July 2023 Natural Awakenings Chicago Magazine

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

The house wrens in my backyard are quite busy these early days of summer. My office window’s open, and I hear the near-constant song of the tiny bird parents as they flit back and forth around the yard—under the native plants, through the remaining leaf litter and into the oak branches—to gather a steady supply of caterpillars, spiders and other nutritious morsels for their brood. The wrens nest yearly in one of the birdhouses hanging in my dwarf pear tree, and right now the cedar box they chose is filled with hungry, young birds that get more vociferous each day. Soon the nestlings will fledge, but for now, I’m enjoying the annual dawn to dusk serenade of the wren family as they go about their business.

If you’ve had a chance to visit any of the Chicago region’s 90-plus farmers markets, you’re likely already enjoying greens, asparagus, rhubarb, spinach and spring crops along with some early summer produce just coming into season. Markets, farm stands, CSAs, co-ops, you-pick farms, independent groceries and some local chains are also abundant with Michigan and other Midwest-grown summer berries, which, along with cherries, are hitting their peaks of tasty and nutritious perfection right now. Be sure to check out Bob Benenson’s famers market spotlight in this month’s issue to get started (and find out at the end of the article on how to get the link to Local Food Forum, Bob’s blog that covers Chicago area good food topics, including the markets).

When I was growing up in Chicago, strawberries were only available in season at the grocery or produce store (unless you bought them frozen or as jelly or jam) or if we picked them from my grandparents’ gardens. As a treat, my mom would buy the small Dolly Madison (or was it Burny Brothers?) dessert shell sponge cakes, and then thinly slice the berries on top and drizzle with a little Hershey’s chocolate syrup, or maybe a small dollop of vanilla ice cream. Mostly, I’d simply dip the ripe berries into a sprinkle of sugar or slice into Cheerios and enjoy.

Thankfully, in-season, locally grown strawberries are now more abundant at area markets, and we have many weeks to enjoy fresh (or freeze or otherwise preserve them for an off-season treat). To help you celebrate, we’re featuring three delectable recipes this month for strawberry-centered desserts.

In this July issue of Natural Awakenings Chicago, we’re exploring the importance of the soil microbiome and the relationship of soil health to the nutritional value of the food it grows, and ultimately, our own gut microbiome and health. Our ongoing coverage of regenerative agriculture and soil heath, as well as our monthly Natural Chicago section, are designed to tell the ongoing stories of how people, planet and purpose are linked across all facets of our lives, and how our daily choices make a difference in our wellness and the health of the environment.

We have 31, 24-hour increments this month, and I ask you to please make some time each day to step outside and enjoy our natural world. Seek out the night moths and fireflies, enjoy Lake Michigan or a nearby waterway, explore a natural area, walk a path at lunch, enjoy the birdsong as you tend your garden or simply sit on your patio and savor the lingering sunset.

Happy Summer!

Publisher Peggy Malecki

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D

Is your body telling you it needs help?

Do new symptoms creep up on you too fast?

Have dietary modifications failed to provide relief?

Help is a phone call away.

Reneé Barasch, Certified Digestive Health and Detoxification Specialist, has been helping clients achieve nutritional balance and enhance quality of life for more than 17 years. Reneé’s individualized plans help clients re-boot their digestive tracts and increase absorption of needed nutrients—creating the environment for detoxification of all organs and the pathways between them.

Working with Reneé, you will:

• Identify digestive triggers. (Some may surprise you!)

• Understand which foods agree with you— and those that don’t.

• Create a detoxification and digestive plan.

Digestion is one of the main ways the body detoxifies and cleanses.

If the food you consume isn’t thoroughly broken down, your body cannot work as efficiently as it should. Poor digestion causes stress for the entire digestive system and leads to gas, bloating, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea and even insomnia, psoriasis, eczema, chronic pain, and anxiety. Undigested food can seep

into the bloodstream through a condition called “leaky gut syndrome,” which often leads to more serious conditions like Crohn’s Disease, colitis, and other autoimmune disorders.

Environmental irritants also affect digestion.

The environment can also produce irritation and inflammation. Everyday, airborne toxins perfumes, cleaning products, smoke, automotive exhaust, indoor dust, and springtime pollen find their way into our bloodstream (in less than 20 seconds!) and cause digestive organs to work overtime. A runny nose, itchy eyes, and red and blotchy skin often result in a trip to the allergist, when a digestive imbalance may be contributing.

Stay strong and healthy with a gut ‘reset.’

• Effectively and efficiently digest food.

• Reduce inflammation.

• Nourish your gut—and ensure your whole body is balanced.

• Regulate the processing and digestion of food and the elimination of waste by incorporating foods that lead to better absorption and detoxification.

Alfalfa Bluegrass Festival Supports Farming Education

The Alfalfa Bluegrass Festival, to take place from 2 to 10 p.m., August 26, will be a gathering of acoustic bluegrass music, friends and fun in support of the Angelic Organics Learning Center On-Farm Education programming. The event will be held at their location in Caledonia, located just east of Rockford.

Entertainment includes live acoustic music, an acoustic open stage and local bluegrass performers, including headliner Miles Over Mountains, and an option to camp after the festival. Food and beer will be available for purchase. This is a low-impact, outdoor, cash-only event. No dogs allowed.

Admission: $25 adult/$10 child in advance, $40 at the gate. Camping: $20 in advance. Location: 1560 Rockton Rd. For more information, visit LearnGrowConnect.org/specialevents.

Women’s Conference Explores Wonderful World of Mushrooms

The seventh annual Mycelium Mysteries Women’s Mushroom Conference, instructing women on how mushrooms can be used medicinally, nutritionally, cosmetically and spiritually, will be held from September 22 through 24 in Almond, Wisconsin. Keynote speakers are Katherine MacLean, Ph.D., Cornelia Cho, M.D., and Anne Pringle, Ph.D. Participants can learn, grow and celebrate with a community of amazing women and enjoy dozens of different workshops taught by leading experts from around the country, become one with nature and take in the beauty of 200 acres of serene woods overlooking a peaceful lake. Onsite camping or cabin lodging is available.

Cost varies with lodging options. Visit NAChicago. com/2023-MyceliumMysteriesTix and enter by Sept. 1 to win a free weekend pass. Register at MyceliumMysteries. com. See ad on page 5.

Anne Pringle

Cornelia Cho

Katherine MacLean

Two New Locations for Serenity Dental

Serenity Dental, specializing in airway dentistry for children and adults, has relocated and opened two new office locations at 22285 North Pepper Road, in Lake Barrington and at W3132 Van Roy Road, in Appleton, Wisconsin.

By training the muscles in and around the mouth to function properly, airway dentistry goes beyond regular orthodontics with minimally invasive treatments and long-term stability. How the teeth, jaws and face develop and function can adversely affect overall health. Serenity Dental looks at both the teeth and the oral system holistically and understands how the position of our teeth and jaws could affect airway breathing, sleep and more.

Sleep-disordered breathing and airway issues can result in daytime sleepiness; crowded, crooked teeth; low energy; poor memory and learning difficulties; mouth breathing; restless sleep; snoring; chronic sore or dry throats; difficulty concentrating and learning; agitation; breathing pauses during sleep; tonsil or adenoid-related health problems; flat cheeks; sunken eyes (shiners); and a weak chin.

For appointments and more information, call 920-574-1103 (Lake Barrington) or 920-364-0575 (Appleton) or visit SerenityDentalSchaumburg.com. See ad on page 23, in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

INCREASE BONE DENSITY WITHOUT DRUGS.

Whether you are concenred about osteoporisis, looking to improve athletic performance, or just want to make your overall fitness better, OsteoStrong can help. OsteoStrong works for people at all ages and levels of activity to promote skeletal strength. The osteogenic loading technique has been shown to trigger bone density growth in sessions that only take a few minutes a week. Learn more at osteostrongwilmette.com

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SCAN FOR FREE SESSION AT OUR WILMETTE CENTER OR VISIT: WILMETTESESSION.COM/CLAIM-6419

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Dr. Dawn Diehnelt, DDS

Magic Hands Adds Office in Bartlett

Magic Hands Therapeutic Services has closed their Schaumburg location and opened an office in Bartlett, in addition to the original in Wheaton. Helping adults, children and babies to release pain and tightness, and find comfort through the Gillespie Approach, Deb Lawrence, LMT, offers effective, light touch therapy by identifying tightness in the body and assisting it to safely release, including for tight, fussy babies with nursing challenges, as well as children and adults with tightness and pain.

For more than 20 years, Lawrence has practiced the importance of touch in healing and comfort. She says, “Our bodies protect us, but can then store tightness from injury, trauma, emotions and repetitive motions. The Craniosacral Fascia Therapy/Gillespie Approach is a gentle, yet highly effective technique to loosen that tightness, in combination with other skills.”

Locations: The Loft, 130 Willow, Wheaton; and Balance Family Chiropractic, 366 S. Main St., Bartlett. For appointments and more information, call 630-202-3641 or visit MagicHandsBirth.com. See ad in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

Green Expo Vendor Registration is Now Open

The 16th annual Green Living Expo will be held on November 4 at McHenry County College, in Crystal Lake, and vendor and exhibitor registration is now open. Local small businesses focused on sustainability and wellness are encouraged to register.

The event is Northern Illinois’ largest sustainability and green event. Participants from McHenry, Kane and Lake counties and beyond will come together for a day of fun, learning and unique experiences. Tables fill up fast and the Expo sells out every year.

Register at McHenry.edu/greenexpo. For more information, email Sustainability@McHenry.edu See ad on page 5.

McHenry County’s New Food Shed Co-op Partners with Gallant Building Solutions

The McHenry County Food Cooperative, DBA Food Shed Co-op, has contracted Gallant Building Solutions to construct the first grocery store cooperative focused on local food and strengthening the local economy in the county on the corner of Route 14 and Lake Shore Drive, in southwest Woodstock. Coop General Manager Peter Waldmann says, “This is a great day for McHenry County residents.”

Food Shed Co-op is a community-owned and -controlled grocery store that’s open to the public. They prioritize local suppliers whenever possible, and it’ll be a place for the community to gather, shop and nourish their families. The co-op is committed to offering shoppers access to affordable, quality food and informing them about the foods they eat. The store will have a full complement of departments, with produce to be the signature category.

Their mission is to offer only the best-quality, sustainable, local and organic produce available in the marketplace. When it opens, the store will encompass 9,000 square feet and provide about 5,000 separate items.

To become a founding owner and get more information, visit FoodShed.coop.

Deb Lawrence, LMT

When you start eating foods without labels, you no longer need to count calories.

~Amanda Kraft

Free Webinar: Learn How Integrative Health Coaching is a Game-Changer for Everyone

The Integrative Health Institute (IHI) at Salem University, in Salem, West Virginia, will host a free webinar from 6 to 7 p.m. CDT, on July 13, and from 6 to 7 p.m. CDT, on August 3. featuring their best-in-class Integrative Health Coaching Program. The presenters include Senior Advisor for IHI and former CEO of HeartMath, Bruce Cryer, and IHI Program Coordinator and Lead Faculty, Amy Dailey. Together, they will educate participants as to the value and potential of the program.

The Integrative Health Coaching Certificate is a program of 16 weeks designed to educate professionals that are interested in coaching others to optimal health and wellness. Students will develop the skills necessary to build the coaching relationship from start to finish with an emphasis on integrative health practices and principles.

IHI is geared to allied health professionals, traditional and alternative medicine practitioners, integrative and holistic health practitioners, nurses, fitness professionals, athletic coaches, whole person-centered wellness enthusiasts and professionals, diabetes prevention professionals, healthcare organizations, educators and more.

The upcoming webinar is ideal for those that choose to upgrade themselves while helping others reach their goals for optimal health and vitality.

Cost: Free. To register for the July 13 webinar, go to Bit.ly/3qTcdg7. For the August 3 webinar, go to Bit.ly/3JnvbSu. IHI at Salem University—where science meets holistic wellness, tradition meets innovation, and knowledge meets application. For more information, visit SalemU.edu.

women

and

Therapy to restore & maintain your hormone balance with hormones that are biologically identical to hormones produced by your own body.

Compounding products to match your unique needs and body chemistry enhancing the quality of life and allowing you to feel truly balanced.

Women of all ages experiencing vaginal dryness, atrophy and related symptoms are candidates for Vitamin E topicals. Or, for a more natural approach, we carry NeuEve suppositories. Made from 100% all-natural, organic food grade ingredients free of gluten, petrochemicals and parabens. If you are post-menopausal with vaginal dryness and irritation, talk to your health-care provider about our estrogen-infused vaginal creams The addition of testosterone may provide a boost to your libido and restore intimacy in the near future and beyond.

Food Choices Can Help With Perimenopause Symptoms

Perimenopause, the transition into menopause, is a tumultuous time in a woman’s life as reproductive hormones fluctuate and decrease until menstruation stops. This phase can last up to five years. These nutritional tips may afford a smoother transition.

Soy (source must be organic, sprouted and non-GMO)-derived isoflavones may help reduce hot flashes, improve bone mineral density, benefit systolic blood pressure and improve glycemic control, and also improve depressive symptoms.

Phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables may help alleviate increased inflammation. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain glucosinolates which help the body send estrogen metabolites down the pathway that prevents and suppresses the development of hormone-modulated female cancers.

A Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts can lower risk for preclinical atherosclerosis, as well as lower weight. The reduction in clustered cardiometabolic risk occurs from lower total cholesterol, resting heart rate, LDL-C, triglycerides and C-reactive protein.

A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (from fatty fish, nuts and seeds) helps with hot flashes.

Western-pattern diets (typical Western diet) which have higher amounts of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats and decreased amounts of fiber, decrease insulin and leptin sensitivity also lead to higher levels of mitochondrial-generated reactive oxygen species, in turn causing oxidative damage.

Women should seek medical advice if they continue to have debilitating symptoms. Functional medicine has effective tools to offer, like bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, as well as additional assistance from a practitioner and their team.

To contact Meena Malhotra, M.D., medical director at Heal n Cure, located at 2420 Ravine Way, Ste. 400, in Glenview, call 847-686-4444 or visit HealnCure.com See ad on page 3, in the Community Resource Guide and in the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

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, including how much and how often they use, how they take it and when they last used it.

One of the largest studies on the effects of cannabis use on sedation, published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, looked at 250 patients undergoing an endoscopy while under anesthesia. Those that reported regular cannabis use required significantly higher doses of anesthesia than nonusers. Another study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found that daily cannabis users required a higher dose of sedatives prior to an endoscopy than weekly or monthly users.

On a related note, a 2018 study published in the journal Patient Safety in Surgery reported that marijuana use may interfere with painkillers after surgery. The study looked at 261 trauma center patients and concluded that marijuana use, especially chronic use, may affect the pain response to injury and require higher doses of opioids for pain management.

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. At the end of the sixmonth trial, 39 percent of employees reported less stress and 71 percent expressed lower levels of burnout. Anxiety, fatigue and sleep issues also decreased, while mental and physical health improved. Sixty percent found a greater ability to balance work with home-based responsibilities, and 62 percent found it easier to balance work with social life. Employees were also more satisfied with their finances, relationships and time management.

Company revenue stayed broadly the same over the trial period, rising by 1.4 percent on average. Companies also saw improvements in hiring, absenteeism and resignations, with staff turnover dropping by 57 percent over the trial period. Additionally, 63 percent of businesses offering a fourday week found it easier to attract and retain new talent.

Meena Malhotra, M.D.

