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Investing in Our Planet for Better Health

This is our annual Earth Month issue. We hope you'll read it and get excited about how you can make a positive impact on the planet for yourself and for others. The world is facing a climate crisis-whether we call it that or not. We see it play out daily as an ongoing extreme weather event somewhere in the world. Whether it's devastating rainfall and flooding, extraordinary snow and ice or extreme heat and drought, the consequences are loss of life and health and the destruction of homes, jobs and livelihoods.

It's become increasingly important for all of us to make intentional choices to protect the Earth for all our sakes. Investing in the planet, environmental sustainability, green and healthy living, sustainability-whatever you choose to call it-is therefore an enlightened and necessary self-investment. Like receiving childhood vaccinations, it protects our future health and helps ensure that we can live longer, happier, more prosperous lives.

Investing in the planet is also a moral imperative. As we're told in the first book of the Bible, our instruction manual, God created the world and all living things in it, and then gave us humans the task of stewardship over the Earth. I interpret this as a call to care for the environment, to use natural resources wisely and responsibly, and to work toward sustainability. In fact, religious leaders and scholars have argued that caring for the Earth is not just a practical necessity, but a spiritual duty.

For example, Pope Francis has written extensively about the need for environmental stewardship and he argued that environmental degradation is a sin against God's creation. Therefore, investing in our planet can be seen as a way of fulfilling our responsibility to care for the world that God has given us and of working toward a more sustainable future that honors the natural order of creation.

At Natural Awakenings, we are all about the intertwined concepts of green and healthy living, which share the common goal of improving the well-being of individuals and the environment. Both practices emphasize sustainability, minimizing waste and reducing our carbon footprint.

Green living prioritizes environmental sustainability. It involves making choices that are mindful of the planet's limited resources such as cutting energy consumption, conserving water and reducing what goes into our landfills. For instance, people who embrace green living may choose to use energy-efficient appliances, take public transportation and recycle regularly. These actions all help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and air pollution.

On the other hand, healthy living means adopting habits that promote physical and mental well-being like exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, managing stress and getting enough sleep. Healthy living is also about reducing exposure to harmful substances such as chemicals, pollutants and toxins. So people who prioritize healthy living may opt to eat organic foods, use natural cleaning products and avoid smoking or vaping. Here are some green-living practices that also promote healthy living:

❧ Eating organic foods: Foods grown with synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides can be harmful to our health and the Earth. By preferring organic food, we support sustainable agriculture, which helps preserve the soil and reduces water pollution.

❧ Using natural cleaning products: Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin and respiratory system. Natural cleaning products, on the other hand, use plant-based ingredients that are safer for us and the environment.

❧ Walking or biking for transportation: Choosing to walk or bike instead of driving is good for the environment and good for our bodies. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, reduces stress and boosts mood.

❧ Eating a plant-based diet: A plant-based diet has numerous documented health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic illness like heart disease and cancer. It also has a lower environmental impact than a diet heavy in animal products.

There are many other ways that green living and healthy living intersect. We try to bring this relevant, actionable information to you every month in Natural Awakenings. With this issue, we delve into the health effects of toxins and share insights from local and national experts on what you can do to avoid them.

Blessings until next month, Contact

March

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CONNECTING

DISTRIBUTION Valerie Swearingen Rick Clark

Janice Robinson

September

Natural Awakenings

To reach us, contact the Publisher, Bernice Butler at 972.992.8815 or email editor@NADallas.com. Please indicate whether you’re responding to content online or in the magazine.

Now available on: HealthyLivingHealthyPlanetRadio.com, Spotify Stitcher, Google Podcast, Radio Public, Anchor (rate, review, subscribe)

Now available on: HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet Radio.com, Spotify Stitcher, Google Podcast, Radio Public, Anchor, Apple Podcast and on YouTube (rate, review, subscribe)

CONNECTING

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© 2023 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Texas State Parks Celebrate Century of Service

Texas, with 89 state parks covering more than 600,000 acres, has reached a major milestone of 100 years. Since 1923, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been working to protect and preserve our natural resources while providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and education. A year-long celebration with special events and activities at parks will commemorate the past and look to the future of the park system.

As part of the 100th anniversary celebration, TPWD has launched a special website (tpwd.texas.gov) where visitors can learn more about the history of Texas state parks, find events and activities, and share their own park experiences. The department has also created a commemorative poster featuring artwork by Texas artist Kylee Dawn, which will be available for purchase at park gift shops and online.

In addition to the anniversary celebration, TPWD has several ongoing initiatives aimed at improving and expanding the park system, including the Legacy Plan, a comprehensive strategy for managing and enhancing state parks over the next 25 years, and the Texas Children in Nature program, which encourages kids to explore and learn about the natural world.

The statewide park system features iconic landscapes such as Palo Duro Canyon and Big Bend Ranch State Park, historic sites like battleship TEXAS, as well as beach access points that have supported generations of families with activities such as swimming, camping and hiking. In addition to healthy outdoor recreation options, all parks provide unique educational experiences such as ranger-led programs and interpretive displays available onsite or virtually through mobile applications or social media outlets.

The century-long commitment to land stewardship has served not only diversified wildlife habitats, but provided economic benefits to local communities by supporting thousands of jobs across the tourism sector from park operations staffs to concessionaires offering lodging accommodations and food services.

To find out about Centennial Celebration activities visit TPWD. texas.gov/state-parks/100years.

