The April “Earth Day” issue is one of my favorites each year, and recently I had an experience that brought its theme to life in a meaningful way. About a week ago, I met a yoga instructor who is relatively new to Charlotte. When I asked what brought him here, he shared that after traveling to numerous cities—mostly throughout the South—he found Charlotte to be unique in its commitment to sustainable growth. He knew this was where he wanted to be.
Having lived here for years and witnessed both the beauty and the rapid development—the trees, landscapes, and older buildings and homes giving way to expansion—it was refreshing to hear that perspective. While there is certainly more work to be done, it’s encouraging to recognize that there is a genuine will in our community to prioritize sustainability. The recent pause on the I-77 South Toll Lanes is one example of that collective voice in action, and I’m grateful to all who helped make it happen.
Natural Awakenings highlights local businesses and leaders who are committed to sustainable living in all its forms, especially our April edition. My hope is that you take the opportunity to connect with them—attend an event, participate in a workshop, schedule a consultation, or simply reach out with appreciation.
Wishing you a deeper connection to our community this April. Perhaps I’ll see you at an event.
Dr. Ginni Gross, owner of TouchLight Chiropractic in Huntersville, North Carolina, hosts two free workshops each month: an educational session on Network Spinal Care, highlighting how this chiropractic technique supports healing and resilience, and a Somato Respiratory Integration class focused on breathwork and self-awareness practices. Both help to reset the nervous system, activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest) to help heal from many conditions including disease, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression.
The April workshop theme is “allergies”. From Reaction to Resilience: A New Approach to Allergies, at 6:30 p.m. on April 13, will explore the connection between the nervous system, immune function and environmental sensitivities, offering natural strategies to shift from chronic reactivity to greater resilience and well-being.
Attendees of Breathe Free: Breathwork for Allergy Relief, at 6:30 p.m. on April 23, will learn simple breathwork techniques that can help calm the nervous system, open the airways and support a more balanced immune response.
The practice provides state-of-the-art chiropractic care Network Spinal Care (NSC), Somato Respiratory Integration (SRI) classes, Torque Release Technique, Webster Technique, Silvers Healing Modality, pediatric care, red light therapy, homeopathics and supplements.
“Network Spinal Care is the basis of all our treatment modalities,” says Gross. “This is a gentle, holistic approach to chiropractic that helps your body and nervous system release tension, realign naturally and access higher levels of energy and awareness. Instead of forcing physical change, it works through precise touches along the spine that cue your brain to reorganize patterns of stress and defense. While most of our patients enter our care in a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) dominate nervous system state, it is the only thing I’ve experienced that moves one to a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) dominate nervous system state, which is where true healing takes place.”
Location: 16405 Northcross Dr., Ste D., Huntersville, NC. For more information or to register for a workshop, call 704-8855770 or visit TouchLightChiro.com. See ad, page 26.
Kings Mountain Preserve Holds Earth Day Celebration
Kings Mountain Preserve, in Blacksburg, South Carolina, will conduct a special Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 25. Attendees will enjoy a birding presentation, open hiking and light appetizers, all while slowing down and learning about the preserve’s local wildlife.
Another highlight of the event will be tours of their 56-acre conservation burial ground that is only 20 minutes from historic Kings Mountain State Park. As the area’s only green cemetery and the East Coast’s first combination conservation burial ground and funeral home, the facility boasts majestic hardwoods, dogwoods and Kings Creek which runs throughout the property.
The owners are privileged to be partnered with the Upstate Forever Land Trust which protects our beautiful land and water by enforcing a Perpetual Conservation Easement, ensuring its use for future generations to enjoy.
Location: 321 Indian Springs Rd., Blacksburg. For more information, call Amanda at 980-272-7433 or email Amanda@KingsMountainPreserve.com. Also visit KingsMountainPreserve.com See ad, page 6.
Hudson to Lead Virtual Group Hypnotherapy Session
Liz Hudson, of Sacred Beginnings Psychotherapy, PLLC, will lead a virtual group hypnotherapy session entitled Manifesting Abundance: Ground Your Dreams - Build your Infinite Future from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on April 4.
“Tap into the energy of the 4/4 portal focusing on stability and manifestation/abundance,” says Hudson, MA, LPA, HSP-PA and MHt, a holistic integrative psychotherapist and hypnotherapist located in Charlotte, North Carolina, who sees clients in-person as well as virtually. “Whether you’re new to hypnotherapy or you’ve already embraced it as part of your healing journey, this is an opportunity to channel that healing energy in a supportive group container aligned around one powerful collective intention.”
Cost: “pay what you can” with a suggested donation of $20.26 via PayPal. For more information, call 704-774-6031 or email SacredBeginningsPsychotherapy@gmail.com. To register, scan the QR or visit tinyurl.com/AbundanceApril. The Zoom link to participate will be sent in a confirmation email upon registering in advance. Also visit SacredBeginningsPsychotherapy.com. See CRG, page 42.
Ginni Gross
Liz Hudson
Kate Lynn Imagery
Sustain Charlotte Invites Ideas for Potential I-77 South Changes
Sustain Charlotte is inviting community members, artists, designers, planners and other visionaries to share bold ideas for how Charlotte could transform the I-77 South corridor if the planned toll lane expansion were reconsidered. Submissions, that need to be received by April 6, may include sketches, renderings or written ideas imagining parks, greenways, housing and other community-centered possibilities.
Selected concepts will be featured in a public exhibit at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 13 during the Charlotte Ideas Festival, a multi-day series presented by The Charlotte Center for the Humanities & Civic Imagination, and featuring Charles Montgomery, author of Happy City.
Charlotte is at a pivotal moment in deciding how the I-77 South corridor will evolve. This program provides people the opportunity to imagine how infrastructure could repair neighborhoods, reconnect communities, improve health and mobility, and create
a more vibrant future for the city, with the April 13 exhibit bringing those communitydriven possibilities to life.
Founded in 2010, Sustain Charlotte helps create a more equitable, connected and healthy community by inspiring responsible growth and transportation choices.
Submitting a vision is free and event tickets are also free (reservations are required). Location: 320 E. Ninth St., Charlotte. For more information on or to make a submission, visit SustainCharlotte.org. To register for April 13 event, visit TheCharlotteCenter.org. See CRG, page 43.
Creative Perspectives Offers Ecotherapy/Therapy in Nature
Creative Perspectives in Mount Holly, North Carolina is a group of licensed psychotherapists who offer Ecotherapy in addition to other therapy modalities. Especially timely with April being the month of Earth Day, Ecotherapy uses nature and outdoor activities to improve mental and physical well-being, interacting with nature to help enhance healing and growth.
By engaging with the natural world, Ecotherapy can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and promote a sense of calm. It has also been found to improve mental clarity, enhance physical health, strengthen social connections and promote mindfulness.
Barbara Brown, MSW, LCSW, RDT, CFSW, a provider at Creative Perspectives, highlights some of the benefits of in-person Ecotherapy: “Our unique property offers spaces where you can choose to have your therapy session outdoors in addition to our traditional comfortable offices. Imagine being able to breathe fresh air, swing in a hammock, feel the wind on your skin, take a mindful walk or just listen to the wind rustle through the leaves during your session. This can enhance your typical talk therapy session leaving you more calm and relaxed than talk therapy alone.”
Creative Perspectives offers in-person and virtual therapy sessions along with regular group therapy sessions and workshops for all ages and families across North Carolina, South Carolina and Michigan. The practice also provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and incorporating theater/ movement or visual arts. Most major insurance plans are accepted.
Location: 1010 S. Main St., Mount Holly. For more information or to arrange for a free, 15-minute consult, call 704-759-6525, email Info@CreativePerspectivesTherapy.com or visit CreativePerspectivesTherapy.com. See Gaston County Natural Guide, page 43.
Collaborative Divorce Team Offers Dignified Process
Divorce doesn’t have to mean battle. Collaborative divorce offers families a dignified, team-centered alternative to litigation, and understanding the roles of experts in this approach can make for successful outcomes for both parties.
Each party is represented by their own collaboratively trained family law attorney that’s skilled in problem-solving instead of fighting, ensuring both spouses feel heard and protected. There’s also a Financial Neutral, a single financial professional that represents neither side, but the integrity of the process itself. With one shared, objective financial picture being sought, decisions become clearer and disputes become fewer.
A highly distinctive member of the team is the Divorce Coach, a licensed therapist trained specifically to support clients through the emotional terrain. This specialist helps keep the process calm, focused and productive. For families with children, a Child Specialist gets involved to give kids a voice—gathering their perspectives and needs in a safe, supportive setting, so that parenting decisions are grounded in what children actually need.
“The beauty of this model is that it’s fully tailored to your family,” says Rachel D. Rogers Hamrick, a collaboratively trained family law attorney with extensive experience in custody matters, parenting coordination and highconflict co-parenting situations, and a member of Charlotte Collaborative Divorce Professionals. “No children? No Child Specialist needed. And because every professional works together—sharing information, aligning strategies and staying committed to resolution—the whole truly is greater than the sum of its parts.”
For more information and a list of collaborative attorneys and related specialists, visit CharlotteCollaborativeDivorce.com. See CRG, page 40.
HeartLight Community Life Event
Venue Hosts Open House
HeartLight Community Life Event Venue will host an open house to help introduce wedding planners, event professionals, vendors and the public to one of Charlotte’s premier event spaces from 3 to 8 p.m. on April 30. Attendees will be able to tour the venue, experience styled event vignettes, enjoy food tastings and network.
