March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
Welcome to Natural Awakenings,
Houston's only lifestyle of sustainability and health publication.
Greetings,
Some days, harmony feels effortless. The weather is beautiful, the garden is generous, and everything flows. But we’ve learned that real harmony—the kind that sustains us—comes when things aren’t so easy. When life throws us curveballs, the practice becomes choosing peace anyway.
NEWS BRIEFS
Food Security Concerns Rise Amid Tariffs and Farm Labor Shortages
Rising tariffs and immigration crackdowns are beginning to impact America’s food supply, driving up prices and making certain items harder to find on grocery store shelves.
Rising tariffs and immigration crackdowns are beginning to impact America’s food supply, driving up prices and making certain items harder to find on grocery store shelves.
HEALTH BRIEFS
Check out this month's health briefs. Quick one-minute updates that can help you on your personal health and wellness journey.
Healthy-Aging Properties of Caffeinated Coffee
In June, a large-scale study by Tufts University sought to determine the health benefits of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee with and without the addition of sugar and saturated fat. The results published in The Journal of Nutrition suggest that drinking a low-to-moderate amount of caffeinated coffee daily lowers the risk of all-cause mortality; however, the benefit drops when an overabundance of sugar and saturated fat are added.
In June, a large-scale study by Tufts University sought to determine the health benefits of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee with and without the addition of sugar and saturated fat. The results published in The Journal of Nutrition suggest that drinking a low-to-moderate amount of caffeinated coffee daily lowers the risk of all-cause mortality; however, the benefit drops when an overabundance of sugar and saturated fat are added.
Sucralose May Increase Appetite
According to research published in Nature Metabolism, the calorie-free sweetener known as sucralose may increase appetite. Sucralose is widely distributed in various food products, including baked goods, beverages, chewing gum, and frozen dairy desserts. In a randomized crossover trial involving 75 young adults, participants consumed a beverage containing sucralose, sucrose, or water.
According to research published in Nature Metabolism, the calorie-free sweetener known as sucralose may increase appetite. Sucralose is widely distributed in various food products, including baked goods, beverages, chewing gum, and frozen dairy desserts. In a randomized crossover trial involving 75 young adults, participants consumed a beverage containing sucralose, sucrose, or water.
Delaying Menopause for Longevity
Menopause, which occurs at the end of a woman’s reproductive years, brings about changes in body composition and heightened health risks, including bone density loss, insulin resistance, and an elevated propensity for cardiovascular disease. Notably, women who naturally enter menopause after age 55 have better health outcomes and a longer lifespan than those experiencing earlier menopause. Researchers and industry stakeholders are actively investigating ways to postpone its onset.
Menopause, which occurs at the end of a woman’s reproductive years, brings about changes in body composition and heightened health risks, including bone density loss, insulin resistance, and an elevated propensity for cardiovascular disease. Notably, women who naturally enter menopause after age 55 have better health outcomes and a longer lifespan than those experiencing earlier menopause. Researchers and industry stakeholders are actively investigating ways to postpone its onset.
New Defense Against Superbugs
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that antimicrobial-resistant infections affect more than 2.8 million Americans annually, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths. These “superbugs” have developed the ability to resist medicines used to eradicate them, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that antimicrobial-resistant infections affect more than 2.8 million Americans annually, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths. These “superbugs” have developed the ability to resist medicines used to eradicate them, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics.
GLOBAL BRIEFS
Take just one minute from your busy day to learn about sustainability and how you can do your part to save our planet.
Wellness Cars of the Future
As many vehicles advance toward automation, passengers are presented with a range of new possibilities. Without a human driver, the car’s interior can be transformed to cater to the desires of the traveler with entertainment, media and digital connections seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s ecosystem.
As many vehicles advance toward automation, passengers are presented with a range of new possibilities. Without a human driver, the car’s interior can be transformed to cater to the desires of the traveler with entertainment, media and digital connections seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s ecosystem.
Goldfish Invaders
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is urging the public to refrain from releasing goldfish into local lakes, ponds and streams when they are no longer desired as pets, but instead seek alternative solutions such as returning them to the pet store or contacting a local aquarium or fish rescue organization for assistance.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is urging the public to refrain from releasing goldfish into local lakes, ponds and streams when they are no longer desired as pets, but instead seek alternative solutions such as returning them to the pet store or contacting a local aquarium or fish rescue organization for assistance.
