November 2021

Natural Awakenings magazines provide our local communities with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet. Includes a feature on Brain Health, Sacred Dance, Mindfulness for Teens, and much more.

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Shot of teenager sitting down with hands in meditation pose

10 Mindfulness Tips for Teens

These 10 tips can help teens to practice more mindful living in their daily lives. Read More »

Invasive species plant for sale

Banned Invasive Weeds for Sale

A study finds that about 1,300 invasive plants are sold at garden centers, nurseries and other retailers. Read More »

Green tea being poured into glass on counter

Boost Cognition with Green Tea Compound

A single dose of 100 milligrams of the compound L-theanine—the amount found in four cups of green tea—improved reaction times and working memory of men and women. Read More »

Kids sitting on edge of pool kicking splashes with beach in the background

Boost Kids’ Learning Abilities with Exercise

The right kind of exercise, particularly swimming, can help kids learn vocabulary better, suggests research. Read More »

Fresh Herb and Apple Sage Stuffing

Buzz’s Fresh Herb and Apple Sage Stuffing

Fresh herbs and apples add delicious flavors to this healthy holiday stuffing recipe. Read More »

Cross laminated timber

Cross-Laminated Timber Emerges in Sustainable Building

A Swedish method of building using cross-laminated timber (CLT) is emerging as a climate-friendly alternative to traditional, concrete-based construction. Read More »

David Crow on the Healing Power of Medicinal Plants

David Crow, author of In Search of the Medicine Buddha and a foremost expert in botanical medicine and other natural health applications, shares the benefits of herbs and essential oils. Read More »

Colorful butterfly flying towards light, resembling passing over in death

Dying Well: Four Steps to a Good Death

Proactive, concrete steps that ease dying—getting clear on our values and desires, having important conversations, attending to final decisions and opening to our spiritual process. Read More »

Oranges sliced in half with strawberries

Eat High-Flavonoid Foods to Reduce Cognitive Decline

Eating foods high in flavonoids—the antioxidant-rich plant compounds found in strawberries, oranges, peppers and apples—can reduce the risk of cognitive decline by 20 percent or more. Read More »

Pot of Thanksgiving holiday squash soup on table surrounded by healthy ingredients

Eat Well to Feel Well: Thanksgiving Fare That Boosts Mental Health

Serve up healthier, nutrient-rich options this Thanksgiving to alleviate anxiety and depression, stabilize mood and promote mental health and wellness. Read More »

Bedroom decorated with eco-friendly decor

Eco-Decor for the Home: How to Buy Sustainable Furnishings

What to look for when shopping non-toxic, eco-friendly home decor items that are built to last and won’t pollute the environment. Read More »

Beetle bug on green leaf

Entomophagy Industry Sees Growth

The United Nations predicts that the rapidly growing industry of eating insects (entomophagy) could be worth $6.3 billion by 2030, so bug-based products may soon appear in local stores. Read More »

No pesticide label

EPA Bans Chlorpyrifos Pesticide on Food

Chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to neurological damage in children, including reduced IQ, loss of working memory and attention deficit disorders, can no longer be used on food. Read More »

Goat Cheese Appetizer with Honey, Fig and Pistachios

Goat Cheese Appetizer with Honey, Fig and Pistachios

Layer honey, fig spread and chopped pistachios on a fresh goat cheese log for a healthy, crowd-pleasing appetizer. Read More »

Greek style green beans with potatoes, tomatoes, onions

Greek-Style Green Beans (Fasolakia Lathera)

Swap the traditional green bean casserole out for this healthy, vegan Greek-style recipe using potatoes, tomatoes and onions. Read More »

Colorful illustration of a head with a thought cloud coming out of top, illustrating a healthy mind

Healthy Brain Strategies: How to Prevent Cognitive Decline

The old paradigm of inevitable aging and cognitive decline is being shifted by functional medicine experts into a new paradigm based on the brain’s neuroplasticity. Read More »

Kid with eyes closed sitting outside on brick step holding leaf and resting head on pet dog, mourning loss

Honoring the Loss of a Pet: Simple Ways to Grieve and Heal

Whether we lose a cat, dog, horse, bird or lizard, grieving an animal companion can be emotional. Here are ways to honor and celebrate the life of a beloved pet while mourning the loss. Read More »

Healthy, cancer-free person in athletic wear looking out over railing

Live Healthfully to Mitigate Genetic Cancer Risk

Exercise, proper diet, low body mass index and abstinence from smoking and drinking correlate with decreased cancer incidence, even in those with a high genetic risk. Read More »

Runner jogging down stairs in park wearing athletic clothing

Lose Weight with Small Calorie Reduction

A reduction of just 200 calories a day combined with aerobic exercise four times a week produced greater weight loss and better heart health in obese, sedentary adults than exercise alone. Read More »

Illustration of a group of teens seated on floor mats practicing mindfulness through meditation

Mindfulness for Stressed Teens: School Programs Teach Healthy Coping Skills

One of the most beneficial ways to help teenagers cope with the stress of these tumultuous adolescent years is through mindfulness education, helping them become calm and centered. Read More »

Renovating the Recycling Stream

Better recycling solutions are being introduced the remove the burden from the consumer and recyclers while making the process easier. Read More »

Illustration of people dancing spiritually

Sacred Dance: Moving into Divine Energy

Spirit-infused forms of dancing like African, Middle Eastern, ecstatic and yoga-inspired kundalini help us to stay in shape while also fortifying the body’s intrinsic life force. Read More »

Seluisauganasda Cherokee Cornmeal Cookies

Seluisauganasda Cherokee Cornmeal Cookies

A creative, nutritious way to celebrate indigenous tradition during the holidays with a cornmeal cookie recipe that includes ingredients to boost mental health. Read More »

Person cleaning up beach with gloved hands full of microplastics

Simple Ways to Reduce Microplastic Exposure

The microparticles that result from plastics breakdown are contaminating global waters, air, soil and snow, but with certain steps we can avoid adding to the toxic refuse. Read More »

Person sleeping in bed hugging stuffed animal teddy bear

The Healing Power of a Hug

Hugs have proven power to soothe and nurture us, and it’s not necessary to have another human to enjoy their physical and mental health benefits. Read More »

Aerial shot of Lake Urmia

Water Shortage in the Middle East

The water table in the Middle East is becoming depleted due to persistent drought, high temperatures, poor water management and overuse, and climate change. Read More »