Guests will discover a unique venue for weddings and events in Charlotte; build partnerships with other vendors, event professionals and the public; experience venue layouts and styled event setups firsthand; and connect with event planners and vendors.
HeartLight Community Life Event Venue is designed to host weddings, receptions, events and private celebrations. The venue features flexible event space and elegant décor options for both intimate and medium-sized gatherings.
The HeartLight Community Event Venue is a community outreach program of HeartLight Spiritual Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization. They offer their beautiful, sacred space for occasional life events—such as weddings, baby showers, memorials and other special gatherings—to help foster connection, celebration and joy within our local community. By doing so, they aim to make meaningful moments accessible to more families while increasing awareness of HeartLight’s spiritual message of hope.
Free admission. Location: 7300 Mallard Creek Rd., Charlotte. For more information or to RSVP (requested), leave a voicemail at 704669-7300 option 5, email OpenHouse@WeddingsAndEventsclt.com or visit tinyurl.com/HLOpenHouse2026 or WeddingsAndEventsclt.com. See CRG, page 43.
Moon Wolf Adds Tea Bar, Offers Client Specials
Moon Wolf, which opened in Plaza Midwood in November 2025, is now expanding with a tea bar inside the lobby and into their building next door called The Den. Previously, the business occupying the space was Okra Yoga and Gumbo Goods; however, Moon Wolf is a newly established wellness center for the community and operates independently, with no affiliation to the former businesses.
Available products include wellness related retail self-care tools and products; spiritual and metaphysical books/tools with tarot reading pop up events; mental health and meditation tools, journals and more; mountain rose herbal apothecary with herbal consults for individualized tea blends, books, crystals, fun clothing, and more.
Current special offerings are Moon Wolf Membership (unlimited movement (tai chi, qigong, yoga) and meditation classes, 20 percent off massage, wellness services and workshops and 10 percent off select retail products) for $149 per month and a new client one-hour massage for $95 and applies to advanced therapeutic wellness massage options including gentle Moon Wolf Signature Massage, the Ashiatsu Fusion Japanese-inspired Massage, and more.
Moon Wolf and The Den are places for cultivating community, to rest the mind-body and experiencing tools for deepening spiritual practice.
Owners Catherine Warner, Christopher O’Donnell and Grace Millsap have joined together to co-create a center for the community, run by teachers and practitioners, aiming to re-cultivate unity within the community; create a patronage that is knowledgeable and students that are healthy and committed to their wellness and longevity; and provide wellness options for all levels of wealth, health and knowledge.
Location: 1912 and 1916 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte. For more information, call 980-313-5712 or visit TheMoonWolf.com. See ad, page 4.
us in celebrating
EARTH DAY
April 22nd,10am-4pm
A celebration with store discounts, raffles, vendor samples, gift baskets, giveaways and more!
SHOP GREEN
Misconceptions of Holistic Dentistry
One of the most common misconceptions about holistic dentistry is that practitioners don‘t practice conventional dentistry. Many patients assume that a holistic dental office avoids procedures like crowns, fillings or other restorative treatments. In reality, holistic dentists provide the same essential dental care, just in the healthiest way possible.
Holistic dentistry is not about replacing traditional treatments; it’s about enhancing them. Fillings and crowns are placed when needed, and biocompatible materials are carefully selected to minimize the body’s toxic burden. The philosophy behind holistic dentistry is recognition that the mouth is connected to the entire body, and what is placed in it matters.
Holistic practices also incorporate supportive therapies during procedures such as ozone and red-light therapy. Ozone helps reduce bacteria, supports enamel remineralization when the decay has not passed the dentin, and promotes healing. Red-light therapy can decrease inflammation and speed recovery. However, these therapies are adjuncts; they do not reverse cavities or replace necessary restorative work.
Additionally, holistic dentists focus on creating a cleaner clinical environment. They use air purifiers throughout their offices and follow the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) to minimize mercury exposure.
Holistic dentistry is simply conventional dentistry practiced with greater intention for both oral and whole-body health.
Heather Gentry, DDS, is owner of Gentry Dental, located at 5950 Fairview Rd., Ste. 16, in Charlotte. For more information or to make an appointment, call 704-554-1007 or visit GentryDentalCharlotte.com.
From Panic to Purpose A Joy-Based Approach to Small Business Leadership
Small business leaders often carry intense pressure—tight budgets, unpredictable cash flows, and the feeling of being solely responsible for solving seemingly everyone’s problems. This stress can trigger physical and psychological symptoms similar to panic: racing thoughts, shallow breathing and constant worry.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, more than 60 percent of small business owners report high stress, largely due to financial uncertainty, reduced spending and labor shortages. When the nervous system stays in a stress response, especially for long periods of time, it becomes harder to think creatively or recognize opportunity. Ultimately, stress begets more stress.
A joy-centered leadership approach offers a different way to meet these challenges. Joy isn’t simply happiness—it’s the vitality that emerges when leaders reconnect with purpose and bring their best selves into their work. When entrepreneurs pause, breathe and reconnect with why they serve their community, the nervous system settles and creative solutions begin to emerge. For some leaders, it inspires solutions that create efficiencies, allowing invoicing and payment systems to run smoothly. For others, it fosters creative expansion into a new service or offering. Which one is the right solution for each business leader depends on their joy.
Consider if one’s heart is called upon to elevate or expand. Elevation starts by rooting wisdom into operational flows. Expansion fully integrates creative energy into the business to grow in alignment for impact. When the heart and the head work together, business flows more effortlessly.
When approaching business with joy, operational challenges don’t entirely disappear, but they can become opportunities for growth. When leaders approach their daily work with purpose, passion, gratitude and service, the business can begin to breathe with them. In that space, operational management shifts from constant stress to meaningful opportunity to grow as a service leader—turning the work of running a business into an experience of joy.
Dr. Jax Black and Tomer Yogev are Reiki Masters, co-authors of the bestseller The Joy Manifesto and co-owners of Charlotte-based Big Joy Theory. For more information or to schedule a complimentary intuitive business guidance consult, call 704-312-0780, email Joy@BigJoyTheory.com or visit BigJoyTheory.com/awake.
The Nature of EBOO Therapy
EBOO therapy (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation)—sometimes called “ozone dialysis”—is an advanced medical treatment used in some integrative and functional medicine clinics to help improve circulation, detoxification and immune function. Because EBOO processes much larger volumes of blood, combines ozone therapy and dialysis filtration and often runs 30 to 60 minutes continuously, it’s considered one of the most intensive ozone-based therapies available.
Providing intensive blood filtration and detoxification, EBOO uses a dialysis-like filter that can remove inflammatory cytokines, microclots and fibrin, environmental toxins, heavy metals and metabolic waste.
Because the blood is processed continuously during the session, proponents believe it can clear larger volumes of blood than traditional ozone IV therapies.
The therapy introduces oxygen and ozone into circulating blood, which may improve oxygen utilization in tissues, support mitochondrial function and enhance cellular energy production. It can help treat fatigue, chronic illness, recovery support and be part of a preventive/wellness protocol.
Ozone exposure in controlled medical doses can stimulate immune signaling. Reported effects include increased antioxidant enzyme activity, support for innate immune responses and reduction in chronic inflammation.
Clinics sometimes use it to treat chronic infections (mold-related illness, chronic sinus or systemic infections), Lyme disease, longCovid and autoimmune diseases.
Some practitioners believe EBOO helps break down microclots and improve blood rheology (flow characteristics). Better circulation may help deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues more effectively, aiding conditions like peripheral vascular disease, poor circulation, chronic fatigue due to
poor oxygen delivery and metabolic syndrome.
Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent and has known antimicrobial properties. In theory, this may help reduce bacterial loads, viral particles and fungal organisms.
Ozone therapy is widely practiced in some European countries; however, it’s still an area of ongoing research and debate in the U.S. As with all ozone therapy, EBOO should only be performed by trained medical professionals using approved medical ozone systems. Experience with EBOO is particularly important to make sure there’s a gradual introduction as the intense nature of the ozone can result in sickness if not done properly.
Melissa Lynch is a family nurse practitioner of 30 years and the owner of Purefico Medspa and Therapy, located at 19401 Old Jetton Rd., Ste. 100, in Cornelius. For more information on affordable membership plans and $100 off a first visit special, call 704-655-2719 or visit Purefico.com.
Going Zero Waste
A Conversation With Kathryn Kellogg
by Sandra Yeyati
Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of GoingZeroWaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to helping people live a healthier and more sustainable life. She is the author of 101 Ways To Go Zero Waste, Zero Waste Kids and 101 Tips for a Zero-Waste Kitchen.
With an active and engaged following on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, Kellogg has also been featured on legacy media outlets, including CNN, NBC Nightly News, Women’s Health, The Oprah Magazine, Good Morning America, NPR and The Guardian. She has
led sustainability workshops at numerous business organization such as Google, Salesforce, Slack, Amazon and Skillshare.
What inspired you to start your zero-waste journey?
I fell into zero-waste living a little backwards. I first started reducing my waste when I was a full-time working actor. It was more for financial reasons than environmental ones in the beginning. And then when I learned about the zero-waste movement, I realized that I had already been practicing many of the principles. I started my advocacy online and in my books because I wanted to use my storytelling skills to inspire people to make easy swaps that are better for the wallet and the planet.
What is considered a zero-waste life?
