Natural Awakenings Chicago ~ April 2022

The Harmful Effects of Fences on Wildlife and Ecosystems

Researchers looking at all the studies of the effects of fences have found that their profound impacts on wildlife and ecosystems are often ignored or greatly underestimated. Read More »

Create a Colorful Year-Round Landscape

Kick off the growing season with color and look for ways to continue color throughout the growing season and into fall and winter. Melinda Myers provides expert tips. Read More »

Divorce with Dignity is Possible

A divorce with dignity may sound counterintuitive because it often comes with controversy, cultural stigma and religious implications. For those considering a divorce as their next best step, it just might be the most stressful event they have ever experienced. Read More »

Dr. McIrvin Joins Staff of Dr. Kozlowski

Dr. McIrvin specialties include hormonal imbalances, mold and metal toxicities, gastrointestinal dysfunction, autoimmune disorders, weight loss and insulin resistance. Read More »

Earth Energies Can Influence Daily Living

Energetic Geometry is offering a Heal Your Home Weekend Workshop, May 7 and 8 in Sacramento, California, to help people learn how to make their home a sanctuary of peace and happiness. Read More »

Enter to Win a Clay Multi-functional Cooker

The team at VitaClay will randomly select one lucky Natural Awakenings reader from qualified online entries to receive a free, multi-functional clay cooker that they will give away. Read More »

Faun Can Help Find Hidden Inner Resources

Heather Faun, a healer who provides sessions via phone, internet or in-person consultations, is celebrating 20 years of intuitive work using techniques and skills to deeply connect, heal and transform all areas of life. Read More »

Forest Preserve Hosts Earth Day Cleanups

The Forest Preserve District of Will County will host two cleanup days this month to celebrate Earth Day. Read More »

Friends of the Parks Coordinates Chicago Earth Day Cleanups

On April 23, Friends of the Parks will again be coordinating cleanups across Chicago as part of their annual Earth Day Parks and Preserves Celebration and Clean-Up. Read More »

Green Witch Garden Workshop with Tiffany Hinton

Attendees will learn to build a raised garden bed, plan the garden and plant it for the summer harvest season. Hinton will also discuss gut health and the benefits of homegrown produce. Read More »

Guided Nature Hikes Offer a Sneak-Peek at Spring

As the natural world re-awakens in April, local forest preserves offer guided hikes for the public to witness the signs of a new season and get some exercise. Read More »

Letter from Publisher

Vernal equinox has arrived and the sun now energizes the Northern Hemisphere into a new growing season. Read More »

Local Seeds Go into National Deep Freeze

Chokeberry seeds plucked from the Forest Preserve Districtof Will County Kankakee Sands Preserve, in Custer Township, last year are now being stored in two national seed vaults. Read More »

Minerals in Foods Help Build Healthy Cells

Consuming adequate levels of minerals ensures healthy metabolism through proper functioning of thousands of cellular processes. Read More »

New Park Coming to Bull Valley Thanks to Public-Private Conservation Partnership

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC) has acquired a 323-acre farm near Bull Valley, fulfilling a community vision to protect the site’s natural and ecological features and resulting in the creation of a new public nature park. Read More »

Nurturing a Healthy Sleep Environment

A good night’s sleep helps manage pain, decrease inflammation, strengthen immunity and regulate body mass. Creating a healthy and comfortable sleep environment is equally important for a restful evening and good overall health. Carrie Jackson explores natural ways to improve sleep in all Chicago seasons. Read More »

On Becoming a Blue Zone

Blue Zones are regions of the world thought to have a higher than usual number of people live much longer than average, with a majority of the population reaching the age of 100 without health problems like heart disease, obesity, cancer, dementia or diabetes. Read More »

Recipe: Roasted Spring Asparagus

This spring recipe is made from a “love it or hate it” vegetable that comes back year after year, once it is started in the garden. Read More »

Rejuvenate with Virtual Guided Detox from Purple Sprout

Purple Sprout Conscious Organics is offering Rejuvenation, a three-week, online, guided detox program starting April 18, to help reset the body after winter, open up elimination pathways and pave the way toward greater health and happiness. Read More »

Release the Past to Allow Healing Now

Every stress or trauma, whether physiological, cognitive, emotional or interpersonal, affects the body. To help, Partners In Wellness will conduct an in-person Stress & Trauma Workshop. Read More »

Volunteer for Chicago River Day

The celebration draws thousands of volunteers every year to work in and along the river system at nearly 70 greater Chicagoland locations throughout the watershed. Read More »

