Natural Awakenings Magazine - Naples and Fort Myers Area

01/14/2025

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01/14/2025

Kidfluencers: Using Social Media for Positive Change

Social media has made it easier than ever to share ideas, and today’s generation of digital natives are adept at using it. With one video post, they can reach thousands in minutes. Welcome to the world of “kidfluencers”: young people with throngs of online followers that use their platforms to sway their peers (and adults, too). Aged 16 or younger, these engaged leaders know the ins-and-outs of the latest technology and understand that there is power in becoming more than just a passive viewer. While some use social media outlets to earn sponsorships or market products, others leverage their online brands to inspire agents of change and make a positive difference in the world.



Reaching the Reading Masses



When eighth-graders Kyra and Phallon Pierce noticed a racially insensitive book and zero multi-cultural authors on an assigned reading list, the Chicagoland-based identical twins decided to take action. They launched Positive Change Charities, a nonprofit that awards book grants to promote diverse authors to kids in need and underfunded K-12 libraries across Illinois.



“We’ve given out about 4,000 books, and I’m really excited about that because we go to the schools and personally get to give those books out,” Kyra says. The twins are competitive dancers and use social media to promote their performances, and they employ those same venues to get the word out about their book-focused work.



On Instagram, for example, the Pierce girls encourage Illinois kids to check out their curated reading list, apply for a grant or push for state legislation that compels the inclusion of diverse authors in K-12 curriculums. “I feel like [social media] is a really good tool to use, because it allows you to get to a wide variety of people,” Phallon notes. “It hits adults; it hits teenagers; it hits anybody. It allows you to really push your message out there.”



Mobilizing Community Cleanups



Known as The Conservation Kid, Cash Daniels is a 14-year-old influencer from Chattanooga who uses Instagram to promote Tennessee River preservation efforts. Since he began this work at age 7, he has helped recycle 2,000 miles of fishing line and remove more than 30,000 pounds of trash and two tons of aluminum cans from area waterways. He leads community cleanups and often speaks directly to children at school functions.



“Kids may be a small part of the population, but we're 100 percent of the future,” Daniels asserts. “And if somebody says you can't do it, get out there and prove them wrong.” Instagram is his preferred outlet because that’s where he feels he can reach the most people in the limited time he can commit to online endeavors. In addition to leveraging social media to inspire others, he has met some of his best friends online, as well as people wanting to collaborate with him to amplify his message.



Protecting Young Influencers



While influencers like the Pierce twins and Daniels work hard to promote positive messages online, they are not immune to the more negative realities of being in the spotlight. If their interests or values don’t align with abusive keyboard warriors, these well-meaning kids may be subjected to trolling, online bullying and hate speech.



Dr. Meg Arroll, a psychologist and author of Tiny Traumas: When You Don't Know What's Wrong, but Nothing Feels Quite Right, believes that online influencing is a form of work and families should try to strike the right work-life balance. “How many hours a day would we allow our kids to work, even if it's something that they wanted to do?” she asks.



Arroll highlights the complexities that parents must navigate when a child starts to earn money or products in exchange for social media influence. Those likes, shares and other types of engagement, she says, trigger the reward center in human brains, and that can lead to addictive-like behavior.



Recognizing the dangers, the parents of both the Pierce twins and Daniels limit their kids’ social media use and monitor posts so that they can address any worrisome events or behaviors before they get out of control.



Inspiring New Kidfluencers



When the Pierce twins visit schools, their audiences are comprised of kids just like them. “There’s no difference between us; we're all the same,” says Phallon, and Kyra chimes in that this commonality can be inspiring. Daniels believes that when kids see him in action on social media, they are motivated to act, as well. He is a role model—opening new possibilities for future kidfluencers.