In a recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment, researchers at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa reported that certain coastal areas in the Hawaiian Islands are sinking at a significantly faster rate than previously anticipated, moving up the need for flood preparedness by about 50 years. The phenomenon, known as subsidence, poses a substantial threat to businesses, residents, and infrastructure, as sea level rise exacerbates the risks of flooding, beach loss, and coastal erosion.
ARTICLES
Eco Tip
Homemade Natural Cleaners That Work
Spring is a time for sprucing up around the house, and toxic-free cleaners are our best allies. It’s high time to forever banish commercial products laden with bleach, ammonia and other harsh chemicals. Creating our own formulas couldn’t be easier, and best of all, they really work. Save money, reduce plastic waste and get creative with common household ingredients like baking soda, white vinegar and a few sweet-smelling essential oils.
Homemade Natural Cleaners That Work
Spring is a time for sprucing up around the house, and toxic-free cleaners are our best allies. It’s high time to forever banish commercial products laden with bleach, ammonia and other harsh chemicals. Creating our own formulas couldn’t be easier, and best of all, they really work. Save money, reduce plastic waste and get creative with common household ingredients like baking soda, white vinegar and a few sweet-smelling essential oils.
Feature Story
Using Food To Heal
There is a growing movement to use food as a primary means for preventing and managing disease. Before reaching for pharmaceuticals or even supplements, people are seeking healing on the plate. According to a 2024 academic article in the Nature Partner Journal Science of Food, scientific advances in our understanding of nutrition at the cellular level are driving a food-first strategy. Key micronutrients have been identified to reduce inflammation and promote cellular regeneration and repair, prompting practitioners to champion dietary modifications that soothe chronic symptoms, repair gut integrity, rewire immune signaling and reach metabolic balance.
Using Food To Heal
There is a growing movement to use food as a primary means for preventing and managing disease. Before reaching for pharmaceuticals or even supplements, people are seeking healing on the plate. According to a 2024 academic article in the Nature Partner Journal Science of Food, scientific advances in our understanding of nutrition at the cellular level are driving a food-first strategy. Key micronutrients have been identified to reduce inflammation and promote cellular regeneration and repair, prompting practitioners to champion dietary modifications that soothe chronic symptoms, repair gut integrity, rewire immune signaling and reach metabolic balance.
Conscious Eating
Fiber’s Fun Side
Studies consistently show that the vast majority of Americans fail to consume enough fiber in their diet, even though it has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and colorectal cancer. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that adults aim for 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed, which is about 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men daily. Adequate fiber is indispensable for lowering inflammation and maintaining digestive, cardiovascular, and metabolic health.
Fiber’s Fun Side
Studies consistently show that the vast majority of Americans fail to consume enough fiber in their diet, even though it has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and colorectal cancer. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that adults aim for 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed, which is about 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men daily. Adequate fiber is indispensable for lowering inflammation and maintaining digestive, cardiovascular, and metabolic health.
Local Wisdom
Honoring the Colon
In the world of holistic health, the journey toward wellness embraces mind, body, and preventive awareness. March isn’t just about spring blooms—it’s also Colon Health Awareness Month, a time to deepen conversations around digestive wellness, early detection, and the choices we make to support long-term vitality.
Honoring the Colon
In the world of holistic health, the journey toward wellness embraces mind, body, and preventive awareness. March isn’t just about spring blooms—it’s also Colon Health Awareness Month, a time to deepen conversations around digestive wellness, early detection, and the choices we make to support long-term vitality.
Digestive health is central to holistic living. A balanced gut supports nutrient absorption, immune strength, emotional well-being, and systemic detoxification. Yet, like many internal systems, it often operates without fanfare-until something feels “off.” That’s why proactive care is so essential.
Mindful Workouts
Mental wellness is no longer considered a separate pillar of health; it is becoming deeply integrated into physical fitness routines across the country. As the discourse surrounding emotional and psychological well-being becomes more open and less stigmatized, there is a shift in how people approach exercise. Not only is fitness focused on building muscle and burning calories, but increasingly it is about fostering resilience, restoring balance and supporting the mind as well as the body.
