Natural Awakenings Phoenix ~ December 2022 Welcome to our December 2022 Issue Feeding the Gut: The Relationship Between 2’-FL and Bifidobacteria Babies are born with a very underdeveloped gut microbiome, but the human milk oligosaccharides in breast milk, including 2’-FL, help promote the development of a rich gut microbiome. Read More » Our Best Life [publisher's letter] If we all try to live our best life by doing beneficial things that we do have control over, it may go a long way to straightening out our tendency to worry and live with anxiety over the state of our world’s affairs. Read More » Raising the Vibration Through Sound and Toning [event spotlight] Sound is one of the most powerful methods to work with the human energy field. Sound is pure vibrational energy. Read More » A Feast of Light When we fill our souls with everyday magic, we become more inclined to feel blessed and pass blessings along to others, creating a feast of light during all seasons. Read More » Charging Electric Vehicles at Night Poses New Challenge The demand for power to charge electric vehicles (EVs) could burden the electric grid in western states at peak times by up to 25 percent if most charging is done at night. Read More » Cranberry Mimosas This festive recipe for mimosas using homemade naturally-sweetened cranberry juice puts a holiday twist on the classic brunch beverage. Read More » Easy Turkey Jerky for Pets This easy turkey recipe is a healthy snack for a cat and a great dog-training treat for the clever pooch. Read More » Expected Drops in Wind Speeds Promise Climate Disruption The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that average global wind speeds could drop by up to 10 percent by 2100. Read More » Good Vibrations: The Healing Power of Sound Research-supported sound healing is finding a place in modern wellness culture as more people experience its benefits, from improving mental health to decreasing cholesterol levels. Read More » Healthy Cranberry Muffins for Pets These muffins are full of flavor and nutrition, and are healthy for both dogs and cats. Read More » Holiday Treats for Cats and Dogs: Easy-to-Make Festive Recipes to Delight Pets Homemade pet treats using healthy ingredients make great holiday gifts for dogs, cats and pet-loving friends and family. Read More » Holiday Volunteering: The Gift of Giving The holiday season is the time for giving. Get into the spirit by volunteering time and treasure to meaningful causes and underprivileged individuals with these thoughtful ideas. Read More » Human Composting Offers Sustainable Burial With the passage of a recent law, California will be the fifth state, along with Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Vermont, to allow human composting, beginning in 2027. Read More » Jeffrey Rediger on the Science of Miraculous Recoveries Psychiatrist Jeffrey Rediger has studied spontaneous healing for almost two decades, and breaks down recoveries into four pillars of healing and well-being that were present in most cases. Read More » Kids Are Not Getting Enough Sleep Children are regularly getting less than nine hours of sleep per night, which can cause notable differences in brain regions that influence memory, intelligence and well-being. Read More » Merry Brunching: Put a Healthier Twist on Favorite Recipes With a few easy modifications, serve up healthier versions of tasty brunch foods over the holiday gathering season. Read More » Pickleball is Booming: Get into a Pickle for Holiday Fitness The holidays are a perfect time to discover pickleball, America's fastest growing sport that is bringing people of all ages and athletic abilities together for fun and fitness. Read More » Serotonin Theory of Depression Debunked A recent study is debunking the long-held theory that depression is caused by a serotonin deficiency. Read More » Shakshuka This healthy, gluten-free dish is a brunch-time crowd-pleaser, and can be modified based on whatever veggies are on hand. Read More » Sheet Pan Protein Pancakes with Berry Swirl Cooked on a sheet pan, these satisfying protein and buttermilk pancakes with a berry swirl make cleanup a breeze and can be prepared the night before. Read More » Sustainable Holidays: Easy Tips for an Eco-Friendly Season The holidays generate a lot of waste. Here are ways to cut down on consumption to lessen the environmental impact of the holiday season without sacrificing any joy. Read More » Sweet Potato Gummies These gummies made out of sweet potatoes are a tasty treat for cats. Read More » The Best Gift of All: Teaching Children the Spirit of Giving Whether through donating material things, sharing time or freely conveying love and kindness, here are ways to teach kids the value of generosity. Read More » Transforming Our World: Working Together for Meaningful Change In these turbulent times when all the old boundaries are unravelling and all the old certainties are dissolving, there is a possibility for creative transformation if we work together. Read More » Tree Attempts to Achieve Legal Personhood A legally autonomous black gum tree named Terra0 on the campus of the Community College of Allegheny County owns itself and perhaps even the few square feet of land it grows on. Read More » Tree Roots Adapt to Sequester More Carbon Atmospheric carbon dioxide pumped into a mature forest at levels predicted to be the norm by 2050 will cause trees to produce more and longer roots, thus absorbing and storing more carbon. Read More » Ultra-Processed Food Linked with Cancer and Mortality Risks Consuming ultra-processed foods has been associated with colorectal cancer in men as well as the development of chronic disease and early death. Read More » Under-Appreciating the Benefits of Solitude Getting lost in our thoughts may improve problem solving, increase creativity, enhance imagination and provide a better sense of self-worth. Read More » World’s Most Dangerous Greenhouse Gas Goes Unregulated One pound of sulfur hexafluoride, an electrical insulator, heats the planet as much as 25,200 pounds of carbon dioxide and remains in the atmosphere for 3,200 years. Read More » In-Print Holidays Uplifting Humanity
