March 2026 Natural Awakenings Sarasota

We Treat:

• Chronic Pain

• Fibromyalgia

• Peripheral Neuropathy

• Nerve Pain

• Fertility Enhancement

• Failed Surgery Pain

• Gastrointestinal Disturbances

• Covid Long Hauler Symptoms

• Grief Loss Recovery

• Stress Induced Disturbances

We Put Your Head on Straight

(So You Can Achieve Optimal Health, Naturally)

If the first two bones in your neck are misaligned, communication between the brain and body is interrupted and can cause numerous health problems.

Dr. Drew Hall has practiced the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic technique for the last 20 years in Los Angeles and Carson California before opening his third clinic right here in Sarasota, Florida

Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic is a unique chiropractic technique that focuses all its attention on the upper neck and how it impacts the brainstem and central nerve system. The Blair technique is precise, gentle, and does not use any pulling, popping, or twisting of the neck.

We have helped people with the following conditions:

•Auto Accidents

•Fibromyalgia

•Lower Back Pain

•Meniere’s Disease

•Neck Pain

•Sciatica

•Post-Concussion Syndrome

•TMJ

•Trigeminal Neuralgia

•Vertigo & Whiplash

“I have over 20 years of practice experience and taking care of 10,000 patients f rom Los Angeles to Sarasota Florida. I recovered f rom severe chronic health problems 30 years ago after being introduced to blair upper cervical technique. It’s my lasting purpose to help as many people as possible live a life of health and happiness”.

- Dr. Drew Hall

3920 Bee Ridge Rd, Bldg D, Sarasota, Fl 34233

Stay in the flow with neuro-fascial bodywork.

Rowan Winder LMT– Neuro-fascial Strain Release, Gentle-DeepTM Stretching, Myofascial Release, Relaxation Massage MA76884

Mahalah “Haley” Bond LMT – Neuro-fascial Strain Release, CranioSacral Therapy, Relaxation Massage, Myofascial Release MA23423

Stephen Rumley LMT – Neuro-fascial Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage, Swedish Massage, Sports Massage and Stretching MA108233

How to advertise

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 941-564-0885 or email Publisher@nasrq.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

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/MANATEE EDITION

PUBLISHER Janet Lindsay

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Mary-Elizabeth-Schurrer

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Susan Jones

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CONTACT US

Sarasota / Manatee Edition: 941-564-0885 publisher@nasrq.com

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CONTACT US

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation

350 Main Street, Suite 9B

Bedminster, NJ 07921

Ph: 239-206-2000 NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com

As the chill of winter tapers off and eases into the warmth of spring, this season marks a time of radiance, rejuvenation, and renewal. Smells of jasmine and orange blossom permeate the air. A salty breeze wafts up from the gentle ocean waves. Daylight hours stretch out longer, and it feels as if the entire Sunshine State has come alive once again.

To celebrate the arrival of spring in all its exuberance, Natural Awakenings’ theme for this month is, “Nourish and Flourish.” I can’t think of a better time to explore all the ways holistic wellness can enhance our lives than in the midst of a season where so many vibrant new possibilities bloom. On that note…let’s jump right into it, shall we?

When we hear the word, “nourish,” most of us picture a delicious, nutritious meal. A healthy but flexible relationship with food is among the main cornerstones of wellness, and this month’s feature article is all about, “Food as Front-Line Therapy.” Of course, we eat for pleasure and sustenance—but as this article explains, being intentional with our food choices can offer medicinal benefits, too. Anti-inflammatory food protocols, which draw from both ancient healing traditions and contemporary nutritional science, can help restore optimal digestion, metabolic function, immune resilience, gut health, and overall balance.

In this modern culture, which moves at such a fast and frantic pace, it can often seem like stress is just inevitable. But chronic stress keeps our nervous systems in a prolonged state of activation, which harms our well-being and inhibits our ability to flourish. So what’s the antidote? This month’s “Fit Body” article offers one practical solution—stress-free fitness. While some of us might be prone to overtrain in an effort to blow off steam, exerting our bodies too much can actually disrupt hormonal balance, hinder muscle repair, slow the metabolism, and even cause inflammation. Instead, this article will walk us through how to balance strenuous workouts with more restorative and gentle movements for a calm nervous system reset. Finally, we can’t invest in human flourishing without also nurturing the health of this planet we call home. One simple but effective way to prioritize this is to start in our own kitchens. This month’s “Green Living” article explores how creating a sustainable, well-organized pantry can minimize food waste, promote conscious eating habits, and curb environmental impact. Based on the insights of professional home organizers, this article offers actionable tips on how to cultivate more mindful consumption and sustainable household routines.

Ready to nourish and flourish this spring? You have come to the right place—this is just a quick rundown of all the inspiration that awaits as you turn each page. I hope you’ll embrace this season of renewal, and I look forward to seeing you back here in April!

© 2026 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

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Visit our website for links to our services, development classes, events, visiting renowned international tutors, free booklets and newsletter, our philosophy, how we can serve you, and more!

Light Circuitry Activation Healing with Resident Healer Michael

The Cosmic Center is thrilled to introduce Resident Healer Michael, who is available on Tuesdays, from 3–7 p.m., to offer Light Circuitry Activation healing. Light Circuitry Activation is direct energy transmission accompanied by intuitively guided breathwork mediations.

These therapeutic sessions help reactivate energy centers (chakras) and channels (nadis), which revitalize the connection between the physical and subtle bodies. Through intentional breath, deep presence, and direct transmission of Source light, dormant subtle energetic circuits within a person are activated and begin to come online. This allows energy to flow from Source (through the body) to Gaia, and back again with harmonic rhythm.

The session produces a relaxing trance state in which the mind softens, the heart opens, and new energy moves through latent pathways within. As harmony is restored within the personality, that coherence naturally radiates outward, which contributes to the current collective awakening and healing of the spiritual Earth. Receivers of Light Circuitry Activation often report renewed energy, physiological balance, mental clarity, physical rejuvenation, and a new awareness of the energetic power available within.

Michael is a certified light channel and Ph.D. chemist with a passion for exploring the human condition, Jungian psychology, soul alchemy, yoga, breathwork, sun and moon watching, and the simple joys of life. He shares insights and practices rooted in curiosity, creativity, and service in all of its forms.

Location: 5041 Ringwood Meadow Bldg. G-2, Sarasota. Cost: $96. To schedule an appointment, email Mortiz279@gmail.com or visit the “store” tab on CCOSL.com.

European Helix Hair Designer

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Neckor Avoidlowbackpain? surgeryandgetyourlifeback!

Beyond Symptom Relief: A New Era of Healing

In the heart of Sarasota, a quietly powerful movement in holistic wellness is unfolding. Dr. John Lieurance, ND, DC, DABCN, has spent over 30 years combining modern science with natural healing to pioneer integrative wellness approaches that transcend symptom relief to offer deep cellular transformation.

From his Sarasota event center, Dr. Lieurance hosts a series of in-house workshops and educational experience. These events can help increase understanding of what true, sustainable wellness means—whether it’s a community-centered “Power Hour” workshop that focuses on prostate health or a biohacking and breath mastery session with special guests.

These events blend accessible guidance, hands-on learning, and Dr. Lieurance’s depth of knowledge that spans functional neurology, regenerative medicine, and conscious vitality. Attendees leave with practical tools to activate their health from the inside out.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a local movement reshaping what it means to thrive. Upcoming in-house events with Dr. John Lieurance are open to the Sarasota community. Space is limited, so please register to secure your spot in advance.

Location: 1014 North East Ave., Sarasota. To register for an event, visit DrJohnLieurance.com/UpcomingEvents. For more information, call 941-330-8553 or email Info@AdvancedRejuvenation.us.

Advanced Bodywork Fusion

Therapeutic Massage combining Deep Tissue, Swedish, Reiki, PEMF, Far Infrared, Red Light

Each tailored session can bring EFFECTIVE, IMMEDIATE results for aches, pains and stress. Help minimize symptoms of frozen shoulder, sciatica, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow and neuropathy. Benefits include Pain Relief, Better Sleep, Improve Circulation, Boost Immune System and Stress Management.

Julie K. Glassco, LMT Myomassologist, Reiki Master, Yoga Teacher 1188 N. Tamiami Trail, Ste. 205F, Sarasota Call/Text: 941-914-3645 or Visit: JulieGlassco.com

Discover the Benefits of Bodywork with Julie Glassco

Licensed Massage Therapist Julie Glassco, MA99314, MM42624, offers customized therapeutic massages tailored to meet your unique, specific needs. From deep tissue bodywork for pain management and chronic muscle tension relief, to a lighter Swedish technique for relaxation and stress management, you can feel the benefits after just one session.

Whether you’re an athlete who wants to integrate muscular therapy to your routine or an older person who wants to increase energy levels, Glassco offers something for everyone. A few of the specific issues she works to alleviate include lower back pain, chronic neck tension, sciatica, frozen shoulder, neuropathy, and stress.

Glassco has a wealth of bodywork experience, having trained as a massage therapist, energy healer, and yoga instructor who draws from a variety of modalities and taps into the holistic mind-body connection. She received a massage therapy license from the Myomassology Institute, completed a Yoga Teacher Training from Lakshmi Rising, and has been a Master in Usui Tibetan Reiki for more than 15 years.

To schedule an appointment, call or text 941914-3645 or visit JulieGlassco.com. Location: 1188 N. Tamiami Trail, Suite 205F, Sarasota.

Ritual Room Spa: Awaken your

Glow this March

As March welcomes the arrival of spring, Ritual Room Spa invites you to refresh, restore, and renew your self-care ritual. Nestled in a restored historic home, Ritual Room Spa is a serene escape that offers a truly unforgettable experience.

This month, enjoy curated offerings such as 30 percent off signature facials and a “buy one, get one” 50 percent off discount on gift certificates to treat yourself or a loved one. Ritual Room Spa is also thrilled to welcome a new esthetician and massage therapist to the team for elevated care that’s tailored to your specific wellness goals.

You can also explore Ritual Room Spa’s thoughtfully curated boutique, which features high-quality Italian apparel, unique wellness gifts, self-care essentials, and an exclusive line of skincare products to nurture healthy, mindful living.

If you are looking for a memorable venue to host your next celebration or special event, Ritual Room Spa’s stunning historic space is now available to rent. Or if you are a member of the local wellness community—such as a medical esthetician or a laser technician— seeking a beautiful space to grow and practice your craft, please reach out. Step into March with beauty, balance, and care at Ritual Room Spa, where each visit is a ritual worth savoring.

Location: 2088 Hawthorne St., Sarasota. To book an appointment or purchase a gift certificate, call 941-203-6543 or visit RitualRoomSpa.com.

Anti-Aging Seminars with Dr. Anna

Dr. Anna Baker, DOM, invites you to join her interactive anti-aging seminars via Zoom on March 11 and 20, both at 1:30 p.m. She will showcase her Faces by Dr. Anna acupuncture facelift and her muscle retightening Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna. Contact the Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna store to access the meeting ID number.  If you cannot attend the seminar live, Dr. Anna will send you a link to watch at your own convenience.

Dr. Anna performs a unique type of acupuncture facelift that she invented. The muscles of the face and neck are progressively retightened to retrace the steps that aging took. An initial package of 10 treatments is required, and the results last for 18 months before you will need a one-treatment touchup to maintain the lift.

In these seminars, Dr. Anna will show photographed results on people of all ages.  In addition, she will discuss her proprietary Pearl Cream by Dr Anna, which offers the same muscle retightening as her acupuncture facelift in a slower, more gradual process.  Her Pearl Cream is an anti-aging serum made from real pearls and Chinese herbs without any preservatives.  Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna is also available as a muscle tightening body lotion, a men’s anti-aging line, and a sports performance line.

Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna is available for pick up by appointment only at Dr. Anna’s office. Call 941-924-2723 for directions. Free consultations and facial analyses are offered for acupuncture facelift and Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna. For more information about Dr. Anna’s services and products including photo documentation, visit FacesByDrAnna.com and PearlCreamByDrAnna.com (we are no longer at the location shown on this website).

Embrace Lunar Eclipse Season at Manatee Spirit

Holistic Sound Studio

Flow into your life-force energy at Manatee Spirit Holistic Sound Studio in Bradenton this full-moon lunar eclipse season. Experience a Shamanic-inspired sound journey with 50 instruments and soothing frequencies to reduce stress, enhance relaxation, and elevate personal growth. Manatee Spirit’s private sound bath—ideal for one to four guests—is tailored to each person’s unique wellness goals.

In addition, be sure to reserve a spot for Manatee Spirit’s community events, taking place each new moon (March 18 and April 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) and full moon (March 3 and April 1, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.). The cost to attend a new moon event is $30, and the cost to attend a full moon event is $20. Both private and community events include a transformative 60-minute sound bath, along with affirmations, ceremonial tea,

plant-based refreshments, and heart-centered connections. Reserve a spot for the “Full Moon Lunar Eclipse Sound Bath” on March 2, 3, and 4, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Space is limited, so register today.

A variety of holistic courses are also offered at Manatee Spirit. Join the 21-day “Whole Food, Plant-Based, Oil-Free” challenge, with two class sessions on March 15 and 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. Learn how to lead a sound bath with confidence and enjoyment in the

The George – Your Place for the Unconventional

Step into The George, an eclectic downtown one-of-a-kind Sarasota boutique that promises a vibrant escape into a world of unique style and artistic expression. Offering eclectic globally-inspired men’s and women’s clothing that blends resort, hippie, and punk vibes with festival flair and bohemian charm, making it the spot for unique apparel and artifacts. You will find the unconventional with a celebration of individuality and creativity, with cool clothes and funky finds.

The George is a haven for those who dare to express themselves. The clothing selection focuses on a free-spirited aesthetic that blends comfort with an edgy vibe. The collection features a kaleidoscope of colors and prints—from crochet tops to flowy dresses to tie-dye patterns.

Beyond this unique clothing selection, The George also brims with other one-of-a-kind treasures. Think: vintage décor, original artwork, and multicultural accessories such as jewelry, incense, prayer flags, tapestries, and chimes.

