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A Deeper Understanding of Alzheimer’s Helping Children Navigate Loss Mindfulness Practices for a Calmer Pet Your Kidneys May Be Working Overtime Columbia Edition

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November 2026

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NOV. 9TH, 2026

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November 2026

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Publisher’s Letter

COLUMBIA EDITION Publisher Tracy Jacox-Gunter Editor Sara Gurgen Design, Production & Digital Marketing Kristina Parella Contributing Writers Michaela Leung Tiana Tarver Distribution Manager Larry Gunter Ad Design Lauren Arabis Website Matthew Davis

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DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS S ave a Tre e S c an Me

November invites us to pause and notice what has been sustaining us. As we reflect on this month’s theme, Rooted in Gratitude, I want to make room for a kind of appreciation we can sometimes overlook: the gratitude and grace we owe ourselves. Listen to the way you speak to yourself when something goes wrong. Would you use those same words with someone you love? Many of us carry a running list of what we should have done, what we missed and where we fell short. We can be so quick to encourage a friend and so slow to offer ourselves that same tenderness. Life is a journey, and none of us moves through it without missteps. We will make mistakes. We will miss the mark. We may need to apologize, learn, change direction and try again. Grace does not mean pretending that harm did not happen or avoiding responsibility. It means meeting our humanity with honesty and compassion, then choosing how to move forward. We do not have to give up on ourselves because we are still growing. The grace we practice within ourselves can also change how we show up for others. When we allow room for learning and repair, we may become more patient listeners, more thoughtful friends and more willing to see the full person in front of us. Gratitude and grace are not excuses; they are ways of staying connected while we keep moving forward.

NATIONAL TEAM

This season also reminds us that the people in our lives are precious, and our time with them is not something to take for granted. Who has encouraged you, checked on you, made you laugh or stood beside you in a difficult season? Who would you like to thank while you still have the chance? Sometimes ordinary moments become treasured memories, and the words we meant to say can matter more than we realized.

Showing gratitude does not require an expensive gift or a grand gesture. It can be a phone call, a text, a handwritten card, a flower or a sincere conversation. What matters is that it is authentic and meaningful to the person receiving it. A simple “I appreciate you” can remind someone that their presence has made a difference.

CEO Kimberly B. Whittle National Editor Sandra Yeyati Editor Brooke Goode Copy Editor/Proofing Melanie Rankin Layout Flip180 Media Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 350 Main Street, Suite 9B Bedminster, NJ 07921 Ph: 239-206-2000 NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com Cover image by

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As you move through November, I invite you to ask yourself two questions: What do I need to acknowledge or appreciate about myself today? And how can I care for myself so I can be more present for the people I love? Perhaps the answer is rest, a boundary, forgiveness, asking for help or taking one small step toward a goal you have not abandoned. May we offer gratitude freely, receive it openly and remember to include ourselves in the circle of care. We are all becoming. Let us keep learning, keep reaching for one another and keep going with grace.

Natural Awakenings is printed on partially recycled and fully recyclable newsprint with black soy ink.

Wishing you love and gratitude,

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

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Contents 12 Green Gift Guide for the Holidays 13 Your Kidneys May Be Working Overtime

Educate. Connect. Thrive. Make an impact in your community

14 The Barnett House

15 Beyond Gratitude 16 Growing Our Capacity for Gratitude 20 Healthy Swaps for the Holiday Table

24 Blueprint for Alzheimer’s Prevention 26 Helping Children Navigate Loss 28 Safe Havens for Happy Dogs and Cats 30 Homeopathy Myths

Departments

Call today!

6 News Briefs

15 Local Wellness

28 Natural Pet

10 Health Briefs

16 Feature Story

30 Homeopathy

11 Global Briefs

20 Conscious Eating

33 Wellness Word Play

13 Midlands Matters

24 Wise Words

34 Resource Guide

14 Walking Through Yesterday

26 Healthy Kids

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November 2026

News Briefs

Experience the Opening of USC’s 50th Season of Dance

The Betsy Blackmon Dance Company will present performances on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, at the University of South Carolina (USC), celebrating the university’s 50th season of dance with a mix of classic ballet, original choreography and returning works. The program will feature Pas de Quatre, a ballet performed at USC’s first dance concert in 1976, restaged by Professor Stephanie Milling, along with original choreography by Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Kathryn Morgan of New York City Ballet and a reprise of José Limón’s A Choreographic Offering, restaged for the company in April 2026 by Limón Dance Company artist Savannah Spratt. Additional choreography will round out the performances, which begin at 6:30 p.m. each evening. Cost: $15 to $25. Location: 1051 Greene St., Columbia. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ExperienceColumbiaSC.com/event/betsy-blackmon-dance-company-fall-concert/73955.

Catch Rod Wave on His Don’t Look Down Tour

Multiplatinum rapper and singer Rod Wave will bring his Don’t Look Down Tour to Colonial Life Arena on Friday, November 6, at 8 p.m., as part of a 25-city North American arena tour. Known for his emotionally driven storytelling and powerful live performances, Wave will be joined by special guest FRIDAYY throughout the tour. The concert offers fans an opportunity to experience the chart-topping artist live as he continues his nationwide tour.

Find Holiday Treasures at Arts and Crafts Market

The South Carolina State Farmers Market and the Midlands Crafters Association will host the 2026 Midlands Christmas Arts & Crafts Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 7, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 8, in West Columbia. The free, family-friendly event will feature more than 150 vendors, crafters and local businesses from across the Midlands, offering opportunities to shop for handcrafted items and holiday gifts. Admission and parking are free. Location: 3483 Charleston Hwy., W. Columbia. For more information, visit Facebook.com/even ts/1639417026953810/1639417030287143.

Location: 801 Lincoln St., Columbia. For more information, including cost, or to purchase tickets, visit ColonialLifeArena. com/events/detail/rod-wave.

Celebrate 30 Years of Scottish Music

On Saturday, November 14, at 4 p.m., join Palmetto Pipes and Drums for a special afternoon celebrating 30 years of Scottish music in the Midlands. Experience the stirring sound of bagpipes and drums in the beautiful sanctuary of Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church. Admission is free, and donations are gratefully accepted. Location: 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ PalmettoPipesAndDrums. 6

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Celebrate Fall at West Columbia’s Fall Back Fest

Savor Chili and Celebrate Coffee Lager

Steel Hands Brewing will host its Coffee Lager Festival and Chili Cook-off from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 5, partnering with Contractors for Hope to benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank. The event celebrates the brewery’s coffee lager, first introduced in 2018, with unlimited chili tastings from participating teams featuring the brew. Attendees can vote for their favorites, with prizes awarded in four categories: People’s Pot Award, Number 1 Chili Award, Wild Card Chili Award and Most Unique Chili Award. Cost: Chili tasting: $15 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Location: 2350 Foreman St., Cayce. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ExperienceColumbiaSC.com/ event/coffee-lager-festival-chili-cookoff/74129.

The city of West Columbia will host the 10th annual Fall Back Fest from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, November 6, along the 100 to 300 blocks of State Street, offering free admission to an evening of live music, art, food and drinks. Musical performers will include the Dylan Hayes Band, Brooks Herring and Rutland. Local artists will create temporary street murals, while vendors, restaurants and venues offer food and beverages. The Meeting Street Artisan Market Night Edition will also take place in the Interactive Art Park, featuring handcrafted gifts and opportunities to support local artists and creators. For more information, visit ExperienceColumbiaSC.com/event/ west-columbias-10th-annual-fall-back-fest/74073.

State Museum Offers $1 First Sunday Admission

The South Carolina State Museum will continue with its first Sunday initiative from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 1, offering $1 general admission through sponsorship support from BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

Visitors can explore four floors of exhibits featuring South Carolina art, cultural history, natural history, and science and technology. General admission also includes access to the Boeing Observatory and the Robert B. Arial Collection of Historical Astronomy on the museum’s fourth floor.

Discover Columbia’s Birds on a Guided Garden Walk

Participants can join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk through the gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion on Thursday, November 12, from 8 to 9 a.m. With more than 100 bird species visiting the gardens throughout the year, the walk will offer an opportunity to learn about local and migratory birds and how to identify them by sight, sound and behavior.

For an additional cost, guests can also enjoy a planetarium show and/or a 4D theater movie. Cost: $1. Location: 301 Gervais St., Columbia. For more information, visit SCMuseum.org/ events/first-sunday.

