ourselves, and it doesn’t require a miracle to make it happen. A few minor routine adjustments can renew sanity and energy:

n Take one minute to run comfortably hot water over your hands and relax into the stream. Hot water helps the body release dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for inducing joyful feelings, lessening pain and lifting anxiety.

n Instead of scrolling through social media, take 10 or 15 minutes to do nothing. Lie down on the floor, close your eyes and just breathe. Surrender completely to letting go; begin by relaxing facial muscles and work your way down to your toes.

n Play a favorite song and dance with your kids.

n Avoid overscheduling and “shoulds”.

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

Taking Control of Our Hormones

NUTRITIONAL TIPS TO SUPPORT THE DELICATE BALANCE

by Sheila Julson

Think of hormones as the body’s messengers, sending signals that affect a host of functions. Produced by the pancreas, thyroid and other endocrine glands and organs, hormones drive our metabolism, impact mood, regulate blood pressure, manage our sleep cycles, influence sexual function and more. Key players are insulin, cortisol, thyroid and growth hormones, adrenaline, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Keeping these hormones in proper balance is critical for health, and imbalances can lead to a wide range of effects, including diabetes, thyroid disease, unintended weight fluctuations, skin problems, fatigue, mood swings and infertility. While inactivity, stress, age and genetics impact hormone production, our food choices can significantly tip the scales.

Dr. Ann Lee is a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. When treating hormonal, thyroid and adrenal imbalances, she says it is important to focus on foods that provide the minerals and vitamins that support those systems. For women of all ages, she recommends blueberries, asparagus, lettuce, celery and papaya. Teens and women in their 20s can also benefit from apples, bananas, mangoes, avocados, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and most lettuce varieties. The nutrients in these vegetables and fruits become even more important as women reach 30 and for those dealing with menopause, so Lee recommends more frequent consumption of these fresh, whole foods to support the adrenal and thyroid glands.

According to Lee, it is equally important to avoid foods that interfere with hormonal nutrition. She advises women over 50 to lower their caffeine intake. Dairy products contain naturally occurring hormones that can impede human hormone balance and should be eaten in moderation. “The less external hormonal exposure you have, the easier it is for your own hormones to balance,” Lee explains.

Despite the popularity of intermittent fasting, Lee believes that the trendy eating pattern can deny the body the vitamins and minerals it needs, causing it to produce more adrenalin and cortisol to make up for the loss. “People do intermittent fasting because it might feel good to have more adrenalin, and thus more energy, but it does come at a price—your hormones,” she says.

Most of the foods Lee recommends are low in calories. “In order to curb hunger, you have to eat them regularly, and that goes against intermittent fasting. People that do intermittent fasting often focus on proteins and fats, so they don’t have to eat for a long time, but that can cause adrenal burnout because the body is not getting what it needs,” she explains, noting that avocados and potatoes tend to help people feel full longer.

Jaclyn Downs is a functional nutrigenomics practitioner in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and author of Enhancing Fertility Through Functional Medicine: Using Nutrigenomics to Solve ‘Unexplained’ Infertility. She notes that for hormones to be produced by the body, nutritional cofactors or “helper nutrients” are required. “ Magnesium, zinc and B vitamins are a few of the spark plugs that move these processes and keep the wheels spinning,” she emphasizes. “Grass-fed beef liver or capsules contain all of these.”

According to Downs, menstrual problems can be an indicator of eventual fertility issues. To support female reproductive hormones, she recommends cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. These foods also support liver detoxification pathways due to their high concentrations of vitamins and sulfur. “The liver helps clear used or ‘dirty’ hormones,” she notes. Downs also recommends pomegranates, which are rich in antioxidants and fight inflammation-producing free radicals. Healthy fats from cold-water, wild-caught fish support pregnant women and growing fetuses. “Folate is often emphasized as a nutrient for pregnant women, but choline is just as important for everybody, regardless of life stage or gender,” Downs notes. Choline is found in egg yolks, sunflower lecithin and shiitake mushrooms. For 50-plus women, Downs prescribes fish or high-quality fish oil, which can benefit brain, liver and hormonal health.

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings.

KALE AND TEMPEH TACOS

In this yummy, low-carb taco recipe, cabbage leaves substitute for the tortillas and are filled with a mixture of protein-packed tempeh, veggies and lots of great spices. Compounds in tempeh called isoflavones serve as a natural remedy for menopausal relief.

