Natural Awakenings Chicago ~ July 2021

Annual Global Virtual Run/Walk to End Homelessness

From July 17 through 25, A Safe Haven (ASH) is partnering with the Riot Fest Foundation and DoorDash to offer giveaway prizes for participants registering for the second annual Global Virtual Run/Walk to End Homelessness. ASH is raising awareness of the recent rise in homelessness caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More »

Bring Peace to Unruly Periods

Cristina Madine, a certified health coach with a nursing background, helps women say goodbye to the emotional roller coaster, exhaustion and abnormal periods with a hormone balancing protocol, stress management and cycle syncing so they can ditch the pill, get pregnant or just feel amazing in their bodies. Read More »

Convenient Thermography Now Available at Five Locations

A region of interest can be used for localized screening and assessment such as breast, cardiovascular and thyroid health, and detect early signs of muscular skeletal disorders, sinus and allergies, digestive disorders, dental pathologies, nerve damage, inflammation, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome/reflex sympathetic dystrophy, dental issues such as TMJ, carpal tunnel syndrome and skin cancer. Read More »

Journey to Greendom Makes It Easy to Go Green

Journey To Greendom offers products for adults, children, pets and general household use with all ingredients chemical free and eco-friendly, organic or sustainable, only essential oils are used without fillers, dyes or synthetics. Read More »

Lake County Forest Preserves Leads in Net-Zero Building

As stewards of healthy landscapes and proponents of climate resiliency, officials at the Lake County Forest Preserves outside of Chicago altered their Capital Improvement Plan to prioritize and accelerate current net-zero building goals and lead the way for others to do the same. Read More »

Lawmakers Support Local Food and Sustainable Agriculture in Illinois

Legislation headed to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk will make Illinois more delicious, reduce food waste and improve local farmers’ bottom lines. Liz Moran Stelk of Illinois Stewardship Alliance reviews 2021 good food legislation. Read More »

Letter from Publisher

July Color: Fireworks in the Garden Read More »

Meet the Tummy Whisperer

Good health starts with good digestion. Too many people aren’t finding the solutions to their health issues. They have tried various approaches and are confused with the conflicting information that exists about how to care for their bodies. Read More »

Mycelium Mysteries Conference Returns to Wisconsin

The conference is intended to provide inspiration and education about mushrooms for the health and healing of people and the planet. Workshops will be offered at the beginner through advanced levels on many topics such as wild mushroom skills, fungal ecology, fungi and human health, and ethnomycology. Read More »

New Glencoe Farmers Market Open in Wyman Green

Glencoe Farmers Market offers a variety of produce, bakery items, pastas and organic items, with the market growing as the season progresses. Live music will be featured weekly, and market shoppers can enter a free drawing to win locally supplied and organic food products. Read More »

New Vibe Young Service Rejuvenates Energy

When our energy is in harmony, life flows and things work for us. Our thoughts and beliefs make up our energy and contribute to the life we are creating, so healing ourselves is the most valuable thing we can invest in. Read More »

Picturing the Prairie at Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe has opened an exhibit of 15 large studio canvases and many smaller field paintings depicts rare, complex, diverse natural habitats that require conservation, restoration and stewardship work to protect the remaining prairies and restore others. Picturing the Prairie celebrates their vital role in our Midwestern heritage and takes visitors on a journey of prairie landscapes throughout the state of Illinois. Read More »

Recipe: Summer Melon Refresh

Our gluten-free recipe this month is full of hydrating summer fruits that can be easily made and packaged in small, airtight containers to take on hikes, to summer camp or even on a road trip. Influencer and cookbook author Tiffany Hinton GF Mom Certified says her family loves to cut the fruit into fun shapes and serve as kabobs for the kids to take outside and eat. Read More »

Rejuvenate Skin Naturally

Cosmetic acupuncture is a safer alternative to surgery or Botox, naturally helping make the skin look younger, smoother and all-around healthier. Read More »

Relieve Stress with Mobile Massage Service

The benefits of optimal wellness impact our state of good mental, physical and emotional health. Incorporating massage therapy with healthy habits helps to reduce pain and stress, and increase relaxation to feel rejuvenated. Read More »

Sauna Deals for Optimal Health

Near-infrared saunas can detoxify our fatty tissue, stimulate our cardiovascular system, cleanse our integumentary system, maintain a healthy weight, achieve relaxation, achieve pain relief and enjoy anti-aging benefits. Read More »

Stay on Top of Local Food News and More

The new Local Food Forum e-newsletter, published daily for the Chicago area, presents a wide range of subjects in an informative, inspiring and entertaining manner, with photographs, recipes and food trivia. Read More »

SWALCO Hosts Big Summer Clothing and More Clear-Out

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) is providing new sites and collaborators participating in their clothing and textile collection program. Residents can find the closest location to drop off and donate new, gently used or worn items like shirts, pants, jeans, blankets, comforters, sheets, towels, table linens and more to be reused, repurposed or recycled/upcycled. Read More »

Time to Enter the Summer 60-Second Garden Video Challenge

The Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards (CEGA) is presenting the summer 2021 edition of the 60-Second Garden Video Challenge, open through August 31. Read More »

Turtles are Biodiversity Ambassadors

Turtles have lived on Earth since the dinosaur era, some 60 million years ago. But today, these reptiles with hard shells and soft bodies need help, and they are getting it from groups throughout the Chicago region. Writer Sheryl DeVore talks with Chicago area experts about urban and suburban turtle conservation efforts in natural Illinois areas. Read More »

