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H E A LTH + W E LLN E S S

SH APIN G TH E FUTU RE O F WH O LE-BO DY WELLN ESS JA N UA RY 2 02 6

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Looking Ahead to a Bright and Prosperous New Year

January 2026 PUBLISHER

Suzanne Pope | Suzanne.Pope@CityLifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

Will Estell | Will.Estell@CityLifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N M AN AG E R

Sydney Steffen | Sydney.Steffen@CityLifestyle.com

As we turn the page to 2026, I feel charged with possibility. January often arrives with a certain power to create and build, bringing cooler mornings, clearer skies, and a collective breath of energy helping us decide what we want our year ahead to look like. This is an excellent time to reset, recalibrate, and to remind ourselves that growth doesn’t happen overnight, but instead in one intentional choice at a time… all year long. That spirit of renewal is at the heart of our Health & Wellness Issue. We created this issue with the belief that well-being means so much more than making resolutions or following trends. It’s about cultivating balance in our daily routines, nurturing our relationships, fueling our bodies with purpose, finding movement we need, carving out space to embrace the beauty of life all around us… and within us. Inside this issue, you’ll meet our cover trio who are local experts in functional medicine, chiropractic care, dental health, ChiroYoga, and aesthetics: all helping to redefine what healthy living looks like in Pensacola. You will also read about Pensacola’s vegan dining choices, as well as tips on managing and reducing stress as you build a better year ahead. Our resident wine expert will even enlighten you as to what natural wine actually means, while we also take you on a quick getaway to Puerto Rico, before doing a little flashback to Pensacola’s Snowmageddon 2025, one year ago this month. As we go forward into 2026, my hope is that each issue of Pensacola City Lifestyle becomes an encouragement to step confidently with intention, curiosity, and compassion: for yourself, others, and our vibrant coastal community. Here’s to fresh starts, healthier choices, and a year filled with possibility!

W I L L E S T E L L , P U B L I C AT I O N D I R E C T O R @ P E N SAC O L AC I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

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Katie Harris | Katie.Harris@CityLifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Suzanne Pope, Will Estell, Blake Estell, Alex Boykin, Myra Van Hoose, Kairym Lisch Peña, Jaqua DeFries, Riley Buffett C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Addie J Photography, Lakesha Davis, Casey Dull Photography, Kimberly Steinberg

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Josh Govero LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

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Partners’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Media Partners’ does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Pensacola City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/P EN SAC O L A F L

inside the issue JANUARY 20 2 6 | HEA LT H & W EL L N ES S

18 14

Featured

14 18 28 6

Dr. Samarpan Ananda

Getting to Know Pensacola’s Holistic Chiropractor and ChiroYoga Founder

Dr. Christopher Campus

Blending Advanced Clinical Dentistry with Functional Medicine

Dr. Sylvia Harris

Balancing Functional Wellness, Internal Medicine and Aesthetics

6 Tips for Reducing Stress in 2026 Managing Your Mental Health in the New Year

28 On the Cover

Departments

Our beautiful coastline paints a picture worth a thousand words, rejuvenating as only nature can. Much like our cover subjects -each with their own story herein, bringing wellness and renewal to our first 2026 issue.

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Get Active HEALTH + WELLNESS

Locally Sourced HEALTH + WELLNESS

Healthy Lifestyle HEALTH + WELLNESS

Our Town LIFE + CULTURE

Eat Right FOOD + BEVERAGE

Mental Wellbeing WELLNESS

Must See FOOD + BEVERAGE

Travel Journal TRAVEL

Events

Photography: Addie J Photography

Butcher Shop | Fine Wine | Cheeses | Deli Meats

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JANUARY 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

GULF COAST PANORAMA, LAKESHA DAVIS

CASEY DULL PHOTOGRAPHY

5 CASEY DULL PHOTOGRAPHY

GULF COAST PANORAMA, LAKESHA DAVIS

CASEY DULL PHOTOGRAPHY

The Pensacola City Lifestyle team was out and about capturing the spirit of our vibrant community! This month’s City Scene highlights moments from Brunch and Bubbles, the Satori Foundation Banquet, and the Watson Family Foundation Turkey Dinner Giveaway, each celebrating connection, generosity, and the people who make Pensacola shine. 1: Pensacola City Lifestyle Publisher, Suzanne Pope with Carissa Adams of ServisFirst Bank 2: Attendees having fun at Brunch and Bubbles 3: Camille Hoskins of MarineMax with Sydney Steffen of Pensacola City Lifestyle at Satori Foundation Banquet 4: Sandy Sansing at Brunch and Bubbles 5: David and Susan Peaden, Honorary Chairs for Brunch and Bubbles 6: Jim Reeves with attendees at the Satori Foundation Banquet 7: Pensacola City Lifestyle Publisher, Suzanne Pope volunteering at the Watson Foundation Turkey Dinner Giveaway

