-
3 weeks ago | 
nachicago.com | Marlaina Donato
Mar 31, 2025●By Marlaina DonatoA compromised gut can make us susceptible to a hostof conditions, including depression, chronic disease and viruses such as COVID-19. To fortify us against such illnesses andgenerally strengthen the digestive tract, prebiotic foods like asparagus,dandelion greens, bananas, leeks and Jerusalem artichokes can be quite helpful.
-
3 weeks ago | 
naturalawakenings.com | Marlaina Donato
Anyone headed for the woods after a challenging week or seeking the silent counsel of the constellations during grief knows the truth in Albert Einstein’s statement, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”Many may remember seeing the ocean for the first time and feeling magnificently insignificant while standing before its breaking waves.
-
3 weeks ago | 
naturalawakenings.com | Marlaina Donato
A compromised gut can make us susceptible to a host of conditions, including depression, chronic disease and viruses such as COVID-19. To fortify us against such illnesses and generally strengthen the digestive tract, prebiotic foods like asparagus, dandelion greens, bananas, leeks and Jerusalem artichokes can be quite helpful. “Prebiotics are like fertilizer for your gut garden, helping it flourish so your whole body can thrive,” explains Donna Schwenk, author of Cultured Food for Life.
-
1 month ago | 
nachicago.com | Marlaina Donato
Feb 28, 2025 ● By Marlaina Donato Olive oil: dulezidar from Getty Images/CanvaPro Avocado oil: AlexPro9500 from Getty Images/CanvaPro Walnut oil: nikitos77 from Getty Images/CanvaPro Alpha-Linolenic Acid: iprachenko from Getty Images/CanvaPro Coconut oil: merznatalia from Getty Images/CanvaPro Healthy oils can quell chronic, systemic inflammation—a condition that significantly exacerbates the risks of cardiovascular illness, autoimmune conditionsandneurodegenerative diseases like...
-
1 month ago | 
naturalawakenings.com | Marlaina Donato
Healthy oils can quell chronic, systemic inflammation—a condition that significantly exacerbates the risks of cardiovascular illness, autoimmune conditions and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Beneficial fats are indispensable for metabolic processes, brain function, hormone production and the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K.
-
1 month ago | 
naturalawakenings.com | Marlaina Donato
One moment, the Earth is in the fierce grip of winter, and the next, thawing soil and new green prevail. The month of March is a time of both sudden snow squalls and unexpected, delicate sunlight. We are in that liminal space of uncertainty, half-cloaked in weariness, yet filled with flowering hope, when natural forces seem to articulate the ineffable quality of being human.
-
2 months ago | 
naturalawakenings.com | Marlaina Donato
Ancient Mayans prepared beans from the cacao tree, mixed with spices, to make a ceremonial drink that was both sacred and medicinal for them. Today, the market is filled with all sorts of chocolaty treats, but dark chocolate is the low-sugar, nutritional superhero that tickles the tastebuds, boosts the production of mood-enhancing endorphins and delivers , the antioxidant compounds linked to improved cardiovascular health. “Chocolate affects us deeply when it comes to our emotions.
-
2 months ago | 
naturalawakenings.com | Marlaina Donato
“I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words,” wrote American novelist Ann Hood, and her words ring true for many of us. When in the arms of a loved one, we share the heartbeat of the present moment. Spiritual traditions provide manifold forms of meditative practices, but embracing another human being might be the most enjoyable way to achieve a deep state of calm and mindfulness.
-
Jan 1, 2025 | 
naturalawakenings.com | Marlaina Donato
Diving into a new job, partnership or living situation might not be as scary as jumping into a fire or abyss, but fear of the unknown can certainly get a grip on us if we are not careful. Beginning anything new can feel unsettling, but with a little shift in mindset, anxiety can morph into genuine excitement. Whether taking piano lessons or trying a fitness class at the gym for the first time, we have one thing on our side: beginners have nothing to prove.
-
Dec 31, 2024 | 
naturalaz.com | Marlaina Donato
Dec 31, 2024 07:27AM●By Marlaina DonatoDiving into a new job, partnership or living situation might not be as scary as jumping into a fire or abyss, but fear of the unknown can certainly get a grip on us if we are not careful. Beginning anything new can feel unsettling, but with a little shift in mindset, anxiety can morph into genuine excitement. Whether taking piano lessons or trying a fitness class at the gym for the first time, we have one thing on our side: beginners have nothing to prove.