01/13/2025

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01/13/2025

Opening New Chapters

Diving into a new job, partnership or living situation might not be as scary as jumping into a fire or abyss, but fear of the unknown can certainly get a grip on us if we are not careful. Beginning anything new can feel unsettling, but with a little shift in mindset, anxiety can morph into genuine excitement. Whether taking piano lessons or trying a fitness class at the gym for the first time, we have one thing on our side: beginners have nothing to prove. Every master of their craft was once a novice, and remembering this can quell the ego’s impatience for perfection.

Curiosity, instead of fear, can become our internal navigation system, urging us forward as we turn a new corner or a new page. The month of January can bring expectations, fresh goals and, for the anxiety-prone, flashes of what-ifs. It is not easy approaching the unknown, even for the seasoned artist putting that first brushstroke onto a stark, white canvas. Tapping into our innate creativity helps us to see an open road of choices lying before us.

First steps can be shaky, but with a little purpose and fortitude, they become surer, even elegant. Martin Luther King, Jr. advised, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” When we feel snagged in a web of procrastination or hesitance, reviving our sense of wonderment and childlike innocence can disarm doubt. Despite our fears and uncertainties, we might even experience some levity in our pursuits.



Greeting the New Year

Try a different ethnic restaurant.
Visit an unexplored town.
Start a conversation with a previously unknown neighbor.
Begin wearing hats or another signature piece, and own a new style.
Learn an interesting word every week, and use it in conversation.
Investigate an intriguing culture.
Enroll in a cooking class, or learn to bake bread.
Take a screen break and pick out a new book at the library.

Marlaina Donato is an author of several books, a painter and a composer. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodsmoke.com

01/13/2025

The DripBar: Unlock the Body’s Full Potential with IV Therapy

Unlocking the body’s full potential at The Drip Bar in Naples requires only one thing: sitting back and relaxing in a comfortable chair. Unlike most health improvements that demand effort, this process allows for rejuvenation effortlessly. The DripBar offers a range of intravenous vitamin (IV) and nutrient therapies tailored to meet everyone’s unique health needs and goals.

“Whether it’s boosting energy, enhancing cognitive function, improving metabolic health, supporting healthy aging or managing a specific health condition, The DripBar’s team of medical professionals works to empower clients, helping them understand how IV therapies are a way to take control of their own wellbeing,” says Patty Diederich, a Registered Nurse at The DripBar, located between Publix and Starbucks in River Chase Plaza.

Health and wellness start at the cellular level. Getting the necessary micronutrients to the cell is made easier through the process of IV infusion. IV vitamin therapy can ensure the cells obtain nearly 100% of the nutrients that are provided versus only about 10 to 20 percent of nutrients that might be absorbed through oral supplementation. Providing the cells with the nutritional fuel through IV therapy provides a much faster boost of energy, a more robust immune response, easier recovery from stresses on the body, and a slowing down of the aging process.

“We’ve been open since May and it seems that the IVs people are most familiar with and know to ask for are The Shield (immune boost), The Power Pack and The Restoration. The Shield gives a great immune boost, the Power Pack (boost of energy), and The Restoration, which minimizes the effects of poor sleep, overindulging in alcoholic beverages, and lengthy travel,” says Patti Diederich, a registered nurse practitioner at The DripBar.

Athletes looking to up their game or busy parents who want to keep good health in check will find what they need at The DripBar, with therapies designed to deliver the perfect balance of vitamins and nutrients to help the body perform at its best.

The DripBar also specializes in Ozone IV Therapy, a cutting-edge treatment. Ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen, has been found to possess therapeutic benefits when administered through IV. It improves blood circulation, boosts immune function through the production of antioxidants, and reduces inflammation, among many other benefits.

Another standout IV therapy is the NAD + rejuvenation drip. NAD + is a coenzyme that plays a crucial role in cellular function and energy production. Benefits are multiple, increased energy and vitality, enhanced cognitive function, reduced signs of aging, and improved metabolic health.

