Natural Awakenings Chicago ~ December 2020

Amazon Climate Label Facilitates Greener Choices

Amazon is labeling approximately 25,000 products with a Climate Pledge Friendly (CPF) designation to meet a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2040. Read More »

A New Story for the World: Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet

A revolutionary new way of viewing the world and our place in it points to a future that regenerates the natural environment and reinforces our essential interconnectedness. Read More »

California Passes Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act

California governor has signed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act into law, which bans 24 ingredients from cosmetics and personal care products sold within the state. Read More »

Christmas Cocoa Crunch Bark

Spread cheer over the holidays with this delicious recipe for Christmas Cocoa Crunch Bark, a healthy way to sweeten the season. Read More »

Climate Refugees Could Reach One Billion by 2050

According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, more than 1 billion people worldwide will live in countries with insufficient infrastructure to withstand climate change by 2050. Read More »

Eat Cruciferous Veggies for Cleaner Blood Vessels

Research finds those that eat more than 45 grams of cruciferous vegetables a day, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, are less likely to have calcium buildup in the aorta. Read More »

Energy Bites

These customizable energy bites are the perfect snack to grab and go, taking 5 minutes or less to make. It's easy to create festive bites for the holidays by adding food coloring. Read More »

For a Healthy Baby, Take a Multivitamin, Exercise and Ditch the Devices

Studies find that device use can lower sperm quality, daily prenatal multivitamins can reduce the risk of autism, and healthy diet and exercise during pregnancy can protect against obesity. Read More »

Fresh Rituals for a New Year

Here are several New Year’s rituals to help us connect more deeply to our loved ones, to ourselves and to a richer sense of purpose as we embrace the promise of 2021. Read More »

Holiday Treats for Pets: Homemade Recipes They Will Love

These festive holiday homemade pet treat recipes for Pumpkin Apple Pie, Eggnog, and Turkey Meatballs will have a dog woofing for more and a cat purring for seconds. Read More »

Instilling the Giving Spirit in Kids

The holiday season is the perfect time for parents to encourage children to learn about the value of giving, teaching empathy and compassion as lifelong lessons. Read More »

Lentil Brown Rice Soup

Give your loved ones the gift of healthy food this holiday season with a recipe and jar full of all the dry ingredients to make Lentil Brown Rice Soup. Read More »

Matt Kahn on Transforming the Planet With Love

Interview with bestselling author, spiritual teacher and empathic healer Matt Kahn on mantras, lessons from turbulent times, advice for protesting and awakening on a collective level. Read More »

MilkRun Gives Farmers Direct Sales

MilkRun, a Portland, Oregon company, is supporting local farmers on small farms by enabling them to sell produce safely and directly to consumers. Read More »

Mind-Body Fitness: How Mindfulness Benefits Workouts

Have fewer exercise injuries, improve immunity, reduce stress and develop a commitment to fitness by applying mindfulness approaches to your workouts. Read More »

Nap Less for Heart Health

For normal nighttime sleepers, taking a midday snooze for more than one hour may hurt cardiovascular health, reports a surprising new study. Read More »

Pay Where We Play: Boosting the Hometown Economy

Spending money on purchases from local businesses in the community is so important to help to build robust hometown economies. Here are ways to support your region with your buying power. Read More »

Practice Yoga to Improve Atrial Fibrillation

Yoga postures and breathing may significantly reduce episodes of atrial fibrillation, suggests a new study. Read More »

Ras el Hanout Spice Mix

Spice up dishes with the zesty blend of flavors in this recipe for Ras el Hanout, great for sprinkling onto roasting vegetables or added to falafel mixes, soups, stews and tagines. Read More »

Reinvent the Holidays: More Meaning, Less Stuff

The pandemic is shifting this year’s holidays, motivating parents to seek out affordable, meaningful, sustainable and non-material gift ideas for kids, saving money and creating memories. Read More »

Retain Muscle Mass with Vitamin C

New research shows that older people that simply eat lots of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables have greater skeletal muscle mass than those that don’t eat these foods. Read More »

Rosemary-Infused Vinegar

This fragrant, versatile rosemary-infused vinegar recipe makes a delightful holiday gift that can be enjoyed for months, delicious in salad dressings, on vegetables or added to sauces. Read More »

Saving Arctic Ice Using Glass Beads

Arctic Ice Project is proposing to scatter a thin layer of reflective silica glass particles over parts of the Arctic in an effort to protect it from the sun and help ice to re-form. Read More »

Sing to Heal: Using the Voice to Uplift Mind and Body

Singing along to music, humming or chanting mantras can boost mental and physical health, from improving immunity, memory and mood to reducing stress, depression and anxiety. Read More »

Starting Off Singing: Humming and Singing Tips to Try

Expert advice on how to start reaping the health benefits of singing by consciously humming, listening to an uplifting playlist or chanting a mantra. Read More »