The George delivers a personalized retail experience in a dynamic space that encourages self-expression. Located upstairs and across from Regal Hollywood Cinemas on Main Street, it is the perfect destination in Sarasota for anyone who needs something special, unique, and distinctive.

Location: 1960 Main St., Sarasota. For more information, call 941-277-3707 or visit TheGeorgeSarasota.com.

“Transformational Sound Healing” certification course on March 18 and 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. Finally, dive into consciousness, energy, reincarnation, mindfulness, and authenticity in the online or in-person “Universal Wisdom and Meditation” course on March 23, 24, and 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. The cost to attend each of these courses is $165.

For more information and to register for a course or sound bath experience, call 941-2010069 or visit ManateeSpirit.com.

Native Edible Abundance Will

Elevate Your Land into a Living Sanctuary

Your land has the potential to become more than a yard, it can be a thriving, living sanctuary that nourishes both people and planet. Through thoughtful design, skilled installation, and ongoing maintenance, Native Edible Abundance transforms ordinary outdoor spaces into regenerative ecosystems filled with beauty, purpose, and abundance.

Specializing in edible gardens, food forests, and native landscaping, we help restore the land while reviving biodiversity. Our designs work in harmony with nature, incorporating native plants, butterfly gardens, and pollinator pathways that support local wildlife and rebuild healthy soil. Each landscape is crafted with intention and artistry, creating spaces that feel balanced, alive, and deeply connected to the natural world.

For those dreaming of greater self-sufficiency, our edible landscapes offer abundance that truly gives back. Imagine harvesting fresh, organic fruits, herbs, and vegetables from a thriving ecosystem designed to regenerate the soil rather than deplete it. From planting a single fruit tree to establishing a full food forest, we create productive gardens that nourish your family while restoring the earth.

Not sure where to begin? We walk your property with you, listen to your vision, and provide expert guidance to help you take the first step. Every project is tailored to your land, your goals, and your lifestyle.

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to transform our local environment into beautiful, nurturing, entertaining, and abundant sanctuaries—one landscape at a time. Your outdoor space can be a place of restoration, connection, and lasting abundance.

For more information, call 941-323-1312 or email Deric@NativeEdibleAbundance.com for a consultation. Visit NativeEdibleAbundance.com to see their gallery.

New Seasonal Kombucha Flavors Available

Now at Flobucha

Come visit Sarasota’s first non-alcoholic bar, focused 100 percent on kombucha. Flobucha is a brewery and taproom located in the beautiful Gulfgate Village which produces and serves premium raw kombucha, fermented to perfection.

Flobucha comes in a variety of unique flavors, all of which are meticulously crafted and balanced. In addition to the six flagship flavors, you can also taste the new limited-quantity seasonal options: Lulo – made with the Naranjilla fruit from Columbia, GTL Heat – made with Ginger Tumeric Lemon and Cayenne, Cherry Lemon Ginger, Pineapple Cranberry Tumeric and Blue Spirit – a blend of coconut water, ginger and blue spirulina. They also now have kombucha based sparkling non-alcoholic wine alternatives called Winesque and a non-alcoholic IPA beer alternative. Wine alternative flavors include Rose, CAB and their new white wine addition based on Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Try a six-flight kombucha sampler for $12.95, which can be mixed or matched with kombucha, wine or beer.

All flavors are brewed with all-natural, organic ingredients, raw, unfiltered and never pasteurized. Not only does this kombucha taste delicious, but it’s also rich in natural probiotics, healthy organic nutrients and antioxidants.

The Flobucha taproom is a fun place to hang out as well. On March 27 we will have our Ethiopian Night with special pricing and join us on Thursdays for a free Kombucha tasting from 5-6 p.m. and enjoy our seasonal Flobucha flavors.

Location: 2725 Mall Dr., Sarasota. Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, email Info@Flobucha.com, visit Winesque.com or follow via social media at @flobucha on Instagram and @Flobucha on Facebook.

Homemade Natural Cleaners That Work

by Natural Awakenings staff

Spring is a time for sprucing up around the house, and toxic-free cleaners are our best allies. It’s high time to forever banish commercial products laden with bleach, ammonia and other harsh chemicals. Creating our own formulas couldn’t be easier, and best of all, they really work. Save money, reduce plastic waste and get creative with common household ingredients like baking soda, white vinegar and a few sweet-smelling essential oils.

Here are the easiest recipes. Store in clearly labeled glass jars for powders and reusable spray bottles for liquids, away from children and pets. Mix or shake well before using with soft rags or microfiber cloths.

All-purpose spray cleaner combines one part vinegar, one part warm water and 10 drops essential oil of choice. Lavender and peppermint are antimicrobial and deodorizing, while lemon and orange essential oils cut grease and air freshen.

Glass cleaner combines one cup distilled water with one cup rubbing alcohol. For

extra grease cutting, one-half teaspoon liquid castile soap may be added.

Bathroom cleaning paste combines three-quarters cup baking soda, two to three tablespoons hydrogen peroxide and two to three tablespoons liquid castile soap. Apply with a rag using circular motions, wait 10 minutes before wiping, then rinse. This works on bathtubs, showers and sinks.

Mold and mildew spray is a one-ingredient solution: distilled white vinegar. Spray onto moldy areas and let it sit for an hour before scrubbing with the bathroom cleaning paste. White vinegar effectively treats more than 80 percent of mold species, including black mold.

Grout cleaner combines baking soda and a small amount of warm water to form a thick paste. Slather onto the grout line, then spray white vinegar on top, allowing the mixture to bubble and sit for about 15 minutes. Scrub with a stiff grout brush or toothbrush and rinse with warm water. Dry the area with a clean cloth.

Oven and glass stovetop cleaner combines three-quarters cup baking soda with a few drops of water or liquid castile soap to form a paste. Initially wipe surfaces with a damp rag or sponge, then spread the paste in an even layer and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. Gently scrub baked-on areas with a sponge or soft-bristled brush, then wipe with a clean, damp rag.

Stainless steel cleaner combines white vinegar with a few drops of olive oil. Shake well before lightly misting the appliance. Using a microfiber cloth, wipe with the grain of the steel.

Wood furniture polish combines one-half cup olive oil, one-quarter cup white vinegar, 10 drops lemon essential oil and one cup water. Lightly spray onto a soft cloth and wipe down wood surfaces.

Spot cleaner for carpets combines two cups white vinegar with two cups water, plus two tablespoons baking soda gradually stirred in to dissolve. Spray without over-saturating the carpet and use a soft brush or microfiber cloth to gently scrub the carpet fibers clean. Blot the treated area dry.

Spring Cleaning Tips to Refresh Your Body

Open the windows, shake out the rugs, and let the sunshine in. March is officially here, which means it’s time to spring clean. Your home space is not the only space that needs cleaning, however—the human body can benefit from a refresh, too.

Opening the excretion system is first on the list. Your detoxification organs include the colon, liver, kidneys, and lungs. You can help revitalize them with intermittent fasting. This allows some time for the gut to rest, so the body can break down old cells and flush them into the circulation, where the liver turns them into components for recycling. Be sure to drink plenty of water to facilitate kidney function while fasting.

The colon needs special attention, since it can easily be compromised. Seek out a practitioner who is trained in “colonics” or colon hydrotherapy to rinse this organ from the inside. Next, fire up your metabolism through chelation, the removal of heavy metals—like lead, mercury, arsenic—from the tissues. This is a medical process that requires a knowledgeable clinician, but it’s worth the investment in your well-being.

To learn more about maintaining cardiovascular wellness, contact Dr. Carol Roberts at Best Medicine. Location: 2106 Bispham Rd., Sarasota. For more information, call 941-404-8030 or visit BestMedicine.us.

Getting Enough Sleep Is Key to a Longer Life

A new study published in the journal SLEEP Advances used national data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, covering all counties in the country between 2019 and 2025, to analyze how sleep insufficiency relates to life expectancy. Sleep insufficiency is defined as fewer than seven hours of sleep per night. Using mixed-effects modeling that controlled for other mortality predictors such as smoking, diet, physical inactivity and social isolation, the researchers found a significant association between insufficient sleep and a shorter life expectancy. Only smoking had a stronger relationship with mortality. The study indicated that getting adequate sleep was more important to life expectancy than diet and exercise. The results were consistent across income levels, healthcare access and geographic locations.

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Wellness, Made Delicious:

Q&A with Café Evergreen

by Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer

In 2026, Natural Awakenings is on a mission to explore how even the smallest or simplest actions—when practiced consistently—can nurture long-term health. This exploration has me thinking: If wellness can be easy, it can also be enjoyable.

Taking care of ourselves should not feel like a chore. Filling our bodies with natural and nutritious foods grown from the earth should be a joyful experience, not a stressful one. Tasting the nuanced flavors and textures of an intentionally-crafted meal should bring a smile to our faces—and that’s where Café Evergreen comes in.

Ted Weinberger, co-owner of this locally-sourced organic restaurant in Nokomis, believes that a commitment to optimizing

your wellness can offer delicious possibilities. He breaks it all down for us in this month’s Community Spotlight.

Natural Awakenings: What are some easy, practical, and thoughtful choices that anyone can take to improve their wellness when dining out?

Ted Weinberger: One key element to wellness is prioritizing nutrition. You can do this by choosing natural, whole foods rather than processed or artificial ingredients. “Processed” usually means that a food item contains excess salt, sugar, and artificial preservatives.

When you scan a restaurant menu while dining out, here are some questions to ask: Does this restaurant serve processed sauces and condiments, or are they housemade? Does this restaurant use ready-to-eat ingredients

that are fried or heated up before serving? Are the meats full of nitrates, which can increase the risk of cancer?

It’s important to make healthy, wholesome choices with the options available to you. At Café Evergreen, we offer our customers a variety of options to enhance their wellness— without compromising their enjoyment. Hungry for meatloaf? We make our vegan meatloaf with nutritious, flavorful ingredients such as organic flax seed, lentils, and quinoa. Then, we plate it over cauliflower mash with an apple reduction gravy.

In the mood for a burger and fries? Choose our lean bison, lamb, or pasture-raised beef burger with baked sweet potato fries on the side. Want a glass of wine? Our blueberry wine contains essential antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Prioritizing your wellness does not have to feel complicated—not to mention, it can still taste delicious.

NA: What other simple habits, choices, and routines contribute to prioritizing wellness? Can you elaborate on how these play into the menu and ambiance of Café Evergreen?

Weinberger: Hydration is also crucial for optimum wellness. At Café Evergreen, we offer herbal teas, organic probiotic drinks, smoothies, juices, and matcha teas. 80 percent of the human body is water, so keep it filled with high-quality fluids.

Another important facet is stress management. Meals should be pleasurable, so the environment where you eat matters. We strive to make our restaurant feel comfortable and invitational, so our diners can relax at the table, linger over their meals, and take the time to fully savor each bite. We don’t have loud music or televisions playing, and our décor features soothing earth tones and natural materials. We built a living wall of plants, our tables are reclaimed wood from a local barn, and the fireplace mantle is made from pecky cypress.

NA: Can you offer some advice on what it takes to establish daily wellness habits that are

both effective and sustainable—without feeling like a chore?

Weinberger: In order for your wellness choices to stick long-term, they must become a ritual. If you can, I invite you to eat a meal here at Café Evergreen at least once a week. Our menu is always bursting with wholesome nutrients, local and seasonal ingredients, colorful presentations, and unique flavors and textures. It’s a true honor to serve our community, so I hope that you will come see us and cultivate your own wellness ritual this year!

Café Evergreen is located at 801 S Tamiami Trail, Nokomis. The juice and smoothie bar is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The café is open for both lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Breakfast is served on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 941412-4334 or visit CafeEvergreen.net.

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Fads: A Heart-Healthy Diet that Actually Works

by Dr. Fred Harvey

In my clinical practice, I often meet patients who feel overwhelmed by conflicting nutritional advice. One week it’s a carnivore diet. The next, it’s fasting windows. Then it’s keto, vegan, paleo, or some new hybrid of all three. For folks over the age of 50—especially those with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune conditions, or chronic inflammation—this confusion can be exhausting. The truth is, most trendy diets are short-term experiments. Your heart, however, needs a long-term strategy.

I consistently return to a dietary pattern rooted in decades of research: a hybrid of both the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and Mediterranean diets. This approach isn’t trendy, but it is therapeutic. Originally formulated to lower blood pressure, DASH quickly proved to be far more powerful. When combined with Mediterranean eating habits—built around healthy fats, fish, olive oil, nuts, legumes, and abundant vegetables—it becomes an effective anti-inflammatory approach. And

inflammation is the real story.

Why Inflammation Matters

Most chronic disease is inflammatory at its core. Hypertension, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and even depression have inflammatory components. When we lower dietary inflammation, we reduce the burden on the cardiovascular system. The DASH-Mediterranean pattern emphasizes the following foods:

• Vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidants and polyphenols

• Whole grains that promote metabolic stability

• Lean proteins and omega-3-rich fish

• Healthy fats from olive oil and nuts

• Legumes and fiber to enhance gut health

This pattern naturally lowers sodium, improves cholesterol profiles, stabilizes blood sugar, and lowers vascular inflammation. Clinical data shows it can reduce heart failure risk by up to 50 percent, lower blood pressure within two weeks, and significantly

decrease the risk of suffering from a stroke. But what matters most to me in practice is that it’s sustainable. Patients can live this way without a sense of deprivation.

The Problem with Restrictive Trends

Time-restricted eating has gained enormous traction in recent years, but newer data cautions against this approach. A 2024 study with over 20,000 adults found that those who followed an eight-hour eating window had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular mortality, compared to those who ate over a longer window. While early research showed metabolic benefits, we must evaluate the longterm outcomes—especially for older adults.

The carnivore diet presents a different concern. While some folks do report short-term weight loss, eliminating plant foods removes essential nutrients—fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, phytonutrients—that are critical for cardiovascular health and gut function. Elevated LDL cholesterol is common in long-term adherence, raising cardiovascular risk.