C I T Y SC E N E

DR. Samarpan

ARTICLE BY WILL ESTELL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADDIE J PHOTOGRAPHY

A N A N DA :

Getting to Know Pensacola’s Holistic Chiropractor and ChiroYoga Founder

In a wellness landscape that often separates physical, mental, and spiritual health, Dr. Samarpan Ananda stands out as one of the most integrative and spiritually grounded holistic practitioners along the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. Dr. Ananda is a chiropractor, the founder of ChiroYoga, and a native of Pensacola who still calls Pensacola Beach home. His practice is built on his in-depth research and philosophy, blending traditional chiropractic care with yoga, mindfulness, breathwork and energy-based therapy through ChiroYoga. It’s a system he has refined over years of study, practice, and his own wellness journey. When I asked what his original drive was to study chiropractic he shared with me what led him on the continued path of wellness he now offers through his ChiroYoga Wellness Clinic. “I broke my back at 16, and then almost died from a brain injury at 18. My father, Dr. Jeff Buchalter, a well-respected pain management specialist in Pensacola, did everything he could within his scope. But even with his support, the deeper root causes of my pain were never fully addressed.” He went on to explain that when the conventional model failed to offer lasting solutions, he realized that unless he took his healing into his own hands, he would end up disabled or surgically altered. Dr. Ananda says he lived with chronic, debilitating pain for over half his life, and the only thing that truly changed his trajectory was weaving together holistic, movement-based, and integrative approaches. Now those same practices are what he offers his students.

G E T ACT IV E | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

Dr. Ananda reflects the many paths that shaped him: Western chiropractic schooling and Eastern yogic training, along with his lifelong commitment to personal transformation. After earning his doctorate in chiropractic, he immersed himself deeply into yoga philosophy, meditation, breath mechanics, and somatic movement. Rather than separating these disciplines, he found ways to merge them into a cohesive model that treats the body as an integrated vessel of energy, structure, and consciousness. Because of this, his students (as he refers to them, rather than patients) often seek him out not only for back and neck pain, but for conditions such as chronic stress, tension patterns, sleep issues, postural imbalances, trauma-related discomfort and nervous system dysregulation. While many chiropractors focus on spinal adjustments alone, ChiroYoga goes significantly deeper. A typical session may include structural chiropractic adjustments, guided breathwork to calm or activate the nervous system, yoga-based mobility and postural retraining, mindfulness coaching to help dissolve tension patterns, and energy balancing techniques to restore coherence. Dr. Ananda even provides training in daily movement rituals, to bring long-term healing. Rather than forcing or cracking the body, his adjustments are gentle, precise, and intuitive; made only after the body is softened and prepared through mindful breathing and movement. Many patients describe the experience as grounding, emotionally clearing, and meditative.

“I don’t consider those I work with as patients, I consider them students. I teach people to take care of themselves: In addition to treating his students, Dr. Ananda is an educator: often traveling internationally to teach workshops on conscious movement, nervous system health, breath mechanics and respiratory resilience, mindful mobility, and yoga-based rehabilitation. His classes attract yogis, athletes, corporate professionals and everyday people seeking a deeper relationship with their body and mind. “While the holistic aspect of my work is compelling, it doesn’t overshadow my deeply rooted evidence-based use of functional medicine. My specialization in gut healing comes from my own journey of recovering from a severe parasitic infection in the Amazon rainforest, which represented a pivotal point in my career.” He went on to say that one of the most rewarding aspects of his professional life has been working in the rainforest, with recently contacted tribes, helping develop preventative healthcare education programs. He relates that those experiences have profoundly shaped his understanding of what it means to be human and what true healing looks like in a modern world. Dr. Ananda encourages a broader lifestyle alignment with health and balance. He teaches with an emphasis on whole life wellness. Whether it’s becoming educated about anti-inflammatory movements, posture habits, nervous system regulation and breath control, or gaining a better understanding of mindful nutrition, sleep, recovery, and emotional balance, he offers patients personal recommendations and training that can lead to solutions for problems they may have been living with for years. His mission is not to keep patients dependent on continuous adjustments, but rather to empower them with practices to sustain their own wellness. When you talk with Dr. Samarpan Ananda you realize his growing influence mirrors a larger modern shift toward holistic integration. His blend of chiropractic science, yoga, gut health, and mindfulness practice is reshaping how many people view their health and helping to usher in a dynamic awareness and closer relationship with their own bodies.

lifestyle integration, targeted exercises, mindful movements, and the daily practices that define ChiroYoga.”