YIELD: 2 SERVINGS

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

4 oz tempeh, cubed

½ tsp sea salt or more, to taste

½ tsp black pepper or more, to taste

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp chili powder

¼ tsp paprika

¼ tsp cayenne

¼ cup vegetable broth

2 cups stemmed and chopped fresh kale

4 to 6 large, green cabbage leaves, dipped for 30 seconds into hot water to soften

½ avocado, sliced

1 radish, sliced

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

½ lime, cut into wedges

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and tempeh and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika and cayenne, stir, then add the broth and kale. Stir again to combine and cook until the broth thickens

and reduces by at least one-half. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

Spread the cabbage leaves open on a large plate. Spoon the kale mixture into the center of the leaves. Add some of the avocado, radish slices and cilantro, then fold in the sides like a taco.

Serve with lime wedges.

Adapted from MenuPause. Copyright © 2022 by Dr. Anna Cabeca. Used by permission of Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Skin Fitness

DAILY ROUTINES FOR A RADIANT APPEARANCE

by David J. Sautter

While many of us work out to tone our muscles, we may be neglecting the largest organ in the body: our skin. Every day, it is exposed to a variety of irritants, including ultraviolet rays, air pollution, extreme weather and highly processed foods. Stress can also cause skin irritations and conditions. To serve its important functions and look healthy, our skin needs a fitness regimen. With a few daily routines, lifestyle modifications and coping strategies, a radiant appearance is within reach.

SKIN CONDITIONS EXACERBATED BY STRESS

ACNE: When we are stressed, our body releases cortisol, a hormone that stimulates the production of pore-clogging oils, which can lead to the formation of acne. Stress also triggers inflammation, which can worsen existing acne.

PREMATURE AGING: Stress can accelerate the aging process by reducing the skin’s elasticity and causing wrinkles and fine lines. It triggers the production of free radicals, precipitating damage to collagen and elastin fibers, which are responsible for keeping the skin firm and supple. When they are damaged, the skin becomes saggy.

CHRONIC CONDITIONS: Stress can trigger or worsen skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, which are characterized by inflammation, dryness and itching.

LIFESTYLE TIPS TO IMPROVE SKIN HEALTH

GET ENOUGH SLEEP. A good night’s sleep is essential for skin health. It also helps reduce the impact of daily stress. Aim for no less than seven hours of shut-eye each night.

EXERCISE REGULARLY. Getting our bodies moving is essential to reduce stress levels and improve skin health by increasing blood flow, nutrient delivery and oxygenation to the skin.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET. “An anti-inflammatory diet full of fruits, veggies and healthy fats like those from seeds and nuts will

help to keep skin healthy,” says Jennifer Scheinman, a registered dietitian and nutrition coach. “Foods rich in omega-3 fats like salmon and walnuts are great for skin health since they have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and the fats help to keep skin moisturized.”

PRACTICE STRESS-RELIEVING TECHNIQUES. Engage in activities that help manage stress, such as yoga, meditation or deep-breathing exercises.

APPLY SKIN-CARE PRODUCTS

DESIGNED FOR THE PERSON’S SKIN TYPE. According to Dr. Trevor Cates, author of Clean Skin From Within and Natural Beauty Reset, “The most important care tip is to find skin care with mild acidity [4.5 to 5.4 pH] and natural actives [plant-based extracts] that support the skin microbiome. A healthy skin microbiome means less chance for breakouts, blemishes and premature aging.”

According to Dr. Anne Marie Fine, author of Cracking the Beauty Code, “Air pollution has been demonstrated to prematurely age the skin and cause age spots. This is why you want to make sure to consume antioxidants and use antioxidant-containing, clean skin-care products.”

THERAPIES TO ENHANCE THE SKIN

RED-LIGHT THERAPY DEVICES use infrared light to stimulate collagen production, improve circulation and promote healing. This reduces wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and other signs of aging.

MICROCURRENT FACIAL TOOLS use low-level electrical currents to stimulate facial muscles , helping to tone, reduce puffiness and promote a youthful appearance.

LASERS DESIGNED FOR HOME USE offer a safe way to treat various skin issues such as wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage and pigmentation problems. They can also help even out skin tone by stimulating collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin.

GUA SHA is an ancient Chinese technique that involves gently scraping the surface of

the skin with a special tool to increase blood flow, promote healing and reduce puffiness and inflammation.

OXYGEN TREATMENTS infused into pores using a special device can help nourish skin cells, decrease inflammation, reduce wrinkles and improve overall complexion.

FACIAL ACUPUNCTURE involves inserting tiny needles into specific points to stimulate energy flow, which may improve circulation, reduce tension and promote smoother skin.

FACIAL MASSAGE reduces wrinkles by stimulating collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. It promotes circulation, drainage and toning.