Even well-intentioned elimination diets can become harmful if not done strategically. Excessive restriction can impair hormone balance, reduce microbiome diversity, and increase stress around eating. Stress, as we know, is inflammatory.

Where Anti-Inflammatory and Elimination Diets Fit

This does not mean elimination diets have no role in wellness. In functional medicine, we often use targeted elimination protocols—not for weight loss, but to identify certain food sensitivities contributing to inflammation. The key word here is, “targeted.”

Rather than guesswork, we use functional testing to evaluate markers of inflammation, gut health integrity, insulin resistance, lipid particle size, and micronutrient status. This allows us to personalize dietary adjustments, rather than adopting a one-size-fitsall trend. In many cases, patients don’t need extreme restriction. They need refinement.

Sustainability Is the Real Medicine

The DASH-Mediterranean diet works because it mirrors nutritional patterns associated with longevity. It nourishes rather than deprives. It reduces inflammation without causing stress. It also promotes cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive health simultaneously.

As I often remind patients, sustainable health is not about winning a short-term diet challenge. It’s about building a metabolic environment that allows your body to heal. If you’re dealing with heart disease, blood pressure concerns, metabolic syndrome, or simply want to age with clarity and strength, you don’t have to resort to extremes. Instead choose balance, evidence, and sustainability. In a world full of conflicting dietary noise, the most powerful choice might just be the quiet, consistent one.

Dr. Fred Harvey is the Medical Director at Functional Medicine Florida, now offering 100 percent telehealth care. Quadruple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Functional Medicine, and Holistic-Integrative Medicine, Dr. Harvey helps patients across the U.S. recover from chronic illness, optimize health, and thrive at each stage of life. He also hosts Tampa Bay’s number-one health program, ”The Healthy Steps Radio Show,” where he shares real solutions for modern health challenges. Learn more or schedule a virtual consultation at FunctionalMedicineFlorida.com.

Integrative Overview of Digestive Disorders

by Christina Captain, DAOM, Dipl. Ac., L.Ac.

Digestive complaints are some of the most common reasons to seek out medical care. Bloating, gas, reflux, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, food sensitivities, and unpredictable bowel habits can erode quality of life.

Many folks have doctors tell them their labs are “normal,” then leave with acid blockers, laxatives, or advice to manage their stress. While medications can be helpful, they do not always resolve the deeper imbalances beneath certain symptoms. A more comprehensive approach that combines functional stool testing, acupuncture, and an anti-inflammatory diet can offer meaningful, sustainable change.

Digestive disorders range from common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic constipation to more complex inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. Even without formal diagnosis, chronic digestive discomfort often reflects imbalances in gut motility, microbiome diversity, immune function, or nervous system regulation.

The gastrointestinal tract is not an isolated tube. It is deeply connected to the immune system, the brain, and systemic inflammation. Approximately 70 percent of the immune system resides inside the gut. However, when the digestive system is inflamed or dysregulated,

symptoms can extend beyond the abdomen and manifest as fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, headaches, mood changes, or brain fog.

The Role of Functional Stool Testing

Traditional stool tests can identify acute infections, but functional stool testing looks deeper to evaluate microbiome composition, inflammation markers (such as calprotectin or lactoferrin), digestive function markers (including pancreatic elastase and fat absorption), short-chain fatty acids, yeast overgrowth or parasites, and immune strength markers (such as secretory IgA).

This level of insight allows practitioners to identify patterns such as dysbiosis (microbial imbalance), low digestive enzyme output, chronic inflammation, or compromised gut immunity. Rather than suppressing symptoms, functional medicine practitioners ask why those issues occur to begin with.

For example, chronic bloating could reflect methane-producing bacteria that slow motility. Persistent loose stools could correlate with low pancreatic enzymes or elevated inflammatory markers. Recurrent infections could signal low secretory IgA and immune depletion. These patterns inform targeted nutritional, herbal, and lifestyle interventions. Functional testing does not replace conventional

diagnostics when red flags are present, but it offers a valuable layer of precision when symptoms are chronic and unexplained. My favorite stool test is GI MAP from diagnostic solutions labs.

Acupuncture and Digestive Regulation

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to regulate digestive function. In East Asian Medicine, digestive disorders are often viewed in terms of spleen Qi deficiency, the liver overacting on the spleen, dampness accumulation, or heat in the stomach and intestines. While this terminology differs from Western medicine, the clinical goal is similar—restore balance, reduce inflammation, and normalize motility.

Modern research shows acupuncture can influence the autonomic nervous system, helping shift the body from a stress-dominant sympathetic state into a parasympathetic “rest and digest” state. Chronic stress significantly impairs digestion, which alters gastric acid secretion, gut motility, and microbial balance.

From a physiologic standpoint, acupuncture could improve vagal tone, reduce inflammatory cytokines, normalize peristalsis, and modulate pain signaling. Clinically, patients often report reduced bloating, more predictable bowel movements, and a calmer nervous system after a series of treatments.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Nutrition is foundational. The foods we eat

directly influence gut bacteria, immune activation, and systemic inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods, colorful vegetables and fruits, high-quality protein, healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber to support beneficial bacteria. This diet also limits refined sugars, ultra-processed foods, excess alcohol, industrial seed oils, and artificial preservatives.

Many patients benefit from a Mediterranean-style pattern of eating, rich in plant diversity and phytonutrients. In certain cases, short-term elimination strategies can also be beneficial such as a reduction in gluten, dairy, or highly fermentable carbohydrates, depending on symptoms and test results.

Food is not just fuel—it is also information. Nutrition signals immune cells, feeds microbes, and shapes inflammatory pathways. An anti-inflammatory diet helps calm intestinal permeability, stabilize blood sugar, and promote microbial diversity.

An Integrative Approach

When functional stool testing identifies microbial imbalance or inflammatory markers, the plan can then be personalized. Dysbiosis (gut imbalances) might be treated with targeted botanicals, probiotics, and dietary fiber adjustments. Low pancreatic elastase might benefit from digestive enzyme support. Elevated inflammatory markers might require anti-inflammatory nutrients and careful dietary modification.

Acupuncture supports this process by

increasing motility, calming stress, and enhancing circulation to the abdominal organs. Diet sustains long-term improvements by feeding beneficial microbes and reducing inflammation. Together, these approaches help create synergy. Instead of chasing symptoms, we can resolve root patterns.

Digestive health is central to vitality. When the gut is inflamed or imbalanced, it can influence hormones, immunity, cardiovascular risk, or even mood. By combining functional assessment, acupuncture, and anti-inflammatory nutrition, we move past fleeting symptom suppression toward deeper restoration.

When digestion improves, energy, sleep, mental clarity, and even joint comfort often do as well. The gut is not separate from the rest of the body—it is foundational. Digestive symptoms are signals, not inconveniences to silence. When we listen carefully and use the right tools, optimal healing becomes possible.

Dr. Captain is a highly skilled expert in the field of Acupuncture. She has performed over 200,000 patient treatments in her career which spans over two decades. In addition to lecturing and teaching across the country and globe, her practice in Sarasota serves as a training facility for healthcare practitioners all over the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Captain’s knowledge and enthusiasm for wellness has earned her a nationwide reputation as a qualified lecturer, keynote speaker, and expert teacher. For more information, visit ScanSRQ. com or call 941-951-1119.

Relief for Chronic Concussion Symptoms

by Eric Winder, D.C.

Most concussion injuries are mild, and the symptoms heal quickly. However, for some folks, concussion symptoms can last for months or even years.  Headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and neck pain are just some of the problems that can persist. Fortunately, these chronic symptoms are often relieved by gentle fascia release therapies.

In the United States, over three million people suffer from concussions each year. These injuries are mostly diagnosable by symptoms because concussion does not show on MRI or CT scans. This lack of test findings means that when symptoms from such a mild brain injury last beyond the normal recovery time, the reason is usually unknown. Based on my clinical experience, though, one reason is altered tension in connective tissue called fascia.

Fascia is fibrous tissue that covers other bodily tissues such as muscles, bones,

blood vessels, organs, and the brain and spinal cord. Impact injuries can result in increased stiffness in the fascia, which often lasts long after the injury heals. Gentle treatments to release this stiffness can offer chronic pain relief, including in cases of past head injury.

As an example, a short while ago, a patient I will refer to as Bill came into our office for help with lower back pain and concussion symptoms that began six months prior. Bill was concussed when standing up from a crouched position, hitting his head on an open cabinet door. While the nausea and disorientation from the initial injury had since passed, he still dealt with frequent headaches, neck pain, dizziness, and lack of concentration at times.

On examination, Bill presented with stiff fascia at the top of his skull, as well as on both sides of his upper neck and mid-back. Because “position sense” for coordinated

motion comes from fascia, this stiffening can disturb position sense, which causes abnormal muscle tension and joint alignment. This can result in pain and other uncomfortable symptoms.

After one treatment, the intensity of Bill’s headaches were already starting to diminish. Over the course of several visits, his mental focus returned to normal, the headaches and lower back pain disappeared entirely, and his neck stiffness also improved.

Bill was surprised that he achieved so much relief from a gentle hands-on therapy.  Because the stiffness in fascia from injury is caused by the nervous system, treatment does not require much force. The therapy used in our office utilizes precise, light pressure to relax the tight fascia. When explaining this to patients, I often compare the treatment to fixing a dent in a can. The tissue is returned to normal, and it remains that way.

Once again, the reason that fascial stiffening can contribute to head injury symptoms is likely due to glitches in proprioception, or position sense. Because most of the nerve endings for position sense are held within fascia, the stiffening from a head impact can cause subtle confusion in the body’s position sense, leading to abnormal muscle tension, nerve irritation, dizziness and other symptoms.

Gentle fascia release therapy can be an effective way to treat chronic symptoms from a past concussion. If you or a loved one suffer from lasting, unresolved symptoms after a head injury, I recommend an evaluation by a practitioner who is experienced in using fascial therapy for this kind of problem.

Eric Winder, D.C., uses gentle manual therapy and rehab techniques to help patients with a wide range of pain and injury problems. Dr. Winder has been in practice for 28 years, and his office is located in the Gulf Gate area of Sarasota. For more information, call 941957-8390 or visit Gentlebay.com.

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We are all born with stem cells. These are the fundamental building block cells that go on to turn into all the other specialized cells in our bodies-skin, muscles, bones, blood, and all of our organs. By utilizing the right stem cells, the body has the ability to repair its damaged or weakened parts.

Stem cells multiply every 28 hours and they do this about 65 cycles. Therefore creating a lot of cells to regenerate, repair, and replace damaged tissue. For example, if cells are injected into the knee they can become cartilage. If injected into the shoulder, they can become ligaments or tendons. Wherever you inject them they become that type of tissue.

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Using Food To Heal

A Look at Anti-Inflammatory and Elimination Diets

by Hannah Tytus

There is a growing movement to use food as a primary means for preventing and managing disease. Before reaching for pharmaceuticals or even supplements, people are seeking healing on the plate. According to a 2024 academic article in the Nature Partner Journal Science of Food, scientific advances in our understanding of nutrition at the cellular level are driving a food-first strategy. Key micronutrients have been identified to reduce inflammation and promote cellular regeneration and repair, prompting practitioners to champion dietary modifications that soothe chronic symptoms, repair gut integrity, rewire immune signaling and reach metabolic balance.

“Healing the gut is the backbone of my practice,” says Lorraine Maita, M.D., a triple board-certified internal, integrative and functional medicine specialist who helps patients harmonize their hormones and detoxify their bodies through her Restore & Rejuvenate program at The Feel Good Institute. Whether a patient needs to lose weight, have more energy, regain their focus or sleep better, Maita’s approach centers on eliminating foods that trigger inflammation and replacing them with deeply nourishing ingredients.

Dianne Moore, a functional nutrition coach, restorative health practitioner and founder of MooreBetterFood, asks her clients to keep a food and symptom journal to diagnose the

underlying causes of their health challenges. Writing down a detailed description of each meal, as well as the time and how the body responds 30 minutes after eating—including energy levels and any digestion issues or discomfort—helps make patterns more visible without requiring testing.

Anti-Inflammatory Food Protocols

Inflammation is the body’s first line of defense against dangerous pathogens, damaged cells and irritants, as well as a crucial biological process for healing and recovery from injuries and infections. However, problems arise when the immune system remains activated all the time. Chronic inflammation is linked to many health issues, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders and autoimmune conditions, according to a 2024 article in Cells.

A 2023 article published by the medical education platform StatPearls notes that an anti-inflammatory diet is one of many interventions that help calm an overactive immune response. Two of the most popular such diets are the Mediterranean Diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet, which prioritize fruits and vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats and proteins sourced from legumes and lean meats. Inflammatory foods including highly processed products, high-fat dairy, refined grains and sugars, artificial sweeteners and industrial seed oils are significantly reduced or eliminated.

Staying well-hydrated and pairing carbohydrates with protein, fiber or fat help keep blood sugar steady—further reducing inflammatory stress, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center. An anti-inflammatory food protocol is best

viewed as a long-term foundation, rather than a strict diet.

Elimination Diets

According to Maita, “People that have experienced trauma, infections or general inflammation may become more sensitive to food. Some individuals may even be sensitive to healthy whole foods. Identifying which foods are contributing to common symptoms can be challenging. This is where elimination diets can be helpful.”

An elimination diet is a short-term process that removes specific foods from the diet and then slowly adds them back in while observing changes in symptoms, according to a 2024 educational article published by StatPearls. These diets are commonly used to identify food intolerances or sensitivities and to manage conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, allergic skin reactions and other inflammatory or digestive issues.

Most elimination diets focus on common food allergens including wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, animal milk, eggs, soy, fish and shellfish.

“A functional medicine elimination diet may also include eliminating corn, all dairy and any artificial ingredients,” says Maita. The process typically begins with an elimination phase, during which these foods are fully removed. This can range from a few days to several weeks in more structured protocols. Even short eliminations can help people notice connections between what they eat and how they feel.