Sylvie Beljanski, Founder, Beljanski Foundation

Saving the Fading Night Sky

Solar Community Hubs

Nearly half of the world’s population has no access to the internet. Dell Technologies, in partnership with Computer Aid International, is addressing the gap for people that might benefit the most. They convert old shipping containers into customizable, solar-powered internet centers, called “solar community hubs”, that connect community members to the digital world. The hubs are well-lit, well-ventilated classrooms that use energy-efficient Dell technology and air-cooled servers. Each hub supports up to 40 people at a time and offers up to 20 users a wireless connection to learning materials.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History "Lights Out" exhibit, in Washington, D.C., is helping people understand that light pollution is a global problem with broad impact. The effects of light pollution go beyond our diminishing view of the stars; it also impacts ecosystems and cultures on Earth.

The exhibit features more than 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, a history of human-made light, interactive experiences, tactile models and a theater program to discover why dark nights matter, rekindle a connection with the night sky and consider how much light at night is enough.

Astronomers rely on light, both visible and invisible, to understand celestial bodies, and their view of the universe has become increasingly obstructed by artificial light. Biologists have observed light pollution’s toll on plants and animals—from harming coral reefs’ moonlight-triggered reproduction to bats’ ability to pollinate flowers and the grim consequences of disoriented migrating birds. Another area of the exhibition presents people’s ancient and modern-day connections to the night sky through photographs, stories and cultural items.

Visitors also learn about simple but meaningful actions they can take to reduce light pollution, such as aiming outdoor lights downward and using the dimmest settings.

The hubs provide digital skills to further education and open economic opportunities for the local community; allow micro and small enterprises to create jobs; and enable financial sustainability by offering services and products that go beyond education, such as telemedicine.

The first hub was placed in the Brazilian Amazon town of Boa Esperança in March 2022. Dell and the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability also installed equipment, including drones and environmental monitors, to track deforestation in the area. During the first week of March 2023, more than 200 alerts about tree loss were posted from Boa Esperança. Three hubs currently exist in Brazil and South Africa, and Dell will soon add two hubs in Egypt that are focused on career and life skills, as well as another in Australia, centered on preserving and protecting Aboriginal art and culture.

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, affecting all birds that inhabit the country at some point in their annual life cycle. The goal is to conserve and sustainably manage bird diversity, habitats and ecosystems by the generation of knowledge, scientific research and its application, the active participation of different sectors, policy and planning. The strategy focuses on 11 different Colombian ecosystems from the high Andean forests to savannas, grasslands and coastal areas.

This exhaustive process in the renewal of Colombia’s avian protection strategy involved more than 30 workshops and 2,000 people from every region of the country. Input from indigenous peoples and others generated practical conservation actions in their territories, as well as ancestral knowledge and an appreciation for the special connections these communities have with birds in their daily lives, resulting in a strategy that prioritizes the relationships between people and birds.

photo

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. Seawater stores about 150 times more CO2 than air. Unfortunately, absorbing all that greenhouse gas has damaged sea life.

Engineers from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed a process to cleanse the seawater of CO2 so it can store greater amounts of greenhouse gases. The process sends an electric charge into seawater flowing through tanks on a barge. The charge sets off chemical reactions to trap the greenhouse gas into a solid mineral, which is then deposited on the ocean floor, completing the cleansing process.

The engineers expect to design larger facilities based on the data obtained from their test sites in Los Angeles and Singapore and have commercial sites removing millions of tons of CO2 per year by 2025. The UCLA scientists estimate that 1,800 facilities would be needed to capture 10 billion tons of atmospheric CO2 annually beginning in 2050, thereby limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Artem Pachkovskyi/ShutterStock.com

Natural Ant Control for the Home

The warmer weather can bring unwanted pests, including ants, into homes and apartments. 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.

KEEP COUNTERS CLEAN

First and foremost, maintain kitchen counters and floors free of food particles. Tightly seal food containers, wipe countertops with soapy water, sweep the floors and avoid leaving standing water overnight. If there are no food sources around, the ants will lose interest.

STOP ENTRY INTO THE HOME

After cleaning, the next line of defense is to keep ants from entering the home in the first place. One of the most effective, toxin-free methods is to spray cedar oil outside, around the perimeter of the house. Mix one ounce of cedar oil in one quart of water (or four ounces per gallon) and spray the solution three feet up the outside walls

and on the ground, six feet out from the edges of the house.

USE NATURAL REPELLENTS

Numerous natural repellents work well inside the home. Place one or more of these in the kitchen or wherever the ants are entering: cucumber peels or slices; tea bags of mint tea or dry, crushed mint leaves; cloves; cayenne pepper; citrus oil soaked into a piece of string; lemon juice; cinnamon; or coffee grounds.

CONFUSE ANTS TRAVELING BACK TO THE NEST

As worker ants travel from their nest to forage for food, they leave a sex hormone (pheromone) scent in order to find their way back to the nest. These invisible trails can be washed away with a mixture of one-quarter cup of white vinegar, two cups of water, and 10 to 15 drops of peppermint, clove, eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.

USE NATURAL ANT KILLERS AS LAST RESORT

A serious ant problem might require more drastic measures that kill the invading ants. These two options employ non-toxic ingredients.

n Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic, talc-like powder made from the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. When sprinkled on ants, the powder causes them to dehydrate.

n Cornmeal left out in small piles where ants are visible is another option that poses no threat to pets or little kids. The ants will eat the cornmeal, but because they can’t digest it, they will perish.

Bird City Network Expands Avian Conservation

More than 200 communities across three countries are working to improve the health of both birds and people. American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Environment for the Americas (EFTA) have joined forces to launch the Bird City Network, a bird conservation program that connects cities across the Americas in a unified effort to expand the conservation of birds.

The Bird City Network serves as a collaborative platform designed to promote sustainable urban planning, create bird-friendly communities and raise awareness about the vital role people play in supporting bird populations. By fostering cooperation within and among communities, the program seeks to ensure the long-term well-being of birds by enhancing their habitats, safeguarding their migratory routes, reducing threats to their survival and educating both youth and adults. These steps help create healthy communities that also benefit people.

Michael J. Parr, president of ABC, says, “With more than 50 percent of the global human population living in urban areas, it is essential that we recognize the critical role cities and other communities like towns and villages can play in protecting bird populations. By uniting cities across the Americas, we can create a powerful force for avian conservation.”

The program encourages participating communities to implement a range of conservation actions, such as the preservation and restoration of natural habitats, the reduction of hazards posed by built structures and the promotion of community events that raise public awareness of birds and their protection. Bird City Network participants receive guidance and support from ABC and EFTA, including access to resources, educational materials and best practices in urban bird conservation.

For more information, visit BirdCity.org.

REIKI | ACUPUNCTURE | YOGA/MEDITATION AKASHIC RECORDS | LIFE COACHING

Farmers Markets

SERVE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT CHICAGOLAND

by Bob Benenson

The Chicago area’s best-known farmers markets, such as Green City Market and Logan Square Farmers Market, have long enjoyed popularity among those devoted to eating fresh, locally produced food. While the selection is incredible and vendors and attendees come from across our region, in recent years, these big markets have been drawing throngs of visitors each weekend.

While some thrive in big events, others prefer a calmer atmosphere in which they can leisurely curate their purchases and get on a first-name basis with the vendors. Fortunately, the region’s map is dotted with dozens of neighborhood and suburban markets with more laid-back personalities, shorter lines and few, if any, human traffic jams. Here are six examples of neighborhood markets to consider, each with its own distinct character.

The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2001 N. Orchard Street, Chicago (Facebook.com/TheLincolnParkFarmersMarket ). Located on the parking lot of Lincoln Park High School, this market is the smaller cousin to Green City Market’s flagship location just three-quarters of a mile to the east and open the same days and times. Yet The Lincoln Park Farmers Market—now in its 42nd year—succeeds on its own terms.

Elsa M. Jacobson manages The Lincoln Park Farmers Market and sees its community market identity as its counterpoint to the Green City’s bustle. “We are busy, but it is always a friendly sort of busy,” Jacobson says. “While certain vendors do have lines, they are manageable and the wait time is never onerous.”

She continues, “It is gratifying to see neighbors running into neighbors and friends running into friends, especially as our attendance grows! Given the joy with which the market has been greeted this season and the growth we are experiencing, I have to believe folks are finding the neighborliness and community they seek at a neighborhood farmers market with their weekly market visit.”

Green City Market West Loop, Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mary Bartelme Park, 115 S. Sangamon, Chicago (GreenCityMarket. org/market/details/ west ). Even though Green City’s Lincoln Park location draws thousands, its management recognizes that neighborhood markets have their own following. That’s why they created a Saturday satellite market about three-and-a-half miles away in the West Loop.

Most farmers markets these days welcome shoppers to bring their well-behaved dogs with them. But if you really love pooches, then the West Loop market is for you: it shares the city-run Mary Bartelme Park which has its very own dog park.

The park’s centerpiece is a plaza with a series of metal “gates” that double as a fountain (when the space isn’t crowded with shoppers and vendors). The park also has topography that is unusual for a farmers market. There is a small hill in the middle of the park; for the past few years, vendor Jacobson Family Farms, based in Antioch (55 miles to the north), has been king of that hill.

Oak Park Farmers Market, Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 460 Lake Street (parking lot of Pilgrim Congregational Church), Oak Park ( Oak-Park.us/ our-community/oakpark-farmers-market). In its 48th year serving Oak Park, a suburb on Chicago’s western border, this market has become

something of a landmark—no mean trick, given that the city teems with sites associated with famous natives such as Ernest Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright.

With the historic church building as its backdrop, the Oak Park

Photo by Bob Benenson

Photo by Bob Benenson

Photo by Bob Benenson

Los Rodriguez Farm stand at The Lincoln Park Farmers Market.

The Oak Park Farmers Market is located in the parking lot of a historic church.

Green City Market West Loop.

market enjoys a fairly typical mix of larger farms that are pillars of the region’s farmers market community and smaller vendors, as well. There are a couple of touches, though, that are all Oak Park. One is the booth selling fresh doughnuts, made onsite (follow the aroma and the long line). And there is a pick-up bluegrass band with rotating musicians, some of whom have been entertaining shoppers for decades.

Austin Town Hall City Market, Austin Town Hall Park, Thursdays, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., 5610 W. Lake Street, Chicago ( AustinTown HallCityMarket.com).

The market, in the Chicago neighborhood of Austin, is just a mile east of the site of the Oak Park Farmers Market, but that mile is wide, demographically and economically. Nearly 70 percent of Oak Park residents are white, while more than three-quarters of Austin residents are Black. Median household income in Oak Park is nearly $100,000, but it’s well under half that amount in Austin.

These circumstances have made it difficult for Austin Town Hall City Market (run by the public Chicago City Markets program) to build a robust customer base. But Veah Larde, the new market manager, has deep community roots and is so determined to turn the market into a catalyst for economic revival that she has put her Two Sisters Catering company on hiatus until November. “I am an Austin girl,” Larde says. “I was born and raised here. It’s ingrained in me, I get it.”

Larde believes that the market can help restore the community spirit that diminished over decades of economic decline and rising crime rates. “The farmers market is not just the food; it’s all of the things that make the people attending feel like this was a great experience. The vendors get to know your name when you come out. That makes people feel invested.”

61st Street Farmers Market , Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6100 S. Blackstone Avenue, Chicago ( Experimental Station.org/market ).

The 61st Street market is the biggest farmers market on Chicago’s South Side. Located on a paved lot shaded by trees in the adjacent park, its customer base reflects its proximity to the University of Chicago just a couple of blocks north in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

But the market is physically located in Woodlawn, a mostly Black and under-resourced community. The market is dedicated to equity and providing greater access to nutritious, locally produced food for lower-income individuals.

The market is a program of Experimental Station (Experimental Station.org), a nonprofit that also runs Link Up Illinois. This program helps finance the Link Match programs that enable many of our region’s farmers markets (including 61st Street Farmers Market) to double the value of local food assistance benefits for Link recipients. (Link is Illinois’ affiliate of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.)

Uptown Farmers Market , Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunnyside Mall (Sunnyside between Magnolia and Beacon), Chicago ( Chicago Market.coop/uptownfarmersmarket ). To conclude this tour of neighborhood markets, we stop at Uptown Farmers Market, which each Wednesday takes over a few blocks right in the middle of the Sheridan Park residential neighborhood.

Its relocation this year to the Sunnyside (pedestrian) Mall is quite literally giving the Uptown farmers market its day in the sun. The market was started in 2021 by Chicago Market, a developing food co-op that will be located in a historic building adjacent to the Wilson Red Line L station. The Uptown Farmers Market spent its first two years in that building’s parking lot, shadowed by the elevated train tracks.

Uptown Farmers Market 2.0 is in a much more amenable setting. In walking down Sunnyside from Clark St. on the west, the street becomes permanently blocked off at Beacon; during a May visit, fragrant lilac bushes mark the start of the mall. And rather than the streetscape of huge metal pillars at its previous site, there is a canopy of trees with other plantings.

Bob Benenson is the publisher and writer of Local Food Forum, a newsletter that covers all aspects of the local food community in the Chicago region. He can be contacted at Bob@LocalFoodForum.com.

It would be hard to be more neighborhood than the new location of Chicago’s Uptown Farmers Market.

Photo by Bob Benenson

Photo by Bob Benenson

A vendor stand at Austin Town Hall City Market on June 8, its season-opening date.

61st Street Farmers Market.

Photo from Austin Town Hall City Market.

“Given the joy with which the market has been greeted this season and the growth we are experiencing, I have to believe folks are finding the neighborliness and community they seek at a neighborhood farmers market with their weekly market visit.”

~ Elsa M. Jacobson of The Lincoln Park Farmers Market

THE MICROBIOME CONNECTION

HOW SOIL AND HUMAN HEALTH ARE RELATED

by Kelcie Ottoes

Photo by Rodale Institute

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. These two communities of microorganisms are indirectly connected in important ways, and researchers are trying to find out more about their interplay.

HUMAN MICROBIOME

The human gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms of different species. These microbes help to digest food, synthesize vitamins and other important compounds, regulate our immune system and even influence behavior and mood.

The gut microbiome includes both helpful and potentially harmful microbiota that coexist peacefully in a healthy person. But certain diets, or the use of antibiotics or other bacteria-destroying medications, can upset the balance, a state known as dysbiosis, which can impair the microbiome’s functions, leaving the body susceptible to disease.

SOIL MICROBIOME

The soil microbiome has many parallels to the human gut scenario. It consists of bacteria, fungi, archaea and viruses—microorganisms that play an important role in maintaining the health of the soil. They do this by breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients and protecting crops against harmful pathogens.

Regenerative organic farming practices that promote biodiversity and disdain the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers develop robust soil that is rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes. In such settings, farmers don’t need to use chemicals, because the microbiome creates disease-resistant soil to fight off threats.

THE NUTRITION LINK

While a direct link between the soil microbiome and the gut microbiome has yet to be proven, soil certainly impacts our health through our diet. A diverse and active soil microbiome is responsible for supporting plant growth. Plants then provide us with the nutrients that our gut microbiome needs to thrive, including calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E, K and the B complex. Dan Kittredge, founder of The Bionutrient Institute, explains, “The sophistication of the soil microbiome is connected to the nutritional value of the food that’s produced. The healthier the [soil] microbiome, the healthier the food.” The use of fertilizers and pesticides does not directly produce less nutritious food, but rather their impact on the health of the soil microbiome can impact the crops’ nutritional value.