New Vegetarian Chicken Products from Impossible Foods

California-based Impossible Foods is expanding its crispy, juicy chicken line with three new products: Impossible Spicy Chicken Nuggets, Impossible Spicy Chicken Patties and Impossible Chicken Tenders; all made from plants.

The nuggets and patties use a blend of custom spices that add kick to the crispy, juicy, tender bite of the brand’s original plant-based chicken recipe. The tenders feature a blend of spices in a larger, elongated shape for wraps, salad, and baskets.

All three products offer 10 to 12 grams of protein per serving and no cholesterol, as well as up to 35 percent less total fat and up to 55 percent less saturated fat compared to their animal counterparts. They also have a smaller environmental footprint, using 44 percent less water, 49 percent less land and 36 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Impossible chicken nuggets for restaurants outperformed a leading brand of animal chicken nuggets threeto-one in a blind consumer test, and were ranked superior in flavor, texture and overall appearance. The products will be available in the frozen aisle at select retail locations starting this month, followed by national availability in the coming months.

Mother’s Day Run

The37th annual Bagel Run, a Mother’s Day tradition, will take place on May 14 at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) with family-friendly activities. Run or walk in a timed 10K, 5K or Kids K Run. Participate as an individual, family or team. A virtual option is also available. All runners will receive a goody bag, shirt and finisher’s medal. Teams can create a T-shirt, wear costumes, hats or whatever they want to make the team stand out. There will be an award for best spirit/costume.

The 1k Kids K Run is for ages 4 to 12, and all registered kids will receive a T-shirt and medal. The 5K Walk/Run proceeds through a beautiful residential neighborhood along tree-lined streets and finishes on the Northaven Trail back to JCC. The 10K Run completes the same course twice. The Virtual Run can be completed any time. Track mileage using running apps such as Strava, Nike, Garmin Connect, Runkeeper, Map My Run or others.

Pick up packets from 4:30 to 7 p.m., starting May 11. Location: 7900 Northaven Rd., Dallas. Volunteers are needed. For more information and to register, call 214-739-2737 or visit JCC. org/special-evens/bagel-run.

Sharing is Caring EarthShare Texas My Earth My Texas Challenge

Nonprofit EarthShare Texas is undertaking a sustainability challenge, My Earth My Texas 2023, To allow individuals to care for their communities and the environment by participating in fun, rewarding sustainability activities. Register online, then post sustainable actions to Instagram with #MyEarthMyTexas through April 22.

Entrants can win cool eco-prizes, showcase their green pride, get involved with environmental initiatives and nonprofits or become a fundraiser for more than 30 Texas nonprofits this Earth Month.

Participants can simply complete and post sustainability actions (i.e., bike or walk to work, reuse a water bottle, skip the carwash, compost food scraps, etc.) and post a picture of the action to Instagram. Posts will be counted by EarthShare Texas and entered into drawings for eco-prizes each week.

The challenges amplify and assist the missions and work of the EarthShare Texas member network. These initiatives benefit, protect and beautify our communities, habitats, other species, and ourselves.

Registration is free. For more information, call Jordan Goodrich at 214-733-4874, email Jordan@EarthShare-Texas.org or visit EarthShare-texas.org.

Back In Bloom Fundraising Gala

Nonprofit Texas Blossoms will celebrate the season with the 2023 Back In Bloom Gala, presented by EarthX, at 6 p.m., April 15, at the Nick and Lou Martin University Center at Texas Wesleyan University. Texas Blossoms plants and nurtures blossoming trees across the state, and gala attendees and sponsors provide critical funding for their expanding operations. They primarily plant trees in community spaces and underserved areas, frequently collaborating with libraries and schools.

Angela Goodwin, board president of Texas Blossoms, says, “It costs nearly $100 to purchase a tree, but the costs don’t end there. We remain committed to nurturing our trees well after they’re in the ground,” said . “We’ve already planted nearly 1,600 trees and we water every one of them regularly. It costs about $750 to water all our trees per watering route. We couldn’t protect our trees and serve the community like we do without the support of our generous donors.”

General admission tickets are $50 at TexasBlossoms.org/annual-gala with the option to make an additional donation. To become a gala sponsor, call Goodwin at 817-913-0502, email AngelaTexasBlossoms@gmail.com or visit TexasBlossoms.org/gala-sponsorships.

City of Dallas Launches Whole Home Program

Whole Home Dallas online hub connects homeowners to existing programs that offer financial assistance, rebates and tax incentives. The goal is to help residents withstand extreme weather events such as life-threatening heat waves and historic freezes, as well as lower utility costs, increase energy efficiency and reduce pollution. Dallas City Councilwoman Paula Blackmon, chair of the Environmental and Sustainability Committee, says low-income residents suffer disproportionally from the effects of climate change.

The site is sorted into three main categories: weatherization, energy efficiency and renewable energy, with links to current income-based assistance programs, as well as rebates and tax incentives. Weatherization improvements refer to upgrades like caulking, weatherstripping, insulating, installing energy-efficient windows and repairing or replacing doors. Energy efficiency improvements include purchasing Energy Star appliances and light bulbs, programmable thermostats and smart plugs. Renewable Energy contains a guide to solar incentives. They also recently launched a Green Job Skills pilot program aimed at residents working in the building industry, offered in partnership with Santa Fe Community College, has room for up to 50 applicants program.

For more information, visit WholeHomeDallas.com.