A growing number of Americans are moving away from meat and more toward plant-based foods, a development that comes with the promise of glowing health and expanding culinary horizons. Writer April Thompson shares the secrets of making this a seamless transition in “The Roots of Good Health: Thriving on a Plant-Based Diet,” page 24. On page 28, she takes the concept a step further with “Meatless Makeover: A Plant-Based Spin on Classic Dishes,” complete with recipes for Vegan Popcorn “Chicken,” Walnut Meat Tacos and a mouth-watering Mushroom and Sage Wellington.

In Northwest Florida, we were lucky enough to have early and broad access to delicious meat-free alternatives thanks to pioneering businesses like the Golden Almond. (That store opened in Fort Walton Beach way back when plant-based food was still called “health food.”) Still, it’s been fun watching the trend expand exponentially here over the last decade alone. On March 28, Pensacola will host the third annual Veg-Fest, a family-friendly food and music celebration (see details on pages 6 and 13). Could you have imagined a vegan festival gaining traction in this area 10 years ago? 

I think one reason many of us have been quick to adopt a vegan lifestyle is that our lives and livelihoods are so closely tied to the unique environment of the Gulf Coast; we’re alert to the dangers that would threaten it, including industries that abuse and exploit animals. In “Vegan Fitness: A Healthy Choice for Body and Planet,” page 32, writer Marlaina Donato explains how eating lower on the food chain benefits body, soul and nature. We have more tips for plant-based eating on page 21.

Meantime, Julie Marshall reveals the healing powers of a popular hemp-based oil in “CBD’s New Frontier: Help for Mental Health,” page 38. She writes that CBD, which has some of the calming properties of medical marijuana without the “high,” is increasingly popular for anxiety, depression and stress—three conditions that affect large numbers of Americans. She warns, however, that “as an unregulated supplement, CBD presents a challenge for consumers in its ubiquity, from CBD-infused pillows to gummies, soaps and even pet food. Discerning purity, dosage and safety are real concerns for those that may grab any bottle off the shelf.” That’s when having a trusted local resource comes in handy. Take Carun, for example. This national brand, whose CBD products meet ISO certification requirements and are all-natural, organic, raw and vegan, has an online store for convenience, but it also has a brick-and-mortar store right here in Panama City Beach, where knowledgeable staff can answer all your questions and help you find the product that’s right for you. 

Another win for our area—and our health—is the introduction of Salt Athletics here. If you’re into fitness, you probably already know that World Gym Pensacola just moved to a new 13,000-square-foot facility on 9th Avenue. You might not know that it is the only licensed fitness location in Northwest Florida to feature Salt Athletics, a patent-pending program that delivers multiple advanced wellness protocols including exercise, red light therapy and dry salt therapy in a single half-hour session. Read about the program and its benefits on page 22. And if you’re 18 or older, drop by World Gym Pensacola for a free Salt Athletics session.

Be sure to check out all that Natural Awakenings has to offer this month—from pointers on pet diets, to thoughts by Ronnie Cummins, founder of the Organic Consumers Association, on the future of regenerative agriculture and the power of growing a movement.

Here’s to awakening the world, one reader at a time!

Scott and Daralyn