There is a hypothesis that food has become less nutritious since the mid-1900s. In a 2004 study, University of Texas scientists examined the nutritional value of 43 garden crops from 1950 to 1999 and found that while all 43 foods showed a statistically reliable decline in nutrition, it was likely due to cultivating plants with desired traits, such as larger sizes, faster growing rates and increased pest resistance. It wasn’t the soil that was the problem, but that growers had not prioritized breeding crops for higher nutritional value.

The Promise of Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Led by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which includes organizations and brands like Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’ s and Patagonia, the Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standard prioritizes soil health while simultaneously encompassing high standards for animal welfare and farm worker fairness. The idea is to create farm systems that work in harmony with nature to improve quality of life for every creature involved. The ROC standard is designed to go above and beyond the USDA Certified Organic seal. To date, 56 brands, 100 farms and more than 700,000 acres have been ROC certified.

Under ROC standards, soil health is promoted by including a variety of rotating crops, cover crops, no tillage, no synthetic inputs of any kind, no genetically modified seeds and staggered grazing by animals. Farms that follow these protocols become biodiverse ecosystems with organically rich soil that absorbs water, does not erode over time and produces safe, nutritious food. Learn more at RegenOrganic.org.

Photo by Rodale Institute

According to Jack Gilbert, a pediatrics professor at the University of California San Diego and co-founder of the Earth Microbiome Project and the American Gut Project, “There is an indirect relationship between a healthy soil microbiome and healthy gut microbiome. While we need healthy soils to grow plants, a healthy soil microbiome does not equal a healthy gut microbiome.”

He explains, “The link is really about diet in the gut microbiome. Precision nutrition is the idea that how we all respond to food is unique, and that we can predict those responses if we understand what kinds of bacteria are in the gut. This is because the gut microbiome varies between people, and those same gut microbes can mediate how food influences our physiology. Eating a healthy diet can have a profound impact on reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases.”

The nutritional value of food is more complicated than the quality of the soil in which the crops grow. It is also impacted by the processing of the food. As Kittredge notes, when the bran in wheat is removed—a common process that turns flour white—wheat loses much of its nutritional value. Unprocessed foods allow us to access more of the nutrients within them.

DIGGING IN THE SOIL

There is another way that soil microbes can benefit human health: spending time in nature. Exposure to the soil microbiome has been shown to stimulate the immune system. When outside, we are exposed to a diverse array of microorganisms that increase disease resistance and provide neurological benefits.

Gilbert has largely built a career on the benefits of getting his hands dirty. He is currently conducting a study to find out how giving children two hours of outdoor learning a day can impact their metabolic health and help them avoid diseases. According to Kittredge, playing in the dirt isn’t just for kids. “It is beneficial to expose ourselves to soil microbes,” he says. “Everyone should nature bathe.”

“Exposure to soil microbes, like Mycobacterium vaccae, can positively impact our physical and mental health,” says Kathleen DiChiara, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner and digestive wellness educator . “We are losing diversity and not getting the exposure we used to.” She points out that the gut microbiomes of urban citizens in the U.S. have lower bacterial diversity than those in rural societies, including hunter-gatherers from Tanzania and the Amazon.

While diet, lifestyle and genetics play a role in the host-specific differences, the microbiome composition in adults is also based on exposure to microbes in the environment. According to DiChiara, there is no perfect profile for the gut microbiome, and our gut microbial communities ebb and flow. “If a specific strain of bacteria suddenly disappears, perhaps due to an illness, another species can take on its task,” she explains. “Like nature, it’s about working together on our behalf.”

Diversity, richness and symbiotic behavior of the gut microbes are central to our well-being. DiChiara notes that many variables can negatively impact the gut microbiome. Some result from the choices we make voluntarily, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, eating ultra-processed foods, being chronically stressed and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Other factors are beyond our control, such

Photo by Rodale Institute

Photo by Rodale Institute

as neurological injuries, illnesses and hormonal shifts due to puberty or menopause.

HUMAN IMPACT ON SOIL HEALTH

The soil microbiome and the gut microbiome both need our support to maintain proper health. Although our gut microbiome may not be directly impacted by the health of soil microbes, it can be impacted by the pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in our food.

Degradation of the soil microbiome occurs in many ways. Tillage, bare soil, dry soil, fertilizer, chemical sprays and fungicides all harm the soil microbiome. These non-regenerative agricultural practices can have negative impacts on the health of individuals that eat the plants and on the health of the broader ecosystems.

Chemicals like glyphosate can damage the gut microbiome by creating oxidative stress, which agitates the microbiome and impedes its ability to function properly. Pesticides can also have a detrimental impact on the gut microbiome. Each year the United States uses 1 billion pounds of pesticides that may be damaging our bodies when we eat our veggies. “What we are not doing is prioritizing protecting the microbiome—for us and the soil. It’s time we recognize the interconnections between climate, soil and the gut,” DiChiara says.

There are multiple ways we can cultivate a closer, healthier relationship between our soil and our gut, such as supporting sustainable agriculture, avoiding processed foods, frequenting farmers markets for organic produce or spending time in nature. Better yet, Kittredge suggests planting a pesticide-free garden at home and eating carrots straight from the soil.

Kelcie Ottoes is a copywriter and content creator specializing in sustainability and environmental topics.

Photo by Rodale Institute

Anne Biklé

ON THE ADVANTAGES OF REGENERATIVE FARMING

by Linda Sechrist

human health, the duo shows us how the roots of our good health begin on farms.

WHY DID YOU WRITE THIS BOOK?

term farming practices, such as tilling or plowing, which is the villain in what is becoming a significant planetary problem that can be reversed with regenerative farming practices.

The plow is one of the more destructive implements that mankind has ever invented despite its ability to help feed us in the past. It contributes to soil degradation and erosion because it fundamentally alters the balance between how fast soils are being made and how fast they’re being lost.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REGENERATIVE FARMING PRACTICES?

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. A biologist, environmental planner and gardener extraordinaire, Biklé earned degrees in biology and natural history from the University of California (UC) Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from UC Berkeley. She uses her endless fascination with the natural world to explore the tangled relationships between people and their environments. She also helped Montgomery, a professor of Earth and space sciences at the University of Washington, research and write The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health, as well as Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life Exploring the connection between soil health and

It was a case of evolution, a progression of our research and thinking, as well as the culmination of a journey that we’ve been on, looking into how soils affect human societies. When you’re a writer and you’re constantly looking for connections and patterns, this is what can happen. When David was writing Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations, he discovered that how we treated the land in the past shaped the way that the land was able to treat the descendants of people. In other words, if you don’t take care of your land, it doesn’t take care of you.

WHAT EFFECTS DO SOIL EROSION AND DEGRADATION HAVE ON OUR FOOD SUPPLY?

In looking at the UN’s “Status of the World’s Soil Resources" from 2015, the study concludes that 33 percent of the Earth’s soils are already degraded, and we’re losing about 0.3 percent of our ability to feed ourselves—to grow food on this planet every year—due to soil erosion and soil degradation. That doesn’t sound like a big number in any one year, but adding it up over the rest of this century, it comes to 30 percent of our ability to feed ourselves. Adding to this is the serious degradation of the world’s agricultural land from long-

Regenerative agriculture uses less fertilizer, less pesticide and less fossil fuel. It also increases the carbon content in the soil. Carbon-rich soil retains more water and contains more life, such as whole new worlds of microbial metabolites [the energy and nutrients needed to live and reproduce] that come from soil microbes.

DO FARMING PRACTICES INFLUENCE THE HEALTH OF CROPS AND HUMAN HEALTH?

Conventional farming practices use synthetic nitrogen, which degrades organic soil matter and alters the communities of life in the soil. In studies of organic versus conventional, we’ve found that there’s almost always evidence that there are differences in micronutrients and phytochemicals, with organic crops having higher levels of both. Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals that we need in trace amounts for our health—for example, selenium, boron, zinc and iron—which we need just a little bit of, but that little bit has an oversized effect on our health.

Conventional crops almost always have higher levels of pesticides and heavy metals. There’s a lot of controversy scientifically about how much is enough to affect human health. The companies that make pesticides assure us that the levels in food are perfectly safe. But there are now scientists who are starting to investigate

chronic exposure to even small amounts over a whole lifetime. How much does that influence our health? We think there are reasons to keep asking those questions.

It is highly suggestive that the idea of a connection between soil health, crop health and animal health translates into what’s in our food. If we’re getting more vitamins, phytochemicals and mineral micronutrients, which are shown to support health, you can make the argument that these regeneratively grown foods are probably healthier for us to eat.

WHAT INFLUENCE DO FARMING PRACTICES HAVE ON LIVESTOCK AND HUMAN HEALTH?

The nature of what ruminants eat greatly influences the nature of the fats that are in meat and dairy. Livestock grazing on leafy green plants are getting an omega-3-rich diet. Ruminants that eat predominantly seed- or seed oil-derived rations in a feed lot are getting a mainly omega-6-derived diet. Omega-6 fats help trigger inflammation. We want our bodies to be able to trigger inflammation when we need it, but we also want it to turn off when it’s done. Inflammation is not a process that just stops, so we need omega-3 fats, which are central to the process of terminating or quelling inflammation.

Linda Sechrist has been a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings publications for 20 years.

Acupuncture and Integra�ve Medicine

Fighting Climate Change in the Garden

REGENERATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM

by Julie Peterson

Reversing global warming may feel like a challenge that is out of reach, but anyone can make a difference by planting an ecologically supportive garden. Regenerative techniques employed in the backyard, a community garden or even an apartment patio can significantly improve local ecosystems. And because living systems are interconnected, a healthier ecosystem boosts the well-being of all life forms, as well as the environment.

“Growing a garden is one of the most powerful things we can do as individuals to enact positive change and make a difference,” says Emily Murphy, the California author of Grow Now: How We Can Save Our Health, Communities, and Planet—One Garden at a Time. “If you’re looking for practical solutions to the climate crisis and the resulting loss of biodiversity, the answer is right out your door and in the earth beneath your feet. It’s possible to sequester enough carbon to offset your carbon footprint while supporting wildlife.”

According to Jessica Walliser, the Pennsylvania author of Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden and co-founder of Savvy Gardening.com, “Regenerative practices are simple, proactive steps that millions of gardeners should be adopting. They not only simplify your gardening practices and reduce time and budget in the long term, they are also the right thing to do in this modern age of human disturbance.”

LAYER SOIL

A key principle of regenerative gardening is to add layers to the soil instead of digging downward or tilling. “Layering up increases the water-holding capacity of the soil and the ability of the soil to sequester carbon,” Murphy explains.

“Addition of organic matter, such as compost, leaf mold or wellaged manure, helps build good soil structure and feeds beneficial soil microbes,” says Walliser, who recommends adding one to two inches per year to gardens.

Making compost onsite is valuable, but not always possible. In some cities, free compost is available through community compost hubs where residents drop off bins of yard and food waste.

“Purchasing commercially produced compost may be a worthwhile investment, particularly when growers are just getting started and soil quality is poor,” suggests Bryan O’Hara, the Connecticut author of No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture: Pesticide-Free Methods for Restoring Soil and Growing Nutrient-Rich, High-Yielding Crops.

PLANT PERENNIALS

Perennials come back every year and can provide food for people and wildlife. Many varieties of fruiting shrubs, trees, vegetables and nuts can form the backbone of a garden with annual plants interspersed throughout. Adding beauty to the mix, perennial flowers—some of which are edible—are essential food for bees, butterflies and birds.

“Choose plants with different flower shapes, sizes and colors, as well as plants with a diversity of bloom times,” Walliser advises. “Opt for plants native to your region, as they have co-evolved with native insects and may provide better resources for them.”

EMBRACE BIODIVERSITY

“When you’re fostering biodiversity, you’re supporting the mutualism that naturally exists in wildlife. You’re increasing and improving ecological relationships,” says Murphy. Instead of planting monoculture rows in a vegetable garden, mix up the plants the way Mother Nature does, Walliser recommends. And if abandoning tidy rows of the same type of plant seems too unruly, interplant the rows: a few beans, a tomato, flowers, then more beans and peppers, for example.

Another suggestion is to plant a variety of salad greens, carrots and radishes in a raised bed and interplant edible nasturtiums, chives and violets. “Interplanting makes it harder for pests to find their favorite host plant. It also makes it harder for diseases to spread from one plant to the next,” Walliser explains.

AVOID CHEMICALS

Skip the pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers. “Even organic pesticides can be harmful to pollinators and pest-eating beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings and others,” says Walliser. A chemical-free, biodiverse garden is a safe place for beneficial bugs. Trust that the good bugs will find the bad bugs and there will be balance.

A sun-kissed organic tomato from the garden will forever ruin us for grocery store produce. And when we sink our hands in healthy soil to retrieve a beet or plant seeds, we may feel a wave of positive energy because soil microbes have been found to work like natural antidepressants, making us happier and healthier.

“When we begin to understand the inner workings of our greater ecosystem through the ecosystems closest to home, such as our gardens and communities, we come to see that we each have the power to grow positive change beginning at home,” says Murphy.

Julie Peterson writes on health, wellness and environmental topics. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

If a tree dies, plant another in its place.

~Carl Linnaeus

Hues of Health BENEFITS OF A COLORFUL DIET

by Veronica Hinke

Eating plant-based foods from every hue in the rainbow provides an exceptional array of health benefits. 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. There are thousands of phytonutrients and, according to a 2022 review of clinical studies published in Nutrients, these natural chemical compounds “play an important role in the prevention of serious chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension, along with different types of cancer or degenerative diseases.”

From a culinary perspective, colorful, plantbased foods add pops of color and flavor to a dish, and simple techniques can transform uber-nutritious fruits and veggies into crave-worthy delights. From tasty spreads and luscious dressings to pungent pickling recipes and rich soups, eating the rainbow can be a scrumptious and sustainable everyday lifestyle.

Keeping a medley of wholesome choices in the house is a good tactic to help a family adopt a rainbow-based diet. According to Registered Dietitian Olga Kras, “Not any single fruit or vegetable provides all of the nutrients we need. Making a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables visible increases the likelihood that they will be part of a daily routine.”

When her children were younger, instead of giving them sugary treats, she would cut fruits and vegetables into shapes with cookie cutters. “They loved opening their lunch boxes to find the fun shapes,” she recalls, noting the allure of visually pleasing treats. As the first-century Roman Apicius said, “We eat first with our eyes.”

According to Sarah Stegner, co-owner and chef of Prairie Grass Cafe, in Northbrook, Illinois, “Food is medicine. It is what lifts us up. When we allow ourselves to get run-down or we are tired, that is when we are the most vulnerable, and we reach for that highly processed, packaged thing. That’s when we compromise, and compromise leads to long-term illness.”

Dwayne Watson/ShutterStock.com

Stegner compares food shopping to a trip to an art store for the artist that is about to paint a rainbow. “Center yourself,” she counsels. “Don’t put anything into the cart that shouldn’t be eaten. The key word is choice. If people don’t understand and realize what the choices they have are—for example, what herbs are and how to use them—then that is not a choice for them when they go home to cook a meal.”

“It’s just fun to have foods that are colorful,” says Erin Hoogendyk, a cooking instructor at Grebe’s Chef Center, in Wausau, Wisconsin, whose favorite flavor accents are onions, lemons and limes, as well as a panoply of herbs, including basil, rosemary, chives, parsley and mint. To add color and nutrition to everyday salads, she tosses in blueberries or dresses them with homemade vinaigrettes made with strawberries and balsamic.