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DR. Christopher Campus: Combining Advanced Dentistry with Functional Medicine and Longevity Dr. Christopher Campus with certified health coach Shelley Campus

ARTICLE BY WILL ESTELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADDIE J PHOTOGRAPHY

For Pensacola native Dr. Christopher Campus, DMD, dentistry has become far more than treating teeth. As president of Biodental Health and Longevity, Campus leads one of the region’s most unique health-centered dental practices—one that blends advanced clinical dentistry with functional medicine, biohacking modalities, and a deep commitment to the connection between oral and systemic health. Born and raised in Pensacola, Campus graduated from Tate High before earning his business degree from the University of South Alabama, and his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Louisville. After practicing for over 15 years, he acquired a longstanding Pensacola dental office in 2024 and transformed it into Biodental Health and Longevity. Campus’ approach to dentistry shifted profoundly in 2020, following the loss of his father to Alzheimer’s disease. His exploration into brain health revealed to Dr. Chris (as friends refer to him) the strong influence that gut health and lifestyle have on long-term cognitive function. That journey opened his eyes to the undeniably strong gut/brain/mouth connection. “The mouth is the beginning of the gut, and the health of the oral microbiome affects every system in the body,” Campus explained to me. Research confirming oral bacteria’s links to heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, and adverse pregnancy outcomes reshaped his mission. Campus says he could no longer focus solely on teeth… even as a dentist. That’s when he committed to a practice that evaluates and supports whole-body health. Campus told me, “We want people to understand the power they have to heal from within. When you optimize what begins in the mouth, you support every system in the body.”

LOCA LLY SOU R CE D | HE ALT H + WE LLN E SS

At Biodental, advanced dental technology blends with functional medicine, offering an extensive array of state-of the-art tools and procedures like robotic-assisted implant placement, 3D printers for same-day crowns and full-arch restorations, ceramic/zirconia implants, ozone therapies, lasers, platelet-rich fibrin, biologic bone grafting, and guided tissue regeneration. What really sets the practice apart from other Pensacola area dentists is the integration of functional diagnostics. The team at Biodental use integrative means like saliva testing to map each patient’s unique oral microbiome; metabolic breath analysis to evaluate how the body processes 23 key metabolic markers; body composition analysis and dental-specific supplementation plans; cone beam CT scanning to assess bone, sinuses, teeth, and airway; and even hormone testing, GI mapping, toxin evaluations, peptide therapy, and IV nutritional support. Their in-office nurse practitioner and the highly skilled team create your personal customized oral–systemic treatment plan, backed by objective data. Additionally, Dr. Campus—along with his wife, Shelley, a certified health coach—provide patients with a curated suite of biohacking and wellness therapies designed to enhance recovery, reduce inflammation, and optimize your overall health. These services include red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, high-intensity PEMF therapy, ozone sauna sessions and more. Dr. Campus explains that the goal of these technologies is to improve mitochondrial function, regulate hormones, remove environmental toxins, support metabolism, and promote the deep cellular healing that most all of us can benefit from. The practice also offers a full suite of anti-aging facial aesthetics, including Glo2 facials, microneedling, laser sessions, and natural bio-fillers to stimulate collagen safely, benefitting the patient with healthier, younger looking skin. As for the family aspect, Campus says working alongside his wife has reshaped the patient experience. While he focuses on diagnostics and clinical outcomes, Shelley manages the lifestyle, nutrition, and recovery components that support systemic wellness. Their united approach ensures patients feel informed and cared for throughout the multi-phase treatment plans.

Biodental Health and Longevity The duo have plans to continue expanding in a way that will broaden the reach of oral—systemic health education while continuing to serve new and existing Pensacola area patients seeking progressive solutions for long-term health. After talking with Dr. Campus, it’s clear that he, Shelley, and their team are on a mission to make Pensacola, and the nearby communities of Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, healthier and happier. For more information on Biodental Health and Longevity visit: Biodental.Life

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/P EN SAC O L A F L

DR . SY LV I A H A R R I S: BALANCING FUNCTIONAL WELLNESS, INTERNAL MEDICINE AND AESTHETICS

ARTICLE BY SUZANNE POPE PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADDIE J PHOTOGRAPHY

H EA LT H Y LIF E ST Y LE | H E ALT H + WE LLN E SS

There are physicians who treat illness, and then there are physicians who change the way we understand our health. Dr. Sylvia Harris is the latter, a rare blend of scientist, investigator, listener, and artist practicing at the intersection of functional medicine, internal medicine, and aesthetics. “My background in internal medicine gave me a deep understanding of complex health issues,” she explains. “But functional medicine allows me to go deeper to search for root causes instead of just managing symptoms.” Her practice blends science, prevention, and confidence-building care in

one place. By incorporating aesthetics, she helps patients feel refreshed inside and out. “When patients look and feel their best, it strengthens their overall wellness journey.” Dr. Harris has been practicing medicine for almost 30 years, though her path wasn’t what she first imagined. Growing up in Miami, as the youngest of ten, she decided to pursue surgery. She soon realized she was drawn less to the fix of removing a problem and more to the deeper detective work of understanding chronic illness. “I realized most patients don’t just need something removed,” she says. “They need someone willing to listen, investigate, and connect the dots.” That realization led to internal medicine and eventually functional medicine, a field built around understanding why the body breaks down and how to prevent disease before it happens. Her Cuban-American roots, and training in Miami and New Orleans, immersed her in communities where longevity, wellness, and aesthetics naturally overlapped. “I grew up in a place where health, vitality, and beauty were always interwoven,” she says. “It shaped how I practice today and how I view whole-person care.” Dr. Harris first discovered Pensacola while she and her husband -also a physician- lived in New Orleans during his training. “Every time we drove over the bridge to Gulf Breeze, I’d look at the water and say, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to live here?’” Years later, an opportunity at the Andrews Institute brought that dream to life. The couple moved with their two older children, and soon after, welcomed newborn triplets. “It reminded me of the Miami I grew up in. Pensacola offered natural beauty and the chance to build a practice rooted in wellness, at a time when longevity-based medicine was beginning to take hold,” she said. “It’s where our family grew and where my work found its purpose.” When she isn’t with patients, Dr. Harris gravitates toward movement, water, and travel. “What’s a hobby?” she jokes. “If it involves working out or being near water, I’m in.” With a love for art history and photography, she imagines she might have become an art curator or photographer in another life. A cornerstone of Dr. Harris’s philosophy is the belief that aging itself can be treated. “If you treat aging as the root cause,” she says, “you can prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and so many conditions people wait to develop.”

She emphasizes that functional medicine is not alternative medicine. “It’s deeply rooted in physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and research.” Instead of waiting for disease to appear, it looks upstream at metabolism, inflammation, hormones, nutrition, and stress to understand what breaks down and why. “It expands traditional medicine so patients can prevent disease rather than manage it.” More than anything, Dr. Harris wants her patients to feel heard. After years in traditional healthcare systems, she saw how rushed, volume-driven models fail patients and physicians. “I often told patients I could only address two concerns per visit because administration decided I needed to see 40 patients daily to justify employment. That model is an epic failure for everyone.” Instead, her practice allows people time to understand their bodies and their health. She helps them become active participants in preventing disease. “My goal is for every patient to walk out feeling valued, supported, and empowered,” she says. Dr. Sylvia Harris is redefining what it means to age well in Pensacola-bringing science, prevention, and confidence together in a way that feels deeply personal and refreshingly modern.

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ARTICLE BY RILEY BUFFETT PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF VISIT PENSACOLA

Pensacola’s Snowmageddon 2025 Remembering the Beautiful Chaos One Year Later

One year ago this month -January 21st to be exact, many of us who call Pensacola and the surrounding Northwest Florida Gulf Coast home were witnessing what we never thought we would, or even could, in our little corner of The Sunshine State. It’s been a year, with lots of heat in between, since we all woke to six plus inches of shimmering white snow blanketing the city that people are lured to for white sand instead. Many of us can recall a scene that was so surreal that long-time locals had to check twice to be sure they weren’t still asleep dreaming, or had been magically transported to another part of the country. For a region where beach days outnumber cold snaps by a wide margin, that rare winter storm became an instant piece of local history, and one coastal residents will be talking about for decades to come. The snowfall began late in the evening, catching many by surprise. Light flurries that had been forecast by our local weather team at Pensacola’s WEAR ABC 3 quickly intensified, accumulating far faster than meteorologists, locally or nationally, originally predicted. By dawn, Pensacola had transformed into a true winter wonderland. Palm trees stood frosted and glowing in the early morning light, the

O UR TOWN | L I FE + C ULT U RE

normally emerald Gulf waters appeared muted beneath a frigid sky, and familiar downtown streets were softened under the thick white blanket. Social media lit up with photos that looked more like scenes from North Carolina or North Dakota than Northwest Florida. Historically, snowfall in Pensacola is extremely uncommon, let alone several inches of measurable accumulation. While our Florida Panhandle has seen the occasional dusting, and older residents recall the legendary 1977 flurries or the brief Christmas snow of 1989, nothing in recent memory compares to last year’s big 2025 snowfall. According to local weather historians, it marked one of the largest single-day snow accumulations the city has seen in more than a hundred years. The meteorological anomaly withstanding, it was the joyous and surprised reaction of the people that made the few days so unforgettable. Families were bundled up in whatever winter clothing they could find, children were smiling in excitement to be out of school, and neighborhoods were filled with the sound of makeshift sleds, kayaks and boogie boards on snow, and streets largely free of their normal traffic as Pensacola was transformed for a few days.

“The snow melted leaving slushy streets, fun memories, and photos, but one truth remains: Snowmageddon 2025 will always be remembered.”

I remember roaming area neighborhoods and seeing the snowmen in front yards: from East Hill to North Hill, even over to Navarre and Perdido Key. Pensacola’s downtown looked like a scene from a Christmas card. Palafox Street was lined with people photographing the snow-covered rooftops, and the famous

Pensacola sign became one of the most-shared social media images of the month. Restaurants opened a bit later than usual, and many were serving hot cocoa and coffee to thrilled guests eager to gather and share their snow stories. I think I heard those stories until at least July or August. But they still made me smile. JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/P EN SAC O L A F L

Vegan Cuisine Meets C oast al Culture

PLANT POWERED DINING ARTICLE BY BLAKE ESTELL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIMBERLY STEINBERG It’s no secret that a vegan diet has become a highly popular option for many, both for personal health benefits, as well as the health of the animals the lifestyle helps preserve. Pensacola’s vibrant food scene benefits from its fresh produce rich location, along with a growing community of health-conscious diners. The presence of vegan café offerings, vegan food trucks and vegan-friendly mainstream dining spots means you don’t have to compromise when choosing plant-based dining in Pensacola. From specialty sandwiches to vegan tacos to tofu, the vegan friendly offerings in our coastal city are on the rise.

Million Dolla Nachos

EAT R IGH T | FO O D + BEVE RAGE

Here we are highlighting some of these establishments, hoping it encourages you to give them a try. END OF THE LINE CAFÉ One of the most established names in Pensacola’s vegan scene, End of the Line Café has been serving 100% vegan food since 2002 and still remains the only entirely vegan restaurant in the area. Their kitchen emphasizes fresh, handmade meals crafted from organic ingredients you’re sure to appreciate. End of the Line Café’s signature dishes include a jackfruit pulled pork style sandwich (no little pigs in this one!), hearty salads, and even vegan desserts like their raspberry white chocolate cupcake. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply curious, I highly recommend this café, and their welcoming all-plant-based environment and casual downtown ambiance. THE RICAN VEGAN Bringing bold Latin-flavored vegan fare to the Panhandle, The Rican Vegan is an award-winning, 100% gluten-free vegan food truck that regularly appears in the Pensacola region at special events, area pop-ups, and festivals. This husband-and-wife team specializes in homemade items like tofu bowls, tangy vegan tacos, and multiple creative Latin plant-based dishes that show how tasty meat free really can be. They’re one of my favorite food trucks along Northwest Florida’s coastal communities, and when you try their dishes you’ll understand why immediately.

Vegan Delight

AGAPI BISTRO + GARDEN Agapi is a Mediterranean-inspired bistro with a fine-dining vibe and friendly ambiance. Their chefs and culinary team offer everything from a vegan charcuterie board featuring plant-based cheeses and plant sausages to their Vegan Kafta, made with Impossible™ meat, caramelized onion, roasted root veg, forbidden rice, and vegan feta. Agapi Bistro is ideal for your upscale gatherings, offering a diverse wine list, and quite the array of cocktails, along with a garden-like feel that you and your party can appreciate. Beyond the stand-out three above, Pensacola has an expanding range of vegan, and vegan-friendly dining choices that I expect will continue to flourish and grow, bringing more offerings with each new eatery and menu. PENSACOLA CITY LIFESTYLE TIPS FOR VEGAN DINING OUT • Even at mixed-menu establishments, ask to hold the dairy and cheese, and confirm whether broths or sauces are vegan. • For food trucks (like The Rican Vegan), check social feeds for location updates and pop-up times. • For all-vegan cafés, consider visiting during brunch or special evening menus, as they often rotate items. • If dining with mixed-diet friends, select places that accommodate customization, so everyone gets something they’ll enjoy.

Vegan Tortilla Wraps with Tofu

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/P EN SAC O L A F L

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SCENICHILLS.COM | (850) 476-0380 8891 BURNING TREE RD, PENSACOLA FL 32514

6 Tips for Reducing Stress in 2026 Even though we are living near the beautiful Gulf, in one of America’s richest cultural cities, many of us still find ourselves inundated with stressors from the fast-paced, ever evolving world we live in. It doesn’t take a lot to wreak havoc on our comfort zone. It can be something as small as noticing you’ve put on a few post-holiday pounds to something as drastic as a job change, or financial crunch. When this happens it can affect not only your day-to-day life, but also one’s emotional and physical state. Just remember, you may not be in control of everything that happens in your life, but we can all be in control of our reactions and how we handle the stressors we encounter. Here are six tips to manage your stress today, so you can feel better all year long. TAKE CARE OF YOU. Stress can be held at bay by simply taking a few smart steps to take care of yourself. For starters, exercise. Anything from walking to working out, but something. Partake in a healthy diet and don’t overeat. Get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. This may not sound like cutting edge advice but remember that sometimes the simple things are the ones we overlook.

ARTICLE BY JAQUA DEFRIES PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIMBERLY STEINBERG

M EN TA L WE LLB E IN G | WE LLN E SS

COMMIT TO BEING POSITIVE. William James, the father of modern psychology said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude." From motivational gurus to life coaches to authors, everyone in the know agrees that if we think positive thoughts we can expect to get a more positive result. This doesn’t mean everything will always go your way, but it does mean it will more often. FIND AND SET BOUNDARIES. People can only treat you as you allow them to. This is not to say that family members, co-workers and friends will always treat you as you expect; that, to a large degree, is all part of life. However, setting boundaries acts as a filter to keep you safe from the hurtful behavior of others. Determine what you will and won’t accept and respectfully share this information with anyone who may have a tendency to step over your lines.

BETTER ORGANIZE YOUR HOME AND WORK. Scattered items in unorganized homes and offices remind us of things we’ve left undone. Seeing these items stresses us because of the work it can take to organize them. To rectify this, begin to define the purpose of each space in your home or workplace and sort things into their rightful place. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE. It has often been said that we become a lot like the people we spend the most time around. This is exactly why being around energetic, positive, friendly, and solution-oriented people is the best way to become that way ourselves. Spend time with people who really believe in you, are supportive of your endeavors, and genuinely value you, your thoughts, and your abilities. PRACTICE GRATITUDE. Make even a short mental list of things you’re grateful for, and you’ll see how fast your perspective will shift. The glass is indeed half full… maybe even all the way. Feeling the fullness of your heart in the present moment is a quick way to break out of stressed-out patterns. Give yourself grace, and when you feel challenged realize that it’s human to react to stress, but learning how to really manage it and thrive is divine.

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/P EN SAC O L A F L

Exploring Healthier Drinking in the New Year

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX BOYKIN

The Truth About Natural Wine 30

M UST SE E | FO O D + BEVE RAGE

Many of you probably enjoyed, or are still enjoying, some sparkling wine over the holidays and are perhaps looking to this new year transition to be a little healthier. That can mean abstaining from alcohol, or maybe just less alcohol. It may sound odd, coming from a wine writer, but I am a big proponent of drinking less wine. You read that correctly. I advocate for drinking less wine. Instead drink better quality wine, as the experience will reward you. What if you could drink healthier? Is there such a thing? Natural wine sounds healthy, or at least healthier. Could the answer be this simple? Let’s talk about natural wine; what it really is, and if it is worth pouring into your glass. According to several Masters of Wine “Natural Wine” is generally accepted to be wine made from organically farmed grapes, using naturally occurring yeast while not using processing aides, additives, fining or filtration. So far natural wine sounds great, right? Well, it sounds great until you start breaking it down. The truth is that no wine is exactly natural. Wine is a human-made product and cannot exist in the vacuum of an idyllic natural world. However, what we do find in a good bottle of wine are the toils of hard work, cultural identity, and craftsmanship. We can see here the first inherent problem with calling a wine “Natural Wine,” because no wine is truly natural, yet the biggest problem is not with the logic, it is with the law. Not only is “Natural Wine” not clearly defined across the wine industry, it does not have a legal definition anywhere, so it isn’t regulated! Anyone can legally call their wine natural wine, and that’s where the caution flag raises. Historically, the natural wine movement was started by four vineyard owners in Beaujolais France back in the 1970s, as these four winemakers wanted to move away from industrial wine making. They were known as the “Gang of Four,” and their goal was to make a better product for the market. I, along with many others, argue that what they really started was the “Low Intervention” wine movement. The problem with low intervention wines is their flavor profile can really be all over the place and often makes for a pretty funky taste. This is not to say that they all taste bad, but they lack consistency. These wines can also be cloudy with small bits of sediment left over from the wine making process. Well, you might say “at least you can’t add anything to them.” Well, you aren’t supposed to… but you can, and one of those things that you can add are sulfites. The word alone should conjure up about everything bad that you think is in a bottle of wine. But not so fast. Sulfites are the single biggest scapegoat for wine drinkers. Not only can sulfites still be added to supposedly natural wine (on average up to 50 milligrams per liter), but SO2 occurs naturally as a product of fermentation. Sulfites are part of the natural wine making process. If you think sulfites are the problem

According to several Masters of Wine ‘Natural Wine’ is generally accepted to be wine made from organically farmed grapes, using naturally occurring yeast while not using processing aides, additives, fining or filtration. then you should stay away from dried fruits like raisins and apricots, most jellies and jams, shrimp, lobster, sauerkraut, kimchi, onions, garlic, beer, and, yes, even your favorite soft drinks! All have naturally occurring or added sulfites. So, sulfites are not the smoking gun here. The main issue I have with most natural wine is the inherent false pretext that it imbues. I have had some pretty good “Natty Wine,” but none have been great. If you are looking for truer expressions of truly natural wine you will have to do a bit of research. There are smaller wineries that print “Natural” on their label who are fully organic but they don’t have the income to pay for the certification. The big difference is that these wineries adhere to “Regulated/Legal Wine” practices and are technically low intervention wines. That is the key. If you are looking for a better wine experience in the new year, then look for wines that are part of a regulated wine region (DOC), and are either certified organic, biodynamic, or verifiable low intervention. Don’t be afraid to experiment, just be educated and don’t fall for a pretty label. Cheers to the new year!

JANUARY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/P EN SAC O L A F L

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DISCOVERING Puerto Rico

CELEBRATE THE SEASON IN ANOTHER OF AMERICA’S OLDEST CITIES ARTICLE BY MYRA VAN HOOSE

Here in the Florida Panhandle we have long known that Pensacola was first settled before our Floridian sister city, St. Augustine established her roots. However, it may surprise you to know that there is an even older American city. Established in 1521, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico is actually the oldest city in the United States. Yes, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States and those born there, from Pittsburgh Pirate Roberto Clemente to actress Rita Moreno to singer Bad Bunny are American citizens. We share the same President and the same military, and United States residents need no passports to cross the Caribbean waters from the mainland to enter the beautiful island.

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Like Alabama football or California surfing, or as any state that has its own outstanding traditions, Puerto Rico has many unique traditions that bear exploring. One of those traditional celebrations happens this month. Dia de los Reyes, or the feast of the Three Kings Day, is January 6th, the twelfth night after Christmas. As the majority of the rest of our country takes down, Christmas trees, packs away their ornaments and begins sweetly reminiscing, the Puerto Rican island natives gear up to continue the celebration. Although in modern times, Puerto Ricans may exchange gifts throughout the season, and even on December 25th, the traditional present exchange happens on January 6 th , corresponding with the Bible story of three wise men finding baby Jesus and presenting him with gifts. Children expect to find gifts under their beds in exchange for the little box of grass or hay they gathered and left there for the kings’s horses the night before. Naturally, this great holiday became a pivotal family celebration, over the course of twelve days of Christmas, with food and drink, gifts, and visits from loved ones overflowing. Puerto Rico is 99% Christian-based in their beliefs and the biblical roots of their traditions take center stage in just about every walk of life. The Fiesta de los Reyes Magos is no different. Symbolizing the gifts the Magi brought to baby Jesus in the biblical story, each year, three men dress up in king costumes passing out candy to children and spreading words of cheer and wishing blessings to all as they travel. Typically the merry band of kings will ultimately arrive at a live Nativity reenactment in churches and town centers. They may make a visit to a lucky household along the way. These individual homes are celebrating as they wait with three kings figurines, often set under a tree or on a prominent tabletop where children may find more gifts to be opened during the festivities. The women will have