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After the elimination period, foods are reintroduced one at a time. If symptoms return after adding a specific food back in, it may be contributing to the problem. Maita notes that the goal is not long-term restriction, but awareness—identifying which foods support health and which may need to be limited or avoided.

Elimination diets work best when they are time-limited and intentional. Staying on restrictive diets too long can lead to nutrient gaps or stress around food, which is why reintroduction and practitioner guidance are important. If symptoms do not improve, the information gained can help determine whether further testing is needed. Used thoughtfully, elimination diets are a practical and accessible tool within a food-first framework.

When To Seek Practitioner Support

According to Maita, an elimination diet can be both therapeutic and diagnostic. The response—or lack thereof—to dietary changes can help clarify whether food is playing a meaningful role in a person’s symptoms, while also informing next steps in care. Additional testing may be necessary to provide more individualized guidance. Maita points out that the interpretation of results is most effective when ordered and reviewed by a trained practitioner that can analyze the data within the context of the patient’s symptom history, diet, lifestyle and stress patterns.

Some of her patients experience a Herxheimer reaction involving a flu-like worsening of symptoms, constipation or extreme cravings. These changes are most often temporary and do not pose a serious risk to health, and she has strategies to prevent or eliminate these reactions. It is helpful to have a roadmap, along with tips for getting through the discomfort. When detox reactions hit, Maita recommends that patients slow down, rest, hydrate with lemon water and spend some time at the sauna or in an Epsom salt bath.

Healing Our Relationship to Food

A key goal of food-first approaches is maintaining a healthy relationship with food. Practitioners encourage their patients to celebrate the foods they can add to their diet, rather than mourn what has been taken away. This includes the rainbow of delicious produce options they

can have on every plate, a rotating selection of proteins and even new ingredients such as venison or bison.

For some patients, elimination diets can open doors to unexpected favorite foods. Moore shares how one patient that discovered she had a sensitivity to salmon, which she loved, found cod—a new fish to enjoy. These experiences help broaden perspectives and reduce feelings of deprivation. Keeping food enjoyable means finding creative alternatives. For example, someone that cannot tolerate garlic bulbs may be able to infuse garlic into oil to capture flavor and nutrients without any associated symptoms.

Food is at the center of all sorts of celebrations and rituals, whether shared with friends and family, or enjoyed alone as an act of self-care. Moore coaches clients that are following an elimination diet to plan ahead for social settings. This may include reviewing a menu online for an upcoming restaurant outing; bringing a diet-compliant dish to a potluck dinner to be enjoyed and shared with others; or politely letting a party host know of any dietary restrictions well in advance of the event. “Most people want to cheer you on if you’re doing something for your health,” she says.

Maita also cautions against setting unrealistic goals. “We are looking for progress, not perfection. You will never reach perfection—relax. Experiment with it,” she says, adding that she has seen patients succumb to orthorexia, a disordered obsession with healthy eating. She also notes that eating the same foods every day can induce or worsen sensitivities. Joyful variety, supportive relationships and flexibility are essential parts of healing.

Food-first approaches are ultimately about discovering what helps the body thrive. Elimination diets and anti-inflammatory protocols offer powerful tools for uncovering sensitivities, reducing inflammation and restoring balance. By focusing on small, sustainable changes, individuals can build a foundation for long-term wellness, vitality and resilience.

Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, former writer at the National Institutes of Health and host of the Root Shock podcast, exploring our understanding of health.

Stress-Free Fitness

The Role of the Nervous System in Exercise Recovery

by Marlaina Donato

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, stabilize blood sugar levels, improve body composition and combat depression, but, during times of stress, it can become counterproductive. Chronic stress triggers a steady release of hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, keeping the sympathetic nervous system in overdrive. Hitting the gym too hard or too often when we have too much on our plate disrupts the vagus nerve’s ability to shift gears and bring the body back into balance. This is when we might notice fat storage (particularly around the belly), an increased appetite, fatigue, systemic inflammation and lack of muscle gain.

“If you are working out hard and constantly stressed, you are basically fighting against yourself,” says Stephanie Mansour, a Today Show fitness contributor who also provides daily motivation on her fitness app, Step It Up With Steph. “During this time, your cortisol levels spike and make it harder for your body to use insulin properly, which slows down fat burning and even breaks down the muscle that you have been working so hard to gain.”

Feeling wired but tired, experiencing mood swings and getting sick more often are signs

that it might be time to dial things back and focus more on recovery. To initiate a parasympathetic response—the other branch of the autonomic nervous system that helps the body reset—it might be a good time to consider alternative forms of exercise and a diet rich in nourishing foods. Stanford Lifestyle Medicine recommends moderate cardio exercises such as walking, swimming, cycling or light jogging, along with restorative practices like yoga, breathwork, tai chi and Pilates.

Move To Reset and Rest To Recharge

Cindy Brauer, the founder of Mojo Fitness, in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, advocates for a combination of rhythmic flow exercises, followed by intentional cooldowns to activate the parasympathetic system and strengthen vagal integrity. “Different movement styles speak different languages to the nervous system,” she explains. “Our HIIT-based dance fitness techniques provide a powerful sympathetic challenge. We use creative, ever-changing movement patterns that intentionally elevate heart rate, engage the lungs and stimulate the brain, helping trigger the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a crucial protein that supports brain health, learning and adaptability.”

At the end of each class, Brauer leads participants through a series of extensive stretches, balance exercises and breathing techniques. She emphasizes the importance of consistent routines that strike a balance between predictability and flexibility, enabling the nervous system to feel secure while preserving its capacity for movement.

For nervous system regulation, Mansour recommends a combination of HIIT and yoga or stretching, acknowledging that individual needs may vary at different times. “When balanced, both types of modalities can sustain energy levels throughout the day and facilitate relaxation and unwinding at night, creating a

workout system that works best for you.”

In addition to switching up routines, complementary strategies include saunas, cold plunges for vagal tone enhancement and somatic therapies such as myofascial release. Resting without external stimuli like smartphone scrolling can have far-reaching benefits, too. “I encourage my clients to prioritize sleep,” says Mansour. She recommends aiming for seven to nine hours of slumber per night. To enhance sleep quality and counteract stress, she suggests incorporating a few minutes of meditation, outdoor walks or five minutes of stretching every day.

Food Factors

A 2024 study published in the journal Nutrients underscores the pivotal role of nutrition in post-exercise recovery. It emphasizes the significance of consuming adequate nutrients to replenish glycogen stores, repair muscle tissue, lower inflammation and bolster the immune system. Supporting a healthy microbiome by eating prebiotic-rich foods like oats, apples and flaxseeds can enhance nutrient absorption and aid recovery, especially after exercise. Anti-inflammatory foods rich in healthy fats, including walnuts, eggs, omega-3-rich fish and avocados, will help balance the nervous system.

Brauer highlights the importance of consuming healthy carbs, which support the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter and hormone that regulates happiness and calmness. Her other recommendations include staying hydrated, getting enough minerals (particularly magnesium and potassium) and practicing mindfulness. “Slowing down at mealtime, chewing fully and eating without constant distractions sends a powerful signal to the vagus nerve that it’s safe to rest and digest,” she adds.

Mansour’s go-to recovery foods include salmon and colorful fruits and veggies that are naturally packed with vitamins and antioxidants. She also reminds us to maintain stable blood sugar levels by eating protein every few hours to prevent sugar cravings or other uncomfortable symptoms of low or high sugar such as fatigue, dizziness, irritability, headaches and weakness.

Marlaina Donato is an author, artist and musician. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.

Fiber’s Fun Side

Delicious Ways To Boost Daily Intake

by Maya Whitman

Studies consistently show that the vast majority of Americans fail to consume enough fiber in their diet, even though it has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and colorectal cancer. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that adults aim for 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed, which is about 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men daily. Adequate fiber is indispensable for lowering inflammation and maintaining digestive, cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Many of us believe that fiber-rich foods are unappetizing and difficult to digest, when in fact, they can be versatile and enjoyable components of a well-rounded diet. “Across cultures, some of the most comforting and flavorful dishes are naturally high in fiber. These meals rely on legumes, vegetables and whole foods as their foundation, and have

done so long before fiber became a nutrition buzzword,” says Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Nichole Dandrea-Russert, author of The Fiber Effect and co-author of Powered by Plants: Nutrient-Loaded 30-Minute Meals to Help You Thrive.

Soluble and Insoluble Fibers

According to the Mayo Clinic, soluble fiber—which dissolves in water and forms a gel-like material in the stomach—slows digestion and increases feelings of fullness, helping us to control our weight and lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It is found in beans, oats, apples, bananas, avocados, citrus fruits and carrots. Insoluble fiber, which does not dissolve in water, helps to move material through the digestive system and adds bulk to stool, helping to prevent constipation and promote regularity. It is found in nuts, beans and vegetables such as cauliflower and potatoes. Most plants have a

combination of soluble and insoluble fiber.

Boosting Our Daily Intake

Given all the wonderful fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, beans and legumes available, adding fiber is easy, as well as an opportunity to play with flavors, colors and textures. For crunch, color and a refreshing taste, nothing beats a good slaw with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, green apples, turnip greens and spicy radishes. Sushi roll-ups served with wild rice, avocado and baked sweet potato is a filling, complete meal. To satisfy our sweet tooth, fiber-rich Medjool dates filled with raw pistachios, creamy nut and seed butters or tangy goat cheese hit the spot.

“Fiber comes in a few different forms, and most plant foods contain a mix of them, so you don’t need to overthink it,” explains Sandra Turnbull, a registered dietician and owner of Midlife Nutrition and Coaching, in British Columbia, Canada. “You don’t need to track fiber types. Eating a variety of plant foods naturally gives you the mix your body needs.”

Turnbull points out the variety of textures associated with fiber, including the crunch of vegetables, the creaminess of beans and the chewiness of whole grains. For fiber-rich snacking, her favorite options include popcorn, edamame pods and yogurt with berries. She also highlights the significance of prebiotic fiber, a dietary ally that nourishes beneficial gut bacteria and is found in onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, bananas, oats and beans.

Dandrea-Russert recommends adding at least three plant-based colors into each meal, such as blueberries, banana and chia seeds into oatmeal; arugula, tomato and red onion in a sandwich; or sprouts, greens and shredded carrots into a wrap. To start the day, her “avocado toast salad” consists of mashed avocado on whole-grain sourdough, topped with arugula, matchstick radish, red onion, shaved ginger, fresh herbs, sprouts and microgreens, all drizzled with a squeeze of lemon. She favors a handful of nuts or

toasted chickpeas as a healthier alternative to chips.

With fruits, Dandrea-Russert stresses the importance of consuming the skins, particularly those of organic apples, kiwis and grapes, as they offer the benefits of insoluble fiber. In general, she prioritizes whole-food, minimally processed sources of fiber-rich foods, noting, “We’re not just consuming fiber in isolation; we’re benefiting from the full spectrum of compounds that work synergistically in the body.”

General Tips

According to Dandrea-Russert, mild bloating or gas is a normal initial response to consuming fiber and often indicates that beneficial gut bacteria are waking up and thriving. With consistency and patience, digestion typically becomes more comfortable and resilient.

Turnbull advocates for a gradual approach to increasing fiber intake, emphasizing the importance of chewing foods thoroughly and introducing one higher-fiber food at a time to allow the gut to adjust. “Fiber and fluids work best as a team,” she adds. “When people increase fiber without drinking enough, they’re more likely to run into trouble with bloating or constipation. Sip water regularly throughout the day, rather than chugging it all at once.” Incorporating foods with natural fluid content like soups, stews, smoothies or juicy fruits can also help.

Soaking dried beans for 12 to 24 hours and discarding the soaking water before cooking in fresh water can enhance digestibility. Adding a piece of kombu seaweed or spices like ginger, cumin, fennel, coriander seeds or bay leaf to the beans’ cooking water can help reduce gas-producing compounds while subtly enhancing the flavor. Drinking peppermint tea or chewing fresh rosemary leaves after meals can relax digestive muscles and alleviate discomfort.

Adding fiber to our diet is an opportunity to discover new culinary experiences and marvel at the amazing variety of nourishing options. Dandrea-Russert says, “Pausing to feel gratitude for the thousands of edible plants available to us with fiber as their foundation can shift how we relate to food.” Maya Whitman is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings.

Sustainable Pantry Solutions

Maximize Space, Minimize Waste

by Zak Logan

Clutter and disorganization can be a source of stress, while a tidy space promotes efficiency and mental well-being. In the kitchen, a well-ordered pantry aids meal planning, but a sustainable one goes even further, safeguarding our health and the planet. Revamping food storage can be as simple as using glass jars for grains or as innovative as adding hanging baskets and shelf risers for more space. Choosing reusable, eco-friendly containers and adopting an efficient system to prevent waste can nourish us in unexpected ways.

“A calm, well-organized pantry reduces decision fatigue and makes home cooking feel manageable rather than overwhelming,” says Nassim Secci, owner of The Happy Space Company, in Hong Kong. “When nutritious ingredients are easy to see and reach, they naturally become the default option.”

Start With the Basics

A busy schedule can make us forget what is at the back of the cupboard. Secci suggests the simplest and most impactful first step is to take everything out and inventory what is already there. “Most pantries aren’t unsustainable because of what’s in them, but because of what’s forgotten. When items are hidden or duplicated, we overbuy, waste food and lose track of expiration dates.” Secci encourages clients to consider what they truly use and consistently waste before buying new containers or reorganizing.

Keep Items Fresh

Designate specific shelves or areas as “use first” zones to minimize food waste and overbuying, helping to ensure freshness. For Joana Fernandes, founder of Sage Home Harmony, in San Francisco, visibility is key. “Use clear jars with labels. Color coding helps. Keep items you use often on easy-tograb shelves and items you use infrequently on a higher shelf. For example, I had a client who only bakes during the holidays, so baking items were kept higher. When she was ready to bake this year, all items were in one place, and she double-checked her inventory before shopping.”

