The December issue of Natural Awakenings Magazine offers inspiration for a healthy and vibrant holiday season, including natural health tips, healthy recipes and more!

Being part of one or more communities is beneficial to everyone’s health and wellbeing, and t the need for community is at an all-time high.

John Hughes, hospice chaplain and local author, has written and published a novel about his 13 years as a hospice chaplain in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is now for sale on Amazon.

This creamy, gluten-free version of chicken and wild rice soup is cozy, nourishing and a crowd favorite!

Mary Rice, certified Emotion Code and Body Code practitioner at Your Healing Connection in Zimmerman, is offering complimentary consultations designed to help potential new clients.

The owner of Flourish Health, Dr. Stacey Luetmer, M.D., is leading an exclusive retreat in the Caribbean that will provide personal consultation with a functional medicine M.D.

Natural Awakenings Twin Cities wishes you all love, light, hope and peace in this holiday season. We hope these elements carry into your new year as well.

In this hectic season, slowing down and helping others can make a world of difference. By nurturing a culture of giving, we can help create a grateful, united community that reflects the values we want to instill.

From allergies to religious restrictions and ethical choices, understanding and accommodating guests’ diverse dietary needs is the foundation of a successful gathering.

With a little creativity and careful planning, the holiday table can offer a diverse and deli- cious spread that everyone will enjoy.

With a little creativity and careful planning, the holiday table can offer a diverse and deli- cious spread that everyone will enjoy.

With a little creativity and careful planning, the holiday table can offer a diverse and delicious spread that everyone will enjoy.

Donating clothes feels good because we expect it to help someone else. More than 70 percent of the global population wears secondhand clothing.

Let’s make this holiday season a time to remember that sustainability and fun can go hand in hand.

Skills learned at a young age are pivotal in shaping the development of children. As parents, educators and caregivers, we want them to develop into well-rounded, successful adults.

Fasting has long played a role in major religions, but we did not begin to understand it from a scientific standpoint until Yoshinori Ohsumi, a Japanese cell biologist, discovered how cells recycle and renew themselves during fasting.

For many of us, this time of year is a whirlwind of well-meaning obligations, and we struggle to hold onto the intended joy of the season.

By recycling materials and avoiding the packaging that comes with store-bought items, do-it-yourself toys and accessories are more eco-friendly and sustainable.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, floods are the most common natural disasters in the United States.

Researchers from the University of London conducted a study of the effects of red light therapy on blood sugar levels. In the study, 15 participants received 670 nanometers of red light onto approximately 800 square centimeters of their exposed back for 15 minutes.

In a two-part study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, scientists surveyed 1,732 individuals and found that 69 percent use the snooze feature on their morning alarm, and of those people, 60 percent usually or always fall asleep between alarms.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans and their families are living with Alzheimer’s disease.

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted unanimously that oral phenylephrine was not effective in unblocking sinuses and clearing stuffy noses.

The experts say that reducing emissions won’t be enough to reach international goals for limiting global warming. It will require the removal of billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the air each year.

In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers identified the first nonhuman animal mother to use baby talk with their young.

California is the first state to ban the sale of four food additives linked to potential health issues even though they are permitted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A study in the journal Nature reports the discovery of a wooden structure dating back 476,000 years near Kalambo Falls, in Zambia.

To date, large fossil-fuel power plants have maintained the stability of the United States power grid in times of power fluctuations and outages.

Traditional fitness centers consume significant amounts of electricity, water and other resources, but more gyms are rising to the challenge of reducing their environmental impact and employing strategies to increase energy efficiency, decrease waste and provide a healthier workout environment.

Jack Cincotta, AADP board-certified holistic health practitioner and AFPA-certified holistic health coach, helps realign the circadian rhythm through the use of chronotherapy.

Patti Beres, owner of Be Green Pro LLC in Delafield, offers a host of eco-conscious holiday gifts for your furry family members, ensuring a brighter and safer future for all.

With winter ahead, acute upper respiratory illnesses are more likely to develop, but a homeopathic toolkit will help decrease flu symptom intensity and shortness illness duration. Fieldwork Homeopathy in Sheboygan, WI offers some ideas.

A plant-forward menu can be one of the best gifts that a host can give this holiday season. It is also more likely than ever that guests will welcome a celebration menu filled with vegetables and fruits.

Many individuals who wear dentures, retainers and other oral appliances may not be aware of the potential oral health concerns associated with these prosthetic devices. Castor oil is a natural remedy that may help mitigate the risk of denture stomatitis.

The fourth annual In Our Own Hands: Women’s Winter Wellness Series, hosted by Midwest Women’s Herbal, will be held virtually from January to April 2024.

Hello Twin Cities! I am very excited to share with you the November 2023 issue of Natural Awakenings Magazine. This issue highlights several themes including eco-living to support a sustainable and less stressed lifestyle along with inspiration for a healthy and vibrant holiday season in greater Minnneapolis and St. Paul.

From kindergarten classrooms to inspired blogs, kindness is a practice that is encouraged throughout society.

Most people inhale about 22,000 times per day without realizing it, but for the more than 34 million Americans living with lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, taking a breath is often difficult.

Imagine being an infant born only moments ago. The onslaught of new sensations must be overwhelming as they suddenly feel the weight of a once-buoyant body.

The cold weather and tempting holiday treats make it tough to stay motivated to exercise. But with a few simple strategies, those fitness goals can be kept alive throughout the season.

Finding that material possessions weigh them down, people are turning to minimalism to simplify their physical, mental and emotional space.

Autumn is in the air. We are honoring traditional world medicine this October 2023 issue of Natural Awakenings Twin Cities Magazine!