There’s no one definition. I think anyone who’s interested in reducing waste can consider themselves to be participating in a zero-waste lifestyle. So many people think they have to get to zero or to produce no trash at all, but it’s really about reducing the amount of trash you send to the landfill—first, by buying only what you need; then, by recycling and composting; and last, by throwing away whatever you have left over.
What are the personal benefits of this lifestyle?
It’s so peaceful not having to deal with as much trash. I’ve been able to build really good systems, so everything has a place in my home. When you step outside of that consumer mindset, you’re able to focus on the things that are truly important, like your hobbies and the people you love.
What are your top tips for improving a household’s sustainability?
One of the best things that you can do is to stop buying as much. In the U.S., we tend to overconsume to the extreme. Check the secondhand markets first before buying anything new. Try to be a bit more mindful about food packaging—avoiding plastic and Styrofoam whenever possible. Swap out your paper towels for reusable rags. If you have a zero-waste or bulk-refill store nearby, go check it out.
And then, of course, there’s composting. On average, 50 percent of household waste is organic matter that could otherwise be
Courtesy of Kathryn Kellogg
composted. Most people think that food scraps will break down in a landfill, but they won’t because landfills are designed for storage, not decomposition.
What are your favorite reusable products or tools?
I have so many! I have to give a shout-out to my Kayaness reusable period underwear. You could not pay me to go back to using disposable pads. I also love my bidet attachment and my stainless steel safety razor, which have saved me so much money.
How has your zero-waste worldview evolved?
We live in a linear economy in which we take resources from the planet, turn them into products and then, at the end of their life, throw them into a giant hole in the ground. It’s not a very smart system, especially when everything else in nature lives without creating trash. So, what if we could move toward a circular economy where all of the resources could be reused over and over again? Take, for example, a cotton T-shirt that could be given back to the manufacturer after we’ve used it, where they would compost it and use it to grow more cotton.
This very effective form of recycling would have to start with better designs, so that products would be engineered from the outset to be easily separated, recycled and transformed into new, high-quality materials. An aluminum can, for example, can go from your curbside bin back to store shelves in 90 days. It is an incredibly tight, closed-loop process. How can we reimagine more of the things we buy like this?
What other environmental causes do you champion?
I highly recommend that people get plugged into a local group or organization that’s fighting waste or another environmental issue that they might be passionate about, like conservation with the Sierra Club or clean water with The Surfrider Foundation.
How do you stay motivated and avoid burnout in your environmental advocacy work?
I think it’s really important to allow myself to be a multifaceted human being. For about seven years, I read books only about environmentalism, and I was feeling really burned out. So I picked up a book just for fun, and it reminded me that I can be more than one thing, and I can enjoy more than one thing. It’s important to balance our interests.
Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings.
To read a longer version of this conversation, visit tinyurl.com/KelloggCLT or scan the QR code.
Sharing Meals Boosts Happiness and Well-Being
The World Happiness Report 2025 underscores the pivotal role of social connections in human well-being, happiness and prosperity. Individuals with strong social ties tend to experience greater happiness, reduced stress levels, heightened life satisfaction, diminished susceptibility to depression and increased community engagement. These connections are associated with improved health outcomes, enhanced creativity, elevated income levels and extended lifespans.
The report presents new evidence on a measurable and cross-cultural indicator of social connection and well-being: sharing meals. The authors discovered that across various demographics, including age, gender, nationality, culture and region, individuals engaging in more frequent meal sharing exhibited significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and positive emotional states, while simultaneously experiencing lower levels of negative emotional states.
Countries that reported higher levels of shared meals also demonstrated greater social support and lower levels of loneliness. Meal sharing is influenced by cultural and social practices. In Latin America and the Caribbean, people share most of their meals with others, but in South Asia, individuals primarily consume meals alone. In the United States, approximately one in four people reported eating alone, a 53 percent increase since 2003. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger people and may reflect broader shifts in social and community engagement.
Rising Cancer Rates Among Younger Generations
Despite a decline in cancer mortality rates over the past 30 years, the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual report on cancer trends reported an increasing incidence of cancer among younger people, particularly younger women. The rates among women under the age of 50 are 82 percent higher than men, up from 51 percent in 2002.
A higher number of younger individuals are being diagnosed with colorectal, breast, prostate and uterine cancers. One study estimates that individuals born after the 1980s are four times more likely to be diagnosed with rectal cancer than those born around 1950. This trend prompted the ACS to modify its recommended age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45 years old.
Research suggests that a combination of environmental exposures, changes in the gut microbiome, increased rates of obesity and consumption of ultra-processed foods are to blame for earlier-onset cancers. Additional contributors being investigated include early-life environmental exposures, sedentary lifestyles and chronic sleep disruption.
The prevailing hypothesis is that while these factors may influence all instances of cancer, their bioaccumulation from an early age exacerbates cancer risks and potentially accelerates disease progression. Lifestyle changes such as managing diabetes and obesity through a balanced diet; reducing exposure to microplastics, “forever chemicals” and unnecessary antibiotics; engaging in regular exercise; and liming sugar, alcohol, smoking and sun exposure may be the most effective strategies for young people to reduce their cancer risk.
Singing Bowls To Soothe Anxiety
A 2023 study published in the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education compared the anxiety-relieving effects of a Tibetan singing bowl sound-based treatment to a progressive muscle-relaxation session that involves tensing and releasing muscles. A third control group did not receive any treatment. Fifty adults experiencing high anxiety without a diagnosed anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to one of the three groups.
Before and during each 45-minute session, the researchers monitored each participant’s heart rate variability (HRV) and brain wave patterns, and they also collected self-reported anxiety assessments. The singing bowl group showed the strongest physiological signs of relaxation, including brain activity associated with calmness and increased HRV, which indicates the body is in a relaxed, restorative state. Both the singing bowl and muscle-relaxation groups reported feeling less anxious than the control group, but the singing bowl group experienced the biggest reduction in self-reported anxiety. The study suggests that even one short session with a Tibetan singing bowl can create measurable psychological and physical relaxation.
ASK A MECK COUNTY EXPERT
Earth Day Take-Back Event on April 18
Mecklenburg County Solid Waste experts receive hundreds of residential waste disposal and recycling questions weekly. Their experts provide updates and answer some of the most frequently asked questions. In honor of Earth Day, Mecklenburg County Solid Waste will make it easy to recycle and repurpose items we don’t use anymore during Mecklenburg County Solid Waste’s annual Earth Day Take-Back event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 18 at Compost Central.
Paper Shredding
Residents can shred up to three banker boxes of important documents and bills for free. Registration is required. Residents can sign up at WipeOutWaste.com.
Electronics
Goodwill will accept electronics in working condition. From old phones to TVs and computers, residents can recycle and repurpose electronics they don’t use anymore. Electronics in non-working condition can be dropped off during the event as well as at any full-service center during normal business hours.
Medical Devices
Assist ME N.C. will be back to collect certain medical devices. They are then repaired and given to people in need in our community. Acceptable medical devices include power and manual wheelchairs, upright walkers, scooters, knee scooters, hospital beds, tub
transfer benches, shower chairs with a back, bedside commodes, grab bars for bathtubs, lift chairs and Hoyer lifts.
Other Items
At any full-service center, residents can drop off food scraps; books; rechargeable/ lithium-ion batteries; clothes, towels, sheets and shoes; clean wood furniture; and more. Visit WipeOutWaste.com for a complete list.
Recycling Right
There are only six items that can be recycled curbside: cans, cardboard, cartons, paper, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles and jugs with necks. Remember: When in doubt, throw it out.
Compost Central location: 140 Valleydale Rd., Charlotte. For more information on full, staffed and self-service locations and about recycling, waste diversion or anything else related to waste, visit WipeOutWaste.com. To submit a waste disposal and recycling question, email SolidWaste@MeckNC.gov. Jeff Smithberger, director of Solid Waste, answers the top seven residential recycling questions at Tinyurl.com/MeckRecycleRightFAQs. See ad, page 21.
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Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area.
Please consider supporting these major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks.
appreciates the generosity
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Thank you!
Please consider supporting these major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks.
Please consider supporting these major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month
Flower | Edibles | Drinks
Learn more about Charlotte-area business and organization leaders helping to create a greener community.
Sustain Charlotte
Shannon Binns’ path to founding Sustain Charlotte began with a simple realization: the way a city grows shapes the health of its people, neighborhoods and natural spaces.
As Charlotte experienced rapid growth over the previous decades, Binns observed how decisions about transportation, development and land use were affecting everything from air and water quality to the loss of trees and open space.
At the same time, he believed Charlotte had an opportunity to grow differently— to become a city where neighborhoods are walkable, residents have real transportation choices and nature remains part of daily life.
In 2010, Binns founded Sustain Charlotte to help bring that vision to life by connecting residents, businesses, nonprofits and public officials to advance smarter solutions to growth.
Today, as the parent of a young daughter, that work feels even more meaningful. The choices made now will shape the Charlotte she and future generations inherit.
Location: 1100 S. Mint St, Charlotte. For more information, visit SustainCharlotte.org.
Organic Marketplace
The staff of Gastonia’s Organic Marketplace remain deeply committed to the mission of store founder Renee Southard, who passed away in 2025: providing the local community with healthy food in a sustainable way. What began as an 800-square-foot supplement and herb store in 1992 has grown into a 5,000-square-foot healthy food market today.