The DripBar prioritizes safety and quality. Drip Specialists are RNs, and the organization operates under the guidance of a national medical director and a medical board. “Our high safety standards ensure peace of mind that all treatments and our environment are free of chemical and microbial contaminants. All compounding is done on-site and in a sterile environment to prevent clients from contamination, guaranteeing clients peace of mind.” emphasizes Diederich.

The DripBar is located at 11216 Tamiami Trl., N., in Naples. For more information, call 239-422-6044. Visit TheDripBar.com/Naples

01/12/2025

New Self-Care Health Book by Naples Author

Achieving and maintaining good health over time does not have to be complicated. However, it often requires a self-health manual with clear directions on how to get there and stay there.

In Health Habits at Home: Take Charge of Your Wellbeing, local author, detoxification specialist, and founder of Spark Health Technologies, Sue Mahany, shares 35 essential habits for physical well-being. Colorful and action-oriented, the book is the result of Mahany’s 25 years of study and experience. She shares strategies she successfully used to overcome chronic fatigue and hormonal imbalance.

Simple Steps and Clear Understanding

Organized into simple steps and written for ease of understanding, the book provides clear directions on how to implement these habits. Most of the 35 habits can be done at home and are relatively inexpensive. “Although I’ve found that people are generally aware that detoxification, supplements, sleep, and nutrition are essential for wellness, they aren’t familiar with the quality of supplements, what to take, or the correct order needed to achieve their health goals. The choices we make every day can strengthen our bodies against the harsh chemical and electromagnetic environments we live in today. These key points below can make all the difference,” she advises.

Key Points Covered in Take Charge of Your Wellbeing

How dental health impacts the whole body

Where to use castor oil to clear lymph

Why microplastic removal is essential for hormonal health

When to measure body temperature to evaluate thyroid function

Which foundational supplements are needed for cellular health

What new technologies can reduce parasites and inflammation

Detoxification, Benchmarking, Refining

Think of the body as a house. Houses come in different sizes and shapes, and they are built at different times. How much junk is inside your house? How much structural work needs to be done? What is for looks, and what is for function? Getting the house in order is easiest if the junk is removed first. In the body, this process is called detoxification.

Next, assess what needs to be done to strengthen the structure, air quality, and plumbing/electrical systems of the house. This is the benchmarking stage. Addressing these issues, as well as general maintenance, is the all-important and never-ending nourishment stage. Finally, there’s nothing wrong with wanting nice curb appeal and comfortable sofas—this is where you savor the fruits of your labor in the refining stage.

Effects of Environmental Chemicals, EMFs and Demanding Lifestyles

Great opportunities in the self-care category include everything from lasers to saunas to sleep-monitoring devices that, when properly applied, can significantly reduce the odds of chronic disease. Living in an era of damaging environmental chemicals, ubiquitous electromagnetic frequencies, and demanding lifestyles has created massive health challenges, but there are solutions for every problem.

“It can be hard to know which options are worthwhile or where to even start. Having successfully navigated the myriad options, I wrote this book to save readers valuable time and money when designing their wellness plan,” Mahany advises.

01/12/2025

01/11/2025

Exercise With a Smile: Turning Workouts Into Playtime

When it comes to exercise, many people think of rigid routines, grueling workouts and strict schedules, but joyful movement can make fitness fun, flexible and something to look forward to. It could be as simple as walking through the park, dancing in the living room or playing outside with the kids. Unlike traditional exercise routines that feel like obligations or chores, a joyful approach to fitness focuses on engaging in activities that feel good both physically and mentally.

“Movement does not have to be intense or complex; however, it must be intentional and innate,” says Katia Mashni, a health-and-wellness coach and registered dietitian/nutritionist in Michigan. “When you find and engage in an exercise program you enjoy, you are far more likely to stick to it and adopt it as part of your lifestyle because it makes you happy.” A 2020 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health of more than 2,300 adults found that those engaged in moderate and high levels of activity had significantly higher life satisfaction and happiness than those with low activity levels.



