“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” 

Welcome to middle class America. Here parents work longer hours having less time for family and for themselves. Often after countless years, they achieve what they desired—the big house, the amazing vacations and all the toys—only to realize the house is empty, the kids are grown and they have missed 20 years of their children’s lives. This was almost my destiny; I was once a business executive fully focused on climbing the corporate ladder. Oddly, it was only when I faced my darkest hours that I was blessed with the gift of being able to put things in perspective. When I remember to use this gift, I am able to live a life of gratitude.

I have a family, and they are all healthy. Thank God. There was a time when this wasn’t the case—a time when the only thing I desired was a healthy family. I was crystal clear on what was of utmost importance to me. As a family, we dodged some major bullets. My prayers were answered. That was many years ago. Time has diminished the memory of those dark days, and when I am not careful, time can also diminish my perspective of what’s truly important and I can find myself caught up in desiring things, like more money (come on, who doesn’t?!), more free time, less weight on my ass, and fewer wrinkles on my face. Oh, and I definitely have been wishing for a new paddleboard (okay, so that’s just in case my husband reads this letter. Hey, don’t judge me, Christmas IS just around the corner ). I even have wished for my old job back at times. In that position I was respected; I even won awards! Yet now, I run a business, do hours of homework with my kids, pack lunches, and manage to get two sleepy teenagers out the door in the morning. Is there an award for that? If so, you can add it to my wish list.

While I never want to go back to that time when all I desired was a healthy family, it certainly did provide me with that all-important gift of being able to put things in perspective. During that time, I didn’t care if I burned bridges in my career. I took so many family days that I did in fact burn bridges and was eventually laid off because of it (at the time I didn’t care). I was focused, and when I hoped and prayed it was for one thing: a healthy family. When I finally attained what I thought I might not, I was truly grateful. I still am when I stop and put things in perspective.

Perspective is also useful when I find myself silently crying as I try to zip a pair of jeans that fit me just last fall. I try to keep in mind while sucking in my gut, yanking at that zipper that there are people out there that aren’t worried about the size of their jeans because they are worried simply about where their next meal is coming from. Perspective makes living a life of gratitude easy.

Happy Perspective … oops, I mean Happy Thanksgiving!

Malama Pono!

Kelly Martinsen, Publisher

The post Grateful for the Gift of Perspective appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

Unsightly cellulite, which is comprised of fat deposits just beneath the skin, appears as lumps or dimples, usually near the buttocks and upper thighs, and is most common in women. Building muscle can make cellulite harder to notice and help burn more calories. While cellulite deposits might not be eliminated, burning body fat will make them shrink and be less visible. Here are five top exercises to blast stubborn cellulite.

The post Cellulite Shrinkers appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

KATHLEEN BARNES

Many of us have grown disenchanted with expensive, commercial beauty products that include toxic and even cancer-causing ingredients. Fortunately, safe, natural and affordable alternatives—including homemade shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, bath salts, body scrubs and butters—are stocked at many natural grocers and health food stores.

We all want to avoid phthalates, cetyl alcohol, triclosan, sodium laureth sulfate, parabens and many other poisonous chemicals commonly found in lotions, creams, scrubs, oils, perfumes and makeup products that may not be listed on labels. “You want to know what’s in your product,” says Janice Cox, of Medford, Oregon, the bestselling author of Natural Beauty at Home and Eco-Beauty. “If you’re making your own, you’re in control.”

Cox remarks, “Ingredients are absorbed through the skin, our largest organ. It’s why some medicines like birth control, pain relief and nicotine patches are effectively applied externally; it’s also why toxic ingredients placed on our skin can be so harmful.”

Her recommended solution is simple: The kitchen cabinet harbors solutions to the dry and dull skin that plagues many this time of year, shampoo residues that result in drab hair, and less-than-glowing skin due to a suboptimal holiday diet.

“Many products require only one or two ingredients and take minimal time to make,” says Cox. “Plus, they cost only pennies. Who wouldn’t choose that over a $30-an-ounce mysterious chemical soup?”

Honey is a Cox favorite for several reasons, including its antimicrobial effects: a dab on a blemish or insect bite can zap it overnight. “Honey has high potassium content, making it almost impossible for bacteria to survive in,” she explains. It’s also a good source of  B vitamins thiamine, niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid, plus minerals like iron, zinc and manganese. In this case, what’s absorbed through skin is literally nourishing our body’s entire system.

