Natural Awakenings Chicago ~ September 2020

5 Easy Tips for Helping Students to Connect with Nature this Fall

Now more than ever, youth need the benefits a connection with nature offers. Gina Iliopoulos of Chicago's Keeler Gardens NFP has five simple tips on how to create nature-focused learning opportunities. Read More »

8 Ways To Replace Dietary Salt

Salt is salt, and it doesn’t matter if you use sea salt, Celtic salt, kosher salt, pink Himalayan or any other kind of salt. Here are a few tips from Purple Sprout Cafe's Irina Ra on how to replace added salt in our daily lives with other natural sources of flavor. Read More »

Annual Mycelium Mysteries Women’s Conference Goes Online This Year

Midwest Women’s Herbal is committed to providing herbal education and opportunities for transformation, immersed in the Wise Woman Tradition. Workshops will be offered at the beginner through advanced levels on topics such as wild mushroom skills, fungal ecology, fungi and human health, and ethnomycology. Read More »

A Virtual Garden Walk

The annual native garden tour will be virtual this year, providing a fuller, year-round look at the way the gardens develop through the seasons, with practical, hands-on advice to bring native plants into home gardens. Read More »

BrainTapping Turns Brainwaves Into a Symphony

Unlike meditation programs, Brain Tapping's exclusive neuro-algorithms gently and naturally guide the brain through a broad range of brainwave patterns. The service is offered through Wellness Empowered in Northbrook. Read More »

Counseling to Cope with Turbulent Times

Craig Mead integrates traditional psychotherapy with holistic wellness mind-body-spirit practices to help clients overcome depression and anxiety and return to a place of optimum health and genuine happiness. Read More »

Digital Journal Writing Courses Now Enrolling for Fall

Journal to the Self is a six-week, self-paced learning experience where students practice and apply 18 life-changing techniques. Read More »

Diveheart Provides Multi-faceted Health Benefits through Dive Therapy

Volunteer-driven nonprofit Diveheart, based in Downers Grove, has been serving people with disabilities since 2001 with a very unique type of therapy in zero-gravity. They discovered that underwater scuba therapy in a pool, lake or ocean can give people with disabilities the freedom to move independently, even if they are severely disabled. Read More »

Empowering Adolescents Through Uncertain Times

Adolescents have had portions of their lives altered or put on hold during a time of pivotal social growth and personal development. Chicago organizations are helping them to navigate and flourish in these times of uncertainty. Read More »

Fitness is Still a Priority

Certified Personal Trainer Rowena Dziubla provides nutrition coaching, personal training and virtual coaching to help with navigating through these unique times. Read More »

Functional Medicine Practitioner Carla Brook Joins the Staff at Schaumburg's thriveMD

Carla Brook, NP-C, is knowledgeable in peptide therapy and specializes in mold/Lyme disease. Read More »

Illinois Prairies are Brilliant with September Colors and Wildlife

Even the grasses provide new color this time of year. You can see fields covered in hazes of browns and yellows, and if you look closely, you might even see the bottle gentian blooming. Writer Sheryl DeVore takes us on a tour of Illinois Prairies with Veronica Hinke and Cindy Crosby. Read More »

Illinois Stewardship Alliance Hosts The Dish Virtual 'Storyslam'

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance will host an inaugural virtual online storytelling event, The Dish, on the evening of October 4 as part of its annual fundraiser. Read More »

Learn to Connect the Digestive Dots

With more than 30 years of combined experience, Renee Barasch and Dr Danny McLane have been successfully helping clients address unresolved heartburn, acid reflux, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. Read More »

Letter from Publisher

I encourage you to step outside each day and reflect on the natural world as you connect with the changing season and slow down, breathe deeply and tend to your emotional well-being. Read More »

Maisha Wynn Talks About Brain Aneurysm Awareness

Brain health is directly tied to overall wellness and nutrition, says Chicago lifestyle personality, author and vegan enthusiast Maisha Wynn of Live to Wynn. September is Brain Aneurysm Awareness month, and we talked with her about her own aneurysm, as well as how people can take control of their lives and promote brain health through lifestyle changes such as diet modifications, mindfulness and having an attitude of gratitude. Read More »

Make Back-to-School Lunches Tasty and Sustainable

Many local grocery stores have posted signs directing us not to bring our own bags—no more using cloth, reusable market bags due to COVID-19 precautions. This is similar to the concept and rules of many of the Chicago area schools and daycares that will be opening this fall for bringing lunch to school. GF Mom Certified's Tiffany offers tips and recipes to make school lunches allergen free and Earth-friendly, too. Read More »

Mythbusting Misconceptions About the Microbiome

Gut bacteria play a role that extends beyond the digestive tract, influencing nearly every aspect of the body’s everyday functions. Yet several common misconceptions may affect the way we approach gut health and overall wellness. Read More »

New Personal Sound Journey Available at Soul Energy

The need to make healing services available online inspired Soul Energy's Mary Ellen Azzi to adapt and create a unique personal service to help in the healing process. Read More »

New Science-Based Weight-Loss Program

Nirvana Naturopathics in Deerfield offers a support system including motivational essays, journaling prompts, recipes and exercise tips for healthy and natural weight loss. Read More »