Green Living
Edible Landscapes: Creating Regenerative Sustenance
The world’s agriculture is largely reliant on the cultivation of single crops upon sizable tracts of land for staples like wheat, corn, soybeans and rice. Known as monoculture, this approach offers efficiency and low-cost produce, but it also carries significant ecological consequences, including the depletion of soil nutrients, ground pollution, increased carbon emissions, water scarcity, crop failures and the loss of pollinators due to degraded ecosystems.
Edible Landscapes: Creating Regenerative Sustenance
The world’s agriculture is largely reliant on the cultivation of single crops upon sizable tracts of land for staples like wheat, corn, soybeans and rice. Known as monoculture, this approach offers efficiency and low-cost produce, but it also carries significant ecological consequences, including the depletion of soil nutrients, ground pollution, increased carbon emissions, water scarcity, crop failures and the loss of pollinators due to degraded ecosystems.
Healthy Kids
A Green Space, Greater Health: Why Kids Need Nature
Spending time outdoors is more than just a way to burn off energy—it’s vital to a child’s physical, emotional and cognitive development. From running barefoot in the grass to climbing trees or exploring a neighborhood park, regular exposure to green spaces offers a range of measurable benefits that can’t be replicated indoors or on a screen.
A Green Space, Greater Health: Why Kids Need Nature
Spending time outdoors is more than just a way to burn off energy—it’s vital to a child’s physical, emotional and cognitive development. From running barefoot in the grass to climbing trees or exploring a neighborhood park, regular exposure to green spaces offers a range of measurable benefits that can’t be replicated indoors or on a screen.
Inspiration
Seize the Day!
Art historian Bernard Berenson once said, “I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours.” Although no one has an inexhaustible number of years on the planet, we don’t realize that life is flying by. Most of us seem to be in a hurry all the time, even when we don’t need to be.
Seize the Day!
Art historian Bernard Berenson once said, “I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours.” Although no one has an inexhaustible number of years on the planet, we don’t realize that life is flying by. Most of us seem to be in a hurry all the time, even when we don’t need to be.
Advice
Tea with Spirit
This month's advice for your enlightenment and entertainment by Texas Celebrity Astrologer, Raymond Guzman.
Tea with Spirit
This month's advice for your enlightenment and entertainment by Texas Celebrity Astrologer, Raymond Guzman.
Wise Words
Julian Hoffman
In his book Irreplaceable, Hoffman celebrates the imperiled places that are increasingly vanishing from the world, including coral reefs, tallgrass prairies, ancient woodlands and meadows, along with the many species that live there such as nightingales, elephant seals, water voles, redwoods, hornbills and lynxes.
Julian Hoffman
In his book Irreplaceable, Hoffman celebrates the imperiled places that are increasingly vanishing from the world, including coral reefs, tallgrass prairies, ancient woodlands and meadows, along with the many species that live there such as nightingales, elephant seals, water voles, redwoods, hornbills and lynxes.
Natural Pet
Alleviating Arthritis in Dogs
Arthritis and joint pain cause even the most energetic dogs to slow down. While medications and physical therapy are common treatments, addressing the dog’s digestive system may be the missing link to restoring mobility and comfort.
Alleviating Arthritis in Dogs
Arthritis and joint pain cause even the most energetic dogs to slow down. While medications and physical therapy are common treatments, addressing the dog’s digestive system may be the missing link to restoring mobility and comfort.
Plant Medicine
Introduction: Plant Medicine
by Jeffrey Green
Since 1965, 40 percent of adults who have ever smoked have quit. In fact, 1.3 million people quit smoking each year in the U.S. Many people who want to transition from prescription medications to natural medicine can’t imagine moving toward medicinal marijuana
Introduction: Plant Medicine
by Jeffrey Green
Since 1965, 40 percent of adults who have ever smoked have quit. In fact, 1.3 million people quit smoking each year in the U.S. Many people who want to transition from prescription medications to natural medicine can’t imagine moving toward medicinal marijuana
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