Honey is also a powerful humectant, helping to prevent loss of moisture from skin and hair. Cox recommends dropping a tablespoon or two in a warm bath to soothe rough skin without stickiness, a conditioning mixture of honey and olive oil to produce silky hair and an apple-honey toner to facilitate glowing skin.

She also recommends an easy shampoo that contains nothing more than natural soap (like Dr. Bronner’s), water and a little vegetable oil for dry hair. “It doesn’t foam up like commercial shampoos, but it gets hair much cleaner,” she advises.

Homemade beauty products are  a natural outlet for anyone that loves to cook or craft. Make a small batch—experiment with an array of essential oils to create a preferred scent to suit individual tastes, and add or subtract the amounts according to skin and hair types.

“Take it a step further and make pretty gift packages with glass bottles, jars or tins embellished with ribbons, personal artwork or anything else that taps into your creative juices,” says Cox. “Your friends and family will be especially happy to receive and use them.”

Kathleen Barnes is the author of numerous natural health books and publisher at Take Charge Books. Connect atKathleen@KathleenBarnes.com.

Muscle-Soothing Bath Salts

Yields 24 ounces

This is the perfect bath to relax and refresh the whole body. Add a few drops of essential oils to the mixture for scent.

1 cup kosher or sea salt
1 cup baking soda
1 cup Epsom salt

Mix together all ingredients and pour into a clean, dry container. Pour one cup of the mixture into a warm tub slowly, allowing the salts to dissolve completely. Soak for at least 20 minutes, but no more than 40 minutes.

Raw Sugar Body Scrub

Yields 10 ounces

Raw sugar is well-suited for freshening skin. Using a body scrub helps rid skin of surface impurities, enabling it to retain more moisture and look healthier. It also boosts circulation, which energizes the whole body.

1 cup raw sugar
½ cup light oil, such as almond or sunflower
½ tsp vitamin E oil

Mix together all ingredients and pour into a clean container. Massage a tablespoon or two at a time all over the body to gently exfoliate and moisturize skin.

Body Butter

Yields 4 ounces

This is a rich, buttery cream that makes a wonderful all-over body cream. It contains four well-known skin conditioning oils.

¼ cup grated cocoa butter
1 Tbsp coconut oil
2 Tbsp light sesame oil
1 Tbsp almond oil
1 Tbsp grated beeswax

Combine all the ingredients in a heat-resistant container. In the microwave or on the stovetop using a double boiler, gently heat until the mixture just begins to melt. Remove from heat and stir  well until the wax and cocoa butter are melted and all ingredients are mixed together. Pour into a clean container and allow it to cool completely. Spread a small amount of the body butter on the skin.

Basic Shampoo

Yields 8 ounces

If hair is oily, the optional vegetable oil may be omitted, but if hair is dry or damaged, include it. This is a great shampoo for all hair types because it’s
gentle on hair and won’t strip away the natural oils.

½ cup water
½ cup mild natural liquid soap (like Dr. Bronner’s or any Castile soap)
½ tsp light vegetable oil (optional)

Gently stir all the ingredients together, being careful not to beat the mixture or it will create foam. Pour the shampoo into a clean plastic container. Shampoo as normal, and then rinse well with cool water.

Eau de Cologne

Yields 4 ounces

Eau de Cologne was originally made by steeping flowers in a jar with alcohol and a small amount of oil. The scented oil was poured off and the alcohol was mixed with water.

¼ cup vodka or witch hazel
¼ cup water
2-3 drops of a favorite essential oil or a mixture of oils (lavender, sandalwood, bergamot, rose, frangipani, ylang-ylang or jasmine)

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into a clean spray bottle or splash bottle. Spray or splash the scented cologne onto skin or hair.

Solid Perfume

Yields 1 ounce

Solid perfume and scents have always been popular because they are longlasting, easy to carry and discreet—just rub them on—no need to waste them by spraying the air.