David J. Sautter is a certified personal trainer specializing in fitness nutrition and sports conditioning, as well as a professional fitness writer. Learn more at WriteFit.com

Gardening

Therapy HEALING MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT IN THE YARD

by Sheryl DeVore

Gardening outdoors adds color and texture to yards and neighborhoods and, with the right plants, attracts pollinators, whose numbers are declining. It also can improve human health. The exercise, sunshine and fresh air promote mental and physical health, and so does our contact with soil microbes and the harmonious patterns of nature. “Being in the sunlight is a great way to get vitamin D, which is linked to mood and well-being. We spend so much time inside, where our perspective and thoughts can close around us. Getting outdoors can improve mindfulness and the sense of being in the moment, especially when we leave our phones inside,” says Pennsylvaniabased psychologist Seth J. Gillihan, author of Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope and Peace.

In a study of the health and well-being benefits of allotment gardening published in the Journal of Public Health, researchers measured the mood, self-esteem and general health markers of people given plots for gardening versus those that didn’t garden at all. The scientists found that the gardeners displayed significantly better self-esteem and experienced less depression and fatigue. The top three reasons participants gave for enjoying their time tinkering in the soil were: being outdoors and having contact with nature (70 percent); feeling a sense of achievement (50 percent); and having the opportunity for restoration and stress relief (35 percent).

Cultivating our outdoor space also gives us a healthy perspective, helping us to accept our limitations and better understand our place in nature. “It’s easy to see in the garden how many things are outside of our control, such as rain, temperature and pests. We can do our best, but at some point, we need to let go,” Gillihan notes, adding that learning to let go is a lesson we can apply to other aspects of our lives.

When he faced a long-term illness coupled with depression, Gillihan built raised garden beds and planted herbs and vegetables. “I knew I needed to get more involved in something that would bring me a sense of reward and engagement. All of that creative effort really helped to bring me back to life,” he recalls. “In a garden, you’re exercising, but it’s not a repetitive thing like running, so that can make it more fun and seem like less of a task.”

“Digging, walking, carrying and squatting circulate our blood and release dopamine and endorphins in our brains,” says Karen Hugg, author of Leaf Your Troubles Behind: How to Destress and Grow Happiness Through Plants “We feel more energetic and happier. Similarly, puttering in the garden or designing an ornamental bed is really about playing, and playing is integral to mental health.”

By merely observing greenery we can find peace and clarity. “A tree’s subdividing branches or the whorled arrangement of leaves are patterns that can calm the nervous system. If you look at plants during even a five-minute break, either indoors or out, you’re practicing a kind of relaxation therapy,” Hugg affirms.

A little bit of earth under our fingernails is good for us. “When you get your hands dirty, there are beneficial microbes in the soil that improve your health and well-being,” says Charlie Hall, professor of horticultural studies and department chair at Texas A&M University, who has researched the physiological, psychological and social benefits of plants.

According to Hall, horticultural therapy reduces stress and anxiety, enhances memory and attention span and can improve quality of life for those with physical, mental or cognitive challenges. Citing the example of disabled adults helping to run a garden center and greenhouse at the Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas, he notes, “Working together in a garden builds a sense of belonging. Even those who are not physically able to participate in those activities benefit. Just being in the garden can dramatically reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.”

GARDENING TIPS TO IMPROVE HUMAN AND PLANETARY HEALTH

n Choose a modest space outdoors or purchase small containers.

n Keep it simple and start small with just a few plants.

n Read books to learn about plant needs by region.

n Talk to nurseries that sell native species.

n Think of the garden as a refuge, a place to smell flowers and watch plants thrive.

n View gardening as a fun exercise.

n Join a community garden to cultivate flowers and vegetables in a social setting.

n Grow houseplants, herbs and lettuces to bring in the outdoors.

n Volunteer at a nonprofit that propagates vegetables for food pantries.

Sheryl DeVore is a frequent contributor to national and regional publications and has authored six books on science, health and nature. Learn more at SherylDeVore.wordpress.com

LISA SWEETERS, AP, ON Raised Garden Beds

by Sara Gurgen

In addition to being an acupuncture physician and owner of East Coast Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine, in Palm Coast, Lisa Sweeters is an avid surfer, raises backyard chickens and enjoys raised-bed gardening with her daughter, Sayler, who loves all aspects of gardening, from planting to watering to harvesting.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED BUILDING YOUR RAISED GARDEN BEDS?

I wanted raised beds, but my husband said it was way too expensive. I found a way forward by using repurposed wood, and we now have huge raised beds. When the city of Flagler Beach was working on rebuilding a long dock/walkway, they ripped out a ton of wood and threw it in the dumpster. So, we went dumpster diving, removed the nails and built the beds.

HOW DID YOU DESIGN YOUR BEDS?

We basically did lasagna gardening. The bottom is cardboard; then logs and branches; then smaller things like leaves, moss and old palmettos. Then we get mulch from the landfill (they chip trees), horse manure from Whispering Meadows, and topsoil from the dump or Stone Plus (they have nice dirt).

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN THE BEDS?