Sustainability has long been central to the store’s operations. Raised-bed gardens supply the organic restaurant downstairs, the landscape has always been chemical-free and pollinator-friendly, and the store was one of the first in the area to go bag-free more than a decade ago. A bulk section encourages waste reduction by allowing customers to tare their own containers, while solar panels on the roof and ongoing support of Keep Gastonia Beautiful further reflect its environmental commitment.
To continue Southard’s legacy, Organic Marketplace established the Renee C. Southard Award for Emerging Healers in Natural Retail, supporting early-career practitioners through funding for travel and hands-on learning rooted in community and place.
Location: 1012 S. New Hope Rd., Gastonia. For more information, call 704-864-0605 or visit OrganicMarketNC.com.
Kings Mountain Preserve
Amanda Peckman is the Director of Community Awareness and Education for Kings Mountain Preserve, a conservation green cemetery dedicated to environmentally sustainable burial practices. Her passion for green burial grew from a lifelong love of nature that began in childhood while spending time outdoors at her great-grandmother’s home. There, she developed a fascination with the natural world—from insects beneath a willow oak tree to fresh tomatoes in the garden.
Over time, her appreciation expanded beyond nature to include people, land and entire ecosystems. During college, she recognized a clear theme emerging in her life: a commitment to caring for both community and the environment. Green burial became a natural expression of these values, blending respect for the earth with meaningful service to others.
At Kings Mountain Preserve, Peckman leads community education efforts, gives tours, and helps plan events and services. She enjoys connecting with visitors and sharing conversations about sustainable end-of-life practices.
Location: 321 Indian Springs Rd. Blacksburg, S.C. For more information including a Lunch & Learn schedule, information on April Earth Day event, or to make an appointment, call 877-375-2495, email info@KingsMountainPreserve.com or visit KingsMountainPreserve.com.
Mecklenburg County Solid Waste
Jeff Smithberger, director of Mecklenburg County Solid Waste, oversees solid waste processing, recycling programs, 9 recycling centers, two Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF), and one landfill. Since joining the County in 2014, he’s focused on reducing landfill waste while meeting the needs of residents and customers through expanded recycling options and community outreach.
Over the last 12 years, Smithberger and his team have broadened the list of accepted recyclable items in response to community demand, including textiles, white rigid foam, books, bikes, electronics, solar panels, food scraps, and, most recently, plastic bag and wrap. Mecklenburg County also processes yard waste collected from residents, turning it into high-quality mulch and compost, marketed locally as Queen City Compost™ (available to residents at a reduced cost).
Claudia Josephine Design
ekologicall
Valerie Gackiere is the founder of ekologicall, Charlotte's zero-waste and refill shop. Originally from the countryside of Normandy, France, she spent much of her childhood with her grandparents, who were farmers. From them she learned a simple value that continues to guide her today: nothing should go to waste.
Claudia Ricciardone’s eco-focused design journey began while she was pregnant with her daughter and searching for an organic mattress. During that process, she discovered that home furnishings and décor are among the largest contributors to indoor pollution and that many commonly used materials contain chemicals known to act as endocrine disruptors. That realization changed the way she thought about the spaces people live in every day.
When she and her family later built their custom home, she carefully selected every finish, material and piece of décor with health and sustainability in mind, prioritizing low-toxicity, natural and responsibly sourced options whenever possible. The experience demonstrated that beautiful design and healthy living can absolutely coexist.
Smithberger and his team work with residents, students, and local businesses to educate them on recycling right, community events, and other initiatives.
For information on recycling centers, waste diversion and disposal programs, visit WipeOutWaste.com or email SolidWaste@MeckNC.gov. Answers to common residential recycling questions from Solid Waste Director Jeff Smithberger are available at tinyurl.com/MeckRecycleRightFAQs. Mulch and compost are available for pickup at Compost Central, 140 Valleydale Rd., Charlotte, and Foxhole, 17131 Lancaster Hwy., Charlotte. Learn more at MeckMulchMadness.com.
After seeing the home and hearing about the thoughtful choices behind it, friends and acquaintances began asking for help designing their own spaces. What began as a personal commitment to creating a healthier home for her family naturally grew into a passion for eco-conscious design.
Location: Serving Charlotte and surrounding areas. For more information, call 860-796-3415, email Claudia@ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com or visit ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com.
After building a corporate career in France and the United States, Valerie left that path to build something that felt true to who she was. In 2019, she founded ekologicall to make sustainable, low-waste living more accessible to the Charlotte community.
Her commitment is also deeply personal. After losing her grandmother to breast cancer and seeing other family members affected by cancer, Valerie became increasingly mindful of the impact everyday chemicals can have on our health.
Through ekologicall, she aims to empower people to adopt healthier habits through simple product swaps that reduce waste, limit chemical exposure, and live a little lighter for themselves, their families, and the planet.
Location: Order online for U.S. shipment, refill deliveries to Charlotte and surrounding areas. Find us at South End Market, That's Novel Books in Camp North End, and the Innovation Barn. For more information, email contact@ekologicall.com or visit ekologicall.com.
It Takes a Circle
Building Greener Lives Together
by Hannah Tytus
In nature, nothing stands alone. Permaculture design—the art of creating sustainable landscapes—mirrors this by building resilience through integration rather than separation. It organizes life into “zones” that circle outward from the home to the wider community.
Conservation efforts are likewise woven together when Earth-conscious individuals form circles of community that grow and reach, stretching their tendrils to interweave with other circles, strengthening the protective, nourishing roots of homegrown actions.
Cultivating a Better Future
Working directly with permaculture, Brandi Mack strives to spark collective change and build lasting legacies of justice and well-being. Influenced by her grandfather, who farmed the fertile soils of Oakland,
California, she is a holistic health educator, permaculture designer and co-founder of The Butterfly Movement. Describing the work of this nonprofit, she explains, “We focus on cultivating sovereignty, healing and personal development through land, food and art for Black women and girls.”
“My grandfather said, ‘If you build the soil, you can grow anything,’” Mack recalls. “We facilitate spaces for Black youth and their mothers to reconnect with the land through gardening, learning about food as medicine and reclaiming a relationship with the natural world. Our focus is on our beloved sisterhood—the feminine—as Black women and girls. If we can elevate that, the world will elevate. That is justice.”
Mack envisions the collective potential of the next generation, knowing that they have
gifts to share. She has raised her daughters by example, teaching them that it is okay to experiment and grow, and she also encourages older generations to let go of antiquated narratives and let the youth lead.
Regenerating What Is Good
Marvin Hayes is a spoken word artist and executive director of the Baltimore Compost Collective. When he founded this youthled initiative 11 years ago, he wanted to address what is known as the “sacrifice zone” of waste incineration that blew pollutants all over South Baltimore, threatening the health of his community.
Research published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health suggests that living near waste incineration facilities is associated with higher risks of certain cancers, birth defects and other negative health outcomes. In the United States, such health burdens are not evenly distributed because 80 percent of municipal solid waste incinerators are located in communities where more than a quarter of residents identify as people of color, live below the federal poverty line, or both.
“The wind doesn’t segregate or discriminate,” says Hayes, noting that air pollution from sacrifice zones blows equally to all neighborhoods, becoming a collective public health concern. Today, he serves 400 households and diverts 2,000 pounds of weekly waste from the incinerator. He uses his business to improve public health, educate local youth about entrepreneurship and advocate for environmental justice in the community.
Instead of going to a trash incinerator, household waste can become an agent of regeneration. According to Hayes, composting nourishes nutrient-depleted soil, making it excellent “black gold” for growing food. It also remediates soil that may be contaminated with lead or other metals and diverts waste from air-polluting incinerators, while providing an opportunity for the community to come together, he explains.
Traveling Lightly
“Composting is critical, because when food ends up in a landfill, it chemically degrades differently than it would in a compost pile, producing methane gas that is 28 times worse than CO2,” says Samuel McMullen, co-founder of ZeroWaste.org alongside his sister, Lydia McMullen-Laird. “The hardest thing to do in living a zero-waste lifestyle is addressing food and food packaging,” he shares, adding that one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to the making, transport and refrigeration of food.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food waste is the number one component in landfills, accounting for one-quarter of their mass. The average American sends approximately 350 pounds of food waste to the landfill each year, with a
family of four losing $1,500
To address this issue through prevention, McMullen runs the Zero Waste Challenge—an invitation to produce as little waste as possible for a week, while reflecting on the garbage created. On Earth Day, a similar challenge can be accessed virtually from anywhere in the world at ZeroWaste.org
“Learning follows action. Take action first,” advises McMullen, who sees zero-waste habit-building as a practical entry point for broader change. Holding corporations accountable for climate change and focusing only on institutions to make a difference can make people feel powerless, he observes. By tracking their trash, choosing reusables and making small sustainable swaps, individuals can begin to build tangible skills for activism efforts in systems change.
“The beauty of the [Zero Waste] Challenge is that you confront your own waste footprint,” McMullen says, adding that participants are invited to examine their trash from a place of curiosity, rather than criticism. “It’s easy to cut your waste in half. The last 10 percent is very challenging, but that’s okay. The goal is progress, not perfection.”
McMullen relates that even eating at a restaurant can be an opportunity to practice zero-waste principles by bringing a reusable
container and bag for leftovers to reduce single-use packaging and opening playful dialogue with restaurant staff to make a game of reducing waste throughout the meal. “Don’t be annoying about it,” he quips, noting that reducing our personal waste footprint is secondary to building a social culture of sustainability and teamwork. “The main function is to build awareness with other people—to create common ground and to show that there is another way.”