1 Tbsp grated beeswax
1 Tbsp almond oil
8 drops essential oil or mixture of oils (peach, orange, sandalwood, vanilla or lavender)

In a heat-resistant container or small saucepan, gently heat the beeswax and oil until it melts. Stir in the scented oil, pour into a clean, small container and allow the mixture to cool completely. Rub a finger across the solid perfume and apply the scent to pulse points or anywhere else.
Recipes courtesy of Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at Home, Natural Beauty for All Seasons,Natural Beauty from the Garden and Eco Beauty.

The post Eco-Beauty appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

LINDSAY MCGINTY

photo: Pacific-Plus.com

Serena Dyer had a unique childhood being raised by spiritually progressive parents, including her bestselling celebrity dad, Wayne Dyer, Ph.D., who would write her notes on personal stationery printed with the motto, “Be realistic. Expect miracles!” It’s not a message her peers likely heard at home.

Now 29, Serena shares her point of view in Don’t Die with Your Music Still in You: My Experience Growing Up with Spiritual Parents, co-authored with her father. The title reflects her parents’ key lesson for their children: Pursue the life you are born to live.

Some missteps along the journey to her true calling included enrolling in law school to maintain her student identity, but her upbringing served as a light guiding her home to herself. She wrote the book after dropping out of law school, a big step toward her dream of inspiring others to live authentically.

What was it like to grow up with Wayne Dyer as your father?

Growing up, my seven siblings and I were exposed to a lot of ideas that were different than what my friends heard. We were taught that within each of us is a purpose, a passion that we call dharma, and that dharma is what we are incarnated here to do. We were taught that the most important thing you could do in your life was to follow that dharma, and in doing so, you would be serving God. I often joke that my childhood was filled with unconditional love and security, but also a lot of weirdness! Not many kids learn transcendental meditation at the age of 5 and count monks as friends.

Were there any downsides to being raised by spiritual parents?

I like to think that while there weren’t any real downsides, there were certainly challenges. For example, in a more traditional household, when someone gets the flu, their parents probably tell them that it’s flu season and it’s just going around. In my household, when one of us would get the flu, we were told that we aligned with it and allowed it in. In other words, part of the challenge of having spiritually progressive parents is that they make sure you are aware that you are responsible for everything happening in your life.

What is the greatest lesson you learned?

Thus far, it is knowing that we are the creators of our destiny—the masters of our fate. I wholeheartedly believe that we sign up for the experiences we have in this lifetime, as they are part of our soul’s desire tas not happening to us, but responding to us, we become more consciously aware of how much our thoughts affect our daily experience. I am so grateful my parents taught me this at a young age because I have learned to choose my thoughts carefully.

What is the greatest gift your parents have given you?

It’s not something they did for me; it was how they lived their lives in front of me. My parents did not encourage me to follow my dreams and then sacrifice theirs in order to raise me. My parents followed their dreams and in watching them do so, I felt safe to go after mine, as well. They taught me that there is no honor in sacrificing yourself or your dreams for anyone else, and demonstrated that the only time you have to make your life the way you want it is now. I am grateful to them for living their lives this way, which has allowed me to feel safe living my life this way, as well.

What advice would you give to people that wish they were raised in a more spiritual manner?

I tell people that it doesn’t really matter what kind of parents you had, it matters how you feel about yourself. Everything in life starts with the self. If you don’t have love and acceptance and forgiveness for yourself, you won’t have these things to give to other people either. I was taught that we can’t give what we don’t have. When we learn to love and treasure every part of ourselves, we also have love to give to others.
Contributor Lindsay McGinty lives in Orange County, CA.

The post Growing Up with Wayne Dyer appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

LANE VAIL

Sleep, along with nutrition and exercise, shapes the backbone of overall health, yet 40 percent of Americans get an insufficient amount, according to a recent Gallup survey, and the potential health risks are considerable. “Sleep deprivation affects every organ system and disease state,” and is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer and mortality, says Michael Breus, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona, and founder of TheSleepDoctor.com.

“It’s best to get seven to eight hours of sleep in one big block at nighttime,” counsels Breus. Yet the circadian rhythm dictates two peaks of sleepiness every 24 hours—one in the middle of the night and another 12 hours later, says Dr. Lawrence Epstein, director of the sleep medicine program at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Interacting with the circadian rhythm is the homeostatic rhythm, which causes greater sleepiness the longer we’re awake. Both circadian and homeostatic sleepiness elevate by mid-afternoon, resulting in the familiar 4 p.m. slump. Siesta cultures split sleep, notes Epstein, slightly reducing nighttime sleep, but devoting time midday to nap.