Instead of commercial fertilizers, I use kitchen and chicken coop compost to enrich the soil; I have three compost bins in varying states of decomposition. For weed control, I use whatever is on hand—the hay and chicken manure from the coop is fabulous mulch for

the nightshade plants and the kale loves it as well. Or I use mulch/wood chips from the landfill or leaves.

WHAT TYPE OF GARDENING DO YOU DO?

We do mostly organic/non-GMO seeds and plants, but occasionally I’ll buy some seedlings from the garden center. It helps keep Sayler engaged and interested if we have a little bit of instant gratification. We don’t do synthetic fertilizers (nothing store bought) and we don’t do pesticides. So, the plants are all organically grown.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU THAT SAYLER IS INVOLVED?

I want her to know where food comes from and what a whole plant looks like. We had a huge garden when I was a kid and I had whole carrots in my lunchbox in elementary school. When other kids saw my carrots with the roots, they asked me what was “wrong” with my goods. The adults thought it was cool. Needless to say, nobody wanted to trade me a peanut butter bopper for a carrot. In retrospect, that was a good thing.

East Coast Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine is located at 102 Flagler Plaza Dr., Ste. 102, in Palm Coast. For more information, call 386-302-5363 or visit EastCoastAcupuncturefl.com See ad on page 9.

Bringing the Bounce Back

INTEGRATIVE TREATMENTS FOR PETS WITH MOBILITY ISSUES

by Ruth Roberts, DVM

All pet owners want to see their animals live long, healthy lives filled with activity, but sometimes our furry friends find it difficult to move comfortably due to aging, injuries and other ailments. While vets often suggest surgery for certain debilitating conditions, less invasive treatments might be just as effective with considerably less risk, particularly for animals that cannot tolerate anesthesia.

For example, a 2013 University of Minnesota study focused on large-breed, overweight dogs with torn knee ligaments. Half of the dogs were treated with medical management consisting of weight loss, pain medication and physical therapy, and the other half received surgery to repair the torn ligament, followed by the same medi-

cal management. After a year, 75 percent of the dogs treated with surgery and medical management were considered treatment successes, based on leg function, quality of life and gait analysis. Surprisingly, 63.6 percent of the dogs that did not have surgery and received only medical management were also deemed successful cases. Before considering surgery or other invasive treatments, integrative pet mobility and rehabilitation (IPMR) might be a good way to help a pet regain its vitality without going under the knife. It is a holistic approach to helping pets recover from injuries, manage pain and improve mobility that combines various techniques to provide a comprehensive and personalized plan for each pet.

“It is all about educating pet parents and preserving the best quality of life for my patients,” says Dr. Joyce Gerardi, of Synergy Integrative Veterinary Clinic. “Over time, my special interests have grown to include platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate, adipose-derived and allogeneic amniotic stem cell therapies, acupuncture, food therapy, cold laser, herbal medicine, tuina massage, ozone and physical rehabilitation services.”

Here is a look at a few such modalities.

LASER THERAPY uses light energy to stimulate tissue repair and reduce pain. The procedure involves the application of laser light to the damaged area using a handheld device. The severity of the ailment

and the location being treated determines the length and frequency of treatments. The patient will feel a gentle, warm sensation as the laser technician or veterinarian moves the device over the affected area. Pets usually relax and take pleasure in the calming warmth of laser therapy, which is painless.

PHYSICAL THERAPY is an essential component of IPMR. It involves exercises and stretches that help pets regain strength and flexibility in their muscles and joints. A trained physical therapist can customize a plan that targets specific areas of concern such as the hips, knees or spine. This can help reduce pain and improve mobility, allowing pets to move around more easily and enjoy their favorite activities.

ACUPUNCTURE involves inserting tiny needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system and promote healing. Acupuncture can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation and improve circulation, all contributing to improved pet mobility.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE involves manipulating the spine to correct misalignments and improve overall function. This can help pets with hip dysplasia, arthritis or spinal injuries.

MASSAGE involves gentle pressure and strokes to relax muscles, reduce pain and improve circulation. Massage can also help pets with anxiety or stress, which can contribute to muscle tension and pain.

NUTRITION: A well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet can help with healing, inflammation reduction and overall health. A qualified veterinarian can recommend a diet plan tailored to each pet’s needs.

EASING A PET’S PAIN WHILE IN TREATMENT

Reducing a pet’s discomfort with full-spectrum cannabinoids or, if needed, prescription pain medications offers better comfort and recovery time. Another option is to reduce a pet’s stress by balancing its adrenal stress hormones.

Ruth Roberts is a holistic veterinarian and certified pet health coach with more than 30 years’ experience.

VOLUSIA COUNTY’S

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Email Publisher@VoFLNatural.com for guidelines and to submit entries. We advise confirming in advance directly with the business or organization.