A Sanctuary for the Feminine Soul Peaceful Pause is a Holistic Healing Space Where Every Woman Can Heal, Grow and Thrive

Participants should meet at the front gate of the Hampton-Preston Mansion on Blanding Street. Binoculars are highly recommended but not required. Advanced registration is required. Location: 1615 Blanding St., Columbia. For more information or to register, visit HistoricColumbia.org/birdwatching.

Wellness Services

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Reiki Massage Health Counseling @PeacefulPauseHealing November 2026

News Briefs

Discover the Art of Clothing Repair

The Columbia Museum of Art will host a Clothing Mend Clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 8, on Boyd Plaza, offering participants ages 15 and older hands-on instruction in garment repair with vintage clothing repairer David Hicks.

Inspired by featured exhibition Body Matters, this hands-on workshop invites participants to consider the powerful relationship between the clothes we wear on our bodies and the act of repairing them for continued use. Participants learn a variety of clothing repair methods for damage such as missing buttons, popped seams, rips and abrasion. Participants should bring a garment to repair; all supplies and equipment are provided. The workshop will move indoors in case of rain. Cost: $20 for nonmembers and $16 for members. Location: 1515 Main St., Columbia. For more information or to register, visit ColumbiaMuseum.org/events/art-class-clothing-mend-clinic-0.

Light Up the Holidays at NEON Joy

The Five Points Association will host NEON Joy in Five Points from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, November 20, in Columbia’s Five Points district, offering a free, family-friendly holiday celebration featuring a laser light show. Festivities will include appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Grinch, hot cocoa at the fountain, caroling by The Cocktails of The University of South Carolina and community performances. Visitors can also enjoy extended shopping hours, seasonal specials, and food and beverages available for purchase. Location: 532 Congaree Ave., Columbia. For more information, visit FivePointsColumbia.com/ events/neon-joy.

Explore Art and Nature at the Sesqui Artisan’s Market

The annual Sesqui Artisan’s Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 8, at Sesquicentennial State Park, bringing together more than 60 artists and makers from across the Southeast for a day of shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities. Visitors can browse handcrafted items ranging from fine art, pottery and woodworking to jewelry, textiles and home décor. Food trucks, live music and hands-on children’s activities will add to the festivities. Guests can also explore the park’s scenic hiking trails, rent a paddleboat or kayak, fish in the lake or enjoy the playgrounds. The event offers an opportunity to support regional artists while spending time outdoors with family and friends. Cost: Free with park admission. Location: 9564 Two Notch Rd., Columbia. For more information, visit Facebook.com/SesquiArtisansMarket.

Living Generously Coming in December

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Experience a Bold Comedy of Love, Honor and Revenge

Explore Independent Cinema at Film Festival

The 12th annual South Carolina Underground Film Festival will run from Friday, November 6, to Sunday, November 8, at the Nickelodeon Theatre, showcasing independent films from around the world across a range of genres. The three-day festival brings filmmakers and movie fans together to celebrate independent and lesser-known cinema. Individual tickets, daily passes and weekend passes are available. Cost: $7 to $55. Location: 1607 Main St., Columbia. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Nickelodeon.org/festival/ sc-underground-film-festival/?view=list.

The University of South Carolina’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present The Courage to Right a Woman’s Wrongs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 13, through Sunday, November 15, and Tuesday, November 17, through Friday, November 20, bringing a modern translation of a 17th-century Spanish comedy to the stage. Written by pioneering playwright Ana Caro, one of Spain’s most revered female dramatists, the play follows Doña Leonor, who devises a daring plan to reclaim her honor after being seduced and abandoned by Don Juan. Disguised as a skilled swordsman named Leonardo, she sets out to hold her former lover accountable. Blending romance, intrigue and sharp social commentary, the production explores a woman’s fight for agency in a society designed to deny it. The play is one of only two surviving works by Caro. Cost: $15 to $25. Location: 1300 Greene St., Columbia. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit SC.UniversityTickets.com/w/event.aspx?SeriesID=51.

Sip, Savor and Enjoy Live Music

The second annual Whiskey, Wine and Blues Festival will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 14, at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds, bringing together beverage tastings, live music and artisan vendors. Guests can sample premium whiskeys, wines and craft beers while enjoying live band performances, DJ sets and cultural experiences. The festival offers an afternoon of music, tasting and community connection. Location: 901 George Rogers Blvd., Columbia. For more information, including cost, or to purchase tickets, visit WhiskeyWineBlues.com.

Enjoy a Day of Free Live Music

Jam Room Music Fest will return to Finlay Park in downtown Columbia from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, November 14, featuring 10 bands across two stages with free admission. This year’s lineup spans a range of musical styles and includes Swervedriver, Ranky Tanky, Pylon Reenactment Society, Elf Power, Fust, Interceptor Band Official, Divi Roxx Kids, MIDS, Eezy Olah and Leonino. The all-day festival offers an opportunity to experience live music and discover regional and touring artists in an outdoor setting. Location: 930 Laurel St., Columbia. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ JamRoomMusicFestival. Make sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

November 2026

Health Briefs

Urolithin A’s Promise for Gut Health

A 2026 study on mice published in Nature Communications examined urolithin A (UroA), a microbial metabolite produced by digesting foods like pomegranates, walnuts and berries. Researchers discovered that UroA activates a protective pathway in the intestine, potentially preserving gut health and reducing tissue damage. In human tissue samples from IBD patients, UroA activated the same protective pathway observed in the mice experiments. The findings suggest that future IBD treatments might focus on the body’s natural protective pathways instead of broadly suppressing the immune system.

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining, affecting millions globally. The gut barrier allows nutrients to enter the body while blocking harmful bacteria, but in IBD patients, the barrier breaks down, leading to inflammation, pain and long-term complications.

Pleasant Experiences Relieve Depression

Anhedonia, the inability to feel joy or pleasure, is a common and dangerous symptom of depression that develops when the brain’s reward system (a network of neural structures) becomes less responsive to positive experiences. A recent study in JAMA Network Open reports that positive affect treatment (PAT), a 15-week psychotherapy targeting this reward system, effectively treats depression and anxiety. Training patients to find joy, connection and meaning significantly outperformed negative affect treatment (NAT), which focuses on reducing negative emotions.

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During the study, 98 patients with moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety, along with severe anhedonia, were randomly assigned to receive weekly sessions of either PAT or NAT. PAT patients were instructed to initiate and deeply savor pleasurable activities, while NAT patients focused on threat processing and reducing negative emotions. Participants provided weekly reports on behavioral, physiological, reward and threat measures. The results demonstrated that PAT’s reward-focused intervention led to greater reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms than NAT.

Yo-Yo Dieting and Health

The researchers noted that regaining weight typically returns health and metabolic markers to pre-dieting levels, causing dieters to lose the temporary health improvements they experienced when they were lighter. Professor Faidon Magkos, of the University of Copenhagen, a co-author of the study, stated that the benefits of attempting weight loss outweigh the theoretical risks of weight cycling. 10

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Yo-yo dieting is a global phenomenon. About half of adults are trying to lose weight, but many regain substantial weight once they stop dieting, leading to repeated cycles of loss and gain. A comprehensive review published this May in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology analyzed decades of observational data, clinical trials and animal models. The findings showed no evidence that weight cycling permanently slows metabolism, causes disproportionate muscle loss or results in long-term harm to obese patients.

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Global Briefs

North American Bird Losses Are Accelerating Better Outlook for Organic Honey

Stringent regulations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture dissuades many farmers from participating in the organic honey market, but new research may lead to an easing of these restrictions, paving the way for an influx of new organic-honey manufacturers. Currently, apiaries must provide a nearly four-mile buffer zone of organic-certified or natural, undeveloped and uncultivated land for bees to forage, which can be difficult to locate. However, new research suggests that bees need only a fraction of that buffer to produce honey with extremely low or undetectable pesticide residues. A Cornell University study published in Science of the Total Environment established 72 organically managed bee colonies across six large organic farms in the Northeast. Each colony was surrounded by 56 to 93 percent natural or semi-natural spaces, including forests, wetlands and fallow fields within an approximate two-mile radius. The researchers found that the bees foraged a median distance of less than half a mile from their hives. After testing the nectar for 96 pesticide residues and comparing it to 20 store-bought brands, researchers determined that the pesticide content was low and comparable to the certified-organic honeys, while residue levels were much higher in the conventional products. The study demonstrated that it is possible to produce clean honey even in relatively small organic farms and that strict buffer mandates may be unnecessarily large.