Fun Fuels Fitness Success
Fun is a powerful motivator when it comes to fitness. A 2020 review of more than 2,800 studies and papers by researchers at Victoria University, in Australia, found that when people had fun exercising, they were significantly more likely to consistently exercise.

By regularly engaging in our favorite activities, we can create a healthier relationship with fitness. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology of more than 200 participants involved in different levels of activity found that after four weeks, active participants had higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction and self-esteem.



Adding Joy to Workouts
Listen to music. An energizing playlist of favorites is a surefire way to boost a walking, running or strength-training routine.
Exercise with friends or family. Increase the fun quotient by turning a gym workout or outdoor hike into a social event.
Try something new or revisit a childhood favorite. Explore activities such as biking around the neighborhood, hula-hooping in the backyard or swimming at a local pool or beach. “I encourage people to get curious,” says Courtney Pelitera, a dietitian with a passion for sport and performance nutrition. “Maybe you loved swimming in high school, or you have always wanted to take your dog out on a hike, or the pickleball leagues popping up everywhere sound like fun to you. Try it out! We all start somewhere, and being new to something might even bring you into friendships with others who are also new.”
Dance around the house. Turn household chores into a dance party by moving to the rhythm while cleaning or cooking.
Play with pets: Get active by running, walking or playing fetch with the dog or by creating a fun obstacle course to do together.

Releasing the Guilt and Pressure
Many people feel judged or intimidated when it comes to fitness. Embrace these strategies to break free from the pressure to exercise perfectly or to follow an intense workout routine.

Let go of perfection. Focus on progress, not perfection. Every bit of movement counts, and it’s okay if goals or milestones are not achieved right away.
Set a realistic pace. Whether starting or returning to fitness, it is important to honestly evaluate exercise readiness. Joyful movement is about doing what feels right for the body.
Avoid comparisons to others. Everyone’s fitness journey is different, and trying to match others can take the joy out of it. Celebrate personal achievements, no matter how small.
Focus on fun, not performance. Place less emphasis on the quality of the exercise movements and more on how pleasing those efforts are.
Choose comfortable environments. Whether a solo walk in nature, a quiet yoga session or dancing at home, choose settings that feel relaxing and happy.
Dress for comfort. Wearing feel-good workout clothes adds confidence and reduces self-conscious discomfort during exercise.

01/10/2025

Detox Vegetable Soup

While cleansing and detoxing is good to do anytime, it is particularly important after the removal of breast implants. In this delicious soup with robust flavors, it’s impossible to notice the lack of oil, which should be avoided while cleansing and detoxing.

Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

¼ cup water (or vegetable broth)
½ red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 celery stalks, diced
3 medium carrots, diced
1 small head of broccoli, florets
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 tsp turmeric (powdered)
¼ tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
Fine-grain sea salt and black pepper, to taste
6 cups water (or 4 cups vegetable broth + 2 cups water)
2 cups kale, de-stemmed and torn in pieces
1 cup purple cabbage, chopped
½ small lemon juiced from (or a whole lemon, depending how much lemon flavor is preferred)

In a large pot, add onion and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add celery, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes and fresh ginger. Stir and cook for 3 minutes, adding in ¼ cup water or broth as needed. Stir in turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper plus salt and pepper to taste.

Add in water or vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Add in kale, cabbage and lemon juice during the final 2 to 3 minutes of simmering.

01/10/2025

Baby its cold outside here in SWFL - stay warm 😁

01/09/2025

Blissful Bowls: Celebrating With Soup

Whether we showcase winter’s root vegetables or come home to comfort food simmering on the stove, soup is a language of love with many dialects: from under-the-weather broths and velvety bisques to slow-cooked stews and stick-to-the-ribs chowders. A bowl of soup can bridge the mundane and the magical, inviting us to slow our fast-paced lives, share the bounty with loved ones and honor recipes of generations past.

