Natural Awakenings Fairfield County & Housatonic Valley - March 2021

March 2021 Edition

In this issue—Tips for Healthy Skin; Engagement – the E in Positive Psychology; The Ayurvedic Path to Healing; Healing Rooms: Making Room for Sustainable Self-care; Black Rock Holistic CBD: Home-Grown Hemp for a Superior Product; Down to Earth: The Promise of Regenerative Organic Farming; Canine Obesity: When Doggies Need Diets; Plus more...

March 2021 Letter From Publisher

As we come into the month of March, I am reminded that the shorter, darker days are behind us. While the cold winter months have their own benefits, there is nothing quite like the month of March. Read More »

A New Garden Model

The following excerpt is from Nigel Palmer’s new book, The Regenerative Grower’s Guide to Garden Amendments: Using Locally Sourced Materials to Make Minerals and Biological Extracts and Ferments (Chelsea Green Publishing, August 2020) and is reprinted with permission from the publisher. Read More »

Apply for Holistic Shamanic Practitioner Training Program

For the seventh year in a row, Deana Paqua of Embody the Sacred will offer a year-long Holistic Shamanic Practitioner training program perfect for Reiki practitioners, bodyworkers, counselors and spiritual seekers, starting in October 2021. Read More »

Black Rock Holistic CBD: Home-Grown Hemp for a Superior Product

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, the production of hemp was authorized in the U.S., and hemp and hemp seeds were removed from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s schedule of Controlled Substances. Read More »

Engagement – the E in Positive Psychology

In this series, we’ll hear from Ann C. Reeves about aspects of Positive Psychology. This month, she continues with the “E” of the Positive Psychology acronym, PERMA-V. Read More »

Healing Rooms: Making Room for Sustainable Self-care with Feng Shui

Creating a life we don’t want to run away from includes creating spaces within our homes for self-care. Focusing on areas such as the bedroom, kitchen and repurposed rooms can help us further our healing journey using feng shui principles. Read More »

Help Teach Parenting Classes with Saint Joseph Parenting Center

Saint Joseph Parenting Center (SJPC), a non-secular nonprofit in Stamford which focuses on protecting the child and strengthening families by providing parent education resource support, is seeking assistance with its general parenting program. Read More »

Izzi B’s Allergen-Free Bakery in Norwalk Won Coveted Spot on PETA’s Top Vegan Sweet Treats

Izzi B’s allergen-free bakery at 22 Knight St. in Norwalk recently won a coveted spot on PETA’s just-announced Top Vegan Sweet Treats list—one of only a handful of bakeries around the country selected for recognition. Read More »

Organic Krush Focuses on Organic, Delicious Meals for Family in Westport

In November, Organic Krush, known as a Lifestyle Eatery, opened its newest location, at 374 Post Road East, in Westport. Read More »

Organic Landscaping Company Accepting New Clients

Currently accepting new clients in the Fairfield area, Organic Ways & Means (OWM) is a 100 percent organic landscaping company that only uses electric machinery Read More »

Original Pet Portraits by Artist Cristina Sarno

Local mixed media artist and painter Cristina Sarno specializes in painting pet portraits with flair and originality. Read More »

Sedona Art Brings Art Supplies and Community to Ridgefield

Marge Courtney, owner of Touch of Sedona, in Ridgefield, has just opened Sedona Art next door, which is now open at 450 Main Street. Read More »

The Ayurvedic Path to Healing: Respecting the Body’s Own Intelligence

Ayurveda is the oldest medical system in the world. Practiced in India for over 6,000 years, Ayurveda believes the body has its own intelligence and innate healing powers. Read More »

Tips for Healthy Skin: Combating Sun Damage and Puffy Eyes

The skin is the largest human organ and its health is of no less importance than the health of other organs. But how can we know that our skin is healthy? What are the indicators of skin health? Read More »

Overweight obese dog needing to go on healthy diet to lose weight

Canine Obesity: When Doggies Need Diets

How to determine the ideal weight for dogs and healthy ways to achieve weight loss through proper nutrition, including fresh organic raw food, diet and exercise. Read More »

Offshore drilling in the Caribbean

Caribbean Offshore Drilling Threatens Florida Beaches

The Bahamas Petroleum Company has begun exploratory oil drilling 150 miles from South Florida despite warnings of the potential for severe or catastrophic impact if a spill occurs. Read More »

Farmer growing organic food through regenerative agriculture

Down to Earth: The Promise of Regenerative Organic Farming

Regenerative organic farming holds great promise to rebuild soil, draw carbon from the atmosphere and ultimately grow healthier food. Read More »