Fernandes prefers airtight metal or glass containers; for flour, sugar and rice, she uses food-grade stainless steel locking buckets, which are rodent- and pest-resistant. Classic Ball and Bormioli Rocco glass jars add a timeless touch to any pantry shelf, while silicone storage brands like Stasher and ZipTop offer versatility and color options.

Group similar items together at eye level, especially everyday grains, cereals, breakfast items, flours and sugars. Reserve a special shelf for locally sourced products like honey and specialty items for practicality and a sense of connection.

Optimize Space

For those without a walk-in pantry, use bookcases to create pantry shelves in a dining room, kitchen or even an unused coat closet. A metal over-the-door rack or canvas organizer can hold spices, herbs, condiments, oils and small items, especially in galley kitchens. Other vertical storage ideas include lazy Susan towers, stackable containers and under-shelf drawers for canned goods and bulk items. Tiered shelving or risers prevent items from disappearing at the back.

Although storing food in glass and metal containers thwarts ants and mice, cleaning the storage area regularly with a natural solution is advisable. Secci recommends a simple vinegar and water solution for shelf cleaning, baking soda for odors, and

essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus on cotton pads or in sachets to deter pests.

The Bigger Picture

Focus on organic whole foods and fair-trade items, and source ingredients from local businesses and farmers markets. Shifting our mindset adds abundance to our lives when we use leftovers, compost, buy in bulk and support brands with ethical, regenerative practices.

Add a personal touch by hanging dried herbs or flowers or a whimsical kitchen witch over pantry shelves. For convenience, Fernandes suggests keeping a running list of needed items using an app or pen and paper to stay organized before shopping.

Zak Logan is a freelance writer dedicated to healthier living.

Readings Reiki Circles Classes and More Explore the Treasures

Monday Meditation (door closes 6pm)

Wednesday Wisdom Share (door closes 6pm)

Please call to inquire about upcoming classes . 734 - 564 - 6828

The nourishment of body is food, while the nourishment of the soul is feeding others.

Monday Meditation Night 6pm Weekly. All are welcome to come itation practices as we allow spirit to guide us. Come gather conne sibilities. Arrive early, doors close at 6pm to honor our sacred space, Speaks 411 W. Dearborn St. Englewood ~ IamMsKitty.com 734-464

—Ali ibn Abi Talib

Wednesday Wisdom Share 6pm Weekly. A gathering of “Light-minded meets to honor and support each other weekly. We are all awakening

Whether you are just becoming aware or have been on your path. space to share. Bring your stories and experiences and questions Arrive early, doors close at 6pm to honor our sacred space. Love donations Spirit Speaks 411 W. Dearborn St. Englewood ~ IamMsKitty.com

Data-Driven Wellness

Functional Lab Testing To Personalize a Healthy Lifestyle

by Hannah Tytus

Functional lab testing extends beyond conventional tests to assess body systems such as gut function, hormone balance, nutrient absorption and detoxification. By analyzing a broader range of biomarkers and using wider reference ranges, practitioners can design personalized nutrition, lifestyle and supplement strategies that address the underlying drivers of health.

When applied judiciously, functional testing empowers patients with actionable insights, guiding them toward improved digestion, nutrient utilization, hormonal balance and overall well-being. Dr. Aumatma Simmons, a double board-certified naturopathic doctor and endocrinologist, underscores the importance of collaborating with a professional before undertaking functional lab testing to save time, money and confusion. Not all tests are equally reliable, and an experienced practitioner can help separate the fluff from the facts.

“I do not like to over-test because of the expense. If an elimination diet brings symptom relief, for example, then less testing

and fewer supplements are needed,” states Lorraine Maita, M.D., an internal, integrative and functional medicine specialist at The Feel Good Institute.

Limits of Conventional Lab Work

“Conventional lab testing is designed based on averages, and those averages are not always what’s optimal,” explains Simmons, noting that many conventional reference ranges are broad, encompassing a diverse population without specifying what truly constitutes ideal health. From a functional perspective, she says, lab tests are interpreted with a focus on optimizing health, rather than merely adhering to the normal range.

According to Maita, another limitation of conventional lab tests is that they solely indicate the presence of nutrients in the bloodstream without providing insight into the body’s actual absorption or utilization of those nutrients. “Just because you’re eating healthy does not mean that food is being digested, absorbed and assimilated. A lot of

blocks can happen along the way,” she explains, adding that functional lab testing adds more detail to help clarify what is really going on in the body.

Common Functional Testing

Stool

Test for Gut and Immune Function:

A stool test examines the presence and absence of microorganisms to gain a better understanding of the gut microbiome within the body. In addition to taking a census of the various beneficial bacteria, this test also assesses the presence or absence of specific digestive enzymes, parasites, worms, yeast or inflammation markers. In Maita’s practice, this test allows her team to provide personalized, precision medical care to address microbiome imbalances and immunological stressors.

Food Sensitivity Testing: These tests are designed to assess the immune system’s reaction to specific foods or food additives. The Mediator Release Test (MRT), used by Simmons, “looks at all of the specific white blood cells in the body and how they respond to a specific food,” she explains. Unlike allergy tests that detect immediate reactions, the MRT identifies delayed immune responses that may cause bloating, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, skin issues or other chronic symptoms. According to Simmons, the results guide personalized dietary modifications to reduce inflammation and enhance overall wellness.

Maita notes, “Food sensitivity testing is sometimes helpful for people who can’t tell what their trigger foods are by just doing an elimination diet. I like to use the Vibrant Wellness test. It will show them if they’ve made antibodies to food, which suggests how well they might do when they remove those foods.”

Functional Nutrient Test: While conventional testing measures the presence of nutrients in the bloodstream, an intracellular

blood test—also known as micronutrient testing or functional nutrient testing—measures nutrient levels within red and white blood cells, thus determining whether nutrients are being properly absorbed and utilized by the body.

“A lot of people are taking supplements, but their GI [gastrointestinal system] isn’t absorbing any of it,” Simmons points out, highlighting how functional testing can uncover hidden inefficiencies that standard blood tests and supplementation alone might miss. Citing the trending supplement CoQ10 as an example, she notes that a functional nutrient test may suggest that a patient should take a different form of the supplement for better absorption.

Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hor-

mones (DUTCH): This test provides a comprehensive analysis of adrenal and sex hormone function. Unlike conventional cortisol tests, the DUTCH measures levels four times throughout the day and evaluates cortisol metabolites to explain how the body produces, converts and eliminates cortisol each day.

The DUTCH is also invaluable as a way of mapping the body’s ability to process estrogen. “This is critical because symptoms often attributed to estrogen dominance—such as breast tenderness, irritability, premenstrual syndrome and sub-fertility—are frequently caused, not by excess estrogen itself, but by metabolite buildup or impaired clearance pathways, in which case specialized diindolylmethane (DIM) supplements would be prescribed to support estrogen metabolism,” Simmons explains. “This illustrates why the professional interpretation of DUTCH testing is essential: because it shows whether a hormone imbalance is truly about excess, impaired metabolism or faulty elimination, allowing interventions to be tailored accurately, rather than relying on generalized supplement advice.”

Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, former writer at the National Institutes of Health and host of the Root Shock podcast, exploring our understanding of health.

Serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties - and the World through Healing, Education and Enlightenment

Embracing the New Paradigms of our Awakening Consciousness: Divine Connection, Ascended Masters, Alternative Healings, Lightwork, Meditations, Channeling, Mediumship, Shamanism, UFOs, Special Guest Speakers and much more... For information about classes, services and special events please go to: CCOSL.com Please visit us on FB and Instagram

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The Hydration Habit

Helping Kids Thrive With Every Sip

by Christina Connors

Hydration is one of the most overlooked pillars of children’s health, even though it affects nearly every aspect of how they think, feel and function. Because kids have a higher percentage of total body water, approximately 65 to 80 percent, even slight dehydration can ripple through their day in ways both subtle and significant. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends four cups of fluids daily for 1-to-3-year-olds, five cups for 4-to-8-year-olds and seven to eight cups for older children. Plain water is the best choice.

Hydration Hurdles

Kids face unique physiological challenges when it comes to staying hydrated. A 2025 systematic literature review in Children revealed that youngsters are frequently

dehydrated. About 81 percent of the studies reported dehydration among child athletes, while 69 percent of the studies observed dehydration in non-athletic children, as well.

“In adults, a loss of 2 percent body weight in fluids has adverse effects, but in children, those negative effects are thought to occur at only a 1 percent loss,” explains Heather Mangieri, a registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Fueling Young Athletes: Essential Foods and Fluids for Game Day—and Every Day. Kids don’t always recognize when they’re thirsty. The youngest are especially susceptible to dehydration because they cannot independently communicate their thirst to caregivers or access fluids. School restrictions on bathroom breaks, limited water access and distractions all contribute to children falling behind on fluids.

Hidden Impacts on Brain and Body

“Research has shown that dehydration negatively impacts cognitive performance, particularly in the areas of attention, memory and focus,” says Mangieri. “When kids struggle to concentrate and process information, that can lead to learning challenges.”

A 2019 study published in The Journal of Nutrition involving 9-to-11-year-old participants demonstrated that four days of increased water intake led to improvements in working memory and cognitive flexibility— the mental ability to shift perspectives, adapt thinking and change strategies in response to new information or changing demands.

Yet signs of dehydration often go unnoticed. “Noticeable thirst is one sign, but other signs are vague and often missed,” explains Mangieri. “Less obvious signs are headache and lightheadedness, irritability, nausea, difficulty paying attention, weakness and fatigue.” She recommends monitoring urine color: pale yellow indicates good hydration, while dark yellow signals dehydration.

Adopting Lasting Practices

Small, consistent strategies can transform a child’s hydration status, and with it, their daily resilience. Start the day with water before breakfast. After hours of sleep, children wake naturally dehydrated. Create “sip-time” moments at predictable transitions, including when they return home from school, before homework and before bed.

“One of the best ways parents can help promote healthy drinking habits from a young age is by modeling the behavior themselves,” Mangieri counsels. “When kids see their parents filling up their water bottle, carrying it around and drinking from it, they are more likely to develop that habit, too.”

She also recommends letting kids choose and decorate their reusable water bottle. Because drinking out of a straw tends to increase the amount of water consumed without even realizing it, choosing a water bottle with a straw can help. Other fun ideas include colorful twisty straws, ice cube trays in fun shapes and adding juice from defrosted frozen berries for natural flavoring.

Hydrating foods are integral to good hydration. This includes fruits and vegetables with high water content such as cucumbers, watermelon, celery and tomatoes. “For kids that don’t care for plain fruit, it can be added to oatmeal or yogurt, or pureed and frozen into popsicles, or blended into a smoothie,” Mangieri suggests. “Soups and stews are also great options for picky eaters.”

Added Needs for Active Kids

With sports drinks marketed aggressively to young athletes, many parents wonder whether

electrolytes are truly necessary. Mangieri clarifies, “Children that eat a well-balanced diet and drink adequate fluids can most often get all of the nutrients they need without the use of electrolyte-replacement beverages.”

She notes that children participating in exhaustive exercise for more than an hour, especially in hot, humid weather, may benefit from electrolyte beverages. However, she explains, “Even active kids that sweat a lot can replace their losses without using an electrolyte drink. Since sodium is the main electrolyte lost in sweat, eating sodium-containing foods before and after activity, along with drinking water, can help replace what was lost in sweat.”

The Power of Small Changes

Hydration is foundational self-care supported by simple strategies: a reusable bottle, a morning routine, hydrating foods and consistent encouragement. These tools sharpen focus, stabilize mood, fuel energy and support growing bodies. Start this week with one change: a new, cool-looking water bottle, a morning hydration ritual or cucumber-and-mint-infused water in the fridge. Watch what unfolds when their bodies get what they need, sip by steady sip.

Christina Connors is a writer, keynote singer and workshop facilitator. Learn more at ChristinaConnors.com.

Gardening Our Dreams

by Marlaina Donato

Like spring seeds carried by the wind, we sometimes find ourselves in unfamiliar circumstances, unsure of how we arrived there. Whether we believe it to be chance or choice, it is up to us to seize opportunities for growth. When confronted with the unknown, uncertainty can yield to a sense of empowerment if we recall that each day presents a banquet of choices, and the small decisions we make daily are acts of self-nourishment.

Spring can be a clean slate—a fresh, thawed soil in which to sow something courageous and new. With the wisdom gained from our winters, we can travel forward, even if we don’t have a map to guide the way. In the beginning, all we need is a spark, and it is okay if no one else sees its potential to ignite.

The renowned artist and sculptor Michelangelo believed that every block of stone contains a masterpiece waiting to be discovered and set free. Seasoned gardeners meticulously plan their harvests long before the first warm days appear, stockpiling seed catalogs

and mapping out goals. Inspired chefs court flavor pairings, and expectant mothers design nurseries. Perhaps we need to remember that we are all creators in our own right and capable of trusting our own vision.

Many of our aspirations are thwarted by decision paralysis because we overanalyze and ignore intuition. A more promising path may be to combine passion with patience, allowing each small step to organically lead into another. Maintaining our focus in the present moment and keeping our eye on the path—rather than the destination—leaves room for an outcome more fruitful than we might have imagined.

This month’s to-do list:

• Trust inspiration.

• Start a journal to record ideas and build upon them.

• Cheer for someone else’s goals.

Marlaina Donato is an author, artist and composer. Connect at WildflowersAndWood Smoke.com.

Pet Reactions to Food How To Ease Their Discomfort

by Ruth Roberts, DVM, CVA, CVH, CVFT, NAN

Persistent itching, recurrent ear infections, digestive upset and dull coats are common in pets and often indicate a food reaction. Distinguishing food allergies from sensitivities can be confusing because their symptoms often overlap. However, understanding the difference is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, effective dietary strategies and better long-term outcomes.