“Every time I make soup, even if it’s one I’ve made over and over, it fills me with a sense of wonder that a bunch of disparate ingredients—legumes, grains, raw vegetables, onions, garlic, seasonings—always meld in a way that seems almost miraculous,” marvels Nava Atlas, the Hudson Valley, New York-based author of more than 10 cookbooks, including Vegan Soups and Stews for all Seasons.



Making Vegetables Shine

Eating seasonally can help our bodies transition into winter, and soups that incorporate cold-weather crops offer delicious versatility. “Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to be thankful for the harvest. Soups in the fall are typically a hearty mix of what you may have grown in your garden. These could be rich and creamy tomato, pumpkin or pea soups,” says Sharon Hapton, founder and CEO of nonprofit Soup Sisters, a food-assistance program in 27 cities across Canada. The author of The Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers Cookbook attests that taking a little time to make soup “is a great way to nourish our spirits and reconnect with the food.”

In any combination, rainbow carrots, rutabaga, parsnips, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, leeks and winter squashes pack a punch in flavor, color and texture. Special-occasion soups can be simple childhood favorites dressed up with the pungent tastes of sage, rosemary, ginger, chiles or coriander seeds. Creamy soups, whether traditional or vegan, pair beautifully with wild rice, roasted pumpkin seeds or toasted pecans. Atlas suggests combining vegetables in surprising ways to take advantage of contrasting flavors, such as adding sweet potatoes and bell peppers to a black bean stew.



Broths Versus Stocks

Although broths and stocks can be made using vegetables and/or bones and seasoned with salt and pepper, a broth is thinner in consistency and requires a shorter simmering time, whereas a stock can be simmered for four to six hours, resulting in a heavier texture. Nutritional bone broth is usually simmered for 12 to 36 hours to create a collagen-rich stock. All of these can be sipped for a soothing repast or incorporated into other recipes.



Bringing Out Flavor With Salt

Atlas notes, “Most soups benefit from judicious salting to bring out the flavors, but I suggest waiting until the end to add salt, giving the soup time to develop flavor first. And it’s surprising how much of a lift lemon and lime juice can give to soup broth.” For those monitoring their sodium, she recommends salt-free seasoning blends, like Dash, or Spike, a zesty low-sodium option found at health food stores.



The Legacy of a Treasured Recipe

Holiday time can be bittersweet, especially when lost family members are not at the table, but taking out an old, handed-me-down recipe is a wonderful way to preserve culinary customs and commemorate the family’s heritage. “Creating delicious food like soup from a loved one’s recipe is more than the ingredient list on a card,” says Hapton. “Use the silver spoon handed down from family to stir the love and rekindle the memories of loved ones. A natural flow of storytelling happens when we cook together, and the ‘dash of this and that’ can make its own lively conversation.”

According to Atlas, “Food traditions are a way to embrace each person’s unique history—where their ancestors were from, what was available to them, what they felt comforted by. Yet, despite all the different traditions, food is a great uniter, a fantastic way to connect us as humans.”

Presenting soup in an elegant tureen and putting out toppings such as chopped fragrant herbs or crushed pink peppercorns at each place setting gives soup a festive, gourmet touch. “Don’t wait for a special occasion to bring out the good dinnerware,” Hapton suggests. “Enjoy it every day, even in some small way.”

Ultimately, gratitude is the most important ingredient. This Thanksgiving, invite each guest at the table to ladle a bowl of soup for the person next to them, offering a single word of appreciation as a form of grace.

01/09/2025

Immune Boosting Soup With Miso and Ginger Scent

This macrobiotic soup combines all the healing and digestive benefits of miso and ginger. Noodles, fish and a variation of vegetables can be added, too.



YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

Dash sesame oil

1 leek, finely sliced

1 carrot, finely diced

1 zucchini or summer squash, finely diced

3-inch portion of wakame sea vegetable, rinsed and cut into small strips

3 cups boiling water

Spring onions, finely cut for garnish

4 tsp brown rice miso paste

1 inch ginger root, juiced



Heat the sesame oil and sauté the leek for one minute. Add the other vegetables and wakame. To make broth, add water to cover the ingredients, bring to a boil then simmer for 4 minutes.