A 2026 study published in Science showed that declines in North American bird populations are speeding up year after year in regions with rising temperatures and intensive agriculture. According to the researchers, these accelerating declines were strongly associated with three factors: the heavy use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which destroy local insects, wiping out the birds’ main food source; the replacement of native plants and grasslands with massive crop fields, eliminating nesting grounds; and rising temperatures that compound the problem, adding environmental stress to these altered landscapes. The scientists noted strong statistical correlations between agricultural intensity/rising temperatures and faster bird losses, though they stressed that correlation does not strictly prove single-factor causation. The researchers used data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey, covering more than 261 species in the U.S. and Canada, rather than tracking other variables such as migratory routes or wintering locations. In the U.S., the highest overall net declines in bird numbers occurred in warmer regions such as Florida, Texas and other Southern states. The fastest acceleration of losses, was most prominent in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and California.

Moths Smell With Their Wings

A German study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology found that tobacco hawkmoth (Manduca sexta) wings can detect specific odors floating through the air. The scientists gently snipped the edges from the moth’s wings and examined them with a scanning electron microscope to identify specialized porous hairs, which are the hallmarks of scent sensors.

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To determine if the rest of the wing could also sense odors, the scientists blew puffs of different aromas onto the wings with the edges trimmed off. Fruity, floral and putrid scents were tested, but only two nitrogen-containing compounds—pyrrolidine and piperidine—produced strong responses. These fetid smells are found on the leaves of nightshade plants, where tobacco hawkmoths lay their eggs. The researchers concluded that the specialized porous sensory hairs were distributed across the wing surface, not just along the edges, and the strength of the reaction changed relative to how close the puff was to the wings. November 2026

Eco Tip

Green Gift Guide for the Holidays by Natural Awakenings staff

uring the holidays, the familiar rush of gift-shopping can often overshadow the true spirit of the season. For Earth-conscious people, rampant over-commercialization can feel overwhelming. Eco-friendly gifting is a thoughtful alternative that not only reduces waste but also supports local communities, small businesses and conservation efforts. Carefully chosen eco-friendly gifts prioritize sustainability over excess, while celebrating their usefulness, beauty and benefits for the planet. This style of giving can make the holidays more purposeful and memorable while supporting a healthier lifestyle. Here are some inspiring gift ideas: For home chefs that want to reduce waste and single-use plastics, a reusable starter set for the kitchen can include produce bags, beeswax wraps, cloth napkins, bamboo utensils, dishcloths, silicone storage bags and stainless-steel straws. Explore options at PapayaReusables. com, Blueland.com, BambuHome.com, KleanKanteen.com or Grove.co. For those that enjoy pampering themselves, consider sustainable, non-toxic personal care products such as refillable deodorants, shampoo and hair conditioner bars, concentrated cleaners and natural soaps. Look for products approved by the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org). Take a look at WeAreWild.com or AttitudeLiving.com.

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For travelers that want to leave a smaller footprint, carry-on reusables such as a stainless-steel water bottle, bamboo toothbrush,

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travel utensil set, reusable coffee cup and cloth shopping bag are thoughtful choices. Visit AkamaiBasics.com or EarthHero.com. For experiences that create lasting memories without adding clutter, a nature center membership, botanical garden pass, kayak rental or gardening class make wonderful gifts, allowing the recipient to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. For more relaxing activities, outdoor yoga or meditation sessions, a state park annual pass or birdwatching tour promote well-being while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world. To tantalize the tastebuds, homemade herbal tea blends, infused olive oils, spice mixes or handcrafted granola—all packaged in reusable glass jars—encourage a more sustainable lifestyle. For art lovers, upcycled arts and crafts made from recycled glass, fabric remnants, bicycle tires, reclaimed wood or repurposed materials are unique, creative gifts that support local artists while reducing waste and giving new life to old materials. For animal lovers, a symbolic animal adoption through organizations like WorldWildlife.org, OceanicSociety.org and Endangered.org supports endangered species and includes educational materials so the recipient can learn about the animal they are supporting. For outdoor lovers, planting a tree in the recipient’s name is the perfect gift. Organizations like ArborDay.org and OneTreePlanted. org allow donors to dedicate a tree, support reforestation or contribute to habitat restoration. For gardeners and homeowners, pollinator kits include native wildflower seeds, herbs or pollinator-friendly starter plants that support bees, butterflies, birds and other local wildlife. They can be purchased through online retailers, specialty native plant nurseries and conservation organizations. Visit BulkWildflowers.com or Eden Brothers.com. For those that enjoy fresh local produce, a community supported agriculture (CSA) subscription is a thoughtful gift that supports local growers and encourages seasonal healthy eating while reducing the carbon footprint of food transportation.

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Midlands Matters

A Movement for Healthier Families, a Healthier Midlands and a Healthier Future

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Your Kidneys May Be Working Overtime

ave you ever wondered how your kidneys are doing? Not whether they hurt, but whether they are quietly doing their job. Most of us rarely think about these two remarkable organs until something goes wrong. Your kidneys filter waste, balance fluids and minerals, and help regulate blood pressure. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means kidney damage or reduced kidney function has persisted for at least three months. The challenge? Early CKD often has no symptoms. Know Your Numbers Creatinine is a waste product measured in blood. When kidney filtering declines, creatinine often rises. But muscle mass, age and other factors affect the result, so one creatinine number cannot tell the whole story. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) uses creatinine and other information to estimate kidney filtering. A higher number generally indicates better filtration, although interpretation depends on age and the overall clinical picture. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) checks whether protein is leaking into urine. A result below 30 milligrams per gram (mg/g) is generally considered normal; 30 mg/g or higher may indicate kidney damage and warrants follow-up. This test is sometimes called a “microalbumin” test. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) measures another waste product, but hydration, diet and other factors influence it. Ask your provider to interpret these tests together, not in isolation. The Five Stages of CKD Stage 1: eGFR 90 or higher, with evidence of kidney damage. Stage 2: eGFR 60-89, with evidence of kidney damage.

What Might You Notice? Early on, perhaps nothing. As kidney disease advances, possible symptoms include fatigue, swelling, changes in urination, nausea or itching. Men, let’s talk about erectile dysfunction (ED). Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection can be associated with kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease. Talk with your healthcare provider about possible underlying causes and whether kidney testing is appropriate. ED treatment may still be helpful. Remember, treating a symptom and identifying its cause are not always the same thing. Your Monthly Kidney Protection Challenge This month, find your most recent creatinine, eGFR and urine albumin results—or ask your healthcare provider whether you need testing, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease. Limit animal foods, including eggs and cheese, in your diet; they are harsh for your kidneys to process. Increase your water intake and remove sugary beverages from your diet. Exercise—movement improves circulation. Remove processed foods and snacks from your diet. Eat mostly fruits and vegetables. Talk to your healthcare provider about tapering you off of some of your medications. Before You Go... Your kidneys may not ask for attention, but they deserve it. Protect them by managing blood pressure and blood sugar, staying appropriately hydrated, limiting excess sodium and reviewing medications, including frequent pain reliever use, with your clinician. Until our next conversation, take good care of yourself. Wishing you peace, love and healing,

Stage 3: eGFR 30-59, indicating moderately reduced kidney function. Stage 4: eGFR 15-29, indicating severely reduced kidney function. Stage 5: eGFR below 15, indicating kidney failure. An eGFR of 60 or higher does not establish CKD by itself. Persistent abnormalities and your medical history matter.