Hoogendyk recommends farmers markets, individual farm stands and community-supported agriculture subscriptions to discover the freshest, in-season ingredients. When it comes to cooking and putting meals together, a sense of adventure and enjoyment is paramount, she says. Her coleslaw recipe includes red and green onions, radishes and red cabbage. “I don’t like coleslaw to be boring,” she quips, adding that her next project is to pickle an ingredient she has never pickled before: celery. “I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”

For those wanting to optimize their rainbow-based diets, “testing can help people understand how to best support their biology and determine what their bodies need,” says Dr. Véronique Desaulniers, a chiropractor and author of Heal Breast Cancer Naturally. She recommends the DNA test kit and whole-body health report from Nutrition Genome to pinpoint which foods to enjoy or avoid, depending on genetic weaknesses. Close monitoring of blood sugar levels is also important, she notes, as daily glucose and insulin spikes “can turn on cancer-causing genes and cancer-causing pathways.”

Veronica Hinke is a food historian and author of The Last Night on the Titanic: Unsinkable Drinking, Dining and Style Learn more at FoodStringer.com.

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Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it.

~Heather Morgan

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 B 6, K and C, magnesium and fiber. It is also a great source of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, two types of antioxidants that have been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells.

Button mushrooms are a source of vitamin D, selenium, phosphorus and folate. They also contain polysaccharides, in doles, polyphenols and carotenoids, which are associated with cancer-fighting properties.

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

4 slices of cauliflower, ¾-inch thick

1 tsp cooking spray

4 tsp olive oil

1 Tbsp dry Italian seasonings

2 cups fresh brown button mushrooms, sliced

2 fresh garlic cloves, minced

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

½ tsp sea salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

½ tsp red pepper flakes

1 Tbsp fresh thyme for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400º F and spray two large baking sheets with cooking oil. Place the cauliflower slices onto one of the baking sheets. They need lots of space between them and shouldn’t overlap.

Brush each side of the cauliflower steaks lightly with the olive oil and season with sea salt, pepper and Italian seasonings. Roast 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once, until both sides are golden brown. In a mixing bowl, add mushrooms, minced garlic, a pinch of sea salt and pepper, then toss to coat well. Spread the mushroom mixture on the other oil-sprayed baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. As an alternative, sauté the mushroom mixture in a medium pan with 1 teaspoon of oil over medium-high heat for 5 to 6 minutes.

Once done, remove the pans from the oven. Sprinkle roasted cauliflower steaks with cheese and top the cheese with the roasted or sautéed mushrooms and garlic mixture. Return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Sprinkle with fresh thyme and enjoy.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Jennifer Carden.

SUMMER BROCCOLI SOUP WITH HERB CROUTONS

This vibrant, lime green-colored soup is an excellent source of potassium, fiber, vitamins B 6 and C, iron, magnesium and calcium. It also contains several phytonutrients, including the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, as well as tocopherols. For the croutons, choose a healthy bread, such as sprouted whole grain, gluten-free, almond flour or flax loaves.

YIELD: 2 TO 6 SERVINGS, DEPENDING ON PORTION SIZE

FOR SOUP:

6 cups broccoli florets, chopped

2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

1 generous pinch of sea salt

1 pinch of chili pepper flakes

3 Tbsp butter

FOR CROUTONS:

1 cup diced bread

2 Tbsp melted butter

½ tsp fresh thyme, chives or other fresh garden herbs, minced

Bring the stock to a boil. Add the sea salt and chili flakes. Add the broccoli and cook until fork tender and bright green. Transfer to a blender, add butter and blend well. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with aged cheddar cheese and croutons.

To make the croutons, toss the diced bread in a bowl with melted butter, salt and fresh herbs. Spread the bread in an even layer on an oven-safe pan. Bake at 350º F and toast until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Sarah Stegner.

ENJOY PEAK BERRY SEASON WITH A GLUTEN-FREE Strawberry Trifle

by Tiffany Hinton

YIELD: 10 HALF-CUP SERVINGS

1 pre-made angel food cake (gluten-free, baked from scratch or store-bought)

24 oz frozen or fresh organic strawberries, thawed and sliced

3 cups vanilla pudding (from scratch or premade)

3 cups whipped cream (or vegan whipped cream)

Fresh strawberries for garnish

Tear angel food cake into medium pieces, about 2-inch cubes. Layer cake, strawberries, pudding and whipped cream in a large, clear, glass bowl. Continue irregular layers, filling the bowl. Top the entire dessert with a solid layer of whipped cream. Slice a few fresh strawberries for garnish.

Refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours before serving.

Recipe courtesy of Tiffany Hinton, founder of Cultivating Guts. Connect online at @iamtiffanyhinton and listen to her podcast, Cultivating Guts, on Spotify or iTunes.

It is strawberry season in the Midwest. This means the berries in the greater Chicago area are fresh, ripe and ready for picking. There are many pick-your-own farms, farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs and grocery stores to purchase fresh local strawberries. Remember to ask the local farmer how the berries were grown when looking for organic.

This easy-to-make summer dessert recipe features this sweet seasonal fruit that offers many health benefits, including antioxidants and vitamin C.

Photo credit Kristy Haare

from a seasonal kitchen…

Summer Strawberry Therapy

by Veronica Hinke

FRESH STRAWBERRY GLAZE PIE

YIELD: 8 SERVINGS

FOR THE PIE

1 Tbsp butter for greasing pie plate

1 frozen pie crust

2 packages of cream cheese, softened Juice from 2 fresh oranges

4 cups chopped strawberries

2 Tbsp granulated sugar or sugar substitute

FOR THE GLAZE

½ cup sugar

2 Tbsp corn starch

⅛ tsp salt

6 Tbsp cold water

1½ cups crushed strawberries

To make the pie: Preheat the oven to 350º F. Grease a pie plate. Let the pie shell thaw until it is soft enough to roll with a rolling pin, about 20 to 25 minutes. Use a rolling pin to roll out the pie crust dough, and line the inside or the pie plate. Bake the pie crust until lightly brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pie crust from the oven and set it on the countertop to cool.

It’s a sure sign of summer when bright, red berries begin to peek out from underneath the green leaves at the strawberry farm. Picking strawberries is a highlight of the season. Whether from the u-pick farm or the grocery store, strawberries star in these two nostalgic desserts – Fresh Strawberry Glaze Pie and Schaum Tortes. These are both perfect ways to make the most of the fleeting strawberry season.

The nutritional benefits of the berries almost make the cream, sugar, cream cheese and eggs in these recipes worth the infrequent splurge. Strawberries provide calcium, dietary fiber and vitamin C. Studies have shown that polyphenol antioxidants in strawberries might help to prevent the development of some diseases.

Schaum Tortes are tiny, baked meringues topped with macerated berries and cream. Immigrants from Pomerania, Prussia and Westphalia, in Germany, are widely credited for bringing the traditional German dessert with them when they settled in Wisconsin between 1839 and 1850. It’s been a favorite summer dessert in this area ever since as a much lighter option than a strawberry shortcake or other treats.

In the bowl of a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese and fresh orange juice on medium until the ingredients are combined, about 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside until ready to use. When the pie crust is cool, use a butter knife to spread the cream cheese mix in the pie shell. Add 2 cups of chopped strawberries.

Photo by Veronica Hinke

Photo by Veronica Hinke

Lavender buds add color to a piece of fresh strawberry pie.

Lavender accents a pie filled with freshly picked strawberries.

To make the glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, mix together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Slowly add the cold water. Stir until smooth, about 12 to 14 minutes. Add the crushed strawberries. Continue to stir the mixture while bringing it to a boil; then stir 1 minute. Remove the mixture from the stovetop and set it aside on the countertop to cool.

When the strawberry mixture is cool, pour it over the berries in the pie shell.

Place this in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.

STRAWBERRY SCHAUM TORTES

YIELD: 12 SERVINGS

FOR THE STRAWBERRY SAUCE

4 cups cleaned and chopped fresh strawberries

¼ cup granulated sugar

FOR THE MERINGUES

4 large egg whites

½ cup sugar

¼ tsp cream of tartar

⅛ tsp purple food coloring

A Schaum Torte sits in a nest of freshly whipped cream and macerated strawberries.

FOR THE CREAM

2 cups heavy whipping cream

½ cup sugar or sugar substitute

½ tsp fresh lemon juice

To make the strawberry sauce: In a large mixing bowl, use a potato masher to mash the strawberries and sugar. Mash until a syrup is formed with chunks of strawberries.

To make the meringues: In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat ingredients on high until thickened and peaks form, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 250º F.

On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, pipe the meringue into 12, 2-inch ovals. Squeeze a circle on top in the front of each one, lifting up the piping bag quickly to create a “bird’s beak”.

Bake these in the oven for until brown on top and firm, about 50 minutes.

When the meringues are finished baking, remove them from the oven and set them aside on the countertop to cool.

When the meringues are cool, use a toothpick to apply to drops of the food coloring on the round top of each meringue to make eyes. The meringues will look like birds.

To make the cream: In a stand mixer or in a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer, combine the ingredients and beat until stiff peaks form, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

To assemble: Place ½ cup of cream in a small bowl. Set a meringue bird on a cream “nest.” Top each dessert with a spoonful of macerated strawberries. Garnish with fresh mint.

Veronica Hinke is an author, speaker, journalist, coach and expert on Titanic stories, food, history and style; and author of The Last Night on the Titanic. Learn more at VeronicaHinke.com.

Photo by Veronica Hinke

Green Exercise

RECONNECTING WITH NATURE

by Cristina Parker

For some fitness buffs, it doesn’t feel like exercise unless they’re at the gym lifting weights, pedaling the stationary bike or hearing the grunts of others giving it their all. But there’s an emerging trend taking hold: green exercise. Prompted by a growing focus on reconnecting with nature, combined with the well-known benefits of physical exertion, outdoor workouts in natural settings and urban parks are all the rage. From daily walks around the neighborhood to calisthenics with the aid of a tree or yoga on the beach, the possibilities are delightfully endless for all ages and fitness levels. Medical pros are prescribing it for science-based reasons.

Green exercise is not exactly a new concept. In a 2013 review of studies published in Extreme Physiology & Medicine, researchers concluded that physical activity in a natural setting as opposed to an indoor gym is perceived as easier and more fun, thereby boosting motivation. They wrote, “The nature element may help achieve a greater intensity of exercise without perception of effort changing.” In other words, people walk faster outdoors yet paradoxically feel as though they’re kicking back.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture found a positive correlation between green space and health. People that spend time in nature often experience a reduction in stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension and heart rate—all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology involving obese young people confirmed that exercising in nature led to improved stress recovery, enhanced attentional restoration and a reduction in negative emotions.

Exposure to sunlight is another benefit. According to Dr. Natty Bandasak, a physical therapist and founder of The Myokinetix Clinic, in New Jersey, “Getting vitamin D from the sun is much more impactful than the vitamin D absorbed from ingestible supplements. Just 10 minutes spent outside first thing in the morning can really set the day in a good direction.”

To maximize the benefits of green exercise, Rajeshwari Reddy, a physical therapist in Maryland, suggests a few precautions. “If you have any kind of vision issues, you should

exercise midday when there is enough light to keep yourself safe, and if you suffer from seasonal allergies, try to avoid areas with flowering plants or trees,” she explains. “Standard walking shoes are different from running shoes, and the body mechanics of different activities require different levels of shock absorption. These often-overlooked components of an outdoor exercise routine can go a long way to keep you safe, avoid unnecessary injuries and ensure you are having fun with your new program.”

After choosing a suitable time and location, the next step is deciding what exercises to do. Dr. Christine Masterson, a physical therapist at Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group, in New York, says, “For those who desire supervision, joining a local walking or running group is an excellent option. Alternatively, for those who prefer independence, a selfpaced exercise routine is recommended.”

Both Masterson and Bandasak describe bodyweight-supported exercises as a perfect outdoor-friendly, equipment-free workout. Moving against gravity uses the person’s weight as a natural form of resistance. As a result, no dumbbells or resistance bands are required. Pick a nice spot in the grass, on the sand or under a shaded treat and do sit-ups, heel raises, push-ups and squats.

Masterson suggests pairing calisthenics with walking. A sample routine could include a brisk walk to the park, followed by squats sitting and standing from a bench, then another brisk walk to a wooded area, followed by heel raises holding onto a tree

trunk for balance. “In a bodyweight program, you can focus more on your form and movement pattern, then you can progress these exercises by increasing repetitions, rather than adding weights,” she notes.

Bandasak asserts that aerobic exercises like walking, jogging or hiking can be optimized by adding a grip challenge. “One factor strongly correlated with increased longevity is grip strength,” he explains. “Grip can be strengthened through your ability to hold onto objects like a pull-up bar at a playground or stable tree branch in nature. If those items are not available, just holding any heavy objects by your sides as you walk can be beneficial.”

A key, take-home message when beginning any green-exercise program is to keep an open mind. There are so many activities we can enjoy outdoors. Reddy considers green exercise anything that gets the heart rate going, which can include diverse activities like golf, gardening in the backyard or swimming in a lake.

While getting the blood pumping, remember to breathe in the fresh air, listen to the songbirds and soak up the summer sunshine. Masterson is a proponent of outside yoga to refocus the mind and deeply reconnect with our surroundings.

Cristina Parker, a researcher, health content writer, educator and clinician specializing in neurologic disorders, limb-loss rehabilitation and adaptive sports techniques, holds a doctorate in physical therapy.

Lyme Disease: A HOLISTIC TREATMENT THAT TRULY HEALS

Lyme Disease and Chronic Infection Syndrome are complex for several reasons. Lyme, once considered to solely be transmitted by ticks, has become more widespread than ever. Documented cases are now indicating that Lyme Disease, a vector-borne illness, can be transmitted through any infected insect that exchanges blood or saliva. Examples include mosquitoes, fleas, horseflies, ticks etc. Often the severity of an individual’s symptoms will largely depend on how early a diagnosis is established and how quickly treatment is initiated. It is imperative to receive a customized treatment plan to effectively address the acute pathogens and its co-infections, as well as support the body to reestablish its innate immune response.

As Susan Rohr, owner of Brookfield Health & Wellness, LLC, explains; “Unfortunately, most cases of Lyme Disease are not identified early enough to be treated with antibiotics. It isn’t until it becomes a chronic multi-systemic infection of virus, bacteria, fungus, and parasites that people realize they have it. At this point, the immune system can become severely weakened and require alternative forms of treatment to overcome the disease.”

Helping the body strengthen its natural healing abilities is the key to fighting illness of any kind. Energy and oxidative therapies are core components used to accomplish exactly that in many successfully treated patients with Lyme Disease. By identifying the root cause of illness, and utilizing some of the world’s most innovative energy technologies of this century, there truly is hope and healing for those who may show:

n Appearance of a growing red area akin to a “bulls-eye”

3 to 30 days after an infected tick bite

n Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, and headache

n Joint pain and joint swelling

Through an integrative approach, Susan can help to identify the root cause of illness and customize a treatment plan for each patient. The use of bioenergetic modalities have been found to be extremely effective in helping people compromised with Lyme, and other coinfections to heal. Some of these advanced technologies include the Ondamed, Qi-5, NuVision, Ampcoil and AO Scan. Iasis Microcurrent Neurofeedback is another important treatment used to aid in the healing process of Lyme recovery.