Remove one ladle of broth and place in a bowl. Add the miso to this broth, stirring to dissolve and incorporate the paste into the broth, and then pour it back into the original pot of cooked vegetables. Add ginger juice and simmer for another minute or so. Garnish with spring onion.

01/08/2025

Bonding With a Dog: Fun Tips To Build Trust, Calm and Companionship

Engaging with the family dog can strengthen the relationship, improve well-being and bring joy. With a little planning, each interaction offers dogs and their owners a chance to exercise, bond, explore and have fun.

Benefits of Interacting With Dogs

In a 2020 study published in Scientific Reports involving 35 dog owners and 58 dog-human activities, researchers concluded:

Physical interactions with dogs, such as playing, training exercises and being greeted by the dog, increased the owners’ positive emotions, including happiness, joy and contentment, while at the same time reducing feelings of stress, anxiety and fear.
Owning and caring for a dog was linked to an increased sense of purpose, meaning, responsibility and fulfillment, as well as a positive feeling of companionship.
While not directly tied to dog-human activities, the general experience of having a dog contributed to a more positive outlook on life.

Dog-Owner Bonding

According to the National Institutes of Health, a strong bond with the family pet can lower a person’s blood pressure and decrease levels of cortisol, an stress-related hormone. Playing or relaxing with a dog engenders a sense of safety, while also allowing the dog to feel calm and less reactive. Dogs that regularly share activities with their owners tend to show more affection, trust and excitement.

A 2024 Finnish study published in Science Daily determined that during interactions, dogs tended to be in sync with their owners’ stress levels, as measured by heart rate variability. This suggests that a close bond between a dog and their companion can build an emotional connection and even affect underlying physiological responses. What we do with our pets can have an effect on their emotional disposition, and ours.



Fun Activities

Carla Brown, a dog trainer and holistic pet health coach in Truckee, California, offers these tips to keep dogs happy and healthy.

Play and Exploration: Dogs are happiest when they can play and explore off-leash. This time is essential for their physical and mental growth. If off-leash spaces are not available, find other ways for the dog to play and explore.

Running and Playing: Running and playing release a dog’s endorphins—hormones that can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. These activities also improve brain function, support immune health, reduce inflammation and help regulate appetite. Varying the activities keeps them mentally and physically healthy.

Mental Stimulation: Teaching the dog basic nose-work skills is a great way to challenge their mind and provide calm, enriching experiences. Start nose work by tossing a treat for the dog to find. Use simple phrases like “Find it” or “Search.” As the dog gets better at finding the treat, make the search more challenging by hiding treats in different spots. Dog puzzles, snuffle mats and frozen stuffed toys that hide a treat inside are other ways to teach nose work.

Safety Tips for Dog-Dog Play: Dog-dog play can be rough and scary to the inexperienced observer. They rear up, wrestle and use open mouths. When dogs play together properly, no one should get hurt. Good playmates take self-imposed breaks when play escalates too much. On the other hand, puppies need help to calm down and stop playing.

Tips for Human-Dog Play: Set clear rules and follow through to ensure play is fun and safe. Teach cues like “Sit” and “Give a hug.” Don't allow rough play that promotes bad mouth habits. If a dog is used to roughhousing at home, they won’t understand that it is not okay with others. Allowing the dog to jump on their owner when they come home might suggest that it is okay to jump on strangers.

Safety With Kids and Seniors: When it comes to playing with children or older people, the rules are stricter. Dogs should be discouraged from using their mouth or jumping on people. This is why controlling play is important. Giving the dog a cue to sit, wait, take or drop will help them calm down. If the dog has trouble calming down, give them regular breaks. The reward is playing by the rules.