"Come eat some pineapple; it’ll help with your cough."

England Miano greeted every woman who walked into the Escape Root Juicery with open arms, wrapping each in a warm hug.

Some of the faces she had seen only on Facebook. Others, fellow parents, she’d known for some time.

Miano, 40, was hosting a meetup for people like her who challenge traditional health norms, like vaccinating their kids.

A mother of three who lives and works in north Pinellas County, Miano chose not to vaccinate her youngest after dealing with developmental issues with her second child. She believes vaccinations are the reason her son, Davis, has autism.

At the juicery, she and other Tampa Bay area moms gathered around plush chairs and colorful couches, sharing stories and self-care tips over lattes, veggie smoothies and organic champagne. Among the topics: CBD oil, yoga, whole foods and activated charcoal.

Miano and her guests are part of a small but increasingly vocal slice of the U.S. population who distrust doctors and federal health agencies, and who often base their positions on misinformation from fringe sources.

Read more at the Tampa Bay Times