“Naps are a double-edged sword,” observes Epstein. While they help relieve short-term sleepiness, poorly planned naps can perpetuate an unhealthy cycle of daytime sleepiness and nighttime wakefulness. Stepping outside for 10 minutes of sunlight and fresh air can stamp out sleepiness, says Breus, which is much healthier than reaching for a caffeine jolt or sugary snack.

Be a Better Napper

A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research suggests that merely falling asleep may initiate memory processing and cognitive consolidation, helping explain why German scientists found even six-minute naps to be rejuvenating. If substantial daytime sleep is needed to overcome a deficit, strive for 90 to 110 minutes, the length of time needed to complete a full sleep cycle. Here are other practical tips.

Reflect on the rationale. “Boredom, laziness or avoiding work are the wrong reasons to nap,” says Amanda Chan, managing editor for healthy living at The Huffington Post, which instituted two cozy nap rooms in its New York headquarters after founder Arianna Huffington collapsed from exhaustion several years ago. A quick pick-me-up to boost mental agility and mood is a reasonable excuse to snooze.

Plan a prophylactic nap. Forestall late afternoon fatigue by napping between 1 and 3 p.m. Waiting until early evening to nap can interfere with nighttime sleep, advises Epstein.

Embrace darkness, coolness and quietude. Melatonin, “the key that starts the engine of sleep,” is suppressed by even the slightest amount of light, so wear eyeshades, suggests Breus. Keep a blanket and earplugs handy.

“Sleep is never a waste of time if it’s helpful.”
~ Dr. Michael Breus

Lie down. If a bed or couch is unavailable, try napping on a yoga mat on the floor. A chair should be reclined to support the lower back and avoid straining the neck from “bobblehead” syndrome, says Breus.

Power down. Setting an alarm for 10 to 25 minutes allows time for only the first two sleep stages: falling asleep and light sleep. Breus explains that sleeping longer than 25 minutes triggers deep sleep, from which waking results in sleep inertia, or grogginess, that impairs mood, decision-making and motor skills.

Napping at Work

While many progressive businesses such as Google, Apple and Zappos permit or even promote workplace napping, most companies are still skeptical. “We live in a culture that minimizes the importance of sleep,” comments Epstein. “We prize productivity and think it shows worker loyalty to put in excessive amounts of time.”

Ironically, mounting research suggests that napping may boost the brainpower needed to function at peak performance. A recent study found that nightshift air-traffic controllers that napped for 19 minutes showed better vigilance and reaction times than non-nappers. Other documented benefits include better concentration, memory and creativity.

Seek out a sleep sanctuary at work, such as an office with the door closed and blinds drawn, an unused conference room with a couch, or a first-aid office cot, suggests Chan. Another option is to nap in the car, but Breus insists that nappers tell colleagues where they’re going as a precaution. Better yet, bond with a “nap buddy” willing to read nearby during snooze time. “You’re very vulnerable when you’re asleep,” he says. “Be safe.”

If sleeping is not currently condoned in the workplace, consider approaching the human resources department with information on the positive effects of appropriate napping on work performance, says Epstein. Suggest implementing a sleep wellness program, which can offer education on sleep deprivation, techniques to improve sleep and individual screening for sleep disorders.
Lane Vail is a freelance writer and blogger at DiscoveringHomemaking.com.

The post Midday Pick-Me-Up appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

MEREDITH MONTGOMERY

According to a poll by the Center for a New American Dream in 2005, three out of four Americans wish the holidays were less materialistic. Traditionally rooted in family, faith and joy, the season can be marred by commercialization. Instead, inspire the whole family to take a “buy less, get more” approach so that everyone can experience the essence of what many consider the most wonderful time of the year.

Raise Awareness

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) reports that U.S. companies now spend about $17 billion annually marketing to children, up from $100 million in 1983. Many kids are formulating wish lists year-round, due to the continual bombardment of alluring commercials. CCFC Associate Director Josh Golin attests that the holiday season is a perfect time to start discussing the power of advertising and the techniques used. Teens are especially sensitive to the notion of being manipulated by adults.