Sharing Stewardship
For three years, Jen Myers, Ph.D., has called the EcoVillage at Ithaca (EVI) home. This upstate New York community is designed to be socially, culturally, economically and ecologically sustainable, integrating human life harmoniously with nature. Members rely on renewable energy, shared spaces, local food production and pooled resources to make sustainable living feasible.
According to Myers, EVI shares 175 acres of land—far more than a single homeowner could handle—including farms, forests and scenic natural spaces that are diligently stewarded by community members. Since its modest 30-household beginnings in the 1990s, it has grown into a lively community of 100 households. Living in community promotes sustainability by reducing individual environmental footprints and encouraging collaborative eco-friendly practices.
“I live in a net zero home, and it’s really rewarding having the infrastructure to make sustainable living easy,” says Myers, project director of the Thrive Ithaca EcoVillage Education Center. “I don’t have to do as much consuming as I would as an individual running a household in a typical suburban neighborhood.” Lawnmowers, playground equipment, compost bins and more are all shared and enjoyed together.
Myers likes to highlight the recreational opportunities available at EVI, including hiking trails and ponds for swimming and ice skating, as well as EVI’s communal dining spaces that make togetherness easy. The community also models multi-generational sustainability. “It is such a joy to know I am modeling conservation behaviors in my household with my daughter,” she says.
Everyone at EVI shares leadership responsibilities, meeting monthly to make decisions on critical issues. Residents commit two to four hours a week to facilitate the community, contributing based on their strengths in areas like administration, cooking, gardening, compost management and recycling. Myers appreciates this skill sharing, saying, “I’ve been so pleasantly surprised with how much value living in community brings to my life.”
Building a Resilient Culture
Sustainability is not a checklist but a culture shaped by what we normalize and celebrate. McMullen urges joyful modeling of alternatives, reminding us that “your actions are not really about you.” Visible practices—solar panels, reusable mugs, composting—ripple outward and shift norms over time. Myers calls this “ground-up design,” a liminal space where communities create the world they want by sharing resources and celebrating seasonal food, redistributing power and reducing isolation. Hayes centers youth leadership, cultivating agency and business skills in food systems so that youth are equipped to shape their own futures.
Embracing Life’s Reciprocity
Drawing from permaculture’s lessons, Mack says, “The soil is loyal. When you study permaculture, you are reminded that we are all connected. The only way we’re going to fix the planet is by remembering we are connected. When you know you’re doing something that affects someone else, you’ll stay committed. The reality is we are one species
on a planet in the middle of the universe. We learn everything from nature. We are nature. It’s important for us to understand right now that we go fast alone and far together.”
Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, former writer at the National Institutes of Health and host of the Root Shock podcast, exploring cultural underpinnings of health.
Frank Muller
The EcoVillage at Ithaca bustles with collective husbandry.
Timely Garden Planting Tips
Proper Prep Can Make for Bountiful Results
It’s garden planting time in the Piedmont, and the American Beauty Garden Center, in Charlotte, offers some timely advice to prepare our spaces in advance.
The first step is to clear debris. Remove dead plants, fallen leaves and weeds. Compost healthy plant material and discard diseased material. Then, inspect soil for texture and drainage. Do a quick pH test (kit or lab) and note nutrient needs. Amend soil by adding
compost (two to three inches) and recommended amendments (lime for low pH, sulfur for high pH, balanced organic fertilizer if needed). Work amendments into the top six to eight inches with a fork or a broad fork— avoid over-tilling.
To improve structure of the soil, add coarse organic matter or aged manure for heavy clay; sand and plenty of organic matter for compacted soils. Level and loosen: rake
smooth, break up clods, create gentle beds or rows for planting and water flow.
Make sure to plan and rotate: note last year’s crops and rotate families to reduce pests and diseases. Choose varieties suited to our zone (Charlotte is in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 8a) and frost dates (between April 1 and 10 is a general rule; The National Gardening Association suggests April 11 as a good time to plant— there is a 50 percent chance of 36 degrees or lower, but if the next week’s forecast is above this temperature, then one only needs to monitor for a surprise frost and protect plants if appropriate).
Mulch and protect: Apply one to two inches of mulch around perennials after planting to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Use row covers for early frost protection if needed. As for irrigation, check and repair drip lines or soaker hoses if necessary; water lightly to settle soil before planting. Finally, wait until soil temperature and local frost risk are appropriate for planting one’s chosen plants.
American Beauty Garden Center has a full line of organic soil amendments, plant starts, seeds and more as well as a full selection for indoor gardening and hydroponics needs and we can answer all related questions.
Location: 4400 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte. For more information, call 704-3348651 or visit ABGardenCenter.com or on Instagram @ beauty.american. See CRG, page 41.
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Spring Bowl Inspirations
Sustainable, Delicious and Flexible
by Maya Whitman
Food bowls are popular because of their vibrant versatility, inventive flavor combinations and health-conscious appeal. Served warm or cold, they begin with a base of grains, salad greens or broths, followed by layers of veggies, fresh herbs and protein sources, then finished with a drizzle of flavorful sauce. Assembling these well-balanced, nourishing meals offers an opportunity to practice mindfulness, creativity and even joy, making it a truly multi-layered experience for the mind, body and soul.
Sustainable Eats
Spring enables us to add another enriching layer to the experience with sustainable, plant-forward bowls that celebrate local, in-season produce—reducing shipping and supporting the local economy. Fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils require less land, water and energy to produce than meat and dairy. Weekend trips to farmers markets become extra special with the arrival of annual delicacies like garlic scapes, ramps (wild leeks) and earthy mushrooms such as morels and porcinis.
Making spring bowls throughout the week is also a great way to minimize food waste by incorporating peels to make broth, repurposing leftovers and buying grains and other pantry staples in bulk with minimal plastic packaging. To save time, grains and beans can be cooked once a week and used, as needed, in a variety of bowl combinations.
The Basics
“Thoughtful choices—both in what we eat and how we shop—help nourish our bodies and our communities,” says Gwen Eberly, a chef and instructor at Zest Cooking School, in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Her favorite bowls feature a foundational layer of leafy greens like spinach or arugula, followed by crunchy textures such as radishes, carrots, sprouts and microgreens, and a layer of crispy tofu for the protein. Additional flavors may include roasted vegetables (asparagus) and fresh notes (snap peas or green onions).
“After winter, many people naturally want meals that feel energizing, colorful and lighter, which is why plant-based meals are so great,” says Annemarie Ranallo, the owner of Forest Greens Juice Bar, in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Some of her favorite ingredients for spring bowls are leafy greens, roasted or fresh vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as plant-based proteins like chickpeas and lentils. She underscores the importance of including different textures in a bowl by combining something crunchy, something creamy and something fresh.
Part of the fun of creating a spring bowl is discovering which flavors and textures pair well. Gluten-free options like quinoa, kasha (buckwheat), wild rice and amaranth make any bowl satisfying without being heavy, and they are especially delicious with sautéed mushrooms, roasted eggplant or white beans. Lentils serve to accentuate the earthy depth of oven-roasted root vegetables like rainbow carrots and beets.
Savory bowls embellished with creamy dressings are wonderful for lunch and dinner, but the introduction of sweetness with layers of yogurt, fruit, nut butters and crunchy seeds opens up possibilities for dessert and breakfast.
Sauce Magic
Eberly notes that a good, homemade sauce can tie a bowl together. Her favorites include sesame-ginger, lemon tahini, parsley-mint, chive yogurt and zesty lime-cilantro. “A well-chosen dressing can redefine familiar plant-based ingredients, steering flavors toward whatever you’re craving that day—bright and citrusy, earthy and rich, or fresh and herby,” she explains.
Homemade dressings can be whipped up in minutes, offering wonderful flavor without excessive sodium or packaging waste. Spring bowls become memorable experiences with citrus vinaigrettes or creamy sauces featuring vegan mayo or plain yogurt and spicy wasabi, Dijon mustard or horseradish. Conjuring exotic sauces is easy with ingredients like tahini, miso paste, ground peanuts, coconut milk and spices. Bowls also wake up in the presence of robust herbs like cilantro, parsley, mint and basil.
Finishing Touches
Championing the element of surprise, Eberly recommends textural finishes like sesame or pumpkin seeds, peanuts, sprouts or kale chips. These garnishes add a final burst of flavor, taking a meal over the top. Ranallo, on the other hand, cautions against adding too many competing flavors. For her, simplicity is the key. Whether embellished or straightforward, the answer lies in personal preference and experimentation. Spring is the time to embrace our creative side and build a balanced, one-bowl meal that mixes textures and flavors to our heart’s (and tastebuds’) content.
Maya Whitman is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings.
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SPRING AMBROSIA BOWL
YIELD: 1 SERVING
¾ cup unsweetened dairy or plant-based yogurt
1 Tbsp whole golden flaxseeds or 1 Tbsp ground regular flaxseeds
⅓ cup fresh or unsweetened canned pineapple chunks
Small handful of golden raisins
1-2 dried Calimyrna (Turkish) figs, chopped
1 Tbsp shelled pistachios (halves or pieces; can be substituted with pecans)
¼ cup unsweetened dried coconut chips or flakes, toasted or untoasted
1 tsp pure maple syrup or honey
1 tsp flower pollen (bee pollen)
Spoon dairy or plant-based yogurt into a cereal-sized bowl. Sprinkle flaxseeds over yogurt. Add a layer of pineapple chunks, then a layer of golden raisins and chopped figs. Top with pistachios or pecans and coconut before drizzling with maple syrup or honey. Sprinkle flower pollen on top and serve immediately.