Educational disclaimer: This conversation is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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November 2026

Walking Through Yesterday

The Barnett House by Anna Garrison

Patty Barnett helped expand the business by finding local buyers for peaches too ripe to withstand shipping. Her work also reached into Sumter’s cultural and religious life through service to the Sumter Museum and years of teaching at Temple Sinai. The family’s influence continued well beyond the boundaries of its Warren Street property. Inside the house, original hardwood floors and tile remain, preserving familiar surfaces through the transition from private residence to guest accommodation. In 2017, Tracey and Tommy McLaughlin purchased the property from the Barnett estate and opened 1912 Bed and Breakfast the following year.

long Warren Street in Sumter, Corinthian columns rise across the front of a two-story home, framing porches that have witnessed generations of change. Known historically as the Barnett House, the residence belonged to one family for more than a century, connecting its rooms to the city’s agricultural, business and Jewish history. The family’s arrival in Sumter dates to 1880, when B.J. Barnett moved there with three of his grown children and opened a general store. His earlier years had taken him from peddling to shopkeeping in nearby Manville, where he acquired acreage for cotton farming. He later served on Sumter’s city council, establishing a presence that extended from the surrounding farmland into the town’s public life. The house’s earliest history carries some uncertainty. A 2019 account in The Sumter Item places its construction in 1880 on North Washington Street, followed by a move to Warren Street in 1912. Later accounts identify 1912 as the construction year and include differing family recollections about an earlier Barnett residence. The surviving stories agree on the family connection, even as the building’s original timeline remains unresolved. By 1950, the Warren Street home was entering another generation of family life. Henry “Bubba” Barnett had returned from World War II to take over the family farms. He married Patty Levi, and the couple settled into the house. In 1956, the year their oldest son was born, Henry Barnett planted his first peach tree. That planting grew into Barnett’s Peaches, eventually one of South Carolina’s largest peach orchards.

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Today, the house offers visitors more than a view from the street. Guests can stay beneath its roof, walk across its original floors and spend time inside this longtime Sumter family home. Anna Garrison is a heritage photographer, author and storyteller based in Columbia. She is passionate about keeping history and human experiences alive through documenting the quiet details of historic structures, preserving forgotten architecture or sharing stories that connect us. Garrison is the founder of Her Story, Her Voice, a literary showcase that connects local women authors with the community to share their writing and their creative journeys, and is deeply committed to celebrating both the physical and human history around us. To connect with her, email Anna@AnnaGarrison.com or follow @walking_through_yesterday and @herstory_hervoicesc on Instagram.

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Local Wellness Making Gratitude a Practice of Connection Gratitude becomes especially meaningful when we share it with others. We may feel thankful for the people in our lives without always expressing that appreciation. A thoughtful text, handwritten note or sincere conversation can remind someone that they matter. Gratitude can also extend beyond our closest relationships to include the people whose everyday contributions often go unrecognized.

Beyond Gratitude

Cultivating a More Meaningful Practice of Thankfulness by Michaela Leung

ovember naturally brings gratitude into focus. As the holiday season approaches, we’re encouraged to reflect on what we’re thankful for and spend time with the people that matter most. But gratitude can be more than a seasonal tradition or a daily journal prompt. When practiced intentionally, it can help us feel more connected to ourselves, to others and to the moments that make up our everyday lives. Shifting Our Perspective Gratitude isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges or forcing ourselves to feel positive when things are difficult. Instead, it invites us to acknowledge what is good while making room for everything else. Stress, uncertainty and everyday responsibilities can make it easy to focus on what’s missing or what still needs to be done. Gratitude offers an opportunity to pause and widen our perspective. Research suggests that gratitude practices may support emotional well-being and strengthen relationships. While gratitude isn’t a cure-all, it can be a simple tool for becoming more intentional about where we direct our attention. Moving Beyond the Journal Writing down three things you’re grateful for can be a helpful starting point, but gratitude doesn’t have to live on the page. Try moving beyond simply listing what you appreciate and consider why it matters. Instead of writing, “I’m grateful for my friend,” reflect on what that friendship brings into your life. Perhaps it makes you feel understood, supported or less alone. You can also practice gratitude in real time. Notice the warmth of your morning coffee, the feeling of fresh air during a walk or the relief of completing a task. These moments may seem ordinary, but paying attention to them helps us experience our lives rather than simply move through them. Make sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

Practicing Gratitude Without Pressure Gratitude should never become another expectation to meet or a reason to minimize our struggles. You can appreciate your life and still want something to change. You can be grateful for your work while feeling ready for a new opportunity. Rather than using gratitude to dismiss dissatisfaction, use it to understand what matters most to you. Recognizing what you value can help you make decisions that better reflect your priorities. This November, consider approaching gratitude as an ongoing invitation rather than a seasonal expectation. Notice the people that show up for you, appreciate the small comforts that brighten an ordinary day and allow yourself to celebrate what is good without denying what is hard. A meaningful gratitude practice isn’t about finding something to be thankful for once a day. It’s about learning to recognize the moments, relationships and experiences that make life meaningful—throughout November and all year long. Michaela Leung is a multimedia storyteller, wellness writer and Pilates instructor based in Columbia. She is passionate about making holistic wellness more accessible—through movement, mindful living or sharing stories that inspire. Leung is the founder of All is Well, a wellness platform and newsletter, and a former Columbia ambassador who is still dedicated to supporting local businesses and healthy living. To connect with her, email MichaelaAngeliqueLeung@gmail.com or follow @michaelaleung__ on Instagram. November 2026

Feature Story

Growing Our Capacity for Gratitude How to Practice Thankfulness Every Day by Megy Karydes

ratitude comes in various forms. It can be stealthy (that sense of warmth when the sun breaks through after a gray week) or hard won (appreciating a short-tempered teenager). But researchers and practitioners agree that gratitude must be cultivated to become part of our daily routine.

Build New Pathways in the Brain

The distinction matters most, he emphasizes, during times when gratitude doesn’t come naturally, such as when we’re late for work, blindsided by an angry spouse or absorbing someone else’s bad day. “By developing gratitude as a practice and as a part of our lives, we allow ourselves to pause and acknowledge that no matter how challenging this moment is, there is something to be grateful for.”

“Anything that is consistent can shape your brain networks and build a habit. That’s when a gratitude practice becomes a habit,” he explains, comparing the concept to cutting a new trail across a cornfield. “There’s

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“Gratitude as a passing feeling is spontaneous,” says Brendan Cournane, a certified professional development coach specializing in well-being and mindfulness, and author of Seeking Serenity: Finding Happiness by Embracing Your Present Attitude. “Anybody who practices mindfulness or meditation has moments of gratitude daily, even several times a day, but that’s not the same as developing a practice.”

According to David R. Hamilton, Ph.D., a bestselling author and speaker on the science of kindness and well-being, whose newest book is The Joy of Actually Giving a F*ck: How Kindness Can Cure Stress and Make You Happy, the key to turning any practice into a consistent habit is neuroplasticity—the brain’s capacity to reorganize itself based on repetition.

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already a path that’s been made. But suppose you decide to walk another path. Initially, that takes a little bit of work. But as you walk it daily, it becomes a habit. The old path begins to overgrow because the brain doesn’t want to waste energy.” Cournane observes a similar transformation in his coaching work: “We know through neuroplasticity that our brain waves can change, and by forming a gratitude practice, we can transform all of our circumstances into something more positive.” Hamilton and Cournane’s experiences align with research findings. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the einstein (São Paulo) journal, which analyzed 64 randomized clinical trials, found that gratitude interventions were associated with greater life satisfaction and significantly reduced anxiety and depression symptoms. The participants also reported more positive moods, greater optimism and less worry. Additional research summarized by the American Brain Foundation indicates that practicing gratitude activates the brain’s reward system, reduces the amygdala’s stress reactivity and, with repeated practice, reorganizes neural pathways between neurons.

Be Specific, Not General

Both experts agree that gratitude must be specific to truly resonate. “‘I’m grateful for my wife’ is too generic,” says Cournane. “Instead, ‘I’m grateful for my wife because we walked along the lakefront holding hands and enjoying the sunset’ is specific and activates more brain receptors.” Sensory details

are key: “I see the sunset. I hear the wind and the waves along the shore. I feel her hand’s touch. I smell the air from the water or trees in the park.” Another powerful shift suggested by Cournane is saying, “I’m grateful my sister called when I felt overwhelmed and she reminded me I wasn’t alone,” instead of “I’m grateful for my family.” This specificity enhances the gratitude practice and its benefits.

Gratitude Is Not Forced Positivity

Neither Hamilton nor Cournane suggests that gratitude replaces grief or hardship. “When challenging things have happened, it’s like, ‘I’ve made it through this day. I managed to get out of bed this morning,’” says Hamilton. After his father’s death, his gratitude practice shifted. “I could remember all these great things about him, and that became something I could hold onto. We tend to only turn inside when we’re faced with difficulties and challenges in our life because there’s nothing else in the outside world that’s giving us any happiness. So all you’re left with is: ‘I’m still here.’” Cournane offers a psychological perspective on why gratitude helps during conflict or stress. “The brain cannot hold two opposite feelings or thoughts or emotions simultaneously. I can’t be angry and grateful at the same time,” he remarks, adding that seeking gratitude in difficult moments isn’t about denying the challenge. It’s about avoiding taking it out on the nearest person.

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November 2026

jar on a meaningful date. This can become a very emotional bonding experience that the family may want to repeat every year.

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Start Small, Stay Committed

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Growing our capacity for gratitude requires practice. “Begin with 30 seconds or a minute, and soon half an hour or an hour will feel manageable,” counsels Cournane, who begins his daily gratitude practice by drinking a glass of water. “I appreciate having clean, fresh water, which not only is healthy for me but also reinforces the positive benefits I’m experiencing.”

Turn Thankfulness Into Action

Gratitude does not have to remain private, according to both practitioners. Hamilton points to research showing that people consistently misjudge the impact of a compliment. “We underestimate how grateful people would be if we paid them a compliment,” he says. “At the same time, we overestimate how much we think it will annoy them.” Voicing appreciation, he notes, can even have a physical effect: Connection triggers a release of oxytocin—the kindness hormone—that helps regulate blood pressure. Cournane shares a smaller, more recent example. When ordering a sandwich, the woman behind the counter said, “It looks like you’ve been working hard today, so you deserve a nice sandwich.” He returned the compliment and saw her face light up. “There’s a mutual respect, a mutual give-and-take that stimulates gratitude and other positive emotions within us,” he says. For families looking to build this habit together, Hamilton recommends a gratitude jar. Everyone writes what they’re thankful for on slips of paper throughout the year, then opens the

Psychologist Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis, has dedicated much of his career to this field. In Gratitude Works!: A 21-Day Program for Creating Emotional Prosperity, he describes sustained practice as a journey toward emotional prosperity—not the absence of hardship, but an inner richness and resilience regardless of circumstances. When practiced consistently and with specificity, gratitude is more than a mood; it is an infrastructure built one small, repeatable moment at a time until it becomes a natural path, like a well-trodden trail across a field.

Habits Can Lead to Real Change

• The One-Memory Journal: Write three sentences about a specific moment of support, kindness or relief. • The Specific Thank-You: Clearly tell someone what they did and why it mattered. We underestimate how much it will mean to them. • The Gratitude Reframe. When stressed, ask, “What is still here to support me?” • The Gratitude-to-Behavior Step. Choose one thing to be grateful for and let it guide an action. This could be a text, a call, a note or a moment of patience. • Start Small. A daily and consistent practice, even if imperfect, is more effective than sporadic efforts. Megy Karydes is a Chicago-based writer and author of 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress.

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Conscious Eating

Healthy Swaps for the Holiday Table Thanksgiving Never Tasted So Good by Marlaina Donato

The American Heart Association recommends using olive oil instead of butter, even in mashed potatoes; herbs and spices like rosemary and cloves instead of butter and salt; and whole-grain bread and pasta instead of white flour.

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Improving a Good Thing

aking the Thanksgiving meal healthier does not mean sacrificing the flavor and traditions families and friends look forward to all year. Swapping in nutritious ingredients is an act of love, a way to care for the people gathered around the table while still honoring the dishes and memories that make the holiday meaningful. With a little planning, delicious culinary adjustments are simple to execute. Ingredient replacements should be viewed as a celebration of abundance rather than deprivation, as they add colors, herbs, textures and more energy after the meal. Ideas include blending cauliflower into mashed potatoes, using 20

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Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, brightening dishes with herbs and citrus zest instead of heavy gravies, adding crunchy greens and seasonal salads, and sweetening desserts with fruit, monk fruit, stevia or smaller amounts of honey or maple syrup.

Good Vibes and a Healthy Heart

A balanced holiday plate that combines lean protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates can support increased energy, mood, mental clarity and emotional regulation, especially during a time that can bring stress, along with joy. According to Harvard Health Publishing, diet directly impacts mood and brain function through the gut-brain connection and inflammation regulation.

“Food and recipes are meant to be adapted, and just because grandma made it one way doesn’t mean you can’t give it your own spin,” says Kathryn Doherty, in Charlotte, North Carolina, a recipe creator, cookbook author and founder of FamilyFoodOnTheTable.com. “I happily put my lightened-up twist on old favorites and find ways to adapt classic recipes to work for my family.” Jesse Lane Lee, from Toronto, a holistic nutritionist, corporate wellness educator, cookbook author and founder of JesseLaneWellness.com, has the perfect healthy replacement for a dish most Americans wouldn’t dream of forgoing. “Mashed cauliflower is much faster and easier to make than traditional mashed potatoes,” she explains. “If you aren’t a big fan of cauliflower, try swapping the sour cream you add to your mashed potatoes with plain Greek yogurt. The yogurt adds a satisfying tang, as well as extra protein.” Sara Tercero, from Massachusetts, a plant-based chef, cookbook author and founder of BetterFoodGuru.com, welcomes the opportunity to surprise and delight guests with flavorful substitutions, noting,

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She relies on spices and vinegars to bring out the flavor of vegetables, helping them take center stage at the holiday table. Stuffing made with gluten-free grains and brown lentils can be surprisingly delicious without the carb crash of a traditional bread-based recipe. Instead of calorie-laden mac and cheese, add puréed butternut squash to high-protein or whole wheat pasta for a delightful, nutrient-rich twist. And a buttery, white flour-thickened gravy pales in comparison to a creamy sauce made with roasted carrots, parsnips, onions and celery blended in a low-sodium broth with sage, thyme and black pepper.

Dessert Reimagined

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“These switches can shave off hundreds of calories and make meals more balanced, while barely changing a recipe’s taste or texture.”

and flavor and allows you to use less granulated sugar. Start small, taste as you go and see how much sugar you really need,” she advises, adding that honey or naturally sweet fruit such as bananas or dates are healthier choices for desserts.

Topping a sweet potato casserole with a nut streusel instead of marshmallows is one of Doherty’s holiday favorites. By combining chopped pecans with a touch of butter, modest amounts of brown sugar and cinnamon, she is able to replace the empty calories of the traditional topping with healthy fats and antioxidants while also adding satisfying texture and complexity to the dish.

Pure maple syrup is Tercero’s go-to sweetener. “I also like to add in something that will make the dessert moist, like apple sauce or tahini, because it gives more depth of flavor than oil and sugar,” she says, noting that chia or flax seeds with water (instead of eggs) and avocado (instead of butter or shortening) can also keep vegan baked goods moist and fluffy while adding nutrition.

Doherty is also strategic about her homemade cranberry sauce. “Adding fresh orange juice and some honey helps add sweetness

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

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HEALTHY MASHED POTATOES MAPLE BALSAMIC BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH HONEYNUT SQUASH AND WALNUTS

YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS 2 lbs medium Yukon gold potatoes, well-scrubbed 1½ tsp kosher salt, divided ⅓ cup skim milk ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt ¼ tsp black pepper 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

YIELD: 6 SERVINGS 2 lbs Brussels sprouts, halved 2 honeynut squash peeled, seeded and cut into bite-size pieces 1 cup walnuts 4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp salt ½ tsp garlic powder

Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. For especially large potatoes, cut them in half so pieces are roughly the same size and will cook evenly. Add 1 teaspoon of the salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a low boil. Cook for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until tender.

Preheat the oven to 400° F.

Drain the potatoes, reserving ⅓ cup of the cooking liquid.

To a large sheet pan add the Brussels sprouts and honeynut squash. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and garlic powder. Mix well by hand until all the veggies are coated, and spread them out into a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes.

Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl. Add the milk and 2 tablespoons of the reserved cooking liquid. Mash the potatoes to the desired consistency. Add the Greek yogurt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and continue to mash. If chunky potatoes are preferred, stir in the yogurt until well incorporated to avoid extra mashing.

Take the sheet pan out of the oven, add the walnuts and baste the veggies and nuts with the balsamic vinegar and pure maple syrup. With a spatula, carefully mix until all the veggies are coated with the sweet maple and tangy vinegar. Return to the oven for 10 more minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Sara Tercero and BetterFoodGuru.com.

Courtesy of Sara Tercero

Transfer the cooked veggies and nuts to a serving platter and enjoy within 2 to 3 days for the best quality.

Add up to an additional 2 tablespoons of the reserved cooking liquid and/or additional milk, if needed, to get the potatoes to the desired consistency. Season to taste, adding the remaining salt if needed, and serve hot, topped with melted butter. Recipe courtesy of Kathryn Doherty and FamilyFoodOnTheTable. com/healthy-mashed-potatoes.

