Natural Awakenings - May 2012 Read the May 2012 edition of Natural Awakenings. Liquid Taste Treats: Try These Healthy Green Drinks These easy-to-make options, comprised of nutrient-dense fruits and veggies, boost immune system function, strength, stamina and weight loss. Read More » Pedaling Pleasure: Find a Bike that Fits Your Style May is National Bike Month—browse these tips, suggestions and resources that help you choose your ideal wheels. Read More » The Power of Place Deeply embedded in our strongest memories, special places become a manifestation of divine energy. Read More » Intimate Relationships and the Spiritual Path The romantic relationship is a spiritual assignment, presenting an opportunity for lovers to burn through and forgive one another’s issues. Read More » Anti-Aging Skincare: Turn Back the Clock with New Treatments and Breakthroughs Look as young as you feel. Today’s woman can choose from an ever-growing collection of products and high-tech treatments to fight lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Read More » You Dirty Dog!: Tips for the Grooming Impaired Dogs can get into the darnedest messes. These helpful tips—including a natural skunk odor remover formula and flea and mosquito repellants--make clean-up easier, on both sides of the tub. Read More » Greenwashing Update: How To Be a Smart Shopper Which products truly walk the green walk? Ed Begley, Jr. offers expert know-how. Read More » Mom-to-Mom Wisdom: Calming Advice for More ‘Good Days’ with Fretful Kids It isn’t easy being Mom. <i>Natural Awakenings</i> asked several forward-thinking mothers for holistic and natural tips on how to handle some of parenting’s biggest challenges. Read More » The Hormone Balancing Act: Natural Strategies for Feeling Better Feeling frazzled? Seeking natural ways to cool those hot flashes? Learn the latest ways to navigate perimenopause and menopause, including diet, herbal help and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Read More » Beauty Detox: Put Your Best Face Forward Safely Learn which ingredients in personal care products are potentially toxic troublemakers. Read More » Breathe Easier: Great Days for Clean Air Thanks to clean air activists, coal plants in Chicago, as well as Ohio and Philadelphia, are finally shutting down. Read More » Mamma Mia: A New Demography for American Motherhood The state of motherhood in the United States has shifted strikingly in the past two decades. Read More » Church and State: Faith Begets Civic Activism Are religiously active people less involved with the secular world? The Pew Research Center affirms the opposite—they are more likely to engage in civic activities. Read More » Oldie Goldies: Honoring Elders’ Contributions to Community May honors the role of older Americans’ contributions to community and spotlights how interactions across generations enrich the lives of all. Read More » Go Rio: Natural Wealth Spreadsheet Proposal At the United Nations Rio +20 conference this June, one proposal will suggest that all countries begin “green accounting” to audit the state of their rivers, forests and other landscapes. Read More » Tiny Baubles: Plastic Pollution Flows from Washday to the Sea Microscopic plastic debris from washing clothes made of synthetic materials is accumulating in the marine environment and could be entering the food chain. Read More » Nicotine: Mothers Just Say No: Gums and Patches Put Unborn Babies at Risk Nicotine patches and gum can put unborn babies at risk. Read More » The Write Way to Lose Weight: Expression of Values May Help Shed Pounds A new study suggests that the right kind of writing may facilitate shedding pounds. Read More » Cheese is Better than Butter: Healthier Option for Your Arteries Calorie for calorie, hard cheeses are easier on the arteries than butter. Read More » Flexible Work Places Boost Well-Being: Benefits of Performance-focused Environments Employees allowed to routinely change when and where they work report enjoying better health. Read More » Calcium Supplements Increase Heart Risk: Answers to the Cardiovascular Conundrum A 15-year study examined the effect of calcium supplements on cardiovascular risk and other health challenges. Read More » Memory and the Pill: Feeling Forgetful? University of California researchers note that birth control bills can alter memory. Read More » Acupuncture Cools Hot Flashes: Hormone-free Relief A new study suggests that traditional Chinese acupuncture can curb the severity of menopausal symptoms. Read More » Sour News About Sweet Drinks: More Risks Associated Consuming Soda Women that drink sodas and other sugar-sweetened drinks may be at greater risk for heart disease and diabetes. Read More » Eating Greens Can Change Genes: Go Raw for Better Heart Health International scientific research found that eating raw veggies modified a gene linked with heart disease. Read More » In-Print