Jacksonville St. Augustine Natural Awakenings: April 2021 Welcome to the April 2021 edition for Jacksonville St. Augustine, jam packed with information to help you live a more natural and inspired life. A Native Garden for Hummingbirds The ruby-throated hummingbird nests in our region and is observed most frequently. Tubular flowers in warm colors are key to attracting these tiny fliers. Plants that feed hummingbirds have an added benefit of attracting bees and butterflies, too. Read More » Ayurvedic Cooking Class and Therapies During this event, Seventh Wonder Holistic Spa's owner Falli Shah and her husband, Sunny will teach attendees how to make khichari—a dish known in Ayurveda to be cleansing, balancing and protein-rich. Read More » Compassionate Communication Five-Week Class Ed Boardman, of Unity Church for Creative Living, in Saint Johns, is presenting a five-week course based on the groundbreaking book Nonviolent Communication, by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D., from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays via Zoom beginning April 14, 2021. Read More » Jump-starting Body and Mind Welcome to our April edition, focusing on cleansing body, mind and spirit and creating a nurturing and safe home environment. Read More » Review of Leslie Kean’s Book: Surviving Death Leslie Kean, an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author approaches Surviving Death as an investigative journalist would: based on facts and scientific studies. She covers past lives, out-of-body/near-death experiences, communication with the spirit world, apparitions and those that have died yet explain traveling to other dimensions. Read More » The Benefits of Cleansing Whole food cleanses are safe and effective at supporting the organs of detoxification. In addition to lifestyle choices, a good cleanse features a nutritious diet that focuses on a balanced protein, carbohydrate and fat intake. Read More » Yoga Den Oakleaf Offers Integrative Wellness Center "Our Yoga Den studio really is welcoming space. We keep a very chill atmosphere around here,” says co-owner Charlie “Rose” Carter, LMT, RYT, RN. “Our students know they can show up on the mat, however they are on any given day. Just come as you are.” Read More » Access Expanded for Scientific Papers An open-access project, called Plan S, recently began requiring that scholarly papers published from the work they fund be made immediately available for public reading at no charge. Read More » B12 and Prenatal Supplements Gain Official Nod In updated dietary guidelines, the U.S.D.A. and the Department of Health and Human Services have endorsed the specific use of certain supplements, particularly prenatal vitamins and B12. Read More » Breathe Easy: Natural Remedies for Allergy Woes Holistic, non-pharmaceutical approaches to naturally fighting off seasonal allergies for the 1 in 5 Americans suffering from allergic rhinitis—also known as hay fever. Read More » Celebrate Earth Day 2021 Virtually Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many ways to participate in the 51st anniversary of the global environmental movement known as Earth Day. Read More » Climate Change and Our Health: The Human Costs of a Warming Planet The warming of the planet poses immediate dire consequences for human health. Here are ways to prepare, adapt and mobilize for climate change to build resilient, thriving communities. Read More » Consider Curcumin and Nano-Curcumin for Heart Health Curcumin and nano-curcumin can improve cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C levels, boost antioxidant levels, superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and reduce C-reactive protein levels. Read More » Create a Nurturing Nest Home is a harbor of habit, and breaking out of the usual routine can be transformative. Here are some activities to transform living spaces into nurturing sources of inspiration. Read More » Deforestation Alert System Mitigates Climate Change Global Forest Watch, a free application, uses satellite imaging to detect and alert deforestation activities, a key factor of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate change. Read More » Discarded Safety Gear Used to Build Highways Researchers have formulated a new road-making material comprised of a mix of shredded single-use face masks and processed building rubble designed to meet civil engineering safety standards. Read More » Drink Beet Juice to Lower Blood Pressure A new study suggests that beetroot juice may be a practical solution for people with high blood pressure that have little access to diagnostic help or money for medication. Read More » Eco-Athletes: Working Out with the Planet in Mind Professional and recreational athletes alike are increasingly working out with the planet in mind. Here are some sustainable ways to put eco-fitness into action. Read More » Family Time in the Woods Prominent nature writer Richard Louv offers ways for families and communities to connect to the natural world. Read More » Feathered Friends: The Pros and Cons of Keeping Birds as Pets What you need to know before considering having a bird as a pet, including the costs to keep them healthy, long-term commitments, the benefits involved and more. Read More » Healthy Home: How to Detoxify a Living Space Ways to detox our homes by purging them of toxins—gases, inhalants or fumes—in the indoor air, cleaners, kitchenware and water that may be contributing to a harmful environment. Read More » Keep Off Junk Foods for Cognitive Wellness Study finds that individuals who follow the Mediterranean diet are cognitively 5.8 years younger than those who regularly cheat on heathy eating. Read More » Make Lifestyle Changes to Ease Reflux Harvard University researchers have found that gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) symptoms can be reduced by adopting five lifestyle strategies. Read More » National Wildlife Refuges are Overwhelmed and Understaffed The National Wildlife Refuge System is facing crumbling infrastructure, maintenance needs, lack of resources, staffing cuts and chronic underfunding. Read More » Nations Band Together to Preserve One-Third of the Planet More than 50 countries have united as the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC 30x30), avowing to preserve 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. Read More » Nature to the Rescue: Kids Come Alive Outdoors Take the entire family exploring outdoors with these fun ideas to get children actively involved with nature in ways that open their senses while also moving their bodies. Read More » Protecting the Organic Marketplace While demand and activity around organic products is rising, the challenge is to safeguard standards from large corporations that buy up organic brands and try to weaken USDA requirements. Read More » Sheryl DeVore on Appreciating Nature and Wildlife Award-winning science, health and nature author Sheryl DeVore discusses being more aware of our outdoor environment and the need to preserve it. Read More » Spring Cleaning the Body: Simple Ways to Detox Naturally Shake off the sluggishness of winter and jumpstart new healthy habits by “spring cleaning” the body with these healthy detox and cleanse diet tips. Read More » Sweet Mango Smoothie Sweet fruit pairs with spinach for an extra dose of fiber, vitamins and super-green-detoxifying antioxidants to make a delicious, healthy version of a mango smoothie. Read More » The Benefits of Planting Trees: More Foliage Means Lower Temperatures The restoration of trees is among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation. Here are some ways to take action against deforestation and support the planting of trees. Read More » Vegetable Yum Soup This soup recipe helps provide the body with nutrient- and fiber-rich vegetables in an easy-to-digest format, while the broth helps supply water for detoxification and a sense of satiety. Read More » In-Print Healthy Home detox natural allergy remedies