PECAN APPLE CRISP YIELD: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS FOR FILLING 4 cups thinly sliced apples, 3 to 4 apples ½ lemon, juiced 2 Tbsp maple syrup ¼ cup almond flour 1 tsp cinnamon FOR TOPPING 1 cup oats ½ cup chopped raw pecans ¼ cup almond flour ¼ cup coconut oil, softened 3 Tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp vanilla Preheat the oven to 350° F. Place the sliced apples in a bowl and toss with lemon juice and maple syrup. Add the almond flour and cinnamon, and toss once more. Mix all the topping ingredients together in a separate bowl and set aside. Place the filling into a baking dish and top with the topping.

Remove from the oven and serve with whipped cream, à la mode or with Greek yogurt. Recipe courtesy of Jesse Lane Lee and JesseLaneWellness.com.

Courtesy of Jesse Lane Lee

Bake for 30 minutes until the apples have softened and the juices have released.

Wise Words

Blueprint for Alzheimer’s Prevention A Conversation With Dr. David Perlmutter by Sandra Yeyati University, Scripps Institute, New York University and Harvard University. His latest book is Brain Defenders: Harness the Power of Your Immune Cells to Protect Your Brain for Life.

What inspired you to write Brain Defenders and how does it expand on your previous work? What inspired me was the realization that metabolism profoundly influences immunity, and that this relationship explains so much about why a healthy brain begins to deteriorate. The brain’s immune cells can either protect and repair the brain or contribute to inflammation and degeneration, and their behavior is strongly influenced by our metabolic health, over which we have significant control.

Ed Chappell

My previous books explored how nutrition, blood sugar, the microbiome and lifestyle influence the brain. Brain Defenders brings these ideas together through the emerging science of immunometabolism—the relationship between the immune system and metabolism. It explains not simply what damages the brain, but how the brain’s own defenders can become destructive, and, importantly, what we can do to restore their protective function.

r. David Perlmutter is a board-certified neurologist and seven-time New York Times bestselling author. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal for Alzheimer’s Disease and has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Archives of Neurology, Neurosurgery and The Journal of Applied Nutrition. Perlmutter received his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where he serves as an associate professor. He lectures at major medical symposia, including ones sponsored by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Columbia 24

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What are we currently getting wrong about Alzheimer’s disease?

We continue to treat Alzheimer’s as though it begins when memory fails. This idea is categorically wrong. In reality, the disease may have been developing for decades prior to the appearance of cognitive manifestations. We have also focused overwhelmingly on amyloid [an abnormal protein buildup that forms sticky deposits or plaques in the brain], treating it as the cause when it may be, at least in part, a downstream response to metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, infection and impaired cellular housekeeping.

What are microglia and how can they become dangerous?

Microglia are the brain’s resident immune cells. They are constantly surveying their environment, looking for infection, injury, damaged cells and unwanted material. In their protective role, they clear

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debris, support repair, maintain synapses and help keep the brain resilient.

and bleeding. These treatments deserve an individualized discussion, not exaggerated promises. Removing amyloid does not address the full biology of Alzheimer’s.

But when microglia are exposed chronically to signals associated with insulin resistance, poor diet, disrupted sleep, infection, toxins or a damaged gut barrier, they can remain locked in an inflammatory state. Instead of briefly responding to danger and then returning to a restorative mode, they continue releasing inflammatory chemicals and may begin eliminating healthy synapses. Obviously, this plays out badly for the brain. In other words, the brain’s defenders can become part of the problem, but their behavior is not necessarily fixed.

Courtesy of David Perlmutter

What misconception about brain health do you hope this book will finally clear up?

What strategies can people use to protect their brain?

Begin with metabolic health. Know your fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, waist circumference, triglycerides, insulin level and other markers of cardiovascular risk. Exercise regularly, combining aerobic activity with resistance training. Prioritize restorative sleep and evaluate possible sleep apnea. Eat a fiber-rich, minimally processed diet; protect the microbiome; maintain meaningful social relationships; continue learning; protect your hearing; avoid smoking; and minimize exposure to air pollution and other toxins whenever possible.

effects, depression, inactivity and social isolation. Exercise, diet, sleep, cognitive engagement and vascular risk management remain highly relevant. Current medications may provide modest symptomatic benefit for some patients. The anti-amyloid antibodies lecanemab and donanemab can minimally slow measured decline in carefully selected people with early disease, but the average benefit is minimal, treatment is burdensome, and there are meaningful risks, including brain swelling

The misconceptions I most want to challenge are that cognitive decline is an inevitable consequence of aging, and that our genes determine our destiny. Gene variants, such as APOE4, may influence risk, but they do not operate in isolation. Metabolism, inflammation, sleep, diet, exercise, environmental exposures and the microbiome all influence how that risk is expressed. The brain is not simply waiting to deteriorate. It is responding continuously to the signals we send it. Brain Defenders is ultimately a book about agency: the recognition that we can absolutely begin changing many of those signals today. Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings. To read a longer version of this conversation, visit TinyURL. com/PerlmutterWW or scan the QR code.

No single intervention guarantees protection. The power comes from addressing several interconnected pathways consistently over time. The encouraging message is that many of the factors influencing brain aging are within our reach.

What can people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s do?

A diagnosis should never be interpreted as a reason to abandon prevention-oriented strategies. Even after symptoms begin, we should identify and address insulin resistance, hypertension, sleep apnea, hearing loss, nutritional deficiencies, medication Make sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

November 2026

Healthy Kids

Helping Children Navigate Loss Gentle Grief Activities for Young Hearts by Christina Connors

t is said that grief is love with nowhere to go—a hard truth for adults to sit with and an even harder one for a child. While youngsters grieve the passing of a loved one, they also experience intense emotions if they change schools, move to another home, say goodbye to a best friend or even if they have to change a familiar routine. Parents often want to fix the sadness or rush kids past it, but a better choice is to give them the tools to hold both sadness and love. “Children grieve very differently than adults,” says Geralyn Cappabianca, a board-certified chaplain, teacher and author of Memoirs of a Hospital Chaplain. “Their emotional and cognitive development is not mature enough to process the intense feelings that grief brings. Many times, it is years later when they can emotionally grieve the loss.” At 14, Cappabianca lost her father, and her family sold their home and moved to another country, forcing her to leave her friends, extended family and school. “Whatever the type of loss, whether it’s the loss of a person, a move, loss of a pet or changing schools, the grief process is the same,” she believes. Child development experts have observed that youngsters process fear, loss and confusion far more naturally with play and hands-on activities than with conversation alone. Dr. Nancy Carlsson-Paige, an early-childhood development expert and professor emerita at Lesley

University, has researched and written about how young children use creative play to make sense of potentially overwhelming events, reduce anxiety and cope with trauma. Activities like building a memory box, listening to a story or singing a song allows them to begin to experience grief or trauma even before they have the words to name it. Connection can come before conversation.

The Gratitude Memory Box

Creating a gratitude memory box is a simple, tangible way to honor a beloved person, pet, place or chapter of life. To make one, choose a container such as a shoebox, small wooden chest or tin container and invite the child to decorate it with paint, stickers or drawings. Gather meaningful items like photos, toys, leaves or dried flowers, a collar or pet tag, and handwritten recollections.

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For parents worried about pushing a child before they are ready, Cappabianca advises that they take cues from the child. A parent may want to build their own memory box first, and then invite the child to help. “Children learn how to grieve from watching those around them,” she notes.

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According to Cappabianca, a memory box allows children to begin grieving early and safely. It provides a creative outlet for kids to express their emotions, validating their grief, even if the loss feels small to an adult. It teaches the child that love and gratitude can coexist alongside sadness. The memory box provides the child with a private space

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A trusted adult might invite the child outside to look for a real chickadee together, and in that shared, side-by-side activity, something unexpected may happen. “While looking for birds, a child might begin talking about the person they miss,” Murphy notes, although she’s careful to add, “All of those responses can be okay,” including not talking about the loss at all. Music can play a similar role. Murphy points to David Friedman’s song It’s Not Bad to Be Sad as one that “gives sadness a place rather than treating it as something that needs to be immediately fixed or pushed away.” Another Friedman song, Help Is on the Way, is built around reassurance and hope. Together, Murphy says, the two songs offer a grieving child the message that “It is okay to be sad, and you don’t have to face that sadness alone.”

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to revisit memories whenever they want. The family may choose to gather together in a shared ritual to add items to the box, sit quietly together or talk about memories associated with the contents of the box.