Iasis Microcurrent Neurofeedback enables the restoration of optimal cognitive function through healing unhealthy or stuck patterns in the brain. Additionally, chiropractic care, proper nutrition, supplementation, rest and stress management are all helpful adjuncts as well. Proper alignment, hydration and nourishment all contribute to the body being able to flush toxins more productively. Our Energy Enhancement System, the most recent addition in our arsenal of technology, will increase cellular voltage enabling the body to support and heal itself.

According to the Mayo Clinic, neurological problems can occur in the weeks, months or even years after infection such as: meningitis, temporary paralysis of one side of the face (Bell’s palsy), numbness or weakness in the limbs or impaired muscle movement.

Susan Rohr is the owner of Brookfield Health and Wellness,150 5 Sunny Slope Rd,, Suite 148, Brookfield, WI, and an OMDAMED practitioner. Their team uses an integrative approach that specializes in treating immune system dysfunctions by assessing the whole person—their body, mind and spirit—to get to the root cause of illness. For more information, call 262-3954023 or visit BrookfieldHealthAndWellness.com. See ad page 37, in the Community Resource Guide and the Business Directory at NAChicago.com.

Susan Rohr

Protecting Pets From Lyme Disease PREVENTION AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT TIPS

by Paige Cerull

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. One bite from an infected tick could lead to troubling health concerns. Despite the risks, there is no reason to hide indoors, as there are numerous actions we can take to protect our animal companions from infection and to relieve their symptoms should they contract the ailment.

DISEASE PREVALENCE IN THE U.S.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Lyme disease is spread by bites from blacklegged deer ticks or western blacklegged ticks that carry the disease-causing bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. While cases have been reported in nearly every U.S. state, Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast, Upper Midwest and Northwest.

A 2018 study published in Environmetrics found that the prevalence of Lyme disease in dogs is getting worse in the Northeast and spreading into regions that weren’t previously considered to be high risk, including areas in North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee.

SYMPTOMS IN CATS, DOGS AND HORSES

Lyme disease affects animals differently. Veterinarian Erin O’Leary, founder of Heal House Call Veterinarian, explains that cats with Lyme disease are asymptomatic. “We don’t see any symptoms in cats, so we don’t tend to test or treat for Lyme in cats,” she explains. Canine Lyme disease is a different story. Per O’Leary, dogs often exhibit lameness that

may shift among the legs. Fever and swelling in the joints are common. Dogs can also experience a serious kidney complication called Lyme nephritis that causes them to feel very sick, drink lots of water and urinate more. Two studies performed by IDEXX, a developer of diagnostic and software products for animals, revealed that dogs exposed to tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, had a 43 percent increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, horses with Lyme disease may experience weight loss, lameness that shifts among the legs, muscle tenderness, low-grade fever and swollen joints.

PREVENTING TICK BITES

Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian with The Vets, notes that pet owners can naturally reduce their pet’s risk of being bitten by a

tick by keeping their yards in check. “Ticks prefer to live in areas with tall grass, weeds and leaf litter,” she says. “Keeping your yard tidy by mowing your lawn and removing any dead leaves or debris can help reduce the number of ticks in your yard.”

Pet owners may also use food-grade diatomaceous earth, a non-toxic powder, to help kill ticks in areas where pets like to spend time. Several natural fly sprays, many of which help to repel ticks, are also available for horses.

REMOVING A TICK

It’s important to carefully inspect pets for tick bites after spending time outdoors. “If you can remove the tick within 24 to 48 hours of the bite, it won’t transmit Lyme disease,” O’Leary maintains. She recommends tools like the Tick Twister or a pair of tweezers to safely coax a tick from their pet. “If you can get down to where the head is inserted and squeeze that with tweezers, that’s the easiest thing to do,” she says.

Savageau suggests keeping pet hair trimmed short, which can make it easier to spot and remove ticks, and cleaning the bite site with soap and water or an antiseptic solution to prevent infection. It’s important to watch for signs of inflammation or infection, like redness, swelling or discharge. “If any of these symptoms appear, or if the pet develops a fever or lethargy, the

owner should contact their veterinarian for advice,” she says.

CARING FOR AN INFECTED PET

According to O’Leary, the antibiotic doxycycline is the best available treatment for Lyme disease, and giving the pet a bit of turmeric to eat can relieve inflammation, though it is best to consult with a veterinarian regarding the most appropriate treatment options and dosages. To reduce a fever, soaking a towel in cool water and applying it around a pet’s paws and ears will help.

Savageau highlights the importance of feeding pets a balanced and nutritious diet that supports the immune system, as well as supplements and other natural remedies. “This may include adding probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids to their food to support gut health and reduce inflammation. Herbs like echinacea may help stimulate the immune system and support the body’s ability to fight infections,” she says, adding, “Always consult with a veterinarian before starting any natural or alternative treatment for pets, as some may be harmful or interfere with prescribed medications.”

Moths and Fireflies Are Declining AS

SUMMER NIGHT INSECTS

by Sheryl DeVore

As the summer sun sets, butterflies cease patrolling flowers for nectar, go to roost and rest. But many moth species are just beginning their day under the cover of darkness, and nighttime active birds called whip-poor-wills come out to eat these insects.

Unfortunately, insect numbers have been declining worldwide, and according to the National Audubon Society, numbers of some nighttime active birds such as whip-poor-wills are also decreasing because they cannot find enough large moths to eat. These birds are among other species such as common nighthawks in the Chicago area that rely on a strong population of moths and moth larvae for food.

Illinois researchers discovered that whip-poor-wills are more common in areas where large moths are available. Ian Souza-Cole writes in a paper published in the journal Ornithological Applications that “Eastern whip-poor-will abundance declines with urban land cover and increases with moth abundance in the American Midwest.” He says that whip-poor-wills prefer living along forest edges during the summer in Illinois, “but only when the edges were associated with high moth abundances.”

“With insects and many types of organisms, you get a day shift and a night shift,” says Doug Taron, chief curator emeritus at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, in Chicago (NatureMuseum.org). “Most people pay attention to the day shift.” Taron also pays attention to the night shift. In summer, he turns on the light next to his screened porch at dusk. Moths, attracted to the light, land on the screen.

“One of the most interesting groups of moths I sometimes get at the screen are known as the underwing moths,” Taron

John James Audubon illustrated the whip-poor-will with its main food, moths.

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington/Public domain

says. “Their wings are patterned like tree bark and they spend the day camouflaged in trees. When they come out at night, if a predator approaches, this group of moths lifts forewings to expose a bright color such as yellow or red. The startling flash of color may frighten the predator.”

“Not all moths are nocturnal, but from an evolutionary perspective, the moth may have come before the butterfly,” Taron says. Moths and butterflies are part of the large Lepidoptera order of insects. Many more species of moth compared with butterflies exist. Moths likely appeared on the Earth 300 million years ago, and butterflies evolved from some of the day-flying moths. In general, a new group of moth species emerges about every two weeks during the year, with midsummer the peak for species diversity and abundance. Some 1,850 species of moths exist in Illinois. These include a large group of sphinx moths, some of which resemble small hummingbirds as they stick their long tongues into a flower’s corolla for nectar.

Both moths and butterflies function as the bottom of the food chain to help recycle nutrients into the earth. A caterpillar feeds on plant leaves. Birds eat caterpillars and gain the energy from the plant leaves. The caterpillars of butterflies and moths are often nocturnal, eating their meals at night.

CHICKADEE DIET

Researchers have shown that it may take 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to rear one chickadee family. Through research in Washington, D.C., entomologist and author Douglas W. Tallamy (HomeGrown NationalPark.org) discovered most of the caterpillars chickadees ate were moth species attracted to native plants. “Adding even a few native plant species to your yard can benefit a multitude of these valuable invertebrates,” writes Jim Steffen, at the Chicago Botanic Garden (ChicagoBotanic. org). Steffen, who retired in 2021 as a senior ecologist, studied moths at a restored oak woodland and found roughly 600 species of moths.

A good time to see moths is in late summer, when they visit blooming native prairie plants, Taron says. He visits his blooming tall coreopsis at dusk in late summer and often discovers small, brown moths sipping nectar. These moths belong to a large group of organisms called inchworms. “There are bunch of species you can see on tall coreopsis in the summer when it’s in bloom,” he says. Although in general, moths tend to be duller-colored than their daytime counterparts, the butterflies, several moth species in the region are quite beautiful; for example, the polyphemus moth, a type of silk moth, and the cecropia moth. “It’s usually a random encounter with these species, because they’re mostly nocturnal,” he notes.

“Many years ago, when I was working at the museum, someone called to say they had found a large moth, and the description (monarch-sized, brown, with big blue and yellow spots on the hindwings) was adequate enough to call it a polyphemus. The caller wanted to know if he could keep it in an aquarium overnight and show his daughter in the

morning,” recalls Taron. He said that would be fine as long as it got released soon after. When the daughter arrived, there were a dozen other polyphemus moths fluttering around the aquarium. “It turned out the moth was a female and she was emitting pheromones,” he says. The moths fluttering outside were males, and that’s how they find mates in the dark—by following the powerful pheromones. “What a wonderful experience to share with his daughter. It’s always wonderful. There is a certain special quality to seeing moths that you don’t see as easily as butterflies.”

Taron recalls seeing a luna moth, large and luminescent green, being attracted to floodlight at his parents’ deck in the dark when he was in junior high school. “It looked like a bird flying around,” he remembers.

LIGHTNING BUGS

The most frequently seen nighttime insect in July is likely the firefly, or lightning bug, which is vulnerable to the same issues as other insect species, including habitat loss and use of pesticides, according to Taron. More than 120 different firefly species live in North America, and likely several different species are glowing in suburban yards in July and August. Though numbers of fireflies can vary from year to year, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (Xerces.org) says one in three North American firefly species may be at risk of extinction.

In spring, firefly larvae or caterpillars

Luna moth

Photo credit Steven D. Bailey

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Public domain

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Public domain

Young whip-poor-wills rely on being fed mostly moths by their parents.

Polyphemus moth

RESOURCES:

FieldGuides.FieldMuseum.org/ guides/guide/1330.

turn into pupae and then emerge as adults. Males take short flights and emit flashes to attract females, which flash back to accept the male. After mating, the female lays eggs in moist soil, on a dead log or in moss, which hatch and overwinter as larvae. Fireflies flash patterns and variable glow colors to help distinguish the species so they can find the right mate. As larvae, these insects eat earthworms, snails and slugs. As adults, they drink nectar and eat other insects, including other species of fireflies. The light they emit occurs when a reaction among chemicals in the fly’s abdomen converts chemical energy to light energy, not heat.

Taron says he enjoys looking for juvenile fireflies in late summer. Called glow worms because they also emit light at night, the firefly larvae look “almost prehistoric,” he says. “One thing helpful to fireflies is to not keep your garden so tidy.” In other words, mow higher and less frequently, and avoid using insecticides. “Keeping the grass longer and wetter will protect the millipedes and snails that firefly larvae feed on,” he explains.

Field Guide to Silk Moths of Illinois, by John K. Bouseman and James G. Sternburg.

Field Guide to the Sphinx Moths of Illinois, by James R. Wiker, James G. Sternburg and John K. Bouseman.

A Beginner’s Guide to Moths of the Midwest, by Angella Moorehouse.

Sheryl DeVore has written six books on science, health and nature, as well as nature, health and environment stories for national and regional publications. Read more at SherylDeVore. Wordpress.com.

Photo credit Doug Taron

Photo credit Doug Taron

A polyphemus moth in the Chicago area.

Firefly larvae also glow in the dark in summer.

The Sweet Tapestry of Summer

by Marlaina Donato

quick

July is a heady mix of peak temperatures, sustenance from the soil and inspired invitations to make lasting memories. For gardeners, it is a lilting time of fruition in between rounds of hard work when one’s efforts can be harvested, eaten and appreciated. 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.

Visiting the local farmers market is an opportunity to be mindful of all that goes into our shopping bags and bellies: rain, sunlight, nitrogen-rich snowmelt and the vital fertility of topsoil. We can see everyday people in a different light, especially Earth-conscious farmers who choose to be birthing partners of the land.

Taking a walk outside can remind us that no life would be possible without the near-magical, unseen mycelium network beneath our footsteps. Summer’s delicate balance of elements ensures abundance, and we have a sacred opportunity to be part of that equilibrium. Each of us is a link in the chain of humans co-creating within the symbiosis of all other living things. Will we take away from this balance or add to it?

Adding to it does not require hours of time or money, but the motivation to make simple decisions for the greater good, such as leaving part of the lawn to grow for the winged ones or choosing an eco-friendly refillable water bottle over single-use plastic. Showing a child how to keep a nature journal can foster lifelong connections with the Earth.

We do our part when we joyfully become part of the landscape—witnessing, observing and allowing nature to go about her business. Making time for languid appreciation contributes to self-nourishment, something that is also vital to the whole. How many avian voices can you hear at sunset? How many colors can you find in a changing mural of clouds? The season of plenty offers a harvest of beauty.

Marlaina Donato is an author, visionary painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

CHICAGO’S CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CALENDAR DEADLINE: All listings must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Calendar events must be submitted online at NAChicago.com/Calendar.

Call First:

Events or services may be cancelled, postponed or are offered online. Call and check websites for up-to-date information.

Plastic Free July

SATURDAY, JULY 1

Canada Day

Holistic Fair – 12-6pm. Readers and body workers every 30 mins. Astrology, Angel Communication, Angel Card Reading, Akashic Records, Card Reader, Chakra Balancing, Reiki, Reflexology, Numerology, Power Manifesting Healing and Energy movement, Henna. Specials on products and so much more. $40/30 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Monthly Meditation Spa – 2:30-3:30pm. Drawing from an extensive repertoire of practices each month, Jenni Anne will guide you through experiences to leave you calmly grounded and refreshed. Comfort and relaxation will be prioritized, setting the stage for insight and healing. Mats and props provided. $25. Center for Healing and Integration, 700 E Ogden, Ste 304, Westmont. 630-828-2953. CenterForHealingAndIntegration.janeapp.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 2

Tarot – 11am-4:30pm. With Andre. $40/30 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. For appt: 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

MONDAY, JULY 3

Full Moon – Buck Super Moon, Berry Moon

Dharma Day (Buddhism)

Guru Purnima (Hinduism)

TUESDAY, JULY 4

Independence Day

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am5pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening, 1010 Lake St, Ste 200, Oak Park. NWMedicalScreening.com.

Discovery Isle: Turtles – 1-3pm. Drop-in anytime to learn amazing turtle facts. Free. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville. ReconnectWithNature.org.

Green Drinks McHenry County – 5-7pm. 1st Wed. Come talk about “greening” the future with others. Special presentations each month on a timely environmental topic or green business. In-person & Zoom. Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N Main St, Crystal Lake. GreenDrinks.org/IL/Crystal%20Lake.

THURSDAY, JULY 6

Group Yoga: Stress Relief for Mind, Body & Soul – 9-10am Group Viniyoga Classes, which relieve stress on every level. Will use movement, breath, guided meditation, and other yoga tools to feel ease, to feel better and to gain new perspectives. First class free to anyone new to Center for Healing and Integration or Aimee Forsberg Ottosen. $20. Center for Healing and Integration, 700 E Ogden, Ste 304, Westmont. 630-828-2953. CenterForHealingAndIntegration.janeapp.com.

Independence & Interdependence –7-8:30pm. Explore ways to be in a more harmonious and co-creative relationship with both your independence and interdependence. Suggested donation $15-$25. Meetup.com/spiritual-nourishment-chicagoland.

