These Gifts Make a Difference

The nonprofit Hudson County court-appointed special advocates (CASA) annual toy drive provides hundreds of gifts distributed to the children they work with every day. CASA is committed to advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children by working through trained community volunteers to ensure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.

ASA volunteers get to know an assigned child and their circumstances, and provide valuable information to the court. Judges rely on volunteers’ recommendations to make the best decisions about the children’s futures.

For more information, visit HudsonCountyCASA.org. To purchase toys, visit the Amazon Wishlist at http://a.co/6Kl6iwY.

You Are Not Fat, You Are Swollen

When I was a young dancer, I had a flat belly. And I was concerned that my belly would grow with age. As a Pilates exercise instructor, I examined many client abdomens, while seriously looking for solutions to keep their (and my) bellies flat. Read More »

Annual Holiday Party for Families in Jersey City

JCFamilies will come together to cele- brate the season for the eighth annual Holiday Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., December 7, at the Harborside Atrium, in Jersey City. Read More »

De-Stress With a December Language Workshop

The Learn Language Hoboken two-part workshop series is a fun and interactive way to build conversational skills and get a jump start on language goals ahead of the winter term. Read More »

LifeWorks Wellness Center is Proud to Welcome New Doctor

Dr. David Minkoff, founder of LifeWorks Wellness Center, has recently welcomed Dr. Rodney Soto and the Neurology Division to his medical clinic. Read More »

Holiday Crafts at City Hall

The Hoboken Holiday Craft Show will be held this year from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., December 7 and 8, at Hoboken City Hall. Read More »

Pitch in at the Park

Volunteers 14 and older are needed to support gardening projects including weeding, mulching, clean-up, removing invasive botanical species and planting for EarthKeepers at 9 a.m. Saturdays on December 7, 14, 21 and 28 at Liberty State Park. Read More »

Learn Language Hoboken Winter Session Sign-Up

Learn Language Hoboken (LLH) winter session will be starting January 13, 2020. LLH has a host of languages including Spanish, French, Italian, German and Mandarin. Read More »

Kids Dream Big Foundation Holiday Party

The nonprofit Kids Dream Big (KDB) Foundation is hosting their fourth annual holiday party from 8 to 11 p.m., December 6. Read More »

A Nutcracker of Our Own

Nimbus Dance Works presents the ninth year of the company’s annual holiday tradition, Jersey City Nutcracker, from December 13 through 22. Read More »

Holiday Shopping With a Mission

The third annual Hoboken Girl Holiday Market will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m., December 17, at Birch Hoboken. Read More »

Homemade Holiday Ornaments

Parents can spend time with their children being creative and artsy in the Create with Me! workshops at Monroe Arts Center’s EatMetal Art Jewelry Gallery and Metals Studio while making a beautiful stamped metal ornament to take home. Read More »

These Gifts Make a Difference

The nonprofit Hudson County court-appointed special advocates (CASA) annual toy drive provides hundreds of gifts distributed to the children they work with every day. Read More »

Three Weeks of Profound Workshops at Cabo Breath Fest

In celebration of Natural Awakenings’ commitment to promoting higher consciousness during the last 25 years, the Cabo Breath Fest will offer many life-changing workshops plus other activities from February 1 to 21, in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. Read More »

Natural Awakenings Magazine Hudson County - December 2019

Read Articles from our December 2019 Issue Read More »

Animal Rescue: Government Order Reduces Animal Testing

The Environmental Protection Agency is moving to reduce the animal testing it has long required to gauge the toxicity of chemicals before they can be bought, sold or used in the environment. Read More »

Beyond Calcium: Full-Spectrum Bone Health

Calcium strategies, the right balance of mineral-rich foods, supplements and exercises that increase bone density and muscle mass all help to keep bones strong and fall-resistant. Read More »

Burn Notice: Safe and Sustainable Fireplace Practices

Sustainable, safe and healthy practices for using indoor fireplaces and wood stoves—especially when it comes to maintaining air quality. Read More »

Charge It: Electric Vehicles Get Their Own ‘Gas’ Station

A Maryland gas station owner has replaced his pumps with electric vehicle chargers, making it the first such exclusive charging station in the country. Read More »

Eat a Better Diet to Improve Gut Bacteria

Those with higher quality diets have significantly better gut bacteria diversity, a factor linked to reduced risk for a variety of diseases. Read More »

Eat Mushrooms to Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer

Research finds that consuming culinary mushrooms three times a week can lower the chance of developing prostate cancer by 17 percent. Read More »

Eat Nuts to Reduce Odds of Death From Heart Disease

Eating nuts, a good source of unsaturated fat, two or more times per week have a 17 percent lower risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke. Read More »

Extreme Weather Events Affect Mental Well-Being

People that experience storm and flood damage to their homes are about 50 percent more likely to experience depression and anxiety. Read More »

Heave Ho: Cruise Line Abandons Plastic Bottles

As a result of its partnership with Just Goods, Inc., the Norwegian Cruise Line will replace single-use plastic bottles across its fleet by January 1, 2020. Read More »

Inhaling the Joy of Life: Conscious Breathwork

Mindfully guiding our breath back to its original rhythm helps lower stress and improve vagal tone, easing such conditions as depression, insomnia and pain syndromes. Read More »

Lab Steak: Making Meat Without Animals

The Alliance for Meat, Poultry and Seafood Innovation is seeking to create real meat from animal cells without the need to slaughter animals. Read More »

Lung Relief: Biosolar Leaf Purifies Air in London

Large, solar panel-like structures on the sides of buildings are being used to grow microalgae, phytoplankton and diatoms, purifying the air while generating breathable oxygen. Read More »

Maintain a Healthy Diet and Weight to Lower Cataract Risk

Maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) of less than 25, combined with a healthy diet, can reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Read More »

Marry to Halve the Risk of Dementia

Researchers find unmarried individuals—cohabiting, divorced, separated, widowed and never married—have significantly higher odds of developing dementia than their married counterparts. Read More »

Nature Cure: Forests and Shrubs Lower Medical Costs

Higher levels of forest and shrub cover throughout the country correspond to lower levels of Medicare health care spending. Read More »

Perfect Pet Presents: Safe and Eco-Smart Toys

When picking out holiday gifts for our beloved dogs and cats, follow these guidelines to make sure the toys are safe for the pet and eco-friendly for the planet. Read More »

Reduce Blood Pressure and Heart Attacks With Better Gut Bacteria

Gut bacteria may affect how hypertensive patients respond to medications and whether cardiac patients are more likely to have heart attacks. Read More »

Refresh Holiday Traditions: Making the Old New and Green

Eco-friendly, green twists on holiday family traditions to help instill the importance of sustainability in kids. Read More »

Repurposing Weeds: Pond Plants Offer Protein Strategy

Duckweed, a fast-growing plant that blooms on bodies of water, is a superior protein source relatively free of allergens or endangered by climate change. Read More »

Surgeon Mary Neal on Lessons From Heaven

Orthopedic surