Natural Awakenings - December 2008 Read the December 2008 edition of Natural Awakenings. Throw a Green Party: Eco-Entertaining Made Simple Whether you are still experimenting with ways to live green or are an experienced pro at an increasingly eco-friendly life, a party décor checklist is good to have on hand. Read More » Better by the Dozen: Bake up Holiday Cheer with Decadent, yet Healthy Cookies Whether chewy or crunchy, eaten straight or dunked in milk, cookies are a perfect accompaniment to holiday parties and chilly nights gathered around the fireplace. Read More » A Conversation with Masaru Emoto: International Speaker and Author Masaru Emoto’s innovative research captures frozen water crystals from water sources around the world in photographs that present an intriguing glimpse into what he believes is the mysterious response of water to thoughts, words, music and pictures. Read More » Sound Therapy Through the Ages: Ancient Instruments Still Soothe and Heal Music bypasses learned behaviors to naturally regulate our pulse, blood pressure, breathing and hormone production; especially dopamine, which controls mood. Read More » The Green Healer: The Wonder Veggie Broccoli has now been found to reverse damage done to heart vessels as a result of diabetes. Read More » Clean Food for Kids: Help for Hyperactive Children Clean food could be the answer to helping hyperactive children. Read More » Gifts with a Message: Give to Loved Ones and the Environment A gift can bring lasting satisfaction and utility when it carries an inherent environmental message. Read More » Nuts Over Pistachios Pistachio are a valuable addition to any healthy diet aimed at reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease. Read More » Give from the Heart: Be Inspired This Season Faced with a holiday season that’s too often fraught with chaos, stress, waste and debt, it’s easy to lose track of the pleasure and meaning of giving. Read More » Think Twice: Greenhouse Gas Controls Needed for Flat-Screen TVs Before trashing an older television, consider that flat-screen television technology has “a potential greenhouse gas impact larger than that… of the world’s largest coal-fired power plants." Read More » Winter Workouts: Indoor Options to Beat the Blahs Plunging temperatures in cold weather climes can put a chill on the best-intentioned fitness routine. This winter, try some of these activities to stay in shape while having fun. Read More » Ding Ding: Downtowns See Streetcars as Development Tool U.S. mass-transit ridership, already at its highest in 50 years, is set to keep rising, with nearly 400 new rail, streetcar and bus rapid transit projects proposed. Read More » Gifts for Good: Instilling Generosity and Joy in Children With environmental and social justice issues gaining ground and everyone rethinking economic priorities, introducing your child to opportunities for alternative giving can make a world of difference. Read More » Herbs to Go: Keep Travel Companions Calm Traveling can be hard on the family dog or cat. You can help ease your furry friend’s distress with these natural herbal remedies. Read More » 10 Tidings of Holiday Comfort and Joy 10 simple ways to enjoy the true spirit of the season. Read More » Clean & Clear: Green Snow Removal Strategies Now, we can avoid winter’s slippery sidewalks and driveways with deicing savvy that aims to “do no harm” to our property or environment.5 Read More » Primal Resonance: Scientists Listen to Trees to Save Forests New discoveries could help reduce forest fires and prevent bug infestations, based on two scientific studies about how trees function. Read More » Green Holiday: Rapping on Wrapping This year many green folk, recalling garbage bags from past Christmases stuffed with mounds of wrapping paper and ribbon, will opt for alternatives. Read More » Donated Dollars: Charity Navigator Guides Intelligent Giving Charity Navigator is the nation's largest and most popular guide to the objective evaluation of more than 5,300 American charities. Read More » Awaking Populace: Bottled Water Makes No Sense For the first time this century, U.S. bottled water guzzling is slowing as people wake to the concept that “being charged for water is like being charged for gravity.” Read More » Having, Being and Stillness Most of us don’t see any connection between being and having. It’s living out of who we are, not out of what we have, that makes life worthwhile. Read More » Holiday Foods: Naughty or Nice?: Tips for Staying Healthy During the Season of Sweets A few cookies here, a couple of eggnogs there and a rich meal in-between can quickly pack on unhealthy extra pounds. Read More » Eco-Bag It: Wal-Mart Aims to Cut Plastic Bag Use by a Third Wal-Mart is extending its waste-reducing initiative to cash registers, with a goal of eliminating one in three plastic bags in the next five years. Read More » E-Card Savvy: Good, Bad & Ugly Greeting Cards Online greeting cards help to eliminate paper waste; however, computer viruses often hide behind malicious season's greetings. Here are tips to sort the good from the bad. Read More » In-Print