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Natural Awakenings Houston is Houston's only lifestyle of sustainability and health publication.

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Letter from the Publishers

Greetings!
Cindy chose this month’s cover with the mortar and pestle of fresh herbs because this issue is about sustainable food production. We also have the first in a series of articles about energy sustainability. In our view, sustainability isn’t about living off the grid and growing all your own food. That isn’t practical for almost everyone. It’s about doing what you can. This can include growing some of your own food or buying it locally from someone who can and thus reducing your carbon footprint. It might mean when you dine out, choosing a restaurant that uses locally sourced foods. It might mean having solar panels installed or buying your electricity from a company that uses wind energy to generate it. Read More

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THIS MONTH'S ARTICLES

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Affirming Naturally:   I live a life of variety
 by Doyle Ward 

You have more than 55,000 thoughts each day. Many are the same thoughts over and over again. Every single one is an affirmation; this also includes everything that you say. By reducing your negative thoughts and words and increasing the positive ones, you can reshape your life. Read More

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Feature Article: CROPS IN THE CITY: Urban Agriculture Breaks New Grounds

by April Thompson

The average American meal travels 1,500 miles to reach its plate, according to the nonprofit Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture. Yet enterprising green thumbs across the country are bringing the farm back to plate's reach, growing hyperlocal food in backyards, on rooftops, through indoor farms and more. City farming reconnects urbanites to their food sources while bettering the environment, communities, diets and health.. Read More

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Sustainability: SOLAR PANEL BECOMING STANDARD FEATURE FOR HOMEBUILDERS 

by Shen Ge

Smaller footprints and greener features ranked at the top of the trends list among a 2017 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) study published in the Green Multifamily and Single Family Homes 2017 SmartMarket Brief. At least one third of single family and multifamily builders surveyed said that green building is more than 60% of their portfolio. Within this category, nearly 30% of multifamily builders fall into the category of “dedicated” green, i.e. more than 90% of their portfolio is in green building. Within the single family side, this is nearly 20%. By 2022, both single family and multifamily sectors are expected to increase to 50% for people who invest in green..Read More

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 EcoTip: Eco-Friendly Outdoor Eating

 Midsummer is prime time for outdoor family meals, barbecues and picnics. Selecting the   healthiest food, along with eco-friendly materials in preparing for the fun feasts, can fulfill a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle and conserve resources at the same time. Read More

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 Forest Bathing: Mother Nature's Rx for Body and Mindest Bathing

 by Marlaina Donato

In 1982, the Japanese government coined the term Shinrin-yoku (“taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing”) to inspire people to visit and appreciate national parks. Today, that walk in the woods has become a medically recommended activity worldwide for improving immunity, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, managing chronic pain and promoting better sleep. The research supporting the physical and mental benefits of forest bathing is so compelling that it’s advocated by the National Institute of Public Health of Japan and prescribed to patients there.Read More

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Plant Medicine: The ABC’s of CBD

By J. Garnet

It seems that the letters CBD are popping up on almost every corner these days. It’s the newest craze in the alternative plant medicine industry. It has recently been legitimized by the FDA and could just be one of the major advancements in medicine that’s been seen in a very long time.

The hemp and cannabis plants have over 100 different chemical compounds, better known as cannabinoids. These interact with the endocannabinoid system which is a system of neurotransmitters in the body that helps balance and maintain normal body function throughout the body, including the nervous system, respiratory and digestive systems, the brain and peripheral tissue and organs. Read More

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 Interview with Jeff Primack pt. 1: The Force Behind Blood Flow & Higher Intellegence.

Can you bring a Universal meaning to describe what is Qi?

 Qi is the electric LIFE PRESENCE that beats the human heart and charges the air we breathe. Gong, like Gong Fu, is a REPEATED ACTION to activate higher energy.   Qigong generates a powerful magnetic field in the hands and this energy “dilates arteries” healing what it touches. The effects of Qi are profound for increasing circulation and improving endocrine imbalances. Science will discover Qi is related to static electricity and can be harnessed with hand postures. Read More

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Text 66866 to NAHTX

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