Natural Awakenings Richmond - September/October 2021

Learn more about art and creativity in healing, working with a life coach, horses as healers, cooking with wild mushrooms and more! Read More »

Artificial Milk is Next ‘Frankenfood’

Genetically recombined Trichoderma reesei fungus is producing synthetic versions of dairy proteins casein and whey for an animal-free milk. Read More »

Art’s Embrace: Healing Through Creativity

Art can be a powerful force for healing. Throughout America, art’s redemption takes center stage at hospitals, nursing homes, jails, public spaces and homeless shelters. Read More »

Certain Fruits Can Protect Against Diabetes

Research suggests eating two servings of fruit a day lowers the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 36 percent in five years compared to eating less than half a serving. Read More »

Conquering Chronic Pain: How the Body-Mind Connection Works

Understanding the mind/body connection is to key for patients seeking healing from chronic pain through holistic approaches. Read More »

Creative Kids: How to Nurture Imagination

How parents can provide children an environment that encourages curiosity and exploration to help build the creative skills critical to personal and planetary survival. Read More »

Farm Waste Doubles as Construction Material

Agricultural waste (agro-waste) such as manure, leaf litter and crop residues can be recycled into organic and sustainable construction materials, helping to reduce landfill issues. Read More »

Foraged Fungi Fare: Cooking with Wild Mushrooms

Wild mushrooms, particularly foraged fungi that offer a host of nutritional benefits, can infuse exciting new flavors and textures into familiar dishes. Read More »

Healthy Choices Mitigate Cognitive Health Reduction

A survey found that a healthy lifestyle cuts the risk of cognitive impairment by half, even if a person carries the gene that is linked to cognitive loss and Alzheimer’s. Read More »

Healthy Cookware: How to Choose Non-Toxic Pots and Pans

From classic pots and pans to the latest modern synthetic materials, here are some basic factors to watch for in choosing environmentally sound and chemical-free cookware. Read More »

Hen of the Woods Steaks

A delicious, meat-free "steak" recipe using hen of the woods mushrooms. Read More »

Horses as Healers: Equine Therapy has Physical and Emotional Benefits

Numerous studies have shown that equine-assisted therapy helps with anger, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociative or other emotional problems. Read More »

Lower Pregnancy Risks with a Healthy Diet

Expectant mothers that follow a healthy diet lower their risk of such pregnancy complications as gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia and preterm delivery. Read More »

Martha Beck on Living with Integrity

Bestselling author and sociologist Martha Beck discusses her new book, The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self. Read More »

Plant-Based Meals Reduce Severe COVID-19 Risks

A study finds that individuals who ate a plant-based diet were 73 percent less likely to contract moderate to severe COVID-19. Read More »

Promising Pain Relief Therapies

Integrative modalities commonly used by holistic practitioners to treat chronic pain. Read More »

Shedding Light on Lightbulbs: The Ins and Outs of Our Options

The pros and cons of incandescent, fluorescent and LED bulbs, with information on costs and proper disposal. Read More »

Sicilian Chicken of the Woods

A traditional Italian preparation for chicken of the woods mushrooms, flavored with wild monarda leaves and served with charred bread rubbed with garlic. Read More »

Stay in Tune with Our Body Clock to Sidestep the Blues

Research shows that sleeping out of sync with our natural rhythms makes us more likely to experience depression, anxiety and reduced well-being. Read More »

The Power of the Written Note

Sending off a quick message by email or text comes easy enough, but a handwritten note ensures the recipient will feel appreciated by the time and effort it took. Read More »

Warm Endive and Oyster Mushroom Salad

Tasty, elegant recipe for Warm Endive and Oyster Mushroom Salad. Read More »

Wealth Distribution Linked to Urban Canopies

An analysis has found that a pattern of inequitable distribution of trees has deprived many communities of the health and other benefits that sufficient tree cover can deliver. Read More »

Wild Bees Thrive on Forest Deadwood

Scientists have found that creating deadwood in coniferous forests is a promising restoration measure to promote an abundance of aboveground nesting bees. Read More »

Worldwide Shark Extinction Risk

A study has discovered sharks to be absent from many of the world’s coral reefs, indicating they are “functionally extinct”, that is, too rare to fulfill their normal role in the ecosystem. Read More »

Yoga to Heal Trauma: Soothing Poses Calm the Nervous System

Trauma-informed yoga (also called trauma-sensitive yoga) is a promising therapeutic branch of the yogic system designed to quell the body’s programmed “fight-or-flight” responses. Read More »

