Natural Awakenings Boston - January 2020

January 2020 edition of Natural Awakenings Greater Boston/RhInside: Our Healthy Lifestyle Issue. Five Tips for Making Resolutions Stick, Living Long and Well: Age- Defying Habits, Gut Check: Fending the Immune System, Local Events and More!

Beach Junk: Microplastics Found in Brand-New Sand

A Hawaiian beach that was formed by lava from the erupting Kilauea volcano in 2018 is already littered with invisible pieces of tiny plastic. Read More »

Bill Moyers on Covering Climate Now

Bill Moyers, an icon of broadcast journalism, is calling upon reporters and news outlets to join the Covering Climate Now project to push a cohesive message of science and truth. Read More »

Drink Pomegranate Juice to Protect Fetal Brain Growth

Babies whose mothers drank pomegranate juice while pregnant have evidence of both better brain connectivity and development of white matter. Read More »

Eat Fermented Dairy to Lower Heart Risk

Eating and drinking fermented probiotic dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, cheese and sour cream reduces the risk of heart disease for women, report researchers. Read More »

Eat Garlic and Onion for Breast Health

According to a study, women eating more onions and garlic reduced their risk of breast cancer by 59 percent compared to those that ate less of these. Read More »

Green Therapy: Ecopsychology and the Nature Cure

Ecotherapy, green therapy or nature-based therapy, all branches of ecopsychology, is helping to connect people with nature as a means of healing physical and mental health. Read More »

Gut Check: Feeding the Immune System

Nutrition is key in building up a strong immune system. How to foster healthy gut bacteria plus immune-boosting recipes for Creamy Turmeric Cauliflower Soup and Lentil Stew. Read More »

Live Near Green Spaces to Stave Off Metabolic Syndrome

Middle-aged and older adults that live in greener neighborhoods have a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. Read More »

Living Long and Well: Age-Defying Habits and the Fountain of Youth

Researchers have long pursued the keys to a long and healthy life, concluding that longevity is determined by a combination of genes, environment, lifestyle choices and luck. Read More »

Money Talks: Climate Change Increases Banks’ Financial Risks

Climate risks may cause home values to fall significantly; banks to stop lending to flood-prone communities; and towns to lose tax money needed to build seawalls and other protections. Read More »

Munch More Nuts to Stave Off Weight Gain

Research finds that increasing nut intake by a half serving a day—about 12 almonds or seven walnut halves—is linked to lower instances of weight gain and obesity. Read More »

Natural Healing For Hands: Getting a Grip on Pain

Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome are commonly linked to hand and wrist pain, but these effective holistic solutions can alleviate discomfort. Read More »

Raising Environmentalists: Teachers Prep Kids for the Future

Educators are using hands-on lessons to get K-12 students not only interested in the world’s environmental priorities, but also actively participating in solutions. Read More »

Rethinking Rice: Farmers Respond to Climate Change

Nfamara Badjie is planning to bring the rice-growing practices of his West African ethnic group to East Coast climates through his Ever-Growing Family Farm operation. Read More »

Tidying Up The Bucket List: Deciding What We Really Want

Many people have a bucket list of things they want to make sure they experience. Tidying up that bucket list when it no longer reflects a person’s values and deepest desires makes sense. Read More »

Time’s Up: Renewable Energy Should Speed Progress

The International Energy Agency predicts that renewable energy will surpass coal as the world’s leading source of electricity by 2030. Read More »

Trays Up: Air Meals May Get an Eco-Makeover

Each airline passenger produces about three pounds of trash per flight. British design firm PriestmanGoode has refashioned the economy meal tray, replacing plastic with renewable materials. Read More »

Uncowed by a Hurricane: Cattle Survive Churning Sea

Three cows turned up at Cape Lookout National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina months after being swept out to sea by Hurricane Dorian. Read More »

When Older Pets Get Quirky: Dealing With Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) can affect dogs or cats. Here are signs to look for, ways to care for the pet and tips for possibly preventing cognitive decline. Read More »

When Workouts Don’t Work: Why Less Is Sometimes More

Exercise is a proven component in losing weight and preventing cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but working out can serve as a physical stressor. Here's how to find an optimal balance. Read More »