Food allergies occur when the immune system misidentifies a normally harmless food as a threat and triggers an inflammatory response. According to a 2023 article published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association , when the immune system’s tolerance to food breaks down, the response involves either antibodies or immune cells like T-cells. Common symptoms include

persistent itching, recurrent skin or ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea or a combination of skin and tummy symptoms. Over time, even small amounts of the offending ingredient can provoke noticeable reactions.

Food sensitivities , also referred to as food intolerances, differ from food allergies because they do not involve antibodies or immune cells. Instead, food intolerance arises when foods overwhelm the pet’s digestive capacity, its metabolism or its normal gastrointestinal function. Common symptoms include intermittent diarrhea, gas, vomiting, variable itching and changes in energy or behavior, with reactions often appearing hours or days after the food was eaten.

Although food allergies and food sensitivities can exhibit similar skin and gastrointestinal signs, veterinarians differentiate between them based on reaction patterns, dose sensitivity, timing and response to dietary intervention, rather than relying solely on symptoms.

Dietary Triggers and the Role of Elimination Diets

Food allergies are most often caused by specific proteins. A 2016 study published in BMC Veterinary Research indicates that the most prevalent allergens in dogs include beef, dairy, chicken, wheat and lamb; while in cats, beef, fish and chicken are most frequently implicated. Food sensitivities, on the other hand, are usually related to how the pet’s body handles certain ingredients. These reactions may occur when foods are highly processed, contain additives or are difficult for the pet to digest, rather than being caused by the immune system.

The most reliable way to identify the problematic food is through an elimination diet, followed by gradual reintroduction of ingredients. During the elimination phase, pets are fed a simplified diet with ingredients they have rarely or never eaten. All treats, flavored medications, supplements and table foods are removed

during this process. This phase typically lasts eight to 12 weeks, although chronically affected pets may require a longer duration. Signs like itching, vomiting, diarrhea or ear problems are meticulously monitored. Once symptoms improve or stabilize, individual ingredients are slowly reintroduced one at a time, with several days separating each addition. If symptoms return after a specific ingredient has been reintroduced, that food is identified as the trigger.

A 1994 study published in the Australian Veterinary Journal demonstrates that an elimination diet can lead to improvements, and the recurrence of symptoms confirms food-related reactions. This method also helps veterinarians determine whether the reaction is more consistent with a genuine allergy or a non-immune sensitivity, thus guiding long-term dietary management.

Supporting Healing From the Inside Out

Dr. Peter Dobias, a conventional and integrative veterinarian, emphasizes that food sensitivities and food allergies should be viewed as expressions of deeper systemic imbalances rather than isolated dietary shortcomings. He explains that regardless of whether a pet develops a sensitivity or an allergy, the underlying contributors frequently overlap. These include genetic predisposition, toxin accumulation, nutrient

deficiencies, gut dysbiosis (imbalance), chronic stress and limited dietary diversity during early development.

Dobias treats both allergies and sensitivities with foundational restoration rather than symptom suppression. His approach includes feeding species-appropriate, minimally processed whole foods; providing essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins and minerals; supporting liver detoxification; and maintaining spinal and structural health. While allergies often appear more acutely and require immediate management, he stresses that addressing underlying imbalances benefits both conditions.

“Allergies are a signal that the body’s systems and metabolism need support, not just that a single food needs to be eliminated,” Dobias asserts. This perspective helps explain why quick dietary fixes often fail. Removing a single ingredient without addressing digestive capacity, detoxification or inflammation may temporarily reduce symptoms, but it does not resolve the conditions that allowed reactivity to develop. Effective dietary intervention therefore requires structure, patience and a broader understanding of how food interacts with the whole system.

Ruth Roberts, an integrative veterinarian and holistic health coach for pets, is the creator of The Original CrockPet Diet. Learn more at DrRuthRoberts.com.

Calendar of Events

MONDAY, MARCH 2

Manatee Spirit Full Moon-Lunar Eclipse Sound Bath - 7:30-9:30pm, Mar. 2-4. Event includes a transformative 60-minute sound bath, affirmations, ceremonial tea, plant-based refreshments, and a heart-connected community connected to the cosmic ocean of transformation and balance. Only ten spaces are available each night. Please make reservations at (call/text) 941-201-0069. Manatee Spirit is a sanctuary-style sound healing studio located in southwest Bradenton, just 4.4 miles from Anna Maria Island, Info@ManateeSpirit.com, ManateeSpirit.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 3

Illumination: Planetarium Sound Medicine

Ceremony - 6-8pm. Following a rare full lunar eclipse this immersive ceremony supports nervous system regulation, deep integration, and embodied clarity and insight. Experience harmonic sound within the planetarium dome as a gentle re-orientation toward balance and coherence. Bishop Planetarium, 201 10th St W, Bradenton. More info at: AquarianSoundMedicine.com/Illumination.

Manatee Spirit Full Moon Community Event - 7:30-9:30pm. Event includes a transformative 60-minute sound bath, affirmations, ceremonial tea, plant-based refreshments, and a heart-connected community connected to the cosmic ocean of transformation and balance. $20. Manatee Spirit is a sanctuary-style sound healing studio located in southwest Bradenton, just 4.4 miles from Anna Maria Island. Reservations, 941-201-0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com,  ManateeSpirit.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

ECKANKAR: The Path of Spiritual Freedom Invites You to Raise Your Spiritual IQ at a Spiritual Café on the Topic of: The Art of Spirituality – Explore the Majesty Within - 6:307:30pm. During this relaxed and informal discussion, we will touch on a wide array of spiritual topics including karma, past lives, and the spiritual nature of dreams among others. Location: Frances T Bourne Jacaranda Library (conf room) 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice. 941-3580325. Meetup.com/EckankarInSarasota.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Open Mic: Live Music, Storytelling & Poetry7:30-9:30pm. Join Flobucha for a special evening of fun and entertainment on the first Thursday of each month. You can bring your own instruments or use theirs. They have a piano, electric and acoustic guitars plugged into our amp as well as two microphones. Bring your own songs, stories and poems, or just your heart to listen. Free samples are offered of their 16 Flobucha flavors. Or you can purchase a flight of 6 glasses and bottles of various sizes. Flobucha, 2725 Mall Dr., Gulf Gate, Sarasota, 941-248-2133, Flobucha.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Star Harmony Sound Medicine Ceremony: Deep Rest - 6-7:30pm. A restorative evening of crystal bowls and planetary gongs supporting nervous-system regulation, emotional balance, and embodied calm. Scalar energy and refined vibrational textures invite deep rest and gentle recalibration in late Pisces season. Opt For Light, 2055 Wood St. #120, Sarasota. More info at: AquarianSoundMedicine.com/deep-rest.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

ECKANKAR: The Path of Spiritual Freedom Invites You to Raise Your Spiritual IQ: HU, Sacred Sound, Ancient Mantra - 11am-12noon. Experience a 15–20-minute HU Chant followed by relaxed, authentic spiritual conversation. HU is a love song to God for spiritual seekers of all faiths and religious backgrounds. North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newton Blvd, Sarasota. 941-3580325. Meetup.com/EckankarInSarasota

Sarasota Center of Light Pet Healing in The Garden - 11:30am-1:30pm. Held during Psychic Saturday. Suggested love donation $5. Sarasota Center of Light, 852 S Tuttle Ave. 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

All are Invited to an ECK Light and Sound Service - Raise Your Spiritual IQ! Answers That Come in the Most Unexpected Ways—Golden Tongued Wisdom - 11am-12:30pm. Join other like-hearted, everyday people who have discovered keys to having extraordinary experiences with the Divine. Explore your spirituality from a new perspective. Comfort Suites Sarasota-Siesta Key, 5690 Honore Ave, Sarasota, 941-3580325, Meetup.com/EckankarInSarasota.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

Sound + Flo Event at Flobucha - 6:30-8pm. Unwind your mind and refresh your senses with Steph. Experience the harmonious blend of relaxation and flavor with a soothing sound meditation session followed by a curated kombucha tasting. Let the resonating tones guide you to a place of calm while savoring our handcrafted, premium raw kombucha. This event is perfect for connecting with yourself and our community in a tranquil, welcoming space. $44. Includes a 6oz. glass of Kombucha. Flobucha, 2725 Mall Dr., Gulf Gate, Sarasota, 941-248-2133, Flobucha.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12

Free Event at Selby Library! Fascinating Unexplained Phenomenon - 3pm-4:15pm, and 2nd Thurs. monthly. Speakers include authors, scientists and scholars. Sponsored by IANDS (Inter. Ass. for Near-Death Studies) - branches worldwide since 1982. State-of-the-art equip. in a large comfortable setting. Facilitator: Bob Waxman, Ph.D., 2 hr. free parking. No reservations. 941-7245151, Iands.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

Sarasota Center of Light Music & Messag-

es - 7-8:30pm. Held in the Sanctuary. $10. Register online or pay ATD. Sarasota Center of Light, 852 S Tuttle Ave. 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

Star Harmony Sound Medicine Ceremony: The Liminal Waters - 6-7:30pm. In late Pisces season under a waning crescent Moon in Aquarius, a narrow window opens for release and completion before the cycle turns. Crystal bowls and planetary gongs guide deep clearing. Only 22 spaces. Kenshō Studio, 4141 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota. More info at: AquarianSoundMedicine. com/the-liminal-waters.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

Manatee Spirit Whole Food Plant-Based OilFree Course  - 3-6pm, Mar. 15 & 22, 6 hours total. Take the 21-day spring challenge. Phenomenal results. $165. Manatee Spirit is a sanctuary-style sound healing studio located in southwest Bradenton, just 4.4 miles from Anna Maria Island, 941-201- 0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com,  ManateeSpirit.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 16

Reiki III Master Share - 7-8:30pm. Reiki III Masters come together to work on one another to expand and enhance their Reiki III Practitioner abilities. If you have a spare massage table bring it. $5. We gather at Rising Tide, 5102 Swift Rd. Sarasota. For info, Rev. Zan Benham, 941-9227839, or Zan@woman-spirit.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

Manatee Spirit Transformational Sound Healing Course - 4-7pm, Mar. 18 & 19, 7 hours total. Lead a sound bath with confidence and joy. Certification. $165. Manatee Spirit is a sanctuary-style sound healing studio located in southwest Bradenton, just 4.4 miles from Anna Maria Island, 941-201-0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com, ManateeSpirit.com.

Cacao Exploration Workshop at Flobucha6-7:30pm. Join Flobucha for a heart-opening Cacao Ceremony. They will explore the energy of the day and a bit about the Mayan Cosmovision in general as they share a cup of heart-opening, nourishing cacao. While you’re there, don’t miss out on trying some delicious handcrafted Kombucha - a perfect complement to the cacao journey. Come with an open heart and a curious mind. Pre-registration is required so that there is enough cacao prepared for everyone who attends. Registration will close at 3pm the day of the event. Please use the link below to register: Avocadotozen.com/cacao-flobucha. Flobucha, 2725 Mall Dr., Gulf Gate, Sarasota, 941-248-2133, Flobucha.com.

Star Harmony Sound Medicine Ceremony: Equinox New Moon Attunement - 6-7:30pm. Gather at the Equinox New Moon in Pisces as it perfects during our ceremony - a fleeting threshold for release, renewal, and quiet realignment. Crystal bowls and gongs create deep calm and clarity. Prana Yoga, 3840 S. Osprey Ave.,

Sarasota. More info at: AquarianSoundMedicine. com/equinox-new-moon-attunement.

Manatee Spirit New Moon Community Event - 6:30-8:30pm. Event includes a transformative 60-minute sound bath, affirmations, ceremonial tea, plant-based refreshments, and a heart-connected community connected to the cosmic ocean of transformation and balance. $20. Manatee Spirit is a sanctuary-style sound healing studio located in southwest Bradenton, just 4.4 miles from Anna Maria Island. Reservations, 941-201-0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com,  ManateeSpirit.com.

A Way with Words: A Poetic Venture7-8:30pm. Mark your calendars for the 3rd Wed. of each month. Door opens at 6:30pm to first come, first read/sign up. Readings are 5 min per reader. Ony your original works of poetry or prose. No recordings, please. Join us in an accepting ambiance of our wonderous diversity. $5 admission for audience or reader. At Rising Tide, 5102 Swift Rd. Sarasota. Presented by Rev. Zan Benham, 941-922-7839, or Zan@woman-spirit.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

Ribbon Cutting and Rebrand Grand Opening Event - 3-7pm. Korman Relief & Wellness Center will soon become ARISE Integrative Wellness. Bring a friend and come Celebrate with us. We will be providing finger foods, beverages, music, raffles, giveaways, and showcasing our services, including Chiropractic care, nutrition and Functional Medicine, Laser therapy, PEMF, Decompression, PRP, and Regenerative Medicine. We will introduce and demo our state-of-the-art Body by BTL Equipment, including Emsculpt Neo, Emsella, Exomind, Emface, and Exion driven by patented pulses of magnetic and/or radiofrequency energies to naturally provide body sculpting and facial aesthetics as well as improving joint function, reducing pain, and increasing range of motion. The event will be held at 16954 Toledo Blade Blvd, Port Charlotte. Call 941-6296700 to RSVP.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

Spring Equinox Ceremony and Celebration6:30pm. Join us with a sacred Fire Circle at Unity of Sarasota. Bring a folding chair, drum or rattle or anything acoustical to share. Wear colorful clothing representing reawakening and renewal in this Springs time of new beginnings. Bring a donation to support the Labyrinth. If someone you love is ailing put their name in the Reiki box and if there is something you will wish to share, connect with Rev. Zan, ButterflyDeerWoman, 941-922-7839, or Zan@woman-spirit.com. Held at Unity of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Rd., Fire circle at the Labyrinth, behind the church.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

Sarasota Center of Light 21 Basic Concepts Class - 10am-12pm. Held at the Learning Center (2770 Browning St.) and on Zoom. Learn about our philosophy and beliefs. No charge. (prerequisite for membership). Sarasota Center of Light, 2770 Browning St., 941-953-6620,

Spring Equinox Ceremony and the Cosmic Center History Event - 2-4:30pm. In-person. As always, we embrace the next move on the Cosmic Clock as we celebrate and harness the energies of the Spring Equinox, a time of growth and the manifestation of our hearts. The Cosmic Center will share their history and story, which is relevant to what is unfolding in our world now. We are now in the time of Disclosure and at a time where it will be shifting quickly. Plan to add your Light and participate in the Spring Equinox Ceremony and then be awed and amazed by the pictures which document Higher Vision and Mission of the Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light. Please come and bring your Light or join us as we Live Stream on our Facebook page and help co-create and anchor our intention for a world

that awakens to the Spiritual Light that seeks to liberate us from the illusion of separateness and duality, fear and pain. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.