All-Vegan Menu Debuts at Lebanon Hospital

Hayek Hospital, in suburban Beirut, Lebanon, launched a 100 percent plant-based menu in March as a “moral responsibility”. Read More »

BBQ Brussels Sprouts Sandwiches with Brussels Sprout Slaw

This tasty vegetarian recipe for barbecued Brussels sprouts is the perfect meat-free meal to grill up. Read More »

Composting Made Easy: Turn Food Waste into ‘Black Gold’

Uneaten food rotting in landfills accounts for almost a quarter of U.S. methane emissions, but it can be turned into dark compost that enriches garden soil with these steps to get started. Read More »

Dealers Align Behind Electric Cars

The success of electric vehicle models, along with a plan to stop selling new internal combustion cars by 2035 in California, have propelled the transition from fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. Read More »

Doggy Delights: Healthy, Homemade Cookie Treats

Cooking treats for canine family members is a smart move, as they are eco-friendly, cost less and are healthier than company-made ones, say veterinarians. Read More »

Drink Electrolytes Instead of Water for Muscle Cramps

Gulping down too much water has been linked to painful, involuntary muscle cramps experienced by athletes, but an oral hydration solution with electrolytes can help. Read More »

Food as Medicine: The Healing Power of Nutrition

Well-being is increasingly linked by researchers to a healthy diet, motivating many people and the medical community to take seriously plant-based diets and the role of gut microoganisms. Read More »

Good Dog Treat

This homemade dog treat recipe using pumpkin, peanut butter and coconut will have canines on their best behavior for more. Read More »

Grilled Cumin Carrots with Pecans, Ricotta and Herbs

Carrots seasoned in cumin and herbs with pecans and ricotta make for a delicious meat-free, vegetarian grilling recipe. Read More »

Growing Food Security: The Benefits of Urban Gardening

Urban and localized gardening can bring fresh, organic, healthy, sustainable and affordable food to nearly every household, creating a resilient food system. Read More »

Huge Indoor Vertical Farm to Serve Food Desert

The agriculture startup Plenty Unlimited Inc. is building an indoor vertical farm in Compton to provide jobs and fresh produce to the historical “food desert” and surrounding areas. Read More »

Kate’s PB Oat Cookies

Ditch store-bought dog treats with this healthy, simple 3 ingredient recipe for homemade peanut butter and oat cookies. Read More »

Las Vegas Seeks to Ban Nonfunctional Grass

Las Vegas-area water officials hope to impose a policy banning grass on “nonfunctional turf” that no one walks on in such places as highway medians, housing developments and office parks. Read More »

Nature Documentaries Mislead Public Opinion

The unswerving presentation of nature as an untouched wilderness in nature documentaries misleads viewers into thinking that an abundance of these areas currently remains. Read More »

Peter Singer on Ethical Eating

Peter Singer, author and influential philosopher in the animal rights movement, discusses the ethics surrounding our food choices, climate change, eating meat and more. Read More »

Pet Happy: How Animals Help Kids Thrive

With studies showing the profound effects that pets can have on children's health, character development and well-being, here are reasons why parents should consider getting a family pet. Read More »

Refrain from Spanking to Avoid Harming Young Brains

A Harvard study finds that spanking alters children’s brain development. Read More »

Resolve Arguments the Same Day for a Happier, Healthier Life

Sidestepping an argument or resolving it on the same day pays off quickly by halving the reactivity level that day and often erasing any darkened emotional response the following day. Read More »

Sizzling on the Grill: Healthy, Sustainable Summer Fare

Delicious, green alternatives to traditional, carbon-emitting grilling methods including chemical-free charcoal, healthy plant-based grilled foods and eco-friendly dinnerware. Read More »

Sleepy Scents

Sleep-inducing essential oils advised by aromatherapists to help promote a healthy, restful night of slumber. Read More »

Soulful Strides: Running as a Spiritual Practice

Pressing our feet upon the Earth can be much more than a form of health-promoting exercise, as running can be introspective, and over time, a spiritual practice. Read More »

Sounds for Snoozing

Soothing soundscapes including meditations, music, short stories and novels to help the restless fall asleep quickly at night. Read More »

Sweet Slumber: Natural Tips for Deep Sleep

Being sleep-deprived raises our risk of obesity, depression, heart disease, dementia and a weakened immune system. Here are simple, non-pharmaceutical solutions for better sleep. Read More »

The Chubby Vegetarian’s Memphis BBQ Dry Rub

Add flavor and spice to your favorite vegetarian grilling recipes with this mixture for Memphis BBQ Dry Rub. Read More »

The Power of Playfulness

Research shows that playtime is good for the soul and provides benefits like reduced depression, stronger emotional resilience and higher productivity. Here are fun ideas for adult play. Read More »

The Practical Side of Family Pets

What parents should consider before bringing a family pet into the home, including the commitment, which dog and cat breeds are most child-friendly and safety concerns. Read More »

Try Saffron Extract to Raise Mood

A study shows that saffron extract can help lower depression and improve social relationships. Read More »

Use Sunlight and Sleep to Lower COVID-19 Risk

Two readily available natural strategies—sunlight exposure and sufficient sleep—appear to lower the risks of suffering and dying from COVID-19, report two new studies. Read More »

Volcanic Ground Cover Slows Climate Change

Researchers are using recycled rock dust to enrich farm and rangeland soils to accelerate the processes by which soils capture atmospheric carbon. Read More »

Work Out for Fun, Not Necessity

Physical activity during leisure time benefits our heart and longevity, but high workout levels on the job may actually hamper our health, report researchers. Read More »