For children under 8 that can’t yet comprehend the persuasive intent of commercials, limit screen time with all devices. Golin advises that the scope of commercialism has changed radically. “It’s no longer just television commercials, but also Internet, cell phones and video games. Plus, children’s media characters are placed on every type of product imaginable. Think about limiting commercialism in all forms; you can’t just turn off the TV.”

Manage Expectations

Start before the holidays. “Talk to kids about how you’ll celebrate the holidays in your own home, noting that it might be unique. Focus on aspects that aren’t gift-related,” suggests Golin. Plan food-focused traditions such as baking together and special group meals. Generate excitement around spiritual aspects of the season or visits from out-of-town family members.

When shopping together for gifts, make a plan and stick with it, letting everyone know its purpose beforehand. Resist impulsive purchases trumpeted by store promotions.

Connect with Kids

New American Dream’s Simplify the Holidays guide at Tinyurl.com/SimplifyTheHolidays encourages families to reconnect by participating in meaningful activities such as neighborhood caroling, building a gingerbread house, preparing gift boxes for the homeless, taking a nature hike or making a feeder for backyard birds.

Explore volunteer projects as a family, letting the children’s interests lead. If kids are attracted to water, pick up litter along a shoreline. In the spirit of the season, donate gently used clothing, books and toys to a shelter. For animal lovers, contribute time or materials to a local animal rescue or rehabilitation center.

Attend community events such as musical performances, plays and art exhibits. Seek out inexpensive or free local activities. Kids are often enthralled by a simple tour of neighborhood Christmas lights.

Gift Buying

Make gift purchases consistent with the family’s values. Golin suggests resisting the temptation to buy the season’s “hot” products. “Resist buying what’s advertised the most. We have power as parents and as part of a larger culture to believe there’s no such thing as a must-have toy or holiday gift.” Instead, search for timeless, high-quality items that are eco-friendly and fair trade. Try wooden toys for babies and toddlers or a bamboo skateboard for teens.

Ads can make a toy look appealing because it’s brand-new and ready-to-use, but homemade gifts can be a more meaningful alternative. New American Dream suggests constructing a rope swing or wooden sandbox for little ones. Given a comfortable timeframe, children can gift grownups homemade green cleaning products or re-potted herb and houseplant clippings. All ages can give away the last book they read and kick off a year-round book exchange. Forego more tangible items by gifting experiences like a zoo membership, bowling gift cards or movie tickets, or make a charitable donation to a cause that the recipient supports.

Let friends and family make shopping easier by inviting them to create such a gift registry at SoKindRegistry.com.

Unplug

Always plan for quiet time. It reduces exposure to holiday marketing, creates opportunities for family bonding and fosters independent children. Golin observes, “We can all be better about trusting our kids to entertain themselves. When reducing screen time, we don’t necessarily need to suggest activities to kids. Give them the space to be bored for a minute and be amazed at what they come up with on their own.”
Meredith Montgomery publishes Natural Awakenings of Mobile/Baldwin, AL (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com).

The post Bring Back the Magic appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

“I have started a gratitude journal that I write in every day. When you run out of the ‘obvious’ blessings, it makes you dig deep and see all the small things. I commit to do my very best to never take anything or anybody, good or bad, for granted.”

~ Lisa Henderson Middlesworth

“A town can be such a blessing. Neighbors always pull together when there’s a tragedy or natural disaster. The boundaries diminish and yards become one… we eat in each other’s kitchens, supervise each other’s children, share vehicles and generally watch out for each other. I believe it is God’s way of reminding us that we’re one family and each of us provides the strength and foundation for the other.”
~ Colleen Epple Pine

“My losses have given me an inner compass by which I live my life. While I would not wish the tragedies I have experienced on anyone, I am eternally grateful for the blessings. I do not waste time, and I know how to love without fear.”
~ Joanie Weber Badyna
​

Middlesworth, Pine and Badyna are among thousands adopting a Gratitude Challenge to help develop their gratitude reflex and cultivate a more positive outlook on life. Gratitude can take many forms, but typically participants pledge to reflect upon and express it daily with the help of email prompts from a sponsoring organization. A gratitude practice can help grow appreciation for the strangers that better our lives. It can also deepen our gratefulness for the significant others we sometimes take for granted.