MONDAY, MARCH 23

Stem Cell Seminar at Renewed Life Wellness - 12pm. In this seminar you will learn how regenerative medicine, like stem cell therapy, can successfully treat your joint pain without the use of drugs or surgery. You can get long lasting pain relief if you suffer from knee, hip, wrist, shoulder, back or neck pain. To attend this free seminar, mention this event listing and call 941-376-1488. Visit RenewedLifeWellnesscenter.com for more information. Renewed Life Wellness, 5664 Bee Ridge rd., STE. 102, Sarasota.

Manatee Spirit Universal Wisdom and Meditation Course  - 4-7pm, Mar. 23-25, 9 hours total. In person or online with Zoom. A deep dive into energy, authenticity, consciousness, reincarnation and meditation. Embrace your insight. $165. Manatee Spirit is a sanctuary-style sound healing studio located in southwest Bradenton, just 4.4 miles from Anna Maria Island, 941-201-0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com,  ManateeSpirit.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24

Free - Peter Russell in Conversation - via ZOOM - 4pm. Please join us for an interactive conversation with world-renowned consciousness teacher Peter Russell. Peter is the author of How to Meditate Without Even Trying, and eleven other books including Letting Go of Nothing and From Science to God. A teacher of meditation for more than fifty years, Peter believes the critical challenge of today is freeing human thinking from the limited beliefs and attitudes that lie behind many of our problems - personal, social, and global. He has inspired thousands through his talks, teachings, retreats, and popular online courses. Come ask your questions or just come to listen. Come as you are. Open to the public, free of charge, via Zoom. More info call / text 941-830-3040 - or sign up at ZenfulConversations.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

Food Pop-Up: Ethiopian Night at Flobucha - 5-8pm. Join us at our Gulf Gate storefront for an exciting food pop-up event. Indulge in the rich flavors of Ethiopian cuisine. Be sure to pair Mimi’s delicious food with one of our six traditional kombucha flavors or one of our rotating seasonal offerings, available on tap, in bottles, or in growlers. Don’t miss out on this delicious experience. Flobucha, 2725 Mall Dr., Gulf Gate, Sarasota, 941-248-2133, Flobucha.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

Intuitive Readings with Charlotte of Aroma Oracles at Flobucha - 4-6pm. Quick insight and deep clarity. Are you short on time but seeking guidance? Tap into your inner wisdom with a powerful 15-minute Aroma Oracle Intuitive Reading at Flobucha. This is perfect for a quick

check-in with Spirit, clarity around a specific question, emotional support or next steps or a taste of what Aroma Oracles is all about. You’ll receive intuitive insights, essential oil guidance, and a gentle energetic boost - all in just 15 minutes. 15-minute Intuitive Readings are only $20. Walk-in or schedule in advance at Calendly.com/ charlottewarn/15-minute-reading-for-20. Flobucha, 2725 Mall Dr., Gulf Gate, Sarasota, 941-2482133, Flobucha.com.

PLAN AHEAD

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

Divine Light Easter Service and Music & Messages at Sarasota Center of Light7pm. Held in the Sanctuary. Sarasota Center of Light, 852 S Tuttle Ave. 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.

Manatee Spirit Full Moon Community Event - 7:30-9:30pm. Event includes a transformative 60-minute sound bath, affirmations, ceremonial tea, plant-based refreshments, and a heart-connected community connected to the cosmic ocean of transformation and balance. $20. Manatee Spirit is a sanctuary-style sound healing studio located in southwest Bradenton, just 4.4 miles from Anna Maria Island. Reservations, 941-201-0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com,  ManateeSpirit.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

Cosmic Center’s The Magdalene Priestess’s Initiation Retreat and Union Journey 5 Day Immersion - Apr. 7-12. Join Rev. Sharon-Elizabeth (Baba Sharone) and Rev. Annie Eng (Annie Ra) in this five-day immersion of powerfully transformative initiation into the Magdalene Lineage, offering hidden teachings, transmissions, and embodied practices. The Path of the Magdalene Priestess is an ancient and holy calling, one safeguarded through the ages by women and men devoted to the Divine Feminine Mysteries. In the Pistis Sophia, Mary Magdaline is the most prominent figure among the disciples and out of 115 questions, Mary Magdaline is responsible for 67 of them. She is also featured in the Gospel of Mary where she has ascended knowledge directly from the risen Jesus and shares what to do to align with what we call today as the Ascension through the mysteries of the alchemical wedding. To walk this path is to awaken the full radiance of your soul, reclaim your divine sovereignty, and enter the inner union of the sacred feminine and masculine. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

Manatee Spirit New Moon Community Event - 6:30-8:30pm. Event includes a transformative 60-minute sound bath, affirmations, ceremonial tea, plant-based refreshments, and a heart-connected community connected to the cosmic ocean of transformation and balance. $20. Manatee Spirit is a sanctuary-style sound healing studio located in southwest Bradenton, just 4.4 miles from Anna Maria Island. Reservations, 941-201-0069, Info@ManateeSpirit.com,  ManateeSpirit.com.

Ongoing Events

Sunday

Cosmic Center Sunday Sabbath Services10:30am. In person and on Zoom. Join our rotation of reverends every Sunday as we connect with our Family of Light. First Sunday - Open Heart Divine Healing Service with Rev. Sharon-Elizabeth (Baba Sharone) and experience sound healing through the rare and unique 4 Quadrant Pythagorean Lambdona Harmonic Keyboard at 528 Hertz. Through the Divine Names of God and conscious intention we create the Sacred Space to connect to the Healing Power of the Divine. Expect Miracles! Second Sunday - A Channeling of Dimensions of Love with Rev. Mery-Lynn Clarke. She will Uplift, Guide, Inspire, Heal and help promote Peace and Harmony in the Heart. Third Sunday - Ecstatic Kabbalah with Rev. Annie Eng anchored in Kabbalah Tree of Life Ceremony and Wisdom. Fourth Sunday – Rev. Robin brings you wisdom teachings from around the world and ages, accompanied with her crystal harp. Fifth Sunday –Rev. Ildigo Varga, experience the spiritual energy of Divine Protection. This service helps you align with the Higher Wisdom and blessing that is available to all of us. Love Donation. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.

Sarasota Center of Light Sunday Morning Celebration Service, In-Person and Zoom - 11am, in person healing at 10:30 in the Sanctuary before service. Join us as we come together as a spiritual family and community, sharing our love and light for ourselves, for each other, and the world. Be a part of sharing the energy and illumination of our hearts and souls together through conversation, music, meditation, a talk and affirmation and messages. Sarasota Center of Light, 852 S Tuttle Ave. 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.

Cosmic Center The Ringing Cedars Series Monthly Book Club - 12:30-2pm, only 4th Sun. We will be discussing the information contained in a series of books entitled “Anastasia of the Ringing Cedars,” which speaks of knowledge that was preserved over the centuries by Druid priests who live in a Siberian forest. The Book of Kin gives detailed information about the history and wisdom of the “Vedrus” that lived in ancient Eurasia in full awareness of God and in harmony with the entire cosmos. Anastasia teaches that we can communicate and commune with all of nature, remote view, and heal ourselves and others with our heart rays by directing our consciousness. We will be reading the book material as well as practicing the healing and remote viewing techniques. In-person or online. Love offering $10. Zoom Registration Link Below: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ eak84vRHQtmH7ZEHIxQO2g Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, ºFacebook and Instagram.

Cosmic Center Pistis Sophia Study Group with Keys of Enoch Facilitator Kin Converse - 1pm. Pistis Sophia is an important Gnostic spiritual text that preserves a mystical, symbolic teaching tradition from early Christianity. It is about the risen Jesus, a teaching given to the disciples of Jesus after his resurrection as the Christed Jesus for a period of 11 years. It offers a vision of salvation, inner transformation, and divine wisdom (Sophia) that differs markedly from orthodox Christian theology. Join Kim Converse, Keys of Enoch® facilitator, and co-host Bonnie Witherspoon to study this ancient Coptic Gnostic text with commentary by Drs. J.J. Hurtak and Desiree Hurtak of the Academy of Future Science. The teaching works in concert with the Gospel teachings in both the Old and New Testaments, and the Book of Knowledge: The Keys of Enoch®. Online class only on Zoom. $10/class. To register: US06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_au-AAlJpQfab6N9luShv8w. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadow Bldg g 2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.

The OM Shamanic Sound Journey - 3-4pm, 4th Sun. of each month. Performed by Resonance. One-of-a-kind blend of hypnotic induction & immersive amplified musical composition with 4 sound musicians and over 150 sound healing instruments. Always sells out- reserve now. $85. The Om Shoppe, 4801 S. Tamiami Tr #5, Sarasota, 941-706-3257, TheOMShoppe.com or TheOMShoppeandSpa.com.

MONDAY

“Health & Nutrition”- 10-11am. With Fred Harvey, MD of The Harvey Center for Integrative Medicine. Health & nutrition is a live call-in or email Ask the Doc health show from 10-11 on WMNF 88.5FM public radio Tampa. Email questions to DJ@WMNF.org

The Om Shoppe Crystal Singing Bowls for Personal Wellness - 3-5pm, check website for dates. With Zooey Seraphine, musical director. Start with Introduction Course and advance to OM Community Singing Bowl Circles to master the art of crystalline sound medicine for your personal wellness. The Om Shoppe, 4801 S. Tamiami Tr #5, Sarasota, 941-706-3257, TheOMShoppe.com or TheOMShoppeandSpa.com.

Feldenkrais with Bonnie K - 5:45pm. Online! Awareness Through Movement classes: Lessons (in chairs/on floor) are designed to quiet non-working habitual patterns, invite you into a process for learning and offer experiences for more efficient movement. Ongoing classes - movement lessons w/replays. More info, 941360-2248. FeldenkraisInSarasota.com. Register with Bonnie at: FeldenkraisinSarasota.com/Sarasota-Classes-Feldenkrais/

Monday Night Meditation - 6pm. All are welcome to come and explore with us a variety of meditation practices as we allow spirit to guide us. Come gather, connect and breath as we open to the possibilities. Arrive early, doors close at 6pm to honor our sacred space. Love dona-

tions welcomed. Spirit Speaks, 411 W. Dearborn St., Englewood, 734-464-6828, IamMsKitty.com.

Flow with the Sound at Flobucha - 6:30pm. Join us for a calming, immersive sound meditation designed to help you unwind, reset, and reconnect. Through gentle guidance and resonant sound, you’ll be invited into a deeply restful state that supports relaxation, clarity, and inner balance. This is a come-as-you-are, love offering based experience. Please bring anything that helps you feel comfortable - a yoga mat, blanket, pillow, or eye mask. Allow the sounds to carry you into stillness, ease, and gentle renewal. Flobucha, 2725 Mall Dr., Gulf Gate, Sarasota, 941248-2133, Flobucha.com.

Cosmic Center Anchoring Light Transmission Meditation - 6:45pm. With Baba Sharone. A call to all Lightworkers. The Anchoring Light Transmission Channeled Meditation has been a gathering point for Lightworkers and Planetary World Servers to come together and assist in the ascension of our planet and all her life in cooperation with our expanded family of light. As Anchors of Light, we take our important role in the spiritual hierarchy to manifest the divine plan of love, light, peace and oneness to our planet. Participants who serve in anchoring this Celestial Radiant Light Energy from the ascended realms benefit from the wisdom, guidance and grace that flows from it which brings forth healing, peace and accelerated spiritual growth. In person and online. Love offering. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.

Tuesday

Cosmic Center Light Circuitry Activation Healing with Resident Healer Michael - 3-7pm. Light Circuitry Activation is direct energy transmission accompanied by intuitively guided breathwork mediations. The session produces a relaxing trance state in which the mind softens, the heart opens, and new energy begins to move through latent pathways within. Receivers often report renewed energy, physiological balance, clarity of mind, physical rejuvenation of vitality and a new awareness of the energetic power available within. Michael is a certified light channel and PhD chemist with a passion for exploring the human condition, Jungian psychology, soul alchemy, yoga, breathwork, along with sun and moon gazing. For an appointment with Michael, please email him at Mortiz279@ gmail.com. $96.00 Cosmic Center Discounted Rate. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-3719333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.

Cosmic Center Lightworker Circle Gathering of Friends - 5-7pm. Come and meet other like-minded people to share, exchange, and converse on various spiritual topics. An eclectic and ever evolving group that embraces the energy of the circle in the present time and what unfolds for both newbies and seasoned participants. Facilitated by Clark Mumaw, this circle of Lightworker Friends will enhance and broaden

each participant’s experience in real time. All are welcome. Love offering. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.

Sarasota Center of Light Introduction to Your Guides and Angels Class - 7-9pm, 24, 31 only. Held in the Flexer Healing Chapel. $20/ class. Register online. Sarasota Center of Light, 2729 Browning St., Sarasota, 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.

Wednesday

Free Reiki Healing Clinic - 4-6pm. Come visit our new location. Reiki is an ancient healing technique that is thousands of years old.  Reiki is the Chi or life force energy that runs through each of us and is directed and transferred during a Reiki session. Free session every Wednesday. Angel Ministries, 1890 Tamiami Trail S., Venice, 941-492-4995, AngelMinistriesFl.org.