The Gift of Yum: Homemade Treats Spark Holiday Cheer

Edible homemade gift ideas that make for healthy holiday treats to help slow down the shopping frenzy of the season and provide nourishing food to loved ones. Read More »

’Tis the Season to Save the Planet: Eco-Friendly Holiday Ideas

Reduce holiday-related waste with these sustainable twists on classic traditions and eco-friendly, low-waste gift ideas and tips. Read More »

WellExplorer App Can Warn of Toxic Drinking Water

WellExplorer is an interactive tool that allows residents and scientists to find out what toxins have been deposited in their drinking water as a result of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Read More »

Afternoon Tea and Cookies - Recipes from a Gluten-free Kitchen

Mother Nature holds the secrets to help us continue to have optimal health and thrive through the winter. Healing herbal teas and gluten-free treats combine for a cozy, healthy treat this winter, says Tiffany Hinton of GF Mom Certified. Read More »

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy is Gaining Ground in Helping to Prevent Disease

Maintaining our hormones in a youthful state can prevent debilitating illnesses that come with aging. Carla Brook, NP-C reviews some of the new findings in BHT treatment research. Read More »

Eco Salon Escape has Moved to Northbrook Location

Providing superior organic products that give our guests a more pleasant salon experience, gorgeous longer lasting results, beautiful color and healthier hair. Read More »

Emotional Health For a Covid-19 Holiday

Navigating holidays can be tricky in a good year, but this season we’re going to need a whole lot more of a plan to maintain our emotional health and wellness. Craig Mead, LCSW, LCPC gives us some tips to navigate the holidays and beyond. Read More »

Gluten Can Trigger Leaky Gut and Other Conditions

Gluten and gluten sensitivity are considered to trigger leaky gut syndrome in individuals genetically predisposed to celiac disease. Read More »

Growing More Than Lettuce Indoors

Indoor gardening can be incredibly rewarding and an easy practice to begin and manage year-round. Using efficient grow lights and easy techniques, we aren’t limited to lettuce and microgreens. Read More »

Handmade Eco-Friendly Garments for the Holidays and Beyond

Durable, eco-friendly clothing for kids and adults using mainly hemp fabric and hand dye with a low-water technique. Read More »

Happy Allergen-Free Holidays!

The guide has great ideas for gift giving in support of small businesses and brands we trust for those you love. Read More »

Home Architecture and Design Can Improve Our Well-Being

Homes designed for health and wellness also align with the growing interest in sustainability. As we spend more time at home, it's important to look at indoor air quality, light, power needs, water and more, says Nate Kipnis of Kipnis Architecture + Planning. Read More »

How to Grow Basil and Tomatoes in the Winter Months

Experts say indoor gardening is easier than we think and encourage us to give it a try this winter. Megy Karydes explores how to grow fresh, healthy greens, herbs, microgreens and veggies indoors to get us through a Chicago winter Read More »

Kadampa Offers New Programs in January

KMC will host monthly workshops and retreats via livestream in the coming year, as well as weekly drop-in meditation classes that emphasize gaining deep spiritual experience to integrate into daily life. Read More »

KnoWEwell Platform Offers One-Year Free Memberships in December

The KnoWEwell platform is a comprehensive online destination for today’s trusted Regenerative Whole Health knowledge, resources and community. Read More »

Learn More About Our Local Food System

Healthy ecosystems follow six consistent principles that are the same for farms, ranches and gardens. Read More »

Letter from Publisher

Holiday traditions constantly evolve, and this year will certainly break new ground for how family and friends celebrate. Read More »

Lou Malnati’s Tastes of Chicago Begins Shipping Deep Dish Gluten-Free Pizza Online

Each pizza is handmade from scratch with Lou’s recipe for a gluten-free crust, made primarily from rice flour, and the same high-quality ingredients that people love. Read More »

Mindful Aromatherapy Bundles Available for the Holidays

Living in the moment, taking time to pause, breathe and reflect, becomes more important than ever. Read More »

Natural Awakenings Chicago ~ December 2020

Enjoy articles from the December 2020 issue Read More »

Purple Sprout Has Moved to Buffalo Grove

Our food, mostly made from scratch, is designed to create balance between body, mind and spirit, self and nature. Read More »

Relax for the Holidays in Grayslake

In the midst of 2020 challenges and upcoming holidays, there is no better time for self-care, an investment in your health. Sovereign Body Massage’s mission is to help ‘awaken coherency, within and without. Read More »

Stay Fit During the Pandemic

Working out at these big-box gyms during this time is just not safe, so why not kickstart your health and immune system with GET FIT EGV instead. Read More »

Winter Wellness Specials at ADIO Chiropractic

ADIO provides comprehensive chiropractic care and functional medicine treatments. Read More »