Note: Those suffering from moderate-to-severe seasonal allergies should omit the flower pollen.
Recipe courtesy of Marlaina Donato.
FALAFEL SPRING BOWLS
YIELD: 3 TO 4 SERVINGS
1 garlic clove
¼ cup red onion, roughly chopped
⅓ cup fresh cilantro leaves
⅓ cup fresh parsley leaves
1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 egg
¾ cup breadcrumbs (divided)
½ tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp ground coriander seeds
½ tsp salt
Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
In a food processor, finely chop the garlic by pulsing. Add the onion, cilantro and parsley and process until minced. Add the chickpeas and process to form a coarse dough. Add the egg, ¼ cup breadcrumbs, cumin, coriander and salt. Pulse until combined.
Shape the mixture into small patties using about 1 tablespoon each. Coat the patties with the remaining breadcrumbs, pressing each side into the crumbs so they stick.
Place the falafel patties on the baking sheet and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through the baking time.
Layer a bowl with any cooked grain of choice and/or various spring greens, followed by a few falafels. Top with Sesame Ginger Dressing, Lemon-Tahini Dressing or a favorite homemade dressing.
SESAME GINGER DRESSING FOR FALAFEL SPRING BOWLS
4 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp chili sauce
1 tsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger
2 Tbsp sesame oil
⅓ cup olive oil
Place all ingredients in a jar and shake well before each use. Keep any remaining dressing in the refrigerator.
LEMON-TAHINI DRESSING FOR SPRING BOWL FALAFELS
1 garlic clove
¼ cup tahini
2 Tbsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
½ tsp salt
In a food processor, pulse the garlic to mince. Add the tahini, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, oil, water, maple syrup and salt and process until smooth. Place any remaining dressing in a jar and refrigerate.
Recipe courtesy of chef Gwen Eberly.
SPRING COUSCOUS BOWL WITH AVOCADO-DILL DRESSING
This hearty vegan meal for lunch or dinner includes bright flavors, cool and warm temperature experiences and a protein-packed, creamy dressing.
YIELD: 4 SERVINGS
DRESSING:
1 ripe avocado, scooped out ½ 16-oz package of tofu, drained well
1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp tamari
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp water
1 large sprig of fresh dill
BOWL:
3 cups cooked plain couscous ¼ can black beans, drained and rinsed
Small handful of fresh raw dandelion greens, chopped 2 scallions, finely chopped
1 medium raw zucchini, shredded
1 medium raw carrot, shredded
2 medium radishes, shredded
A few slices of raw red onion (optional)
To make the dressing, combine the avocado, drained tofu, maple syrup, tamari, extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, water and dill in a blender and mix until smooth and creamy. Cover and place in the refrigerator until serving.
Cook the couscous according to the label instructions.
To assemble, divide the warm, cooked couscous among four bowls. Cover the couscous with black beans, followed by scallions and dandelion greens. Add a layer of shredded zucchini on one side of the bowl, followed by a layer of shredded carrot on the opposite side. Add shredded radishes down the middle, between the zucchini and the carrot. Top with sliced red onion (optional). Drizzle generously with the creamy avocado-dill dressing. Serve immediately.
Recipe courtesy of Marlaina Donato.
Allergies and the Nervous System
Calming Herbs for Yearlong Resilience
by Hannah Tytus
Seasonal allergies are often framed as a localized immune problem—something that happens in the nose, sinuses or lungs. But holistic practitioners see them as a whole-body experience shaped by stress, nourishment and environment. Linda Conroy, a bioregional herbalist with more than three decades of experience, uses native medicinal plants in a three-tiered approach that focuses on prevention, tonification and support. Tonification aims to nourish, strengthen and restore balance to the body’s vital energy.
“You’re not going to take one herb and have it fix everything,” explains the founder of Moonwise Herbs. “You have to work on diet, lifestyle, relationships and stress reduction. It has to be multilayered.” Rather than suppressing symptoms, Conroy works to strengthen the body’s baseline resilience so that when pollen counts rise or seasons shift, it is equipped to respond.
The Role of Stress
All parts of the body are interconnected. When the nervous system is stressed, other systems are affected. We see this with asthma, says Conroy, citing research that links prenatal and early-life stress to respiratory vulnerability later in childhood. “When someone’s respiratory system is in distress, we have to work with all the systems of the body to address it,” she explains.
A major player in immune system robustness is the endocrine system—a network of glands and organs that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions, including the stress response and mood. According to Conroy, hormonal imbalances can increase vulnerability. “Many people live their lives as if they are in danger all the time and this chronic alertness can make immune responses overactive,” she observes. “We also see a significant number of people with thyroid problems. When the pituitary or thyroid glands are weakened, people tend to be more reactive overall.”
To calm the nervous system, Conroy recommends a calcium-rich diet with ample leafy greens and dairy, as well as a long-steeped tea made with oatstraw—the dried green stalks and leaves of the oat plant, which is rich in calcium, magnesium and B vitamins. She also champions small rituals for stress relief such as always turning off the phone before bedtime or regularly enjoying a rosemary facial steam to rejuvenate the skin and feel restored. “Stay committed to something consistently,” she advises, recommending that people find their rhythm with their modalities of choice. Together, these practices reflect a holistic approach, relieving stress and improving allergy symptoms simultaneously, while building resilience year-round.
“Sleep, digestion and stress regulation form a feedback loop,” says Joanna Helms, founder of Mama Jo’s Sunshine Herbals. With more than 30 years of experience in Chinese, Western, Native American, Scottish, Unani-Tibb and Japanese herbalism, she defines her practice as a way to support the body in being the healer.
Helms recommends year-round herbal support to strengthen the body and reduce allergy vulnerability with calming herbs like oatstraw, lemon balm and holy basil. She also suggests regular exercise, adequate sleep, meditation, journaling and even talking with a friend. Evening rituals like massaging herbal salves into the feet before bed can calm the heart and settle the body.
Herbal Allies for Allergy Season
Conroy recommends nettle infusions, which she says have an antihistamine effect. Stronger than tea, infusions are made by steeping one ounce of nettle in boiling water for four to eight hours, then straining. This savory medicine keeps for up to three days in the refrigerator and can be enjoyed warm or cold, sometimes added to soups or paired with miso. Nettle can be overly drying for individuals in arid climates. In such cases, Conroy suggests marshmallow root to soothe dry, irritated mucous membranes.
Mullein is traditionally used to prevent or alleviate respiratory distress caused by colds and flu, and Conroy recommends it to strengthen the lungs. Mullein’s flavor profile pairs well with a sweetener of choice. Her favorite recipe combines warm mullein tea with steamed milk and maple syrup for a delicious herbal latte.
Both experts celebrate the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of goldenrod, which has garnered a bad reputation when
it is mistakenly associated with the allergyinducing ragweed. In fact, goldenrod relieves allergies. Conroy calls it a tonifier that supports the whole system, “helping dampen the body’s overreaction, easing symptoms and reducing the intensity of the allergic response.”
“Goldenrod is one of my favorites for drying things up, especially in the eyes,” says Helms, adding that people in arid climates may find it too drying. In such cases, she recommends mixing goldenrod with chrysanthemum or licorice for a harmonizing blend.
Locally Sourced Herbs
According to Conroy, “We will get way more benefit from plants that grow around us. Try to source herbs as close to home as possible. It’s a relationship. I don’t think of herbs as a drug or pill. These are my allies; they’re going to support me. We need to care about the plants, and they will care about us.”
Helms encourages her clients to grow their own herbs, observe them as they grow from season to season or even draw them in a field journal. Such practices that foster listening, meditation and relationship remind us that plants can be healing even when we do not ingest them.
Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, former writer at the National Institutes of Health and host of the Root Shock podcast, exploring the cultural underpinnings of health.
Tatevosian Yana/shutterstock
Dream BIG, CHANGE Lives
Mark Your Calendars
April 1
Virtual Group Hypnotherapy Session
Liz Hudson will lead a virtual Manifesting Abundance: Ground Your Dreams – Build your Infinite Future session. For new to hypnotherapy and experienced alike. Receive Zoom link after registering at tinyurl.com/AbundanceApril.
Apr 4 · 6-7:30pm · Pay What You Can SacredBeginningsPsychotherapy@gmail.com SacredBeginningsPsychotherapy.com 704-774-6031
Overeaters Anonymous Weekly Meetings
Program of recovery from compulsive overeating, food restricting, and other obsessive food behaviors using the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA; fellowship and support.
Join us for a Family-friendly Easter Egg Hunt followed by an uplifting service at 4:30pm. Connect, play and experience a welcoming spiritual community grounded in love, unity and inspiration.
Apr 5 · 3:15pm 7300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte 704-314-4540 • AwakeningCarolina.org info@AwakeningCarolina.org
9-week Compassion-Based Resilience Training - Zoom Learn to reduce stress, become more resilient, improve quality of life and daily function in this University developed, science-backed program. Call for free consult.
I-77 Idea Submissions and Charles Montgomery Talk Sustain Charlotte invites the community to share bold ideas on how Charlotte could transform I-77 South corridor. Submissions must be received by April 6. Select submissions will be shared at April 13 event featuring Happy City author, Charles Mongomery. Registration to attend required.