ONGOING

SUNDAY

Yin Yoga – 9-10:30am. Begin your Sunday with this gentle yin class. Energetic, yet calming. All levels. Instructor Micki Higgins. BOGO: new students pay for first class; second class free. Also Livestream. Padma Yoga, 5 Utility Dr, Ste 15, Palm Coast. 386225-4733.

Farmers’ Market and More – 9am-5pm. Shop rain or shine for farm fresh produce, plants, trees flowers, herbs and spices, gourmet coffee and teas, honey, jams, salsas and more. Daytona Flea Market, 1425 Tomoka Farms Rd, Daytona Bch.

Science of Yoga – Discovery – 11am12:30pm. Connect breath with movement allowing you to be centered in the present moment. Learn more than poses with a deeper study of your body in this class. All levels. BOGO: new students pay for firstclass; second class free. Also Livestream. Padma Yoga, 5 Utility Dr, Ste 15, Palm Coast. 386-225-4733.

Senior Discount Day – Noon-6pm. Seniors save 10% off all regularly priced items. Debbie’s Health Foods, 862 Saxon Blvd, Orange City. 386-775-7002.

MONDAY

Monday Madness – 8am-6pm. 1st Mon. Save 25% on supplements and food items. Healing Zone, 515 Canal St, New Smyrna Bch. 386-402-7825.

Tai Chi Classes

TUESDAY

Rainbow Tuesday –First Tuesday of the month. Save 20% on regular priced items at Debbie’s Health Foods, 862 Saxon Blvd. in Orange City and 3850 S. Nova Rd. in Port Orange.

Yoga at Natural Concepts — 10-11am. 142 W. International Speedway Blvd.

Tai Chi Class – 3-4pm. Slow movement derived from traditional Chinese healing arts that improve balance, concentration, strength, flexibility and health. 386-6793228. $10 per class. Unitarian Universalist Church, 56 Grandview Ave, Ormond Beach.

Tai Chi Class – 6-7pm. Slow movement derived from traditional Chinese healing arts that improve balance, concentration, strength, flexibility and health. 386-6793228. $10 per class paid monthly. Piggotte Center, 504 Big Tree Road in South Daytona.

WEDNESDAY

Discount Crystal Live Facebook Show and Sale – 5pm nightly Wednesday through Sunday. Real time shopping. Follow Big Box of Rocks on Facebook.

THURSDAY

Ormond Beach Farmer’s Market –8am1pm. Fresh produce, local honey, fine crafts and yummy treats. City Hall Plaza, 22 S. Beach St. Ormond Beach.

Senior Discount Day – 9am-7pm. Seniors save 10% off all regularly priced items. Two locations: Debbie’s Health Foods, 862 Saxon Blvd, Orange City. 386-775-7002.

FRIDAY

Farmers’ Market and More – 9am-5pm. Shop rain or shine for farm fresh produce, plants, trees flowers, herbs and spices, gourmet coffee and teas, honey, jams, salsas and more. Daytona Flea Market, 1425 Tomoka Farms Rd, Daytona Bch.

First Friday Garden Walk – 10-11am. Join a ranger for a garden walk and learn the history of Washing Oaks while exploring the formal gardens. Washington Oaks, Palm Coast.

Discount Crystal Live Facebook Show and Sale – 5pm. Real time shopping. Follow Big Box of Rocks on Facebook.

SATURDAY

Original Strength Training at Natural Concepts — 9:15-10:15am. 142 W. International Speedway Blvd.

Tai Chi Class with Laurie Gomon-Ring at Natural Concepts — 10:45am-12:00noon. 142 W. International Speedway Blvd.

Classic Car Cruise-In – 9am-1pm. 1st Sat. The market welcomes more than 300 classic and collector cars. Enjoy the music of DJ Frank in the west parking lot during the Cruise-In. It’s free to show your car and free to browse rows of classic automobiles. Daytona Flea & Farmers Market, 1425 Tomoka Farms Rd. 386-253-3330. DaytonaFleaMarket.com

Flagler Beach Farmers Market – 9-1pm. Featuring prepared foods, produce, handmade products, local art and more. Wickline Park, Flagler Beach.

Art & Artisan Stroll on Canal Street –9-3pm. First Saturday of the month. Historic Canal St. in New Smyrna Beach.

Thursdays

Tai Chi Class – 10:30-11:30am. Slow movement derived from traditional Chinese healing arts that improve balance, concentration, strength, flexibility and health. $10 per class. Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church, 9 Amsden Road in Ormond Beach.

Discount Crystal Live Facebook Show and Sale – 5pm. Real time shopping. Follow Big Box of Rocks on Facebook.

Canal Street Nights – 5-8:30pm. Third Thursday of event month fun filled evening with expanded streetside dining, vendors, kid’s zone and specialty food vendors.