The Power of Song and Stories

Invite, rather than force, the conversation. Try open-ended questions like: What do you want to remember most? What would you like to say thank-you for? What do you think the bird in the story is feeling? Would you rather draw this memory or listen to a song about it instead of talking? A memory box, story or song will not take away a child’s grief, but each can give them somewhere to put it and something to hold onto while they carry it. Christina Connors is a professional singer, a burnout prevention specialist, and CEO and executive director of Soulful Forest, Inc. Learn more at SoulfulForestInc.org.

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Sometimes, direct questions about the loss—such as “Are you sad?” or “Do you want to talk about it?”—are hard for a child to answer. That is the thinking behind The Healing Chickadee (HealingChickadee. com), a program built around a plush bird, music and story, co-founded by Terry Murphy. “The child doesn’t necessarily have to sit across from an adult and answer questions about grief,” she writes. “Instead, they can cuddle the chickadee, talk about the bird, tell a story about it or simply sit quietly with it.”

Starting the Conversation

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November 2026

Natural Pet

Safe Havens for Happy Dogs and Cats Designing a Stress-Free Space for Our Pets by Ruth Roberts, DVM, CVA, CVH, CVFT, NAN

magine the relief of stepping through the front door after a long day, taking a deep breath and feeling the weight of the world lift. For humans, home is a sanctuary, but for pets, it is their entire universe. The constant noise, unpredictable schedules and lack of control over daily routines can leave dogs and cats feeling overwhelmed. Because pets rely so completely on the humans around them, a household’s atmosphere tends to become their anchor. Therefore, pet wellness often begins by creating a calm, appreciative environment.

Emotional distress can also affect a pet’s appetite. For example, a senior, mixed-breed dog stopped eating from his bowl, even avoiding his favorite foods, months after his longtime canine companion passed away. Bloodwork indicated a physical issue requiring its own investigation, but the fear at the bowl was something tests alone could not explain. Offering food wherever he felt safe, before adding supplements, helped stabilize him within days.

Pets Absorb Their Caregivers’ Stress

Companion animals are highly sensitive to the emotional currents inside a home, often acting like mirrors, reflecting the vibe of their surroundings. A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports measured cortisol, a stress hormone, in the hair of 58 dog and owner pairs. The results show that long-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners. And a 2015 study in PLOS ONE involving 1,508 dog owners found that dogs of emotionally distant owners were more likely to exhibit separation-related disorder, showing severe distress when left alone.

A 2026 article in Biological Reviews notes that city dogs face chronic stress because their environments and routines are overwhelming. Living in busy urban areas can overstimulate a dog’s senses, and because they rely entirely on humans, they rarely get to make their own choices. This affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis—the body’s main stress alarm system. In normal settings, the alarm turns on during danger and turns off when the danger passes. But for these dogs, the alarm never shuts off, causing cumulative damage to their physical health and changes in behavior. 28

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Marlene Siegel, an integrative veterinarian and owner of Pasco Veterinary Medical Center, in Florida, views this mirroring as information rather than a reason to assign blame. On the Healing Tails podcast, she explained that pets are “showing us something that we need to learn,” and that it is up to us to pay attention, become aware of it and “shift the energy.”

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Practical Steps to Create a Calmer Home

A supportive home is built on appreciation, where caregivers strive to understand a pet’s instincts, rather than expecting the animal to navigate a human world unguided. A 2021 study from University of California, Davis, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, found that dogs displayed signs of fear in response to household sounds, especially high-pitched beeps like smoke-detector chirps, while owners responded with amusement in about 46 percent of the videos analyzed. A 2023 study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that cat owners with misconceptions about feline behavior were more likely to respond with yelling, hitting or water sprays. Because the stress levels of pets and their caregivers tend to synchronize, quiet shared moments such as mindful petting offer a calmer counterpoint to a busy day. Siegel suggests a simple routine: “Put yourself in a state of gratitude every morning, midday and every night.” The moments do not need to be grand. “You open your eyes and you may see the sun coming through. You may hear birds chirping.” She believes the shift reaches pets too: “You’re going to reset them while you reset yourself.” Establishing a safe haven, such as a quiet corner away from foot traffic and appliances, provides a pet with a place to retreat. Small, safe

choices—like choosing which bed to sleep on—can restore a sense of autonomy. Sniffing walks suit many dogs; vertical space and separate litter boxes suit many cats. A calm, appreciative home supports behavioral well-being, but does not replace veterinary care. Sudden behavior changes, such as a spike in aggression or a loss of appetite, can signal a physical issue that requires prompt veterinary evaluation. Siegel’s rule of thumb is “Test, don’t guess.” Creating a calm household does not require perfection every day. Noticing how an owner’s presence and emotional energy ripple outward to their animals is a meaningful start. Note also that emotional support is a two-way street. An analysis of 1,421 primary caregivers in the peer-reviewed journal Anthrozoös found that as family conflicts rose, so did people’s attachment to the family pet, suggesting that animals offer comfort to humans during hard times. The connection is mutual. Ruth Roberts is an integrative veterinarian and holistic pet health coach. Learn about The Original CrockPet Diet and her coach certification program at DrRuthRoberts.com.

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November 2026

Homeopathy

Homeopathy Myths Refuting the Most Common Misconceptions by Christina Donka, CCH Myth: Homeopathy is just another name for herbal medicine. Homeopathic remedies come from natural sources, including plants and minerals. While an herbal tincture relies on measurable amounts of a plant or plants, a homeopathy remedy follows homeopathic principles and is prepared through a specific process of dilution and vigorous shaking. Myth: The pellets are nothing but sugar. Most homeopathic remedies come in the form of a tiny sugar pellet that dissolves under the tongue; this is simply the carrier. During manufacturing, the pellet is infused with the prepared homeopathic remedy.

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Myth: Nobody regulates these products. Under U.S. federal law, homeopathic remedies are classified as drugs, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration oversees their manufacture, marketing and sale. Myth: More is better. The opposite is true. The “minimum dose” principle dictates taking only enough of a remedy to spark a healing response. If

symptoms return, then the dose can be repeated, although it is best to check with a homeopathic practitioner. Myth: Homeopathy is only good for the sniffles. Colds, flu, sore throats, earaches, bumps and bruises are where most families begin, and that’s where a homeopathy home kit really shines. But homeopathy goes well beyond first aid. Myth: There is no research behind homeopathy. Thousands of studies on homeopathy have been published in medical journals, including clinical trials and laboratory research into the biological activity of highly diluted substances. This article is based on information in HomeopathyCenter.org. Christina Donka is executive director of the National Center for Homeopathy, providing education, resources and advocacy since 1974. To read an expanded version, visit TinyURL.com/ HomeopathyMythsNA or scan the QR code. Underwritten by Grato Health, in operation since 1987, dedicated to advancing health and wellness through natural, holistic solutions that support the body's ability to heal.

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ROOTED IN GRATITUDE TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THE THINGS THAT KEEP US PLANTED IN THANKFULNESS

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Community Resource Guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, call 839-228-1158 or email MsTracy@MidlandsNA.com.

ACUPUNTURE

ENERGY WORK

RADIANT POINT ACUPUNCTURE AND WELLNESS

PEACEFUL PAUSE HEALING

Genea Johnson 803-961-2288 RadiantPointAcupuncture@gmail.com RadiantPointAcu.com

With compassion and a deep clinical understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this practice collaborates with clients to address common concerns such as chronic discomfort, muscular tension, digestive irregularities, and stress-related cranial pressure. Care is grounded in the principles of Chinese Medicine and designed to support the body’s innate self-regulating mechanisms. Rather than focusing solely on isolated symptoms, attention is given to identifying underlying patterns of imbalance—allowing for a more comprehensive approach to restoring harmony, promoting vitality, and optimizing overall function. Through a personalized and holistic framework, clients are supported in achieving balance, resilience and longterm well-being using natural, time-honored methods of care.

CHIROPRACTIC DOWDY RUDOLPH CHIROPRACTIC LLC Dr. Dowdy Rudolph, DC 1444 Barnwell St, Columbia 803-376-6293 • DowdyRudolphChiro.com

Dr. Gerald Rudolph, DC, focuses on finding the root cause of your problems and not just treating your pain. He utilizes digital X-rays to help diagnose problems, spinal adjustments to stimulate proper movement of spinal and extremity joints, active therapeutic movement exercises to correct movement disorders, and spinal decompression to help relieve numbness and tingling down your arms and legs. Dowdy Rudolph Chiropractic also offers a state-of-the-art full-body lounge hydromassage table that can help you feel more rejuvenated and relaxed. See ad, page 25.