Trinity Health Freedom Expo Goes Virtual

The October virtual Trinity Health Freedom Expo will showcase notable speakers include Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, Erin Elizabeth and Robert Scott Bell. Read More »

Natural Awakenings Chicago ~ September 2020

Enjoy Articles from our September Issue Read More »

Boost Fun Nutrition with Microgreens

Researchers exploring the acceptability of microgreens, a sustainably grown plant bursting with nutrients, discovered that subjects found the greens to be fun, colorful and attractive. Read More »

Cars Go Vegan: Leather Interiors are on the Way Out

The environmental impact of producing leather, foam and other materials used in car interiors is being replaced by eco-friendly, sustainable, vegan alternatives. Read More »

Cilantro Pesto

This five-ingredient vegan recipe for Cilantro Pesto is an easy, healthy twist on the classic sauce. Read More »

Consider Mindfulness for Multiple Sclerosis

Mindfulness training such as focusing on the breath and doing mental body scans may help patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) manage their emotions and process information quicker. Read More »

Consider Therapy to Reduce Inflammation

An analysis of studies found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and similar approaches reduced inflammation and enhanced immunity in subjects. Read More »

Emotional Well-Being in the Pandemic Age: Self-Care Strategies for Tough Times

Healthy ways to cope with the stress the pandemic has placed on mental and emotional health using self-care and compassion strategies to build up confidence, courage and positivity. Read More »

Finding the Right Tune for Pets: Music Calms the Animal Soul

The mood of dogs and cats can be improved by hearing the right kind of music. Here are some research-backed musical selections to help your pet become calm, relaxed and stress-free. Read More »

Happiness Helpers: Five Ways to Be More Positive

We can choose to see things in a more positive fashion by taking these 5 steps to train our brains to look for the good more often, leading to increased levels of happiness. Read More »

Mask Eco-Disposal: How to Dispose of Antiviral Wear

Eco-friendly, sustainable ways to dispose of discarded antiviral protective face masks in a safe, responsible manner to avoid littering the planet. Read More »

Mint and Feta Bruschetta with Chive Blossoms

This vegetarian recipe for Mint and Feta Bruschetta with Chive Blossoms is the perfect healthy appetizer that can be prepared in no time. Read More »

Natural Antivirals: Help in Staying Strong and Healthy

Often-overlooked natural remedies with antiviral properties that may help to prevent virus infections like COVID-19 from becoming symptomatic or severe. Read More »

Not All Hydroelectric Generators are Created Equal

A study that analyzed the climate impacts of hydropower generation facilities found that while many release almost no greenhouse gases, some can be worse than burning fossil fuels. Read More »

Nurses Stand Up Against Climate Change

Conscientious nurses have formed the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and partnered with Project Drawdown to significantly impact climate change and create a healthier future. Read More »

Oak Wood Extract Can Lessen Post-Surgical Effects

Study finds oak wood extract can help with stress, energy, mood and the ability to perform physical tasks and participate in social activities in women recovering from hysterectomy surgery. Read More »

Planetary Planning: Keeping Half the Earth Natural

A study concludes that if we act quickly and decisively, there is an opportunity to conserve about half of the planet’s ice-free land. Read More »

Plastic Rain: Airborne Particulates Blanket Wilderness

Researchers estimate more than 1,000 tons of microplastics are deposited from the air into national parks and wilderness areas each year. Read More »

Raising Resilient Kids: How to Help Them Bounce Back

Mindful strategies to help parents build up resiliency in children in order to deal with challenges, overcome difficulties, be less fearful and anxious and more confident and empathetic. Read More »

Reduce PFAS Exposure to Help Delay Menopause

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS)—“forever chemicals” found in non-stick cookware, food packaging and contaminated water—may cause menopause to occur earlier in women. Read More »

Sandra Marinella on the Healing Power of Writing Our Stories

Award-winning teacher and author Sandra Marinella discusses using stories, poems and journal writing to find greater well-being and resilience and move beyond negative thoughts and emotions. Read More »

Sea Turtles Attracted to Deadly Ocean Plastic

Study finds that loggerhead turtles are attracted to ocean plastic they've confused as food, causing 1,000 to die each year from consuming plastic or getting tangled up in it. Read More »

Spice Up Health: Using Herbs for Flavor and Medicine

Boost the nutritional value and flavors of your favorite food dishes by incorporating these tasty herbs and spices, packed full of healthy benefits to help digestion, immunity and more. Read More »

Spinach & Grapefruit Salad with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

This healthy, vegan, gluten-free recipe for spinach and grapefruit salad incorporating toasted pumpkin seeds can aid in digestion and invigorate the senses. Read More »

Starchy Solution: A Plant-Based Alternative to Plastic

Manufacturer Kuraray has introduced a renewable and sustainable starch-based barrier film called Plantic. The plant-based packaging material can be recycled or composted. Read More »

Try Foot Reflexology After Heart Surgery

Researchers find that foot reflexology treatment after a major heart operation can decrease patient agitation and reduce the average amount of time spent on a ventilator. Read More »

Yoga for Every Body: Adaptive Ways Ease Pain and Immobility

Adaptive yoga can help people challenged by injury, chronic pain, autoimmune disease or debilitating conditions like multiple sclerosis achieve health and wellness in mind, body and spirit. Read More »