Farmers’ Market and More – 9am-5pm. Shop rain or shine for farm fresh produce, plants, trees flowers, herbs and spices gourmet coffee and teas, honey, jams, salsas and more. Daytona Flea Market, 1425 Tomoka Farms Rd, Daytona Bch.

Gallery Walk – 4-7pm. First Saturday of every month. Stroll down Canal, Douglas and Magnolia and enjoy the beautiful galleries and amazing art community in New Smyrna Beach.

Discount Crystal Live Facebook Show and Sale – 5pm. Real time shopping. Follow Big Box of Rocks on Facebook.

Canal Street Classic Cruise Car Show –5-8pm. Second Saturday of the month. Historic Canal St. in New Smyrna Beach.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

18th Annual Arbor Day at Central ParkPalm Coast - 9am-1pm. Free admission and refreshments. Tree tent opens at 9am with a Master Certified Arborist offering free guidance and proper pruning, placement, planting and root-shaving techniques. Receive a free tree with a non-perishable, non-expired human or pet food Item while supplies last. Central Park In Town Center, 975 Central Ave. Palm Coast.

SATURDAY, MAY 20

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

EMFACE the Nation Bus Tour Stop9am-12noon. Receive real-time therapy demo of game-changing aesthetic technology, featuring EMFACE, EMSCULPT NEO and EMSELLA. This is the only Flagler stop on this year’s tour, sponsored by Christine Moore, owner of All New U Wellness. Guests must pre-register to receive a service. Limited availability. 386585-4008 or Allnewuwellness@gmail. com. Event Is held at Bartletts Gatherings & Gourmet, 5368 Oceanshore Blvd.

SATURDAY, MAY 27

Raw/Vegan Potluck - 3-5pm. Connect with the vegan community, create wellbeing, discover new recipes, bring a covered dish to share with 8 people. Natural Concepts Revisited, 142 International Speedway Blvd. In Daytona Beach.

VOLUSIA COUNTY’S 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@VoFLNatural.com to request our media kit.

Acupuncture Physicians

ACUPUNCTURE & PAIN MANAGEMENT CENTER

You Chang Hu, DOM, AP

Kunning Li, DOM, AP

• 2135 S Ridgewood Ave, Daytona Beach

386-760-2112

• 50 Leanni Way, Palm Coast

386-445-0098

AcupuncturePainMgmt.com

Dr. Hu and Dr. Li are graduateds of Traditional Chinese Medical Universities in China. They have practiced acupuncture and Chinese medicine for a combined 45+ years. See ad on page 5.

ACUPUNCTURE & SKIN CARE CLINIC

Lorenzo Phan, DOM, AP

725 W Granada Blvd Ste. 15

Ormond Beach

386-615-1203

Dr. Phan has great success in promoting fertility with acupuncture and herbal supplements. Non-surgical modalities for natural pain relief include acupuncture, trigger-point therapy, Chinese herbal remedies, cupping, neuromuscular therapy and cold laser for neck injuries, chronic lower back pain, sciatica, hip/knee arthritis and migraines and more. MM20928 See ad on page 7.

EAST COAST ACUPUNCTURE

Lisa Sweeters, Acupuncture Physician

102 Flagler Plaza Dr., #102, Palm Coast 386-302-5363

EastCoastAcupunctureFL.com

Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine from Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine, additional TCM studies in Guang Zhou, China. Individualized holistic care for fertility issues including IVF, chronic & accute pain, digestive issues, anxiety, insomnia, prostatitis, sports injuries. Celluma Low-Level Light Therapy for arthritis, muscle & joint pain, acne, skin tone, edema. In-network provider for VA patients. See ad on page 9.

RP ACUPUNCTURE

Rosa Panos, DACM, AP, PT AP3945

397 Palm Coast Parkway SW #5 386-283-4655 • RPAcupunctureFL.com

Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Licensed Physical Therapist, Oncology Rehab-ilitations Specialist, Integrative Pain Management, Acupoint injections and Zyto Elite Scanning. Over 30 years of medical experience combining Eastern & Western medicine. Studies include Pacific College, China Medical University, Taiwan. See ad on page 17.

Café - Juice Bar

SUPERFOODS CAFÉ & JUICE BAR

515 Canal St, New Smyrna Beach 386-402-7825

TheFamilyNutritionStore.com

Daily lunch specials include vegan and gluten-free soups made daily from all organic ingredients. Cold-press juices, 3-, 5- and 10-day cleanse. Doctor-formulated protein smoothies and create-yourown smoothies with a variety of fruit bases and supplements. Call for daily specials. Café Hours M-F 8am-4pm Sat 8-5; Soup 11am-3pm M-Sat. Two daily soups—one vegan, always gluten-free.