FRIDAY, JULY 7

Aromatherapy On Point – Fridays, July 7, 21, Aug 4, 18, Sep 1, 15. 9am-12pm. Students who take at least the Aromatherapy On Point Intro are eligible to continue on to the full certification. To complete the full certification, you will take the Aromatherapy On Point Intro, Module One, Two, and Three, along with one elective from the “Aromatherapy for Massage Therapist Workshops” and additional final casework and supervision with the instructor. The program includes individualized support. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am5pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Prairie Glen, 2700 Patriot Blvd, Ste 250, Glenview. 224-600-3216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

Fun & Food Trucks – 5-8pm. Trucks that will be featured: Grumpy Gaucho, Life’s a Slice and Crave Belly. Flight Deck will serve ice-cold margaritas. Family-friendly activities available. Music provided by Michael C Hayes. Free admission. Hammel Woods, Rte 59 Access, Shorewood. ReconnectWithNature.org.

Cosmic CrossFit – 5:30-7pm. Let’s celebrate summer with our very own Get Fit Community. Price includes drop-in fee, food and non-alcoholic drinks for a little after WOD fun to close out the work week. BYOB. Members register in the PushPress app like a regular class or bring a dish for admission. $30. GET FIT Elk Grove Village, 1100 Nerge Rd, Ste 206, Elk Grove Village. 847-285-1691. GetFitegv.pushpress. com/open/event/cal_7ddcf0d4311898?framed=0.

SATURDAY, JULY 8

Gardening for Fragrance – 8-9:30 or 1011:30am. Explore the plants of The Morton Arboretum’s Fragrance Garden and learn what to grow at home in this class taught by an Arboretum horticulturist. $27. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. Register: MortonArb.org.

Lake Renwick Migratory Bird Viewing –8am-12pm. See the dazzling display of nesting herons, egrets, cormorants and bald eagles. Bringing binoculars or spotting scope. Free. Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve, 230 W Renwick Rd, Plainfield. ReconnectWithNature.org.

Reiki Play Day – 9-11am. This gathering allows you to delve deeper into reiki and true self through guided meditations, discussions and chanting. Start to incorporate the tools of reiki into your everyday life, within the comfort of a supportive community. New to reiki? No problem, we welcome your participation. $20 suggested donation at the door. Calandra Center for Health and Wellness, 830 E Higgins Rd, Unit 116, Schaumburg. Registration required: 312-796-3965 or CalandraAcupuncture.com.

Little Witches Moon Gardening Club –1-3:30pm. A monthly live class hosted on my suburban homestead where the kids come to learn and play. Club members will learn how to garden with the moon cycles. We’ll create seed trays together and plan gardens together within different monthly sessions. $50. Cultivating Guts, 1011 W Wildwood Dr, Prospect Heights. 773-234-6636. CultivatingGuts.com.

ONLINE: Chicago IANDS – 2pm. Support/study/resource forum for near-death, out-of-body and spiritual experiences, losses. Guest Speaker: Pam Kircher, MD, NDEr, family and hospice physician, author, speaker, conscious aging facilitator. Become a free subscriber to Chicago IANDS by filling in the form online. $20 tax-deductible donation requested (see website). For more info: 847-251-5758 or ChicagoIANDS.org.

Kirtan – 6:30-8pm. Vegetarian food to follow. Free. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 9

How to Make and Activate a Grid – 2-4pm. $40. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Animal Healing and Communication –2-5pm. With Larry Freson, trained and experienced Animal Healer/Communicator. The space in which the session occurs is energetically set for serenity, playfulness and love. Larry builds trust with the animal to get a good understanding of the issues and does so with their human. $40/30-min sessions offered via Zoom to allow your animal companion to remain at home in a familiar and comfortable environment. Edgar Cayce Holistic Center: 847-299-6535. HolisticCenterChicago.com.

Intuitive Readings – 2-5pm. Bobbi Williams’ intuitive readings speak to your soul’s journey to provide guidance and understanding. She opens portals for communication from loved ones in Spirit (mediumship reading) and provides spiritual guidance on the Earth plane (psychic reading). She will access Akashic Records for greater clarity and support. $40/30-min sessions. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535. HolisticCenterChicago.com.

MONDAY, JULY 10

The Space In Between – 9am-4pm. Highlights the importance of addressing the fascial and energetic planes of the body. Explore the areas between muscles, muscles and bones, tightness and slack, movement and stagnation, inhale and exhale. Conscious bodywork can help with techniques that utilize sustained pressure to loosen and lengthen constricted fascia. 6 CEs. $150. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

“My Garden” Show and Tell – 6:308:30pm. Members will share something from their garden (a flower, a plant, or an arrangement) that tells us about their gardening passion. Guests are welcome and encouraged to join in the fun. Learn more about gardening, our members, and our club. Free. St John Lutheran Church, 7214 S Cass Ave, Darien. DarienGardenClub.com.

Let Go of Anxiety & Fear Public Talk –7-8:30pm. Replace fear and anxiety with constructive, peaceful states of mind using practical Buddhist wisdom and guided meditation. Talk repeats on July 12 at our Oak Park location. Enjoy this talk on its own, or as an introduction to a 6-wk series of classes called “Become Fearless.” No previous experience needed; all welcome. $12. Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago, Wicker Park, 2010 W Pierce Ave, Chicago. 708-763-0132. MeditateInChicago.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 11

World Population Day

Integrative Mini-Session – 9-10:15am. Meet our practitioners and experience 4 restorative services in one session. Aimee, Yoga Therapist, will lead gentle, therapeutic movement, combined with breath and meditation. Gina, Functional Nutritionist, will offer simple tips and information and answer any questions about nutrition. Karen, Reiki Master, will guide energy healing with the group, while Megan, Acupuncturist, will provide an optional mini-acupuncture session. $20. Center for Healing and Integration, 700 E Ogden, Ste 304, Westmont. 630-828-2953. CenterForHealingAndIntegration.janeapp.com.

Immune Health 2.0 – 5:45pm. Are you dealing with a cold, seasonal reaction or respiratory concerns? Could the gut lining be a factor? Let’s chat. Attendees receive a coupon good towards a future purchase. Fruitful Yield, 155 N Randall Rd, Batavia. FruitfulYield.com.

Green Drinks Libertyville – 6pm. 2nd Tues. Cafe Pomigliano, 13860 Rockland Rd, Green Oaks. More info: Facebook.com/greendrinkslibertyville.

Mediumship Readings and Insights –7-9pm. Suzane Northrop, an internationally acclaimed grief and bereavement expert and medium, can help you recover and heal from the loss of loved ones. Find out what happens after loved ones die and why they may continue to communicate with you. $35, $30/10 days advance. On Zoom and will also be recorded for later viewing. InfinityFoundation.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12

Reiki + Pets – 5:30-7pm. With Jen. Reiki is a wonderful way to promote stress relief, relaxation and healing. This workshop will explore the methods of using reiki with pets. Philosopher’s Stone Apothecary, 160 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights. 224-735-2355. PhilosophersStoneApothecary.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 13

Gemz and Boardz July Mini-Markets –July 13-14. 12-7pm, Thurs; 12-8pm, Fri. Come support our small business along with other vendors. Gemz and Boardz, 3101 W Montrose Ave, Chicago. 872-218-0307. GemzAndBoardz.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 14

Bastille Day

Int’l Non-Binary People’s Day

A Shared Journey: The Heart of the Spiritual Path – July 14-16. Join esteemed guest speakers from some of the world’s largest spiritual traditions as they share the heart of their teachings during the 137th Summer National Convention. Speakers include Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Pamela Ayo Yetunde, Imam Jamal Rahman, Carl McColman, Pablo Sender and Ravi Ravindra. $75. The Theosophical Society, 1926 N Main St, Wheaton. 630-668-1571. Theosophical.org/snc.

Beginning Zen Shiatsu 2-Weekend Intensive – July 14-16 & 21-23. 9:30-4:30pm. Learn how to give a basic 1-hr shiatsu treatment that you can share with friends and family. Course is a stand-alone offering and is also the first 30 hrs of our complete shiatsu certification programs. $500 plus textbook. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am5pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Orrington Plaza, 1603 Orrington Ave, Ste 600, Evanston. 224-600-3216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 15

Essentials of Craniosacral Therapy – July 15-16. 9am-4pm. This 2-day course is a practical introduction to the theory and practice of the biodynamics of craniosacral balancing. Learn essential ways to perceive the body’s intrinsic movement dynamics, rhythms and pulsations. 12 CEs. $300. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Clear Sky Mind Retreat – 2-5pm. Discover the pure, clear and limitless nature of your mind by practicing a very special meditation which has been used for centuries. Suitable for both beginners and seasoned practitioners, each session will include practical instruction and guided meditation. Will observe silence during our brief breaks to enhance our meditative experience. $30. Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago, Wicker Park, 2010 W Pierce Ave, Chicago. 708-763-0132. MeditateInChicago.org.

Nordic Walking – 6:30pm. Join Shari Greenburg to learn how adding poles can greatly enhance regular walking and your health. Free. Osteostrong Wilmette, 126 Skokie Rd, Wilmette. Register: 224-408-2369.

Surf-N-Turf Concert – 6:30-8:30pm. Live music will play in Monee Reservoir’s amphitheater courtesy of The Stingers. Free. Monee Reservoir, 27341 S Ridgeland Ave, Monee. ReconnectWithNature.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 16

Dog Admission Day – 7am-sunset. Hit the trails, at The Morton Arboretum, with your canine friend. $5/ dog. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. Reservations required: MortonArb.org.

Christmas in July Bookstore & Crystal Sale – 10am-5pm. 10% off all bookstore sales. 20% off on jewelry. Up to 50% off select crystals. Superb quality crystals are available, muscle tested for their quality by Janel, crystal consultant. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535. HolisticCenterChicago.com.

Double Sound Healing Meditation –2-3:30pm. Experience the healing benefits of a sound bath with 2 practitioners at once. Chimes, bowls and gongs are played to restore the mind, body and spirit. $40. Center for Healing and Integration, 700 E Ogden, Ste 304, Westmont. 630-828-2953. CenterForHealingAndIntegration.janeapp.com.

Drumming Circle – 3-5pm. Free. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

MONDAY, JULY 17

New Moon – Sasgehgo-nah, Moon of Long

Daylight

TUESDAY, JULY 18

Nelson Mandela Int’l Day

Al Hijra begins at sundown (Islam)

Immune Health 2.0 – 5:45pm. Are you dealing with a cold, seasonal reaction or respiratory concerns? Could the gut lining be a factor? Let’s chat. Attendees receive a coupon good towards a future purchase. Fruitful Yield, 168 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg. FruitfulYield.com.

Green Drinks Park Ridge – 7pm. 3rd Tues. An environmental movement meet up. A great way of catching up with people you know and for making new contacts. For location & more info: cgrau8@gmail.com. GoGreenParkRidge.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

THURSDAY, JULY 20

Group Yoga: Stress Relief for Mind, Body & Soul – 9-10am. See July 6 listing. Center for Healing and Integration, 700 E Ogden, Ste 304, Westmont. 630-828-2953. CenterForHealingAndIntegration.janeapp.com.

Grand Garden Walking Tour – 9-10:30am. This guided walk will highlight the flowering trees, shrubs and perennial plants that bring color to The Morton Arboretum’s Grand Garden, as well as behind-the-scenes insights into how the garden was constructed. $27. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. Register: MortonArb.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 21

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am5pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Main Street Promenade, 50 S Main St, Ste 200, Naperville. 224-6003216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

Cupping Part One – 10am-5pm. Cupping creates a vacuum to draw out stagnation and toxins and mobilizes the blood, qi and lymph. Learn a variety of cupping techniques addressing the common cold, muscle aches and pains, digestive disorders and irregular menstruation, etc. 6 CEs. $150. Zen Shiatsu Chicago, 818 Lake St, Evanston. 847-864-1130. ZenShiatsuChicago.org.

Night Tarot – 6-10pm. With Andre. Wine served. $40/30 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. For appt: 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Mocktails and More – 6:30-9:30pm. Stay hydrated this summer with the best nonalcoholic beers, mocktails, botanical libations and CBD-infused beverages around at The Morton Arboretum’s new alcohol-free tasting event. Age 21+. $50. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. Details: MortonArb.org.

SATURDAY, JULY 22

Mindful Meditation for Men – 10:30am12pm. With Edward. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. The goal of mindfulness is to wake up to the inner workings of our mental, emotional and physical processes. Philosopher’s Stone Apothecary, 160 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights. 224-735-2355. PhilosophersStoneApothecary.com.

Healers Event – 1:11-7:11pm. Healers can choose to network or can also provide services at no charge. Healers are not allowed to sell any items at this event. Example of healers: readers, yoga, reiki, sound healing, massage therapist, herbalist and more. Free; $25/healer deposit refunded after event. Gemz and Boardz, 3101 W Montrose Ave, Chicago. 872-218-0307. GemzAndBoardz.com.

Shamanic Drumming – 6:30-8pm. With Andre. $40. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 23

Reiki – 12-3pm. With Mary. $40/30 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. For appt: 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Crystal Connections – 2-4pm. For people who want to know more about crystals, how they work and what they do. $40. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

MONDAY, JULY 24

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am-5pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Orland Park Executive Tower, 15255 S 94th Ave, 5th Fl, Orland Park. 224-600-3216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 25

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

THURSDAY, JULY 27

Gemz and Boardz July Mini-Markets –July 27-28. 12-7pm, Thurs; 12-8pm, Fri. Come support our small business along with other vendors. Gemz and Boardz, 3101 W Montrose Ave, Chicago. 872-218-0307. GemzAndBoardz.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 28

Women’s Health Check Screening – 9am5pm. By appt. Thermography by Northwest Medical Screening. Woodfield Preserve, 10 N Martingale Rd, Ste 400, Schaumburg. 224-600-3216. NWMedicalScreening.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 29

World Tiger Day

Advancing Integrative Practice Together (AIPT) Conference Weekend: “Until There is a Cure” – July 29-Aug 1. Open to primary care providers, cancer care practitioners, current and past cancer patients, all cancer advocates and outreach-minded individuals. Learn cancer care essentials from a wide range of modalities in creative, brain-friendly formats that will challenge and inspire. Family-focused, including a kids’ camp and opportunities to build community with other attendees. Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook Chicago, 2815 Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook. Registration: aipt.life. cmeencounter.me/about-us.

Dream Interpretation – 11am-12:30pm. With Julie. Join us to explore a unique approach to dreamwork and how it can lead to self-awareness, growth and healing. Philosopher’s Stone Apothecary, 160 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights. 224-735-2355. PhilosophersStoneApothecary.com.

Spirit Circle Drumming – 3-4:30pm. With Karen Tlusty-Rissman. Nurture your spirit through rhythm and meditation. Based on a blend of traditions, this Spirit Circle draws on our most ancient roots to creatively raise group energy. You are welcome to bring your own drums, rattles, or rhythm instruments as a limited number of shared instruments will be available. $15/advance, $20/at door. The Theosophical Society, 1926 N Main St, Wheaton. 630-668-1571. Tinyurl.com/nfepw5w7.