Apr 13 · 5:30-8:30pm · Free 320 E Ninth St, Charlotte I-77 Submission: SustainCharlotte.org Register: TheCharlotteCenter.org
From Reaction to Resilience: A New Approach to Allergies
Dr. Ginni Gross explains the connection between the nervous system, immune function and environmental sensitivities, and offers natural strategies to shift from chronic reactivity to greater resilience and well-being.
Dr. Ginni Gross guides attendees through simple breathwork techniques that can help calm the nervous system, open the airways and support a more balanced immune response.
Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $40 for up to the first 20 words and $1.50 per word thereafter. To place a classified, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte. com. Deadline is the 9th of the month.
Home Services
MAJOR APPLIANCE REPAIR – high quality repair at reasonable rates, service all major brands, call/text 336-539-1766.
Jobs
PART TIME MAGAZINE Delivery – needed primarily for Mecklenburg County delivering Natural Awakenings magazine. Fuel-efficient/ Hybrid/EV vehicle preferred. Work 1-2 days per month, paid per stop. Must be available during business hours. Info: 704-499-3327.
For Rent
PRACTITIONER SPACE – Full-time space, plenty of parking in Oakhurst. Massage therapist, energy worker or similar quiet practice. $750/mo includes utilities, 704-936-0591, Hello@TheHolisticHarmony.Life.
April 24
Kings Mountain Preserve Earth Day Celebration
Enjoy a birding presentation, open hiking and light appetizers, tour the 56-acre conservation burial ground, learn about the preserve’s wildlife and more.
Discover a unique venue for weddings and events in Charlotte, for event professionals and the public. Flexible event space, elegant décor options. Enjoy food tastings. RSVP at tinyurl.com/HLOpenHouse2026.
Apr 30 · 3-8pm · Free 7300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte Voicemail 704-669-7300 option 5 OpenHouse@WeddingsAndEventsclt.com WeddingsAndEventsclt.com
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 email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com to request our media kit.
Acupuncture
FIERY SAGE HEALING
11220 Elm Ln, Ste 200 910-444-1893
fsHealing@gmail.com fsHealing.com
Feel your best naturally through the power of acupuncture. Ballantyne location includes Traditional and 5 Element Acupuncture, cupping, electronic stimulation, herbal medicine, nutrition support, sound therapy. Complimentary consultations. Insurance accepted, including Medicare Advantage C Plans.
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Ashley Paraiso, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, specializes in fertility, pain management, women’s health, and chronic conditions, promoting self-healing through Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Bodywork
BRITISH MASSAGE
2210 Coronation Blvd, Ste C 704-572-1310
BritishMassage.com
Originally from London, Jessica is highly intuitive, has a natural healing touch and loves to help people feel better physically and emotionally. Medical Reiki Master and offers Reiki classes. Book massage/reiki today.
Chiropractor
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Jeffrey Dunnigan, DC, brings over 20 years of experience combining chiropractic and acupuncture to treat pain, injuries, and restore balance through holistic, patientcentered care. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Specializing in chronic and difficult cases and holistic and wellness care. We identify and treat the root cause of your health issues. Call today for a free 15-minute consultation. See ad, page 4
Counseling
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228
704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com IVYIntegrative.com
Rachel Crawford Oruko, MA, is a double board-certified art therapist and counselor supporting healing from trauma, grief, burnout, and reproductive challenges through compassionate, personcentered care. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228
704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Karen McKinney, LCMHCA, EMDR and holistic counselor specializing in trauma, PTSD, mood disorders, and crisis intervention, integrating body, mind, spirit, and nutritional psychology in her therapy approach. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Craniosacral Therapy
APOTHECA
15 Charlotte Area Stores Apotheca.org
Shop trusted and tested cannabis, kratom and mushroom products in a welcoming environment. Edibles, flower, drinks, powders and other natural goods, and friendly, educated staff. No medical card required. $5 off in-store with coupon. See ad, page 3.
TORCHBEARER TACHYON
19900 S Main St, Cornelius Unit 4, Ste E · 980-689-1803
TorchBearerTachyon.com
Stop suffering and elevate your experience with a transcendent 45-minute tachyon therapy session tuned to target your specific chronic condition. Read our reviews and book your experience for optimal balance and alignment today.
Compulsive Eating/ Spiritual Recovery
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS Meetings throughout Charlotte Area Piedmontintergroup.org
Helping compulsive overeaters/ food restrictors find recovery through Twelve Steps, patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. Free in-person and online meetings in Charlotte area provide fellowship, support and anonymity. Meetings open to everyone. Join us today.
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228
704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Relieve stress and migraines, recover from trauma, restore palate deformation, address tinnitus, and improve sleep with IVY Integrative's craniosacral therapists. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Dentistry
GENTRY DENTAL
5950 Fairview Rd, Ste 16
704-554-1007
GentryDentalCharlotte.com
Providing the highest quality biological/holistic dental care with compassion and understanding. Modern, spa-like office, state-of-the-art equipment and individualized care and attention. In-office dental savings plan. Call today to schedule appointment.
Biologically minded family dental office offering 3D digital dentistry, preventative dentistry, safe mercury removal and sleep apnea screenings. In a relaxed and caring environment, all patients are given devoted time. Call the office today to request a new patient consultation. See ad, page 11.
Affordable convenient direct primary care from a personalized holistic perspective. Thorough and efficient care with nutrition as the foundation. We want to get and keep you healthy. Schedule a new patient consult today. See ad, page 15.
Divorce doesn’t have to be traumatic - discover a better way with collaborative divorce. The fundamental tenets are respect, transparency, peace, customization, privacy. Visit our website and contact us today.
Supports a 360˚ from your yard to our facility and back again. Mecklenburg County upcycles your yard waste to create high-quality STA approved compost and beautiful mulch at a very affordable price See ad, page 21.
SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN
Claudia Josephine Design
860-796-3415
ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com
Proving that sustainable, ecofriendly design can still be stylish, Claudia creates classic, functional, and beautiful interiors. Certified Green Accredited Professional. Specializing in new residential construction and full-service interior design.
EESystem
SCALAR HEALTH ENHANCEMENT CENTER
704-490-5483
CS@ScalarHealthEnhancement.com
ScalarHealthEnhancement.com
When you enter the Scalar Health Enhancement Center, you enter a healing zone where the 5th Dimension isn't just a theory, it is a functioning reality! Call for appointment today. See ad, page 25.
The Carolina's only Integrative practice offering membership based Direct Primary Care and Functional Medicine wellness programs. Wellness programs are individualized to the patient and address the root cause of illness. See ad, page 15.
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228
704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Marissa Boyd, a naturopathic doctor, hydrotherapist, and craniosacral therapist, blends science with natural therapies to support men’s health, stress, and gut issues—meeting patients where they are with empathy and expertise. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489 info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Katrina Robinson, naturopathic doctor and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, specializes in women’s hormones, biohacking, and the gut microbiome. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Charlotte's number one holistic clinic offering 17+ alternative services by research-based licensed clinicians. Enjoy one service at a time or save big with packages and memberships. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Address the root cause of neurological issues and optimize overall brain & body health at Charlotte’s Human Optimization Center. Non-invasive diagnostics and safe and effective treatments. Wellness memberships available. Schedule your free consultation today. See ad, page 8.
CAROLINA FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGY CENTER
16905 Northcross Dr, Ste 150
Huntersville · 704-661-0085
CarolinaFNC.com
Chiropractic neurology facility that is dedicated to helping patients with complex neurological conditions such as dysautonomia, migraine, dizziness, movement disorders, concussions and neurodevelopmental disorders. Schedule your $50 consult today. See ad, page 27.
Gardening
AMERICAN BEAUTY GARDEN CENTER
4400 E Independence Blvd
704-334-8651
ABGardenCenter.com
Charlotte’s organic gardening supply store for over 17 years. Knowledgeable staff that answers your questions and makes recommendations. Natural/ organic products, hydroponic solutions, greenhouses, grow lights, and more. Visit us today.
Herbal Medicine
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Chelsea Birch, naturopathic doctor and registered herbalist, formulates personalized botanical medicine to empower those with chronic conditions seeking effective, natural, and alternative healing solutions. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Holistic Business Guidance
BIG JOY THEORY
704-312-0780
joy@BigJoyTheory.com
BigJoyTheory.com
Transformative coaching and business guidance blending psychology, intuition, and strategy to elevate wellness leaders into aligned, joyful growth— where purpose, prosperity, and presence unite through the frequency of joy. Book a free consult today. See ad, page 6.
Holistic Wellness Care
PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE OF CHARLOTTE
508 Beatties Ford Rd
704-526-0328 · GetWellnessCare.com
Serving Charlotte for 39 years with continuous low-cost holistic health care for uninsured and under insured. Physicals, first aid, TB and other tests. Certified by NC Board of Medical Examiners and NC Board of Nursing. By appointment.
Hormone Health
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Stephanie Hendershot is a functional naturopathic doctor that blends modern science with natural medicine to treat hormones, digestion, skin, and fertility—empowering patients to heal from the root. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Hydrotherapy
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Marissa Boyd integrates a therapeutic use of water that dates back thousands of years to gently and effectively address digestion, chronic pain, detoxification, and immune support. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Hyperbaric Therapy
NIRVANA HYPERBARIC INSTITUTE
146 Medical Park Rd, Ste 110 Mooresville • 704-471-4100
NirvanaHBO.com
Dedicated to healing, forwarding the science of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and providing patients a tranquil place to heal. Highly effective in treating many conditions, some covered by insurance. See ad, page 7.