CBD Products

YOUR CBD STORE

• 117 W Howry Ave, Deland • 386-627-6715

DeLandFL.CBDrx4u.com

• 160 Cypress Point Pkwy, Ste A105 Palm Coast • 386-627-5271 Palm Coast.CBDrx4u.com

Offering Certified Organic CBD products exclusive to Your CBD stores. Products are formulated using other cannabinoids and terpenes, creating unique synergies that increase efficacy, target specific ailments and increase the binding of CBD. Stop in and try a free sample. See ad on page 11.

Chiropractic

BE WELL CHIROPRACTIC

@Healing Zone

515 Canal St, New Smyrna Beach

386-402-8997 • BeWellNSB.com

Drs. Wendy and Christian Edwards are dedicated to providing holistic patien-centered care. In addition to chiropractic, they offer Class IV laserm Frequency Specific Micro-current, functional medicine, pregnancy care and pediatrics. Through specific testing they locate imbalances and recommend natural natural approaches.

Colon Hydrotherapy

BEACHSIDE COLONICS

Lidia Nash

18 Bovard Ave Ste A, Ormond Beach

Call or text: 386-760-0035

Gentle rinsing of the colon removes toxic waste that can contribute to pain, inflammation and disease. Relaxing and effective. Lidia also offers ionic foot cleanse, infrared detox wraps and healthy food preparation classes MA46199.

Crystal

KEITH’S BIG BOX OF ROCKS

4601 E. Moody Blvd. Ste. E-4 Bunnell Keithsbigboxofrocks.com 407-212-5013

Metaphysical store that carries crystals, rocks, gems, fossils and minerals. Shop a wide selection of gemstones and jewelry online or in-store for all your healing energy crystal needs.

Dentist

HOLISTIC DENTAL HEALTH CARE

George W Edwards, DMD

David W Edwards, DMD

541 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford

407-322-6143 • HolisticDentalHealth.com

Holistic dentistry focuses on whole-body wellness that starts with the mouth. We are dentists who perform dentistry that is good for the body, as well as the teeth and gums. See ad on page 13.

Energetic Stress Reduction

ACCESS CONSCIOUSNESS

BIO-ENERGETIC BODYWORK

Cathleen Connor, CFMW, Access Consciousness Facilitator

1011 Ocean Marina Dr, Flagler Beach

971-732-2168 • ExuberantlyBeing.com

Providing one-on-one sessions, free intros/consults, Zoom classes and dynamic group classes with bio-energetic bodywork for the Access Bars and Energetic Facelift. Sessions support the body to let go of limitations, blocks, projections and implants to allow more ease and joy.

Facials

DERMA BOTANICA

Kimberly Hover

Massage-based, Organic Facials

1710 S.R. 44 in NSB

(inside Colors Hair Studio)

386-956-9823 • derma-botanica.com

A holistic facial studio offering restorative, massage-based, holistic facials and non-Invasive skincare treatments that relax the body and nourish the skin with handcrafted, organic, botanical potions for healthy, vibrant, natural results. LIC # FB9788258

Health Evaluations

THE PHYSICS OF HEALTH

Trish Watson, CNC

18 Bovard Ave, Ste A, Ormond Beach 303-257-0058

ThePhysicsofHealth.com

Not sure why you’re feeling fatigued? Biofeedback measure-ments can evaluate vitamins, minerals, heavy metals, allergies, supplement needs, and much more. Start feeling better today. Call for a free phone consultation.

Health Coach

THE DIVINE IS WITHIN ENERGY HEALING & COACHING

Melina Stroumpis

Certified Emotion Code Practitioner

Volusia/Flagler

904-325-6622

TheDivineisWithin.com

Emotion Code is perfect for addressing blocks that are holding you back. Effective for anxiety, PTSD, relationship issues, sleep issues, and self-sabotage. Free consult. Veteran discounts.

Health Foods

DEBBIE’S HEALTH FOODS

• 862 Saxon Blvd, Orange City 386-775-7002

• 3850 S Nova Rd, Port Orange 386-763-7046

DebbiesHealthFoods.com

High quality supplements, CBD, grocery items, organic produce, special needs diets. Area’s most knowledgeable and friendly advice for over 30 years. See ad on page 19.

FAMILY NUTRITION/HEALING ZONE

515 Canal St, New Smyrna Beach 386-402-7825

TheFamilyNutritionStore.com

Organic produce, natural foods, healthy snacks, personal care, pet products and more. Practitioner-only brands including Standard Process. Save 20% every day.

HEALTH FOODS FOR LIFE

Bob Lewandowski

122 E Rich Ave, DeLand 386-734-2343

Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Bob has been in business more than 39 years with specialties including: non-allergenic foods, energizing weight reduction, organic skin care, herbs and vitamins.