Jet flying in the sky

Economical Carbon-Neutral Jet Fuel

Researchers have developed a carbon-neutral way to produce jet fuel using carbon dioxide as a main ingredient. Read More »

Woman pregnant through natural fertility

Getting Pregnant: Lifestyle Strategies to Boost Fertility

Natural approaches such as healthier diets, supplements, detoxed living, herbs, acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tips for boosting fertility to achieve pregnancy. Read More »

Green smoothie bowl recipe

Green Smoothie Bowl

This healthy green smoothie bowl recipe combines tender, mild shoots along with buckwheat sprouts for a little extra satiety. Read More »

Fertile man kissing belly of pregnant woman

Guys and Infertility

Studies show that for 40 percent of infertile couples, the problem lies in male sperm that is too sparse, slow, damaged or misshapen. Here are natural strategies to improve sperm quality. Read More »

Hazardous Pollutants Found in Mount Everest Snow

Manmade perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in snow at the top of Mount Everest, posing a risk for trekkers, climbers and residents that drink the water. Read More »

Grieving individual holding dove seeking inner peace and healing for grief

Healing from Grief: Four Ways to Find Peace

How to discover the light side of grief and identify and embrace the invitations that lay within its deep layers to find inner peace and healing. Read More »

Hemp-derived cannabidiol CBD oil

Hemp-Derived Cannabidiol: A Primer on the Latest Research

The latest research on the proven health benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), the effects on anxiety and depression, how to get started, ways to administer and more. Read More »

Honey bee on plant

Honey Bees Have a Dirty Secret

Although honey bees symbolize sustainability and are vital to farmers, they also have a distressing effect on the environment—destabilizing natural ecosystems by competing with native bees. Read More »

Group of nourished children

Improve Children’s Brain Health with Better Nutrition

A new study finds that six months of nutritional supplements can improve working memory and blood flow in children’s brains. Read More »

Potted indoor herb garden growing on kitchen counter

Indoor Edible Gardening: Grow Veggies, Sprouts and Microgreens Year-Round

With a little light and creativity, anyone can grow edible plants indoors on a windowsill or kitchen countertop, making fresh herbs, sprouts and greens available year-round. Read More »

Jeff Tkach on Regenerative Healthcare

Rodale Institute Chief Impact Officer Jeff Tkach discusses a prevention-based approach to human and environmental health by unlocking the transformational power of regenerative healthcare. Read More »

Noodle Soup with Coconut, Sprouts and Shoots recipe

Noodle Soup with Coconut, Sprouts and Shoots

This warming, healthy soup with just the right amount of chili spice is simple to make and full of delicious, curry flavors. Read More »

Athlete rolling leg on foam roller for post-exercise recovery

On a Roll: Foam Rollers Ease Pain and Workout Recovery

Foam rolling targets trigger points or painful knots in muscles and is a valuable tool for reducing chronic pain and enhancing workout recovery. Read More »

People riding eco-friendly electric bicycles

Plug and Pedal: The Benefits of Using Electric Bikes

An Earth-friendly alternative for work commutes or pleasurable neighborhood spins is the e-bike, powered by pedaling and an electric motor. Read More »

Fish swimming around coral reef

Saving Coral Reefs Worldwide

The International Coral Reef Initiative has urged governments to take action to save the planet’s remaining coral reefs and their attendant fish populations. Read More »

Sprouted hummus recipe

Sprouted Hummus

This sprouted version of hummus is a tasty twist on the classic Middle Eastern recipe. Read More »

Geothermal plant

The Benefits of Renewable Geothermal Energy

Despite its enormous potential, geothermal energy supplied just 0.4 percent of U.S. electricity in 2019. Read More »

Psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin for mental health healing

The Healing Potential of Psychedelic Medicines: Promising Studies on Stress Disorder, Depression and Addiction

Studies show that psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA can help heal trauma, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, addiction and other mental and behavioral conditions. Read More »

Try Ginger to Lower Diabetes Markers

Ginger root can help to decrease levels of fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in Type 2 diabetes patients. Read More »

Person practicing mindfulness for cardiovascular health

Try Mindfulness to Improve Cardiovascular Health

Mindfulness training can lower blood pressure and positively influence behavior that promotes cardiovascular health, report researchers. Read More »

Colored LED lights

Use Colored LED Lights to Relax

Taking note of businesses that use lighting to create a mood, researchers demonstrated that patient unease in imaging centers can be modified with the use of colored LED lights. Read More »

Bowls of green tea extract and curcumin

Use Green Tea Extract and Curcumin to Ward Off Oral Cancer

Two natural chemopreventive agents—green tea extract and curcumin—have been shown to significantly reduce oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) biomarkers. Read More »