Katie synthesizes a unique blend of healing modalities with selfactivation techniques–from sound and vibrational therapy, to intuitive channeling, to guided meditation–in order to deliver healings tailored to each person's needs.
Intuitive Healer/Advisor
INTUITIVE CHANNEL & HEALER
DavidHarrisSpirituality@gmail.com 704-577-8977
DavidHarrisSpirituality.com
David offers clear, channeled guidance and healing energy— through spoken messages, Akashic Records insight, and healing light language—to facilitate deep healing, release blocks, and align with your highest self. Medical intuitive. Also works with pets.
Lifestyle Optimization
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Katherine Lanning, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapist helping individuals with chronic health concerns optimize routines, habits, and environments for better health and life satisfaction. Mindfulness, functional goal setting for conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, chronic pain. See ad, back cover.
MetaPhysician
KOKAYI HEALTH SERVICES
425 S. Sharon Amity Rd, Ste. B 5803 Wilkinson Blvd, Belmont 310-713-5764
KokayiHealth.com
The MetaPhysician- Yale trained MD combining cutting edge medical therapies with the wisdom of traditional medicine. Extraordinary holistic, integrative medical care, supporting optimal health and effective treatment alternatives. 38 Years Holistic Primary Care. See ad, page 12.
Mindfulness/Meditation
MINDFUL MICHI
14316 Reese Blvd W, Ste B-1700
Huntersville • 704-619-7690
Kimberly@MindfulMichi.com
MindfulMichi.com
Kimberly Stewart draws on 20 years' teaching experience to share contemplative healing methods, offering Nalanda Institute's evidence-based CBRT to reduce stress and cultivate resilience in the mind, heart, and body. Schedule free 15-minute consult. See ad, page 33.
Naturopathic Doctor
DR MICHAEL SMITH
6404 Bannington Rd, Ste A 704-708-4404
CarolinasNaturalHealth.com
Diabetes, digestive disorders, anxiety/depression, autoimmune, women’s health, wellness/prevention and more. We uncover the root cause and customize a holistic individualized, compassionate program so you reclaim your health. Book your free discovery call today. See ad, page 19
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228
704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Caitlan Readhead, a licensed naturopathic doctor, specializes in treating tick-borne illnesses, mold toxicity, chronic fatigue, and underlying viruses naturally. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228
704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Kellyann Tomko, a naturopathic doctor and health coach, specializes in metabolic health, gut health, menopause, cognitive health, and holistic approaches to chronic conditions and wellness. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today See ad, back cover.
Nutrition
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228
704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Elena DiPerri, CNS, combines science and compassion to help clients balance hormones, boost energy, and improve metabolic health through personalized, sustainable nutrition and Bowen therapy. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Ozone Therapy
PUREFICO MEDSPA & THERAPY
19401 Old Jetton Rd, Ste 100 Cornelius · 704-655-2719
Purefico.com
Full line of noninvasive wellness/ beauty services including only local provider of cutting edge Eboo Ozone IV Therapy system. Treats autoimmune disorders, infections, viruses, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease and more. Call and mention Natural Awakenings discount. See ad, page 9.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Mièka Bryan, DPT, specializes in pelvic floor therapy, empowering patients of all ages to overcome pain, dysfunction, and restore wellness through expert, compassionate care. A la carte, packages, memberships. Book a free consult today. See ad, back cover.
Physical Therapy
IVY INTEGRATIVE
1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489
info@IVYIntegrative.com
IVYIntegrative.com
Dr. Sarah Kingsley, PT, DPT, combines physical therapy, myofascial release, Bowen Therapy, and yoga to help clients of all ages relieve chronic pain, reset the nervous system, and reconnect with their bodies for lasting wellness. See ad, back cover.
Psychic
PSYCHIC MEDIUM KELLE
4371 Charlotte Hwy, Ste 22, Clover, SC 978-420-8213
·PsychicMediumKelle.com
PsychicMedium@verizon.net
Psychic medium +18 years, author and radio show host. Private readings, psychic investigator on missing person cases. Helps those at a crossroads, experiencing unresolved issues or dealing with loss. Call for appointment today.
Psychotherapy/ Hypnotherapy
SACRED BEGINNINGS
PSYCHOTHERAPY
1816 East 7th Street
704-774-6031
SacredBeginningsPsychotherapy.com
Liz Hudson, LPA, MHt, holistic psychotherapist and hypnotherapist, specializing in transformative modalities to uproot, release and re-integrate. Blends integrative psychotherapy and hypnotherapy, breathwork, somatic healing, subconscious/ trance work and mind body approaches. Schedule your appointment today.
Regenerative Medicine
NEOGENIX
16147 Lancaster Hwy, Ste 140 19475 Old Jetton Rd, Ste 102, Cornelius 704-727-6551
NeoGenixStemCells.com
All natural, non-surgical treatments for joint, muscle, tendon and ligament pain performed by experienced, board-certified medical doctors 100% dedicated to stem cell and PRP treatments. Schedule your free consultation today. See ad, page 5.
Retreat
SACRED GROVE RETREAT
15750 Collie Rd, Gold Hill, NC 704-299-5124
SacredGroveRetreat.com
Soul-nourishing sanctuary nestled in nature, offering transformational experiences, healing energy, a vortex, a labyrinth, and starlit skies— where clarity dawns and miracles take root. Available for personal stays and organized retreats. Reserve your visit today.
Scalar Energy
SCALAR FREQUENCY HEALING
704-490-5483
CS@ScalarFrequencyHealing.com
ScalarFrequencyHealing.com
Scalar energy wellness and spiritual awareness aids. Simple, practical, inexpensive, and imprinted with targeted scalar frequencies to help the body repair itself or work with your consciousness. Free shipping. 15% discount with NAM522. See ad, page 25.
Sound &Vibrational Therapy
SPIRIT AND SOUND
Barbara Griggs, LSH, CVSMT Barb.griggs04@gmail.com
704-603-7759
SpiritandSound.net
Sound and vibration, primary elements of creation. Clear and balance your mind, spirit and body through vibrations of tuning forks. Licensed spiritual healer, intuitive and Certified Vibrational Sound Master Teacher. Call for free consultation.
Spiritual Centers
AWAKEN SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY
7300 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte Info@AwakeningCarolina.org AwakeningCarolina.org
Awaken is not your average church—we teach ancient spiritual truth, including biblical wisdom, through the empowering lens of Science of Mind and New Thought. Come as you are. Leave empowered, inspired and awakened.
HEARTLIGHT SPIRITUAL CENTER
Rev David Hulse, Spiritual Guide
7300 Mallard Creek Rd
704-669-7300
HeartLightCharlotte.org
We are a spirit-guided, heartcentered Christ-conscious, loving family providing an empowering, universal, Christ-centered message grounded in the teachings of metaphysics. Meditation 10:30am. Sunday service 11am. Email Shine@HeartLightCharlotte.org.
UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP OF L AKE NORMAN
Quaker Meeting House 625 South St, Davidson UULakeNorman.org 980-689-0630
We are a welcoming, inclusive spiritual community, united in worship, friendship, and social action. All are welcome to visit and connect. Sundays at 3pm.
UNITY OF CHARLOTTE
3200 Park Rd
Sundays at 11am
UnityofCharlotte.org
Vibrant, inclusive Sunday Celebration at 11am, led by co-ministers Revs Lisa and Jim. Inspiring messages/ upbeat music support your spiritual growth, well-being, and abundant living. Shared space with St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on Park Rd.
Stress Relief
HOLISTIC HARMONY
4830 Monroe Rd, Unit B
704-936-0591
Hello@TheHolisticHarmony.life
TheHolisticHarmony.life
Integrative healing combining Thai massage, sound therapy, energy work, and stress reduction coaching. Transform anxiety into calm through personalized sessions and sustainable wellness practices. Charlotte's Oakhurst neighborhood. Book your appointment today. See ad, page 18.
Sustainability
SUSTAIN CHARLOTTE
SustainCharlotte.org
What if Charlotte grew in ways that made it easier for current and future generations to live healthy lives? Sustain Charlotte is working to make that possible. Learn more and become a member today.
Weight Loss
CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE
Gastonia • 704-271-9757
Matthews/Ballantyne • 704-243-8560
CWLI.net
Developer of the “40 Day Transformation” system, a physician designed and administered functional approach with programming tailored to the unique metabolism needs of each individual, to provide safe and sustained weight loss. Call for a free consultation.
gaston county natural guide
Connecting Gaston County to leaders in natural health, wellness and green living. To find out how you can be included in the Gaston County Natural Guide, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com.
Inclusive mental health practice serving youth, adults and couples in Gaston County and virtually across NC, SC and MI. Offers online scheduling, evening and weekend appointments, diverse experienced providers, and accepts most major insurance plans.
To place a listing call 704-499-3327 or email
Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com
Organic Market & Supplements
ORGANIC MARKETPLACE
1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-864-0605
OrganicMarketNC.com
9am -7pm M/F, 9am6pm Sat. Reliable community partner, local source for education, organic foods, personal care, products, supplements, aromatherapy, organic wine/beer and pet products. See ad, page 13.
Weight Loss
CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE
Lidia Adkins, CFMP, DC, PKT 216 S. New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-271-9757 • CWLI.net
Developer of the “40 Day Transformation” system, a physician designed and administered functional approach with programming tailored to the unique meta-bolism needs of each individual, to provide safe and sustained weight loss. Call for a free consultation.