The idea of bringing a new pet home conjures up images of endless cuddles and joyful frolicking, but there are crucial responsibilities to consider, too.

Delicious and nutritious plant focused holiday recipes.

Delicious and nutritious plant focused holiday recipes.

Delicious and nutritious plant focused holiday recipes.

Delicious and nutritious plant focused holiday recipes.

Delicious and nutritious plant focused holiday recipes.

Delicious and nutritious plant focused holiday recipes.

Delicious and nutritious plant focused holiday recipes.

Delicious and nutritious plant focused holiday recipes.

Delicious and nutritious plant focused holiday recipes.

Sam Stedman is the co-founder and publisher of EcoParent, a quarterly print magazine distributed in North America that is designed to help parents make better choices for their families

Taking multivitamin supplements may improve memory in older adults, according to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Muscle loss can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, leading to decreased mobility and strength.

Athletic footwear languishing in landfills releases volatile organic compounds linked to asthma, cancer and other health complications. Instead of discarding old shoes that will take 30 to 40 years to decompose, consider these alternatives.

Air pollution is not only harmful to human health, but it can also contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Researchers have been exploring sustainable alternatives for electronic materials due to the increasing generation of electronic waste.

According to a report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world's oceans are being stripped of sand at a massive rate, with more than 6 billion tons extracted annually.

Ecuador's Nacional cacao bean was a world-renowned delicacy until a blight and witches’ broom disease eradicated most trees in the early 1900s.

The G20 announcement has sparked discussions on the feasibility and implications of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.

Scientists from around the world are looking at those lucky people that never tested positive for COVID-19 or were asymptomatic despite repeated exposure to the virus.

According to a paper published in Nature, researchers have made significant strides in the development of an artificial kidney.

Warm up with this beautiful and nutrient dense miso soup.

Based upon thousands of years of observation, this natural healing approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine can be valuable not just for humans, but also for animal companions.

Qigong is more than a modern wellness practice. It’s a 5,000-year-old Chinese healing art steeped in tradition.

Drawing from her Japanese and Eastern European roots, she designs immersive, nature-based learning experiences that nurture deep caring for people and the planet.

During this national holiday, we celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognize their inherent sovereignty and commit to our treaty obligations with tribal nations.

This winter, consider allowing at least some of this fallen foliage to remain where it lands. This will benefit the local ecosystem and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in landfills.

With time-tested wisdom and natural roots, traditional and Indigenous medicine has been an integral resource for centuries in communities around the world.

So much has evolved in the 100 years since Japanese educator George Ohsawa created the macrobiotic diet. The modern macrobiotic diet is about much more than tofu, seaweed and miso.

Put those garden leftovers to good use with this winter squash risotto and delicious broth.

A delicious vegetarian lasagna with veggie Bolognese and dairy free ricotta.

A hardy and healthy recipe with a vegan sour cream.

While originally devised to assist in hunting and protect against enemies, these practices also offer philosophical and spiritual guidance as practitioners establish a mind-body-spirit connection.

Motivated by a desire to educate and inspire, many upcycle artists often interweave a message of environmental consciousness into their artwork, thus spreading awareness about issues or making social commentary.

For adults, music has the power to instill feelings of joy, relaxation and calmness, or to motivate us when we are exercising or performing a task, but for children, there are added benefits.

Taurine, one of the most abundant amino acids in the body, is vital for health of the eyes, muscles, brain and heart.

Research has shown that eating fermented foods may have long- and short-term impacts on brain function, such as reducing stress.

According to the American Cancer Society, about one man in eight will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, with six in 10 of these cases in men 65 years and older.

New methods for cultivating healthy hair growth have been gaining traction amongst young people on social media platforms, including hair tapping, a technique popularized in Korean and Japanese hair spas.

A study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters shows that the pumping of groundwater impacts the tilt of Earth’s rotation and further exacerbates climate change.

Magpies and crows in Scotland, Holland and Belgium are using metal spikes—originally intended to deter bird perching—to build their nests.

According to a new analysis from the journal Nature Communications, the Atlantic Ocean’s sensitive circulation system has become slower and less resilient.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the education sector, bringing unprecedented opportunities for personalized learning experiences and teaching assistance.

In a landmark climate case in Montana, a group of young people has emerged victorious. The judge ruled in Held v. Montana that the state's failure to consider climate change when approving fossil fuel projects was unconstitutional.

Narrated by Grammy Award-winner Michael Bublé and directed by Hideyuki Tokigawa, the film will be live-streamed on KnoWEwell’s Regenerative Whole Health Hub at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), on October 14.

Children today are facing ever-increasing amounts of stress and anxiety. In addition to academic pressure, bullying and family dynamics, kids are worried about navigating social media, climate change and school shootings.

At Montana’s Medicine Rock State Park, visitors have a rare opportunity to look up at the night sky and see an awe-inspiring display of planets and constellations, as well as the Milky Way.

Phil Cousineau, author of The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred, specializes in creating meaningful travel experiences and leading tours to sacred sites.

By incorporating yoga into the itinerary, we can cultivate a sense of peace, allowing us to show up as our best selves.

Mindful eating—the practice of slowing down, appreciating the present moment and becoming consciously aware of the ingredients, flavors, aromas and textures that we consume—can be a worthwhile meditative endeavor.

For a trip that fosters mind-body-spirit self-care with a generous portion of adventure, check out these sacred sites.

September is our annual Inspired Living Issue featuring articles on traveling with a purpose, medical tourism, understanding light pollution, helping kids cope anxiety and much more!

Natural Awakenings of the Twin Cities is giving away tickets to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, in Shakopee. Find out more about how you can participate.