Wednesday Wisdom Share - 6pm. A gathering of “Light-minded Souls” is a sacred circle that meets to honor and support each other weekly. We are all awakening and expanding in new ways. Whether you are just becoming aware or have been on your path. We offer a safe and supportive space to share. Bring your stories and experiences and questions or just listen as others share theirs. Arrive early, doors close at 6pm

to honor our sacred space. Love donations welcomed. Spirit Speaks, 411 W. Dearborn St., Englewood, 734-464-6828, IamMsKitty.com.

Cosmic Center Special Spirit Messages and Channeling - 7-8:30pm, third Wed. of each month. This service is channeled through Reverend Nancy Lee and for all who attend can receive messages from loved ones, guides, masters and teachers in spirit. Also, at the last part of the service Rev. Nancy Lee will channel Divine Wisdom, guidance, and teachings from the Divine Nine Counsel, which are part of her spirit team working with her and through her. Come and enjoy this beautiful service to uplift and inspire you. Love donation $20. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.

The Om Shoppe Singing Bowl Sound Baths - 7-8pm, 2nd Wed. of each month. Discover the power of sound to help you access inner peace, stillness, and deep relaxation. An acoustic crystalline experience of transcendence while relaxing in anti-gravity lounge chairs with professionally trained sound therapists and musicians. Always sells out- reserve now. $45. The Om Shoppe, 4801 S. Tamiami Tr #5, Sarasota, 941-706-3257, TheOMShoppe.com or TheOMShoppeandSpa.com.

Services

HOUSECLEANING. Enjoy your free time and let us do what we do best: Housecleaning to your healthy satisfaction. Call Paula for a free estimate 941-320-4052.

MASSAGE/BODYWORK. Offering detailed, results-oriented bodywork specializing in deep tissue, trigger point, and myofascial techniques. Focused on relieving pain, restoring alignment, and facilitating deep relaxation. 724-355-9917, SKTherapeuticMassage.Squarespace.com (MA96776) (MT141197)

MASSAGE THERAPY. Swedish, Neuromuscular, Reiki, Thai. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays. Discount packages available. Tina Miccio, LMT, NMT, License #: MA49526, 941-777-2374.

Transformational Body-Mind-Spirit Services. Unlock your potential with Hypnotherapy, Breathwork, QHHT®, Akashic Records, Emotion Code®, PSYCH-K®, and Soul Realignment®. Release blocks, reclaim your authenticity, and embrace love’s presence. Bianca Hellenga, LiberateToEmpower.com,  LiberateToEmpower@gmail.com, 786-380-3037.

Thursday

Reiki Share at Sarasota Center of Light - 5:307:30, starting Jan. 29 and every last Thurs. of the month. Love offering. Sarasota Center of Light Learning Center, 2770 Browning St. Sarasota, 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.

Cosmic Center Chanting The 72 Names of God with Baba Sharone  - 7pm, every 2nd Thurs. of the month. A powerful spiritual tool to assist in the healing of ourselves, communities and the world. To help create the Golden age of Peace on Earth. For those who are dedicated to their Path of Light. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Meadows, Bldg G-2, Sarasota, 941-3719333, CCOSL.com, Facebook and Instagram.

Sarasota Center of Light “Mediumship Practice Circle” - 7-8:30. Held in the Learning Center. This circle is open to all who are seeking development or practice in mediumship, connection to spirit and meditation. Love offering. Sarasota Center of Light, Flexer Healing Chapel, 941-9536620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.

Saturday

Psychic Saturday - 11:30am-1:30pm, 1st Sat only. In Davis Hall of Sarasota Center of Light. There is a 15-minute reading for $20 and in Flexer Healing Chapel there is healing with a $5 love donation. All are welcome! Sarasota Center of Light, 852 S Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, 941-953-6620, SarasotaCenterOfLight.com.

Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine

CARYN L. YOUNG, DOM, AP, OTR

Board Certified Acupuncture Physician

The Integrated Path, P.A.

2801 Fruitville Rd.Suite 135, Sarasota 941-924-8833 • IntegratedPath.com

DR

The Integrated Path to Health and Wellness for the whole family utilizing Traditional Chinese Medicine,Acupuncture, Energetic Medicine, Bloodwork Analysis,Clinical Nutrition Assessments and ZYTO Elite to restore balance. Over 30 years of clinical experience!

DEBORAH SCANDIN AP RRT

Acupuncture Physician

Respiratory Therapist

Located at Dr. Luo’s Oriental Medicine 3292 Fruitville Rd., STE 104, Sarasota 941-955-8882

DrLuoAcupuncture.com

Dr Scandin has over 25 years combined experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Respiratory Therapy and Neuromuscular Massage. She treats : flu & colds, sore throat, asthma, headaches, sinusitis, sport injuries, trauma and total wellness .

SARASOTA CENTER FOR ACUPUNCTURE AND NUTRITION

Dr. Christina Captain, DAOM

Nationally Board Certified Dipl.Ac

Complimentary Meet & Greet

The Medical Complex 2650 Bahia Vista Street, Suite 101, Sarasota, 941-951-1119 • ScanSRQ.com

Sarasota Center For Acupuncture and Nutrition is an integrated wellness practice addressing all health issues.We will find the key to unlock your highest level of health and wellness. Complimentary meet & greet.

Acupuncture Facelift

FACES BY DR ANNA

Anna L. Baker, D.O.M.

Nationally Board Certified Acupuncture Physician 941-924-2723 • FacesByDrAnna.com

Unique muscle-tightening acupuncture facelift and necklift done with 12 hair-thin needles, none of which are on the face. Results documented photographically. Only one maintenance treatment needed every 18 months. Free consultation includes facial analysis. Monthly seminars, call for schedule.

Apothecary

NATURAL APOTHECARY SHOPPE

Internal/External Beauty

6608 Gateway Ave., (Gulf Gate), Sarasota 941-554-8623

NaturalApothecaryShoppe.com

Instagram:The Natural Apothecary Shoppe

FB: Natural Apothecary Shoppe

Organic skincare, (made on the premises), natural cosmetic kits by 2 time Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artist Laurie Lombardi. Professional supplements, enzymes, vitamins, CBD, homeopathy, herbal consultant by our Holistic Pharmacist.

Chiropractors

GENTLEBAY SARASOTA CHIROPRACTIC

Residual Strain Therapy

Eric Winder DC 7246 South Beneva Road, Sarasota 941-957-8390 • Eric.Winder.dc@gmail.com

Professional care with a personal focus. Feel better through proper alignment, and get back to work and play! See our website for more information.

Colon/Ozone Therapy

COLON THERAPY CLINC OZONE THERAPY

Alain and Marsha Menard

Xavier Menard

442 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey (South Sarasota) 941-922-7744 - Colon 941-321-3061 - Ozone ColonTherapyClinic.com OzoneSRQ.com

Licensed 52 Years. Gentle Technique, Open and Closed Systems, Ozone Therapy, Cleansing for Digestive Disorders and Double Foot Bath..

ENERGY HEALING

VIBRATIONAL BLISS WELLNESS, LLC

Perette DeJean-Cannady

8051 North Tamiami Trail, STE E-2, Sarasota 941-587-5648

VibrationalBlissWellness.com

Perette@VibrationalBliss.com

Your voice is a sacred map of your wellbeing. It contains twelve subtle frequencies that reveal emotional, energetic and physical balance. The advance Voice-Bio Analysis Technology turns your voice into data, detecting stress and imbalance. A customized frequency sound remedy is created to re-attune your body restoring homeostasis. Ancient Healing Wisdom meets Modern Technology!

Feldenkrais Method®

THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD®

Lessons for Children (ABM), Adults, Classes, Prof Seminars

Bonnie Kissam, M.A., Feldenkrais® Practitioner, LMT, CE Provider 941-360-2248

Bonnie@FeldenkraisInSarasota.com FeldenkraisInSarasota.com

The Feldenkrais® Approach , ‘Movement with Attention’, helps one ‘sense easier, improved posture and ways of moving. Clients optimize their musical, athletic or everyday activities through heightened ‘awareness’. They find unique ways to recover from injury, surgeries or illness. Call for appointments, classes or  for weekend TOUCH TO INFORM seminars 941360-2248, Bonnie@FeldenkraisInSarasota.com.

Functional & Lifestyle Wellness

KORMAN RELIEF & WELLNESS CENTER

Laura Korman, DC, DACBN Chiropractor, Diplomate in Nutrition 16954 Toledo Blade Blvd, Port Charlotte 941-629-6700 • DrLauraKorman.com

Dr. Korman specializes in helping peri-menopausal women eliminate pain, fatigue and unwanted belly fat through functional medicine, lifestyle strategies and regenerative therapies so they can reclaim their vitality and stay engaged in the life they love. We offer PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy), Class IV Deep Tissue Laser, Near & Far Infrared Sauna, Decompression Therapies, Whole Body Vibration and carry a professional line of supplementation.

Natural Food

CAFE EVERGREEN

Pet Supplies

PET SUPPLY CENTER

Thermography

• CafeEvergreen.net

801 S Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, FL 941-412-4334

Cafe Evergreen is a natural, organic restaurant. Our menu consists of many organic recipes designed to not only taste delicious, but also enhance your health. Open Monday-Saturday, closed on Sundays.

Organic Salon

HAIR &

EARTH ORGANIC SALON

200 Central Ave, Suite 18, Sarasota 941-284-9563 • HairandEarth.GlossGenius.com

Erinn offers Sarasota excellence in conscious haircare. Cuts, color, highlights, smoothing treatments and more. Metaphysical gifts too! Kevin Murphy color line as well as retail products available. Comfortable, private space for calm, creative collaboration. Call or text Erinn Earth for an appointment or consultation. Or schedule online at: HairandEarth.GlossGenius.com.

Pain Management

Neck and Back Pain

DISC CENTERS OF AMERICA/SARASOTA

Dr. David Cifra, DC

Non-Surgical Spinal • Decompression Specialist Office: 941-358-2224 • Cell: 315-345-7390 DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Medical Breakthrough Technology! Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Specialist, Dr.David Cifra,DC. Advanced procedure for patients who have back and neck pain and want to avoid narcotics, epidural injections, and unnecessary surgeries. Over 90% effective. No pain, No drugs, No surgery, NO Injections. Call today 941-3582224. FREE CONSULTATION.

Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide VISIT NASRQ.COM/BUSINESSES.

Natural & Holistic Premium Pet Foods 3558 Webber Street, Sarasota 941-925-4376 • PetSupplyCenter@gmail.com PetSupplyCenterSarasota.com

Offering full lines of veterinary diets, raw and frozen diets, dog, cat and bird supplies. Huge selection of toys, treats, flea and tick products, collars and more. Certified veterinary nutritional consultant on staff. We ship and pets always welcom

Shamanic Practices

SPIRITUAL COUNSELOR,

SHAMANIC

AND REIKI PRACTICES

Rev. Zan Benham, BSL, BD, CHT 941-922-7839

Spiritual counselor, shamanic practitioner, Reiki healing, breath, and energy work, hypnosis, soul retrieval, past life regression all to empower and help you move into the Divine flow of the joy and power within you.

Spiritual Centers

COSMIC CENTER OF SPIRITUAL LIGHT

Embracing the New Paradigms of our Awak-ening Consciousness 5041 Ringwood Meadows - Bldg G-2 • Sarasota CCOSL.com • Facebook/Instgram/Twitter

A place of Light and Uncondition-al Love bringing together awak-ened and awakening minds and hearts for healing, enlightenment, support and joy!

Spiritual Centers

SARASOTA CENTER OF LIGHT

852 S Tuttle Ave, Sarasota 941-953-6620 • SarasotaCenterOfLight.com

Experience the peaceful energy, love and light of our metaphysical spiritual community. Join us for the inspiration, healing and connection to Spirit in our services, classes and social gatherings.

FLORIDA MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY

June Drennon, CCT 2008

JuneDrennon@TampaBayThermography.com

727-729-2711

FloridaMedicalThermography.com

JuneDrennon@FloridaMedicalThermography.com

Certified Clinical Thermographer 2008. Prevention is better than early detection. Knowledge is power: Know your risk factors to make corrections and avoid developing pathology. Call for location convenient for you.

Weddings

DIVINE CHAPEL OF LOVE

In the Picturesque Natural Beauty of The Meadows 5041 Ringwood Meadow, Sarasota

DivineChapelofLove.com • 941-295-9333 The Divine Chapel of Love offers a place for

weddings, renewal of vows and ceremonies for couples who wish to commemorate their special occasion in a beautiful surrounding to form lasting memories where Love is All That Matters.

Regenerative Technology without injections

Featuring NuvoCell Biologics

NuvoCell is revolutionizing regenerative medicine by taking the same ingredients currently used in stem cell injections, stabilizing them with lipid nanoparticles, and formulating them into a topical cream with natural transdermal ingredients that act as carriers to deliver powerful regenerative relief to discs, cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. All without injections or downtime, and easily applied at home.

51% decrease in pain in just 1 month

In an 80-person pilot study utilizing a transdermal regenerative cream, the average Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score among patients diagnosed with chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis decreased by 51%.

TARGET AREAS

Neck

Back

Shoulders

Elbows

Wrists and Hands

Hips

Knees

Ankles

Feet

JoAn was recommended for knee replacement surgery after suffering from debilitating knee pain for years but was determined to find alternative ways to regain her mobility and live pain-free. After just one month of using NuvoCell, she is amazed by the results she has seen in her knee and in her quality of life.

Brian, a 3x world champion rodeo rider, struggled with back pain for years from competing. After trying various treatments, he found real relief with NuvoCell. Hear his story and why he is continuing to use NuvoCell on his back and other areas.

Brad, a retired contractor, lived with severe shoulder pain for over 50 years after a car accident left him with a separated shoulder, broken collarbone, and torn rotator cuff. A recent fall made things worse, forcing him to give up golf and basketball. Recently, his wife introduced him to NuvoCell. After applying it twice daily for two months, his pain dropped by over 90%. Today, Brad is back to playing golf, shooting hoops, and enjoying life again - pain-free.

Ask your local healthcare provider about NuvoCell or scan the QR code to find a provider in your area.