Amazing Gong Journey – 6-7:30pm. With Sound Healer Andre Peraza. The gong is a powerful instrument that works on many levels to heal the listener. It can help release deep emotional energy and feelings to better ground yourself. $40. The Edgar Cayce Holistic Center, 259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines. 847-299-6535. HolisticCenterChicago.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 30

World Day against Trafficking in Persons

MONDAY, JULY 31

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

PLAN AHEAD

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5

Okuden Reiki Level 2 – 9am-5pm. The prerequisite course, Shoden Reiki Level 1, taught you the foundations of reiki and how to incorporate them into your everyday life and acupuncture practice. In Okuden Reiki Level 2, we deepen our understanding. Learn how to develop a professional treatment practice from these teachings and how to send absentee healings. $375, Early bird $300. Calandra Center for Health and Wellness, 830 E Higgins Rd, Unit 116, Schaumburg. 312-796-3965. CalandraAcupuncture.com.

ONLINE: Holy Fire Reiki Level I/II – Aug 5-6. 9am-5pm. In this 2-day online class, students have placed within them Holy Fire Reiki energy. By class end they will be able to perform reiki on themselves and others and will be able to send it distantly to friends and family. Level I/II of any reiki lineage for humans is a requirement for our Animal Reiki Level I/II class on Aug19-20, 2023. This class fulfills that requirement. $495 for the weekend. EnergyGirl2020.com/reiki-classes.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13

Holistic Health Fair – 10am-5pm. Explore holistic health and metaphysical topics, local vendors, speakers and energy workers with a wide range of products and services. $10/online, $12/day of, free/16 & under. Hilton Chicago/Northbrook, 2855 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook. 262-515-1472. HolisticHealthFair.org.

2

M isconceptions

about Bladder Pain and Urinary Tract Infections ( UTI s )

If you suffer from bladder pain or reoccurring UTIs, you’re probably doing all the things to avoid the next painful onset: drinking enough water, and consuming cranberry juice or cranberry extract. Bladder discomfort can happen when bacteria enters the urinary system by way of the urethra. Most commonly, this bacteria comes from the bowel. But could something else be causing the issue?

Misconception 1 : Bladder irritation is always a UTI . People experiencing bladder urgency or pain may think that they have a UTI. However, bladder irritation often occurs when the body is taking in food that cannot be digested properly.

Misconception 2 : Taking antibiotics will rid the pain or discomfort. Looking at the issue scientifically, this is what we know: Cultivating a healthy gut balance through proper nutrition can get to the source of what is causing the irritation, and may be a helpful therapy for reoccurring or chronic issues.

Get Expert Help.

If you experience bladder irritation, you can identify what’s really going on and establish an effective therapy plan. I take a science-based approach to understanding your unique digestive needs. Developing a healthy gut balance by identifying food irritants and optimizing digestion can have a big impact on reducing chronic symptoms and boosting overall health and vitality.

The Tummy Whisperer is here for you. Call today for a free 15-minute consultation.

Let’s get you feeling better.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

Alfalfa Bluegrass Festival – 2-10pm. Entertainment includes live acoustic music, an acoustic open stage and local bluegrass performers, including headliner Miles Over Mountains and an option to camp after the festival. Food and beer available for purchase. This is a low-impact, outdoor, cash-only event. No dogs allowed. $25/ adult, $10/child in advance; $40 at the gate. Camping $20 in advance. 1560 Rockton Rd, Caledonia. LearnGrowConnect. org/specialevents.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

TheosoFEST Mind, Body, Spirit Festival – 10am-5pm. Includes talks on meditation, Buddhism, holistic healing and more. Vegetarian food, a holistic marketplace showcasing more than 100 vendors, a festive Kids’ Korner, intuitive readings, labyrinth walks, tai chi and yoga, and more. Admission free, $5 parking. Theosophical Society, 1926 N Main St, Wheaton. 630-668-1571 x 315. Theosophical.org/theosofest.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

Holistic Health Fai r – 10am-5pm. Explore holistic health and metaphysical topics, local vendors, speakers and energy workers with a wide range of products and services. $10/online, $12/ day of, free/16 & under. DoubleTree by Hilton Libertyville-Mundelein, 510 E IL Rte 83, Mundelein. 262-515-1472. HolisticHealthFair.org.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

5th International and Scientific Pyramid Conference: Pyramid Secrets – Sept 22-24. An amazing group of international speakers, 2 initiations and several 2-hr workshops, remarkable vendors, along with a Saturday night vegetarian buffet. $125. Golden Pyramid House, Gurnee. 773-456-9202. GlobalPyramidConference.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

Trinity Health Freedom Expo Weekend – Oct 14-15. 9am-6pm, Sat; 9am-5pm, Sun. Offers resources to help navigate changes in healthcare and learn new ways to improve physical and mental health. Health experts, innovative natural products and services from more than 75 exhibitors. $25/advance, $30/at door; $5 discount for Military, Seniors, Trinity School Students and Alumni, Healthcare Workers, and First Responders. Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr, Tinley Park. Register: 888-658-3976 or TrinityHealthFreedomExpo.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

Body Mind Spirit Expo – Oct 21-22. 10am7pm, Sat; 10am-6pm, Sun. Immerse yourself in the holistic community with our incredible 100+ performers & vendors. $15. Midwest Conference Center, 401 W Lake St, Northlake. BMSE.net.

7th Annual Women’s Mycelium Mysteries Conference – Sept 22-24. Hosted by Midwest Women’s Herbal focusing on all things in the mushroom world. Workshops offered at the beginner through advanced levels on topics such as wild mushroom skills, fungal ecology, fungi and human health, and ethnomycology. Keynote speakers are Katherine MacLean, PhD, Cornelia Cho, MD, and Anne Pringle, PhD. Almond, WI. Tickets & to register: MidwestWomensHerbal.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

16th Annual Green Living Expo – 10am3pm. Who should attend: community members interested in doing business with local eco-friendly professionals; individuals who wish to educate themselves about topics like local food options, eco-friendly businesses, and shopping, energy savings, sustainable principles for daily life; people who are looking for new ways to incorporate sustainable principles into their lives. Free. McHenry County College, 8900 US-14, Crystal Lake. 815-479-7765. McHenry.edu/greenexpo.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Holistic Health Fair – 10am-5pm. Explore holistic health and metaphysical topics, local vendors, speakers and energy workers with a wide range of products and services. $10/online, $12/day of, free/16 & under. Hilton Chicago/Northbrook, 2855 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook. 262-515-1472. HolisticHealthFair.org.

Check

Online: Check the NA Online Calendar and Directory for many updates and new online events and workshops.

ONGOING EVENTS

To ensure we keep our community calendar current, ongoing events must be resubmitted each month. DEADLINE: All listings must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Calendar events must be submitted online at NAChicago.com/Calendar.

DAILY

Travel Tales Outdoor Trail Exhibit – Thru Aug 31. 8am-sunset. Walk the interpretive trail along the Des Plaines River to discover the treks (some daily and others yearly) of several local animals. Free. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville. ReconnectWithNature.org

Monarch’s First Flight – July 1-Sept 22. 10-10:30am, Tues-Sat; 1-1:30pm, Sun. Each day, nature center staff will tag and release any butterflies that have emerged from their chrysalides. Free. Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 S Dutton Rd, Beecher. Confirm there are monarchs ready to be released: 708-946-2216. ReconnectWithNature.org.

Summer Spinner Challenge – July 1-30. 10am-4pm, Wed-Sat; 12-4pm, Sun. Start at the nature center by picking up your spinner card from the front desk and then head to the play area or take a hike spinning along the way. Spin to see which challenge to do first. Free. Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 419 Trout Farm Rd, Bolingbrook. ReconnectWithNature.org.

SUNDAY

Glenwood Sunday Market – Thru Oct 29. 9am-2pm. Glenwood Ave between Morse & Lunt Aves, Rogers Park. GlenwoodSundayMarket.org.

Farmers Market+ at the Dole – Thru Oct 29. No market: Jun 25 & Jul 2. 10am-2pm. Front lawn of Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Rd, Crystal Lake. TheDole.org.

Time to Dance: Ballet – 10:30am. Also 1:30pm, Tues & 5:30pm, Thurs. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Free Aura Reading – 12:30-1:30pm. Also Sat. Learn more about your chakra energy system and manifest your dreams. Body & Brain, 860 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville. RSVP: 847-362-2724. BodyNBrain.com/ Libertyville.

MONDAY

See NAChicago.com for latest events.

TUESDAY

Dog Admission Day at the Arboretum –Thru Aug. 7am-sunset. Hit the trails, at The Morton Arboretum, with your canine friend. $5/dog. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. Reservations required: MortonArb.org.

Cultivating Guts Podcast: New Episode Release – 9am. Tiffany Hinton’s podcast where we discuss gardening, homesteading, gut health, following our intuition, herbalism and functional medicine to create a life of joy and beauty. Listen on Spotify, YouTube and iTunes. Free. Tinyurl.com/CultivatingG.

Time to Dance: Ballet – 1:30pm. Also 10:30am, Sun & 5:30pm, Thurs. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Tummy Whisperer Podcast – 1:30pm. With Renee Barasch. Listeners can hear her speak live on Apple, Spotify and Facebook, or listen to the podcast at any time. Episode 1, “The Importance of Gut Health: Exploring the World of Digestive Wellness,” is available for 24/7 streaming. For more info: 847-207-2034 or DigestiveHealthSolutions.com.

Community Meditation – 7-8pm. Doors close at 7:05pm. Different topics each week. Facilitator changes weekly. Walk-ins welcome. Love donation. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

WEDNESDAY

45th Season of the Ravinia Farmers Market – Thru Oct 25. 7am-1pm. Jens Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Ave, Highland Park. RaviniaFarmersMarket.com.

Meridian Stretching – 10-11am. Develop strength, flexibility, breathing and energy. You may notice that our yoga classes offer a variety of exercises and poses, helping to keep your practice fun and dynamic while consistently covering the basics. In-person & online. Body & Brain, 860 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville. 847362-2724. Libertyville@BodyNBrain.com. BodyNBrain.com/Libertyville.

Arbor Evenings – Thru Aug 23. 6-9pm. Friends and family can spend time together and enjoy live music while relaxing outdoors. $13/adults, $5/children, free/ages 1 and younger. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. Details: MortonArb.org.

Akashic Records & Angel Card Readings – 7-9pm. By appt. Have questions about your spiritual life? Ask for guidance from your angels and guides with an Akashic Record Angel Card Reading. What questions are on your mind now? $40/30 mins, $70/1 hr. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Crystal Energy Layout – 7-9pm. Lay back and relax as you have crystals picked especially for you while having reiki performed to restore balance, health or help you regain a sense of peace. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

THURSDAY

Time to Dance: Fitness – 9:30am. Emphasizes low-impact, high-intensity, cardio dance and fitness routines accompanied by music. Alternate dance with resistance routines to build and maintain muscle and bone density. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Numerology or Card Reading – 1-4pm. With Phil for numerology. With Robert for card reading. Call for appt; walk-ins taken when available. $35/30 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Time to Dance: Modern – 1:30pm. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience are welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Time to Dance: Ballet – 5:30pm. Also 10:30am, Sun & 1:30pm, Tues. Although not beginner classes, dancers of all levels of experience are welcome. In-person & Zoom. CBG Institute for Dance and Health, 505 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. To register: CBG-Institute.org.

Community Healing Circle – 6pm. All welcome. Opens with a heart resonance meditation followed by reading each intention aloud while others practice focused silence. Closes with a restorative exercise to release, regenerate and renew. Free. Philosopher’s Stone Apothecary, 160 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights. 224-735-2355. PhilosophersStoneApothecary.com.

FRIDAY

St. Charles Indoor Farmers Market – 9am12pm. Baker Memorial Church, 307 Cedar Ave, St. Charles. BakerMemorialChurch.org.

Reflexology – 2-5:30pm. With Cheryl. $40/30 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. For appt: 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

SATURDAY

Crystal Energy Layout – Lay back and relax as you have crystals picked especially for you while having reiki performed to restore balance, health, or help you regain a sense of peace. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Deerfield Farmers Market – Thru Oct 14. 7am-12:30pm. Park Ave between Jewett Park Dr and Hazel Ave. Deerfield.il.us/301/Farmers-Market.

Green City Market – 7am-1pm. Lincoln Park, 1817 N Clark St, Chicago. GreenCityMarket.org.

Woodstock Farmers Market – Thru Sept. 8am-1pm. Historic Woodstock Square, Woodstock. WoodstockFarmersMarket.org.

Plant Chicago Farmers Markets – Thru Nov 4. 11am-3pm. Large market 3rd Sat, at David Square Park; Mini-market every Sat in front of the Firehouse. Plant Chicago, 4459 S Marshfield Ave, Chicago. Details: PlantChicago.org.

Akashic Records & Angel Card Readings –12-4pm. Walk-ins welcome. $40/30 mins, $70/60 mins. Sacred Ground, 15 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. 847-749-3922. ShopSacredGround.com.

Free Aura Reading – 12:30-1:30pm. See Sun listing. Body & Brain, 860 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville. RSVP: 847-362-2724. BodyNBrain.com/Libertyville.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE

Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine

CALANDRA CENTER FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS

Teri Calandra, MSTOM, Dipl Acu, LAc, LMT, RMT

830 E. Higgins Rd, Unit 116, Schaumburg 312-515-9492

Facebook @CalandraAcuChi

CalandraAcupuncture.com

We believe that when someone has the tools to help themselves that the possibilities are endless. Offering acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, NAET allergy elimination, reiki, Access Consciousness, and a variety of wellness educational classes. Teri specializes in gynecological disorders, infertility, menopausal syndrome, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, allergies, respiratory disorders, digestive disorders, thyroid disorders.

NIRVANA ACUPUNCTURE AND INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE LANA MOSHKOVICH, LAC, ND, MSOM

707 Lake Cook Rd, Ste 125, Deerfield 60015 847-715-9044

NirvanaNaturopathics.com

We use acupuncture to help you get immediate relief from acute or chronic pain. Combining Western and Chinese Medicine, we can treat and resolve insomnia, anxiety, fertility and women’s health issues, plus chronic conditions. Certified NAET. Preferred MeiZen Provider. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. Major insurances accepted. Schedule your initial appointment on NirvanaNaturopathics.com. Get a healthier and alternative approach to your chronic health conditions. See ad on page 25.

Allergies

MIDWEST ALLERGY RELIEF CENTER

111 Barclay Blvd, Ste 101, Lincolnshire 60069 847-392-7901

MidwestAllergyRelief.com

Sage Healing Collective

525 S Tyler Rd, Ste S, St Charles 60174 331-901-5672

SageHealingCollective.com

Dr. Amanda Thiry, DC, BSN, uses Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT), a non-invasive alternative technology that’s effective and safe for all ages, to identify and treat specific allergen elements that affect your quality of life. Discover how you can eat foods, be near pets and use products again that you now avoid, and experience a new lease on life.

Bodywork

MAGIC HANDS THERAPEUTIC BODYWORK

Deb Lawrence

Wheaton and Bartlett

630-202-3641

MagicHandsBirth.com

Helping adults, children and babies to release pain and tightness and find comfort through the Craniosacral Fascia Therapy/Gillespie Approach. Deb Lawrence, LMT, offers effective, light touch therapy by identifying the tightness and assisting it to safely release, including tight, fussy babies with nursing challenges as well as children and adults with tightness and pain.

ZEN SHIATSU CHICAGO

825 Chicago Ave, Evanston 60202

847-864-1130

ZenShiatsuChicago.org

You’ll feel the stress melt away like the snow in spring through our relaxation-focused shiatsu massage practice, which offers the same energizing benefits as acupuncture combined with the restorative power of yoga poses. Dress in cozy threads, shiatsu is performed on fully clothed clients. Professional and student therapists available. See ad on back cover.