Dr. Malai Roper 803-814-4001 DrMalai@PeacefulPauseHealing.com PeacefulPauseHealing.com Dr. Malai Roper is a metaphysician and feminine wellness guide offering therapies that nourish the body, mind and spirit. She creates a women-only sanctuary for rest, clarity and deep renewal. Her work blends energy healing, sound medicine, therapeutic bodywork and ancestral wisdom, drawing from Eastern healing traditions that support the nervous system and restore the body’s natural rhythm. Each session is personalized to help women release stress, reclaim vitality and reconnect with their inner wisdom. Dr. Malai also hosts wellness retreats and offers certification trainings in Reiki and Sound Healing for those called to deepen their practice or guide others through healing work. See ad, page 7.

FAMILY WELLNESS LIVING WELL FAMILY MEDICINE 214 Old Chapin Rd, Lexington 803-951-2750 LivingWellFamilyMedicine.com

Dr. Feneisha Franklin believes health care should feel personal, not rushed. At Living Well Family Medicine, patients ages 13 and older receive the time, attention and direct physician access they deserve. With a special heart for veterans and older adults, Dr. Franklin provides compassionate care that honors each patient’s unique needs and life experiences. Her membership-based, insurance-free model offers same-week appointments, virtual visits, preventive care, chronic disease management and ongoing physician support. She is currently welcoming new patients seeking a more personal, connected and intentional approach to their health. Don’t just live. Live well. See ad, back page.

There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.

FOOT SAVI

7001 St Andrews Rd, Ste A Certified Board Pedorthist and Brace Specialist 803-781-1230 • FootSavi.com With more than 30-plus years in the footcare/footwear industry, Sion Owen helps with a variety of issues, including gait analysis, foot assessments, custom orthotics, bracing and compression therapy, plantar fascia pain, neuropathy and fitting for therapeutic shoes for patients with diabetes, arthritis, painful bunions, callouses and hammer toes. Call to schedule an appointment! See ad, page 9.

GRIEF/BEREAVEMENT SERVICES GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT RESOURCE CENTER INC

Sylvia Grant, MSW, BSW, GC-C 140 Stoneridge Dr, Ste 430, Columbia 803-606-3032 (text) or 803-386-9069 (call) Info@GriefAndBereavementrc.org GriefAndBereavementrc.org The Grief and Bereavement Resource Center, founded by Army veteran Sylvia Grant, MSW, provides compassionate support, counseling and educational resources to help individuals and families navigate loss. Rooted in community care, the center empowers people to process grief, find healing, and thrive through shared support and professional guidance. It’s time to stop hurting and start healing. You don’t have to do it alone. Call to make an appointment today.

UNITY IN HEALING

Leah Saliter, Yoga Teacher, Death Doula UnityInHealingllc@gmail.com UnityInHealingllc.com Embark on a journey of gentle healing and soulful restoration. Unity in Healing offers compassionate, body-centered practices that support you through grief, stress, transition and growth. Through yoga, breathwork, meditation, spiritual care and grief support, we create space for you to soften, listen inward and reconnect with what brings you steadiness and peace. Our offerings are designed to meet you exactly where you are, honoring your story, your body and your pace. Whether you are navigating loss, seeking grounding in a busy world, or longing for a deeper sense of meaning and connection, Unity in Healing provides a nurturing space where rest becomes medicine, presence becomes healing and community becomes a source of strength.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS ORIGINAL ORIGINS HEALTH AND WELLNESS

INTEGRATIVE & HOLISTIC MEDICINE EXPECT WELLNESS

Tracy R. Jacox MsTracy@originaloriginshealth.com OriginalOriginshw.com Ms. Tracy has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. Original Origins can assist you with maximizing your health and wellness holistically! Our wide range of services include health coach partnering, comprehensive health evaluations, comprehensive cooking experiences, and a comprehensive kitchen evaluation. Your health is your wealth!

POSITIVE PROJECTIONS LLC Donna Mack 803-622-4923 PositiveProjectionsllc@gmail.com PositiveProjectionsllc.com

Dr. Rachel Hall 130 Suber Rd, Columbia 803-796-1702 • DrRachelHall.com reception@drrachelhall.com Find us on Facebook for great health tips. Integrative/Holistic medicine consults for anyone wanting to approach their health more naturally. Dr. Rachel Hall is board certified in both family medicine and integrative holistic medicine. Together we will focus on finding the root of the problem, not just treating symptoms. Call today for a consult if you are looking to achieve balance. In-house diagnostic labs and therapies. See ad, page 21.

MASSAGE THERAPY

Donna Mack and her team bring over 30 years of combined experience in offering health and wellness classes. Our courses are designed to empower participants to live their healthiest and happiest lives as they age. We’ve seen firsthand how gaining greater understanding of health impacts and making simple changes in lifestyles can lead to real healing. We offer a signature Healthy Body Health class to provide you with an “owner’s manual” for your body, offering practical tools and a personalized plan to help you take charge of maintaining your health for a lifetime. Call to make an appointment today.

HERBS & DETOX SPHINX PAW

JAN SHAW PERSONAL TRAINING & MASSAGE (MAS1935) 806 12th St, West Columbia 803-360-7895 • JanShawHealth.com

Jan Shaw has many years of experience in exercise physiology and massage. She specializes in the John F. Barnes method of Myofascial Release Therapy; holds an M.S. in Exercise Science; has worked in rehab medicine for 10 years re-training patients with a myriad of physical injuries; and is skilled in MFR 1, 2, Unwinding, SES and Cervicothoracic. Whatever your needs, Shaw has the education and experience to help you.

MENTAL WELLNESS

3400 Two Notch Rd, Columbia BRIGHT SIDE COUNSELING 803-754-3922 2277 Sunset Blvd, W Columbia SphinxPaw.com 888-796-1117 Discover a haven for holistic Admin@BrightSideCenter.com well-being at Sphinx Paw. BrightSideCenter.com Sphinx Paw has been at the forefront of healing in the Columbia area since 2007. We offer a diverse selection of herbs, books, candles and incense to support natural detoxification, personal healing and spiritual growth. Embrace your wellness journey with our thoughtfully chosen products and expert guidance. Our distinctive resources promote holistic self-care, natural detoxification, weight loss, personal healing, and spiritual growth throughout all phases of life. Sphinx Paw has everything you need to support you in a life of health excellence and well-being.

Real People, Real Hope, Real Change. Our therapy practice offers compassionate, personalized care for individuals, couples and families. We have a diverse group of licensed clinicians who specialize in anxiety, autism, depression, substance use, grief, LGBTQ+, trauma and more. We offer in-person and virtual appointments, flexible scheduling, and accept all major insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. Give us a call, and our referral specialist will help you find a therapist who’s the best fit for you—even if it’s not at our practice!

I am grateful for being alive today. It is my joy and pleasure to live another wonderful day.

THERMOGRAPHY DEVINE CHIROPRACTIC AND THERMOGRAPHY

Dr. Tracy Schoonover Young 2908 Devine St, Columbia 803-497-3860 • DevineChiroSC.com Dr. Tracy Schoonover Young has served Columbia since 1993, offering chiropractic care and advanced, noninvasive thermography. A certified thermologist, she uses this radiation-free technology to aid in screening for concerns involving breast health, the thyroid, vascular and nervous systems, muscular issues and lymphatic congestion. Thermography is a noninvasive scan that maps heat and circulation patterns, often showing change before symptoms. Your body has a unique thermal pattern, and shifts over time can suggest imbalances. Devine Chiropractic and Thermography provides breast, torso and full-body screenings, each followed by a personalized consultation to guide next steps.

YOGA AND MEDITATION SANTOSHA MINDFULNESS

Kimberly Pavlik, PhD Owner and Ayurveda Specialist 954-257-8729 SantoshaMediaSC@gmail.com SantoshaMindfulness.com Santosha Mindfulness offers wellness workshops, yoga for adults and children, mindfulness and meditation classes, sound baths and retreat hosting. A member of the Labyrinth Society, Yoga Alliance and World Yoga Federation, Santosha inspires intentional living through practices that nurture balance, well-being and personal growth. Live with Intention. Thrive with Santosha.

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