Alberto Villoldo on Shamanic Healing

Alberto Villoldo, psychologist, medical anthropologist and best-selling author, discusses how shamans today combine ancient wisdom teachings with cutting-edge neuroscience to heal. Read More »

Avoid Air Pollutants to Protect Children’s Mental Health

Exposure to even moderate levels of traffic-related air pollutants during childhood results in a greater risk of mental illness by age 18, report researchers. Read More »

Avoid Sugary Drinks to Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk

Drinking two sugary drinks per day from ages 13 to 18 increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 32 percent in women by age 50. Read More »

Back-to-School Wellness: Tips to Keep Kids Healthy

Parents can ensure children’s health and well-being as they go back to school with these tips for kid's healthy food, family communication, adequate sleep and more. Read More »

Bug Battle: How to Keep Mosquitoes at Bay

Mosquitoes aren’t just an annoyance; they can carry infectious diseases, so it’s important to know the best ways to keep them at bay, including natural bug repellents. Read More »

Cactus Poachers Are Denuding Deserts

More than 30 percent of the world’s 1,500 or so cactus species are threatened with extinction, and criminal scavengers are primarily to blame. Read More »

‘Clean the Garden’ Kimchi

This easy kimchi recipe turns common garden veggies into a spicy probiotic ferment that’s loaded with good bacteria and health benefits. Read More »

Eat Oily Fish to Live Longer

A new large-scale analysis suggests that omega-3s from oily fish may extend lifespan. Read More »

Eat Produce to Lower Stress and Heart Disease

Research finds that eating one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables a day lowers blood pressure and risk of heart disease, while two cups of fruits and vegetables a day can decrease stress levels. Read More »

Microbiome Linked to Risk of Death from Disease

Researchers found that greater numbers of bacteria in the gut from the Enterobacteria family increase the risk of death from cancer, respiratory disorders and gastrointestinal disease. Read More »

Pickled Watermelon Radishes

Enjoy fresh radishes year-round with this flavorful recipe for pickled watermelon radishes. Read More »

Pineapple Tepache

Tepache is a wonderful, effervescent, lightly fermented pineapple beverage. It’s made from the skins and core of pineapple, making use of the parts typically discarded. Read More »

Pollinator-Friendly Yards: Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants

Create a pollinator-friendly yard with these gardening and landscape tips for choosing native plants, mowing less often, and avoiding pesticide use. Read More »

Power Up Fido: Five Ways to Strengthen Your Dog’s Immune System

Five ways to build resilient immune systems in dogs to stave off disease, keep them healthy, promote optimal wellness, reduce trips to the vet and extend their lives. Read More »

Preserving the Harvest: Classic Ways to Store Garden Bounty All Year

Preservation techniques to help capture the bounty of the garden harvest or farmers' market hauls through canning, dehydrating, refrigerator pickling, fermentation or cold storage. Read More »

Smiling Can Make Us Happier

The benefits of smiling including increased happiness, reduced stress and anxiety, lowered blood pressure and heart rate and less pain. Read More »

Soil Regulators Soft on Pesticide Use

A new study recommends changes in how regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assess the risks posed by the nearly 850 approved pesticide ingredients. Read More »

Superfund Mine-Polluted Stream Restorations See Success

Large investments made to clean up acid drainage into streams and rivers polluted by toxic metals from abandoned mining sites are yielding success. Read More »

Textile Manufacturers Fight Climate Change

With a goal of 45 percent reduced CO2 emissions from textile fiber and material production by 2030, Textile Exchange is pushing for urgent climate action. Read More »

Think Yourself Happy: Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier

Simple, research-based methods to change our thinking, rewire our brains and ultimately, increase our levels of happiness. Read More »

Unleash Your True Potential: Working with a Life Coach Can Help

The benefits of working with a life coach to better understand ourselves and lead fulfilled lives, including tips for hiring the right coach for individual needs. Read More »

UN Methane Report Faults Big Meat and Big Dairy

With livestock contributing 32 percent of the methane footprint, there is a great need to regulate and mitigate methane emissions from global meat and dairy companies. Read More »

Water Sports for a Total Body Workout: Cool Ways to Stay Fit this Summer

Waterskiing, stand up paddle boarding (SUP), river rafting, kayaking, SUP yoga and other summer water sports that improve bone density, elevate mood and engage major muscle groups. Read More »

Well-Being Basics

Choose happiness by taking these research-supported daily actions to enhance overall well-being. Read More »

Zucchini Bacon

This recipe for a vegan take on bacon uses seasoned, dehydrated zucchini strips for a healthy, plant-based snack. Read More »