Approaching a milestone birthday, retired businessman Walter Green set out on a year-long journey to visit 44 people that he credited with changing his life to initiate conversations about their influence, which he recounts in the book This is the Moment! While the relationships were already solid, according to Green, “In many cases, it was the most significant conversation we ever had.”

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
~ William Arthur Ward

Gratitude is a small act with a big payoff, Green observes. “The person receiving gratitude appreciates knowing they made a difference, but the giver is the greatest recipient. It feels good to express gratitude, plus you are freed from future regrets that you didn’t express it when you had the chance.”

Patricia Brugioni, a Christian Science nurse from Chicago, has been sharing three things she’s grateful for on social media on a daily basis since taking a five-day online challenge earlier this year. “I am a grateful person by nature, but now I am claiming the good that is coming to me and learning to cherish things without feeling like I have to earn them,” she says.
Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Grateful Kickstarts

Kindspring.org’s first online Gratitude Challenge brought together 11,000 people from 118 countries. The site now has an online portal, including a startup kit designed to help community organizations sponsor their own challenges.

Gratitude can be good for business, too. Four Canadian branches of the bank TD turned its ATMs into “automatic thank-you” machines that provided high-value personalized gifts to its longest-standing customers to thank them for their loyalty. Any business can be creative in showing appreciation in meaningful ways to its customers.

As with any new skill or habit, gratitude needs to be exercised until it becomes second nature. Simply writing a page a day in a gratitude journal or saying a morning thank-you prayer can help maintain the momentum.

The post Practice Gratitude and Change Your Life appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

Buying products that are made in the USA supports both our neighbors and nation. Keeping the entire product cycle within our borders employs more Americans, enhances local and national economic security and ensures greater product quality because American environmental and health regulatory standards are often higher than in other countries. For companies, domestic production can be part of a larger emphasis on supporting local businesses and implementing eco-practices.

StillMadeInUSA.com provides examples of domestically made products in many categories, including personal apparel, handcrafts, household goods, green products, appliances, sporting goods and tools.

About 95 percent of our clothing is now made in other countries, according to the Ecology Global Network (Ecology.com), mostly in China, where sweatshops and human rights abuses are prevalent. Polyester and nylon are derived from petroleum and processed and dyed using synthetic, often toxic substances such as copper, nickel and cobalt. The nonprofit Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture’s Fibershed and Grow Your Jeans programs (Tinyurl.com/GreenJeansEtc) and the Sustainable Cotton Project’s Cleaner Cotton program (Tinyurl.com/CleanerCotton) increase domestic production by assisting and connecting domestic growers and textile makers.

In addition to spotlighting locally made products in its stores with special shelf tags, Whole Foods Market has made more than $10 million in low-interest loans to independent farmers and food artisans via its Local Producer Loan Program. Canyon Bakehouse, a gluten-free bakery in Boulder, Colorado; Buchi Kombucha, brewers of sustainably crafted, Earth-bermed tea in Asheville, North Carolina; and Fancypants Baking Company, makers of 100 percent natural and nut-free cookies in East Walpole, Massachusetts, are examples (Tinyurl.com/WholeFoodsLocalLoans).

Iconoclastic ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s (BenJerry.com), headquartered in Waterbury, Vermont, conducts a Caring Dairy program that assists farmers to apply more sustainable practices; buys eggs from hens in certified humane cage-free farms; and plans to transform all of its 50 flavors to non-GMO ingredients and earn fair trade certification by the end of this year.

The post USA Made appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

The post Saying No appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

Following the lead of Jadav “Molai” Payeng, an Indian man who singlehandedly planted 1,360 acres of forest, India’s Rural Development Ministry will plant 2 billion trees along the nation’s 62,137 miles of highways to combat rural poverty and youth unemployment and improve the environment, which suffers from severe air pollution.

According to the World Health Organization, India currently has a youth unemployment rate of 10.2 percent and six of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced a target of spreading electricity to every home by 2019, relying largely on solar power, and the government is furthering plans to clean up the Ganges and Yamuna rivers.

Source: Treehugger.com

The post Eco-India appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.

The post Heal Up with Immune-Boosting Echinacea appeared first on Natural Awakenings Magazine.