HEATH’S NATURAL FOODS

600 E 3rd Ave, New Smyrna Beach 386-423-5126

HeathsNaturalFoods.com

Largest selection of supplements, organic produce & natural foods. Grocery, organic produce, wines and beers, CBD/Delta8, Kombucha on tap, acai bowls, fresh juice and smoothies, best deli in town and more. See ad on page 13.

LOVE WHOLE FOODS

CAFÉ & MARKET

• 275 Williamson Blvd, Ormond Beach

386-677-5236

• 1633 Taylor Rd, Port Orange

386-767-6543

LoveWholeFoods.com

Open Monday-Friday, 9am7pm; Saturday, 9am-6pm and Sunday, 11am-5pm with friendly, knowledgeable staff. Get involved in your community, shop local and support organics. Save more with our “Get Healthy, Get Rewarded” program.

NATURE’S GARDEN NATURAL HEALTH FOODS

2405 Enterprise Rd, Orange City 386-774-1222

Open Monday-Friday, 10am–6pm; Saturday, 10am5pm. Quality vitamins, minerals, herbs, body building and dietary supplements, personal care, children and pet products, essential oils, books and mail-order available. 20% discounts every day.

Herbs, Teas, Oils

SPICE OF LIFE HERBS

214 Beresford Ave, DeLand 386-734-0035

SpiceOfLifeHerbs.net

Open Wednesdays-Saturdays, Noon-5pm. Herbs by the ounce. teas, infusers, specialty collector teapots, and more. Essential oils and diffusers for home and auto, aromatherapy books and jewelry, soy candles in many sizes and scents. Visit and like SunSpirits Tea Room on Face Book. Serving wine, beer, tea and coffee. Shop online www.spiceoflifeherbs.net

Insurance

GREAT FLORIDA INSURANCE

Cal Seibert, Agent 415 Dunlawton Ave, Ste 108 Port Orange • 386-256-4812

*Each location is independently owned and operated. Say goodbye to high insurance rates. Contact us for quotes on auto, home, condo, renters, boat, motorcycle, dwelling and flood insurance. Experience personalized service. SR22 and FR44 policies available.

Pest Control Natural

NATURALLY GREEN PEST SOLUTIONS

PO Box 354591, Palm Coast, FL, 32135 386-237-9663

NaturallyGreenPest.com

Info@NaturallyGreenPest.com

Offering pest solutions for your home and lawn with a natural focus. Unwanted pests in your home can negatively affect your family’s health and your peace of mind. Eliminate them with a program you can feel good about.

Pet Supplies

CAP’N LU’S

701 E 3rd Ave, Ste 1, New Smyrna Beach

386-957-3032 • capnlus.com

Free Delivery Beachside NSB

A health food store for pets. Holistic, all-natural food and treats for dogs and cats, flea and tick remedies, feed and water bowls, bags, carriers, lifejackets, grooming supplies and accessories. Shop with confidence that you’re getting the highest quality pet food available.

Solar Energy

SOLAR-FIT

1523 Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill

Volusia • 386-441-2299

Flagler • 386-445-7606

Solar-Fit.com

Spa

NATURE IN BEAUTY

An Organic Beauty Boutique & Parlor

314 Canal St, New Smyrna Beach 386-576-6730

NatureInBeautyOrganics.com

Nourishing products for professional hair care, manicures and pedicures, facials, massage, reflex-ology, makeup, spa packages, Girl’s Night In. See ad on page 7.

Structural Integration

LAUREE MORETTO

Soft Tissue Specialist

321-271-1678

Flagler & Daytona Bch LaureeMoretto.com

90% of pain is linked to structural misalignment. Your pain is really just a symptom. My work addresses the cause to give you lasting relief. Get your life back now. 25 years experience. MA20965.

Thermography

FLORIDA MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY

Veterinary Services

GENTLE PET PASSINGS

Dr Gayle Burrell Volusia / Flagler

386-279-8525 • GentlePetPassings.com

Saying goodbye to your beloved friend is a loving, but difficult decision. Spend those final precious moments with your pet in the comfort of their home surrounded by all that they love. See ad on page 29.

Wellness

AMETHYST WELLNESS

Amy Coopersmith, ARNP

50 Cypress Point Pkwy, B-1 Palm Coast 386-283-4180 • AmethystWellness.com

Preventative healthcare, medically supervised weight loss, IV nutrition, hormone optimization, body contouring, aesthetic treatments, laser hair removal, weight loss and more. See ad on page 9.

Relax and let the sun do the work for you. Solar-fitting your home or business is a smart, economical and envi-

June Drennon, CCT 2008 • JuneDrennon@ FloridaMedicalThermography.com 727-729-2711

FloridaMedicalThermography.com

Certified Clinical Thermogra-