In This Issue: July 2023 July 2023 Digital Magazine Please enjoy the July 2023 issue of Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida. Flip through the pages of out digital magazine or scroll through the articles below. Anne Biklé on The Nexus Between Soil and Human Health Anne Biklé and David R. Montgomery, a husband and wife team, collaborated to write What Your Food Ate: How to Heal Our Land and Reclaim Our Health. Read More » Cheesy Cauliflower Mushroom Steaks This dish can be served as a meal or cut into smaller pieces and presented as party appetizers. Cauliflower provides vitamins B6, K and C, magnesium and fiber. Read More » Close Relationships May Influence Physical Well-Being A new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science has found that a person’s close relationships may either benefit or undermine physical health. Read More » Colombia Protects its Birds Colombia has the most bird species in the world—1,966 registered species, or 20 percent of all birds worldwide—and has updated its strategy for protecting this rich avian life. Read More » Effects of Cannabis Use Before and After Surgery In January 2023, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine published guidelines recommending that all patients undergoing anesthesia be screened and questioned about cannabis use. Read More » Environmental Justice from the White House In April 2023, President Biden signed an executive order to expand the administration’s goals to address persistent environmental injustices involving toxic pollution, underinvestment in infrastructure and services and other harms due to a legacy of racial discrimination. Read More » Fighting Climate Change in the Garden: Regenerative Techniques for a Healthy Ecosystem Reversing global warming may feel like a problem that is out of reach, but anyone can make a difference by planting an ecologically supportive garden. Read More » Green Exercise: Reconnecting With Nature Prompted by a growing focus on reconnecting with nature, combined with the well-known benefits of physical exertion, outdoor workouts are all the rage in natural settings and urban parks. Read More » Gut Health for Kids: Clever Strategies for Picky Eaters By creatively offering children healthy, diverse foods, presented in ways to please even finicky palates, parents can support microbiome health while establishing a lifetime of good eating habits. Read More » Hues of Health: Benefits of a Colorful Diet Rich in essential vitamins, minerals and fiber, vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables also contain phytonutrients such as antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids and polyphenols that contribute to the color, flavor and aroma of such foods. Read More » Marinated Beets and Goat Cheese Crostini Deriving their deep red color from phytonutrients called betalains, beets are rich in nitrates, which help to lower blood pressure. Read More » Mislabeled Melatonin Gummies New research published in JAMA Network found that melatonin gummies may contain far more of the dietary sleep aid supplement than what is indicated on the label. Read More » Natural Ant Control for the Home Conventional pesticides and ant traps can be toxic to humans, pets and the environment. This season, consider using one of these safer ant control alternatives. Read More » Pilot Program Reveals Benefits of Four-Day Work Week The nonprofit 4 Day Week Global conducted a six-month pilot of more than 2,900 workers from 61 companies in the United Kingdom from June to December 2022 in which the work week was reduced from a standard 40 hours to 32 hours for the same pay and benefits. Read More » Protecting Pets From Lyme Disease: Prevention and Symptom Management Tips When the weather is nice and we crave outdoor adventures with our pets, we may not want to think about Lyme disease, but it’s a good idea to take precautions to avoid an infection. Read More » Repairing the Planet’s Lungs The oceans, sometimes called the lungs of the Earth, have absorbed 30 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions since the Industrial Revolution and captured 90 percent of the related excess heat. Read More » Saving the Fading Night Sky The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, in Washington, D.C., “Lights Out” exhibit is helping people understand that light pollution is a global problem with broad impact. Read More » Seniors Want Fewer Prescriptions In a new National Poll on Healthy Aging by the University of Michigan involving adults aged 50 to 80, the vast majority of respondents expressed an interest in cutting back on prescription medications. Read More » Solar Community Hubs Nearly half of the world’s population is without access to the internet. Dell Technologies, in partnership with Computer Aid International, is addressing the gap for people that might benefit the most. Read More » Summer Broccoli Soup With Herb Croutons This vibrant, lime green-colored soup is an excellent source of potassium, fiber, vitamins B6 and C, iron, magnesium and calcium. Read More » The Microbiome Connection: How Soil and Human Health Are Related The human gut microbiome, which is critical to fighting off disease, and soil microbiome, which enables plant growth, are vitally important to maintaining all life on our planet. Read More » The Sweet Tapestry of Summer Summer’s apex brings wildflower tapestries woven with cricket-song and evenings punctuated by rolling thunderstorms, but it also can be a time for us to take a deep dive into the miracle of interconnectedness. Read More » Too Much Histamine: Natural Solutions to an Excessive Allergic Response Histamine is an organic chemical produced by the body as a protection from allergens. It is also found in some of the foods we consume. Read More » Vocal Sound Healing Masterclass in Pensacola Sandcastle Radio and Lovelock Healing Arts, a co-sponsor, is excited to host Unleash the Power of Your Voice: A Vocal Sound Healing Masterclass on August 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Pensacola, FL. Read More » Local Fresh Cut Flowers and Handmade Flameless Botanical Candles Patagonia Flower Farm, formerly located in Patagonia, Arizona, has moved to Cairo, Georgia, approximately 20 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida. Read More » Metaphysical Store Hosts Anniversary Sale The team at Mystical Paths in Milton, FL, is excited to announce their anniversary sale on July 15 and 16. Read More » 7th Year of the Emerald Coast Holistic Health Expo Summer! We love this season so much. There’s nothing like bebopping around town, participating in all kinds of festive community events, in addition to other summery activities. Read More » In-Print