Airless Tires Increase Safety, Limit Waste

Michelin’s new airless tires don’t puncture, so they should last longer, which means fewer tires will need to be produced, thus limiting waste. Read More »

Avoid Formaldehyde to Sidestep Cognitive Problems

Workers exposed over years to formaldehyde may experience thinking and memory problems later in life. Read More »

Brian Sauder on Faith-Based Grassroots Change

Interview with Mennonite Reverend Brian Sauder, president and executive director of Faith in Place, a nonprofit that helps diverse faith-based groups become community leaders. Read More »

Buzz-Free Drinking: The Healthy Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The “sober-curious”—people experimenting with alcohol-free beverages as a way of prioritizing their health and fitness over a short-lived buzz—are changing America’s drinking culture. Read More »

Climate Change Research in Central Park

The Central Park Climate Lab is a new initiative and climate partnership to study the impacts of climate change on urban parks. Read More »

Consider Berberine and Probiotics to Improve Cholesterol

The plant alkaloid berberine and the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve work synergistically to significantly improve total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Read More »

Creating a Wild Space at Home

How to create wild spaces in yards, including what and where to plant and how to manage the land. Read More »

Eating for the Planet: Diet for a Climate Crisis

Our food choices influence the environment and climate change. Here are sustainable tips to make our diets healthier for us and the planet. Read More »

Eat Lots of Fiber to Improve Melanoma Outcomes

A new type of immunotherapy that enables T-cells to fight cancer cells is proving hopeful for people with melanoma, and a study has found that a high-fiber diet improves the effectiveness. Read More »

Expiration Dates: When to Eat or Toss Food

How to make sense of expiration labeling—those ambiguous “best before” or “sell by” dates—to help reduce food waste. Read More »

Himalayan Glacier Retreat Bodes Consequences for Millions

Researchers have found that glaciers in the Himalayan Mountains are melting at an exceptional rate compared to other glaciers around the world. Read More »

Homemade Pest Deterrent for Dogs

Recipe for an all-natural pest deterrent that will help a dog avoid a good percentage of the pests they encounter. Read More »

Large Study Addresses Indigenous Biodiversity Decline

Simon Fraser University is engaging with Indigenous organizations, universities and other partners to highlight the problems of biodiversity loss and its implications for health and well-being. Read More »

Maple Pear Sparkler

This tasty, fizzy drink combines the flavors of maple syrup and fresh pear for an alcohol-free indulgence. Read More »

Mung Bean Curry

This recipe for mung bean curry is healthy for both our bodies and the planet. Read More »

Nature Apps to Learn By

Nature smartphone apps to identify various plants and animals, submit wildlife findings, locate trails and more. Read More »

Nature Speaks: Storytelling Connects Kids to the Natural World

Weaving storytelling into nature programs helps children understand their outdoor experiences and develop an appreciation for wilderness. Read More »

Pest Control: Keeping Dogs Safe from Ticks and Fleas

Natural alternatives to protect dogs from ticks and fleas that are both effective and non-toxic. Read More »

Plastic On its Way Out at National Parks

Poll finds that 82 percent of registered U.S. voters responding would like the National Park Service to stop selling and distributing single-use plastic items. Read More »

Practice Good Dental Care to Lower Heart and Cognitive Risks

A whopping 47 percent of U.S. adults over 30 have periodontal disease, and the consequences can be severe for their physical and mental health. Read More »

Scrap Vegetable Stock

Make delicious stock out of leftover vegetables with this eco-friendly recipe. Read More »

Sour Mock-a-Rita

A healthy, non-alcoholic, sugar-free recipe for margaritas. Read More »

Spirited Strides: Power Walk to Better Fitness

Power walking – taking longer strides and using the arms to propel motion – amps up cardiovascular benefits and takes metabolic conditioning to another level. Read More »

Spring is a State of Mind

Spring, in all her punctual glory, teaches us the vital necessity to court our passions, and there is no better time than now. Read More »

Technology Meets Nature: Apps Bring Us Closer to Flora and Fauna

We can enhance our nature experiences with these smartphone apps that identify plants and animals, interact with scientists, share knowledge and observations, and contribute to science. Read More »

Why We Need Wild Places: How to Invite Nature Back into Our Lives and Landscapes

Saving wild places is critical for human health and well-being. Here are ways to create spaces, including our lawns, that are hospitable to wildlife and native species. Read More »