Bookstores

THE GREEN READ

61 N Williams St, Crystal Lake 60014 779-220-4945

THE GREEN SPOT

110 S Johnson St, Woodstock 60098 815-527-7122

TheGreenReadBookstore@gmail.com mcdef.org/bookstores

The Green Read and The Green Spot bookstores are committed to providing high-quality, gently used books to our communities. The Green Read also carries new, hand-crafted and sustainable puzzles, gifts and stationery products. The bookstores are run by the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County. All purchases support their environmental projects.

Community Hub

AWAKE: ONENESS TRIBE

Suburban Chicagoland AwakeOnenessTribe.org

A nonprofit hub where seekers in the local community can come together, be heard, be seen, and be valued. AWAKE is a place where people can communicate freely, without fear of judgment, and participate in events to improve all aspects of health: physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual. AWAKE acknowledges the value of being part of an open-minded community of people who are eager to learn and grow together.

Crystal and Rock Stores

GEMZ AND BOARDZ

3101 W Montrose Ave, Chicago 60618 872-218-0307 • GemzAndBoardz.com

Retail and online 90s-themed crystal and skateboard shop with an amazing selection of rocks and crystals, handmade jewelry, local products, boards and more at great prices. We’re also an internet café for work and relaxing with coffee and tea available. Check out our events, pop-ups, game nights and facility party rental options.

Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community.

Digestive Health Specialist

RENEÉ S. BARASCH, LDHS

Telehealth and In-Office

847-207-2034

DigestiveHealthSolutions.com

Digestive problems? Acid Reflux/ GERD, IBS, Crohn’s, colitis? Let us help you naturally achieve nutritional balance, feel better and enhance the quality of your life. Improve digestion while reducing discomfort and bloating so you can eat the foods you love again. Certified digestive health specialist/enzyme therapist. See ads on pages 7 and 47.

Energy Gemstones & Jewelry

JOANN LYSIAK, ENERGY SPECIALIST

Joann Lysiak Gems

847-596-0274

Joann@JoannLysiakGems. com

JoannLysiakGems.com

Gemstones have energy properties that you can benefit from when wearing them or displaying them. Using the energy properties, you can attract love, abundance or increase your intuition and Spiritual Consciousness or strengthen your energy. View my collection with purpose or let me intuitively find the perfect gemstone for you.

Float Therapy

FLOTSTONE

57 E Scranton Ave, Lake Bluff 60044 847-482-1700 • Flotstone.com

Floatation therapy is quickly being recognized as a very safe and effective way to shift into the parasympathetic state of total relaxation. Floating cradles you in its graceful healing waters optimizing your body’s ability to do what it does best, heal! Float effortlessly in over 1,250 lbs of Epsom salt. See ad on page 37.

Functional Medicine

DR. ALLA ARUTCHEVA, MD, PHD, ND

Antalee Wellness

1352 Patriot Blvd, Glenview 60026 847-486-1130 • AntaleeHolistic.com

If you are seeking integrative and natural approach to your wholebody health, Dr. Arutcheva will use her extensive knowledge, training and experience to work with you to create a personalized plan to prevent and overcome illness based on her strategy of health screening tests, stateof-the-art technology and the best natural supplements. These methods accelerate your ways to optimum health and prevent the development of serious chronic diseases.

HEAL N CURE MEDICAL WELLNESS

Meena Malhotra, MD, ABIM, ABOM

2420 Ravine Way, Ste 400, Glenview 60025

847-686-4444 • HealNCure.com

Specializing in medical wellness, weight loss, hormone balancing, diabetes, fibromyalgia and anti-aging, using integrative and functional medicine. We find and resolve the root cause of medical conditions and achieve outstanding, lasting results for our patients, many of which had almost given up on wellness goals. Free educational seminars. PPO insurance and Medicare accepted for covered services. See ad on page 3.

Holistic & Airway Dentistry

DR. ALLA AVER, DDS

2400 Ravine Way, Suite 400, Glenview 60025 847-998-5100

GlenviewSmiles.com

Our office uses whole-body, preventive dental care. We utilize non-fluoridated ozonated water, herbal periodontal treatments, and gluten-free herbal paste. We offer: safe amalgam removal; BPA-free fillings and sealants; non-metal crowns; sleep apnea and TMJ appliances; ozone therapy; microscopic plaque analysis; material reactivity testing kits; and non-acrylic night guards, partials.

K. BOEHM, DDS, & ASSOCIATES

1585 N Barrington Rd, Ste 106, Hoffman Estates 60069 | 847-884-1220

1440 Maple Ave, Ste 2A, Lisle 60532 630-810-1280 | KBoehmDDS.com

Offering state-of-the-art holistic dental care in a relaxed environment, Dr. Boehm and his staff are ready to meet all your dental needs in either of his two locations. Bio-compatible materials and an extensive knowledge of the correlation between oral and overall health are his specialties. Services include safe mercury removal, electrodermal screening for materials compatibility and tooth viability, crowns, bridges, dentures, zirconia implants, homeopathy, cranial osteopathy, orthodontics, ozone therapy, CT/3D imaging, and laser treatment for both gum disease and decay.

JOEL SANDERS, DDS & SIMONA BAREKET, DDS

489 Laurel Ave, Highland Park 60035 847-432-6501

JoelSandersDDS.com

We are a holistic dental team focused on whole person wellness rather than just your teeth. Dr. Sanders and Dr. Simona work with empathy, care and a gentle touch. Services include cleanings and comprehensive exams, material biocompatibility testing, safe amalgam removal, ozone therapy, BPA-free restorations, non-metal crowns and implants, and more.

SERENITY DENTAL

Dr. Dawn Diehnelt, DDS

22285 N Pepper Rd, Lake Barrington 920-574-1103

W3132 Van Roy Rd, Appleton, WI 920-364-0575

SerenityDentalSchaumburg.com

Family dentist emphasizing the connection between airway, dental and overall health. Persistent airway issues can cause crooked teeth, sleep apnea, snoring, ADHD, bedwetting, difficulty concentrating—even anxiety and depression. Our approach naturally develops jaws, improves facial balance and straightens teeth, opening the airway to improve breathing and sleeping. See ad on page 23.

WRIGLEYVILLE DENTAL

Dr. Bernice Teplitsky, DDS, PC 3256 N Ashland, Chicago 60657

773-975-6666

WrigleyvilleDental.com

Chicago’s premier biological holistic dentists. Offering the latest technology, we provide ozone, lasers, same-day-crowns and BPA/fluoride-free nontoxic products. Several dentists on staff with unique specialties provide safe amalgam removal, PRF facials, orthodontics, TMJ, sleep/airway, children’s dentistry and countless other treatments. One home for all your dental needs. Free garage parking. See ad on page 29.

Holistic Health Practitioner

BIO-ENERGY CENTER

Kankakee Natural Foods

BioEnergy Center

815-933-6236

KankakeeNaturalFoods.com

Our BioEnergy Center brings together stateof-the-art machines in one location for an integrative wellness experience. Our approach to healing meets each client’s unique needs through personalized testing and therapies. Come as you are, no appointment needed. Kankakee Natural Foods Wellness under One Roof.

CENTER FOR HEALING AND INTEGRATION

700 E Ogden, Ste 304, Westmont 60559

630-828-2953

HealingAndIntegration.com

Center for Healing and Integration is a new sanctuary for holistic healing in Westmont. Offering acupuncture, meditation, reiki, nutrition, massage, counseling, yoga, sound healings and more. Experience group and individual sessions, workshops, private events and corporate retreats for the mind, body and spirit.

Hypnosis-Hypnotherapy

BRUCE G. SKEDD, MS, CI, CHT, CT.NLP, CM.NLP, CHLC

NGH Certified Instructor

Vm/text: 630-778-0899

Hypnocat10@gmail.com

Wishing you a Better Year filled with Continued Success. Bad habits don’t happen overnight and unsupported willpower often is unsuccessful. If you’ve decided it’s time for a Successful change in your weight, sleep or fitness Hypnosis may be your Easy and Natural path to Success this year. CALL Bruce now at 630-778-0899.

Integrative Medicine

BROOKFIELD HEALTH & WELLNESS, LLC

150 S Sunnyslope Rd, Ste 148, Brookfield, WI 262-395-4023

BrookfieldHealthAndWellness.com

Our passion is helping patients maximize their health, allowing you to live life to the absolute fullest. We approach each patient as an individual by assessing the body with state-of-the art, bio-energetic technology to identify underlying root cause issues. See ad on page 37.

THE EISENSTEIN CLINIC

Jennifer Eisenstein, APN, DNP

415 W Golf Rd, Ste 2, Arlington Hts, 60005 847-329-2020

EisensteinClinic.com

We are a nurse practitioner-owned and -operated clinic, offering comprehensive family care for everyone from newborns to adults. We share our passion for health care, overall wellness and parental rights in guiding their children’s care, using natural alternatives when possible. Clinic director Jen is double-board certified as a family nurse practitioner and a doctor of nursing practice. Most insurance accepted.

thriveMD – OPTIMAL HEALTH

Dr. Greg Seaman

1355 Remington Rd, Ste I, Schaumburg IL 60173

312-600-5070 • Info@thriveMD.org

Using IV therapies, PRP, weight management and other natural programs, we help conditions like fatigue, brain fog, hormone imbalance, pain, injury, weight gain, decreased performance, tickborne disease and more. After an initial consultation, we design your custom program to obtain true optimal health, which includes living a healthy lifestyle and being committed to yourself.

Integrative Psychotherapy

ELLEN KATZ, MS, LMFT Clinical Director, Inner Balance Chicago, Palm Springs 847-224-0244 • EllenKatz.net

Ellen’s 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist integrates a conscious approach to healing old patterns through a mix of trauma and mindfulness-based psychotherapies, HMR, Lifeline, The Work (Byron Katie), energy medicine and somatic awareness. Join Meetup.com “Inner Balance Meditation” for updates on her events, and visit her at EllenKatz.net.

Lifelong Learning & Personal Growth

THE EDGAR CAYCE HOLISTIC CENTER AND BOOKSTORE

At Unity Northwest Church

259 E Central Rd, Des Plaines 60016 847-299-6535

AREChicagoCenter@gmail.com

Full-service bookstore, Cayce remedies, spiritual growth study groups, monthly programs, workshops and holistic fairs, intuitive skills development training, knowledgeable seekers, intuitives, healers and more. Call for hours. See ad on page 39.

INFINITY FOUNDATION

1280 Old Skokie Rd, Highland Park 60035 847-831-8828 • InfinityFoundation.org

Many courses now live in-person, hybrid or on Zoom, some are recorded to watch later. CEUs available. Call for free course guide.

Meditation Center

KADAMPA MEDITATION CENTER CHICAGO

13 Harrison St, Oak Park 60304 2010 W Pierce Ave, Chicago 60622 708-763-0132 • MeditateInChicago.org

Meditation and modern Buddhism. Everyone welcome. We offer an array of drop-in classes, weekend events, and retreats open to everyone and suitable for all levels of experience. A nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, we’re dedicated to sharing the practical wisdom of Buddha’s teachings with Chicagoland through meditation and mindfulness practices.

Nutritional IV Therapy

thriveMD

1355 Remington Rd, Ste I

Schaumburg IL 60173

312-600-5070 • thriveMD.com

Thrive MD offers a way to deliver vital fluids, vitamins, electrolytes and nutrients directly into the bloodstream which can restore hydration, support the immune system and aid in faster recovery. Offerings include nutritional immune support, weight loss, vitality and stress relief.

Nutraceutical and Supplements

FUFLUNS’ FOODS

Perry Galanopoulos, Owner

Info@FuFlunsFoods.com | FuFlunsFoods.com

FuFluns’ is a Chicago-based, family-owned, provider of mushroom and botanical supplements. We utilize pre-industrial, astrologically influenced, farming and extraction practices, which are better for both people and planet. Offered online and by discerning healthcare practitioners. See ad on page 23.

Reiki and Energy Medicine

ENERGYGIRL, LLC

708-703-0110

EnergyGirl2020@gmail.com

EnergyGirl2020.com

Healing for you and your pets. Mary Walters, RN, EEM-CP, started her business to help people and animals become the best versions of themselves. She uses reiki, frequency healing and energy medicine techniques to help her clients find optimal harmony and balance. Classes are also available.

LEYA (LILIYA) ORIT

Remote Healing Practitioner

314-568-4848

LeyaOrit@gmail.com

Emotion and Body Code Practitioner with a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Allied Health. With more than 20 years’ experience in health and wellness fields, Liliya’s combined knowledge of the human body with a variety of energy healing techniques creates an optimal physical, mental and spiritual state to help you heal most effectively from conditions including anxiety, headaches, low energy, gastrointestinal concerns and sleep issues.

CLASSIFIEDS

AKASHIC CONSULTATION

AKASHIC RECORD READING – Open the record of your soul’s journey to find information to support you in your life right now, heal your past and help you into your future. Heal. Grow. Investigate. Find direction. Lin Ewing: 847-609-0034. AstrologicalDetails.com.

ASTROLOGY

ASTROLOGY – Understand yourself, your motivations, your feelings. Recognize your talents, strengths, successes. Overcome difficulties and confusion. Astrology can help pull it all together. Relationships. Career. Plan the future. Serious astrology for serious seekers. Private, personal consultations. Lin Ewing: 847-609-0034. AstrologicalDetails.com.

FOR RENT

YOUR LISTING CAN BE HERE – Visit NAChicago.com/classifieds.

HELP WANTED

HIGHLAND HEALTH FOODS IS HIRING – Part-time sales associates. Employees receive free product samples, monthly product allowances, trainings and more. 847-831-0460.

INTEGRATIVE TEAM OF PRACTITIONERS – Looking for individual contractors interested in renting a beautiful office, while working together. Focus on mind, body, soul connection. Email: JRutkowski@HealingAndIntegration.com.

YOUR LISTING CAN BE HERE – Visit NAChicago.com/classifieds.

SERVICES

MODERN TAROT – Readings available one-on-one, couples, party groups and businesses. Meditation and tarot private sessions available. English and Spanish by Blanca. 872-305-1207.

PETS

HERBS FOR DOGS – Herbs and vitamins could help your dogs live a healthier and happier life. Learn more: HolisticHerbsForDogs.com.

Skeletal Strengthening

OSTEOSTRONG

126 Skokie Rd, Wilmette 60091

224-408-2369

195 W Golf Rd, Schaumburg, 60195 224-487-8881

OsteoStrong.me

OsteoStrong is an Integrative Health and Wellness Center with a focus on musculoskeletal strengthening. The 4-device circuit takes only minutes once per week to complete. Under the direction of a skilled technician, users engage in a safe, controlled, movement that results in a stimulus to the central nervous system triggering osteogenesis or new bone growth. See ad on page 9.

Thermography, Thermometry & Ultrasound

NORTHWEST MEDICAL SCREENING (formerly known as Northwest Medical Thermography)

Locations across Chicago area

224-600-3216

Facebook: @northwesthealingcenter NWMedicalScreening.com

Erica Cody is a certified thermographer and works with a team of technicians and doctors together focusing on women and men’s health. Our scans help to indicate issues throughout the body, including head, breast, abdominal and pelvis. Women’s Health Check half-body scans can also detect dysfunction and provide indications for further investigation. Multiple locations: see website for schedule and to make an appointment. See ad on page 15.