prepared feasts of lechon asado, pasteles, arroz con gandules or mofongo. The bar is set with shots of coconut infused rum, perhaps, and Coquitos. During this season many families partake in the Parranda. The impromptu caroling sessions typically start late, and as is the case with all other Puerto Rican customs, hospitality is key. Friends, families, and neighbors gather in residential streets to sing charming tunes in celebration, waiting for the family inside to hear them. The home is opened, no matter the hour, and the hosts welcome the carolers in for a bite to eat and a toast. Ultimately the singing group moves on with the hosts in tow to enlarge the group of revelers and enhance the festivities, moving onto another street, another household. Just as Christmas carols are prevalent during the weeks leading up to Three Kings Day, specific songs have been written to celebrate this day, too. Favorites such as “Allegre Vengo,” “Si No Me Dan de Beber,” and “Hacia Belen” give clues as to the emphasis on food, drink, happiness, and love of the season, in addition to the biblical significance of the holiday. Many cities on the island have parades in honor of the Reyes Magos. San Juan, the capital, always has festivities, or you can consider a short drive west to the festival in Isabela, which includes two full days of musical entertainment. Juana Diaz, in southern Puerto Rico boasts the largest celebration and parade on the island. If you can't make it to Puerto Rico during the spectacular holiday season, you can always enjoy the year round eighty-degree weather, and fly down any time of the year. Consider taking a short drive from the Ponce Airport, or a two hour plus drive from the main airport (SJU), to Juana Diaz, to view the island's largest Three Kings museum. While you're there, carve out time for the beaches, the bioluminescent bays, and the magnificent rainforest. Whenever you visit, you’re sure to find this 100 mile long x 35 mile wide Caribbean island, enchanting, beautiful, and well worth the trip.

“Puerto Rico is 99%

Christian-based in their beliefs and the biblical

roots of their traditions take center stage”

CONTINUED >

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COQUITO RECIPE Recipe is written by Kairym Lisch Peña From My Kitchen To The World.

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • •

1 can sweetened condensed milk 1 can evaporated milk 1 can coconut milk ½ can coconut cream ½ teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon allspice 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon orange zest 2 cinnamon sticks ½ cup Don Q Cristal or Don Q Oro rum 1 empty bottle (glass preferred)

Directions: 1. Place the two cinnamon sticks inside your clean, empty bottle. 2. Add all remaining ingredients to a blender. 3. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes until smooth and fully combined. As January unfolds and the Feast of the Three Kings— El Día de los Reyes—arrives, many households around the world, especially Puerto Rican ones, continue to revel in the lingering magic of the holiday season. And with that celebration comes one certainty: there is always more Coquito to sip, share, and savor. If you haven’t yet experienced this luxuriously creamy, coconut-forward holiday drink, you’ve been missing out—or you might simply need a Puerto Rican friend in your life. Even Jimmy Fallon can’t resist it; he famously wrote a song celebrating its irresistible charm. Think of it as eggnog’s more sophisticated, more delicious Caribbean cousin. Luckily, you don’t need an abuela or a close amiga to enjoy a bottle at home. This shortcut recipe delivers all the warmth, spice, and award-winning flavor with minimal effort.

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

4. Pour the mixture into the bottle. 5. Cork tightly and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors bloom.

To Serve • Add ice cubes to a chilled martini glass. • Shake the Coquito well inside its bottle. • Pour into the glass and finish with a dusting of cinnamon and a strip of orange peel. • Garnish with an extra cinnamon stick, if desired. Rich, festive, and impossibly comforting—Coquito is the perfect way to toast the New Year while keeping the spirit of the holidays alive just a little longer. Salud!

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JANUARY 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S

JA NUA RY 3 RD

Coastal Weddings Expo Pensacola Pensacola Bay Center | 11:00 AM Coastal Weddings Expo is a fun and easy way to plan your upcoming BIG day, as you and your wedding crew have the chance to connect with talented wedding vendors at this annual event.

F R I DAYS A N D SAT U RDAYS , JANUARY 3RD, 16TH , 17 TH , 3 0 TH, 3 1ST

Live Music at Bounce Beach 400 Quietwater Beach Rd Pensacola Beach, Florida 32561 | 6:00 PM Fridays & Saturdays, Live music at Bounce Beach. Sunshine, sea breeze, and nonstop jams to enhance your Pensacola weekends.

JA NUA RY 1 7 T H

Wiener Dog Race Night at Pensacola Ice Flyers vs Thunderbolts 201 E. Gregory St. Pensacola | 6:00 PM The cute chaos returns for Wiener Dog Race night! Come see the fastest wiener dogs in all of Pensacola. Visit iceflyers.com/tickets/ single-game-tickets

JA NUA RY 1 9 T H

MLK Day Parade The Intersection of Spring & Garden Streets in Downtown Pensacola | 11:00 AM Come experience this dynamic tradition and be a part of Pensacola’s commitment to honoring Dr. King's legacy and vision. Complete with marching bands, floats, dance groups, and more. Visit www.mlkparadepensacola.com.

F EB RUA RY 7 T H

Double Bridge Run Pensacola Bay Bridge and Pensacola Beach Bridge | 7:00 AM One of the premier 15K races in the country, the course carries runners over two bridges, across Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. It will run from downtown Pensacola with a tour that includes the historic district, and picturesque Bayfront Parkway, a run through Gulf Breeze, and onto Pensacola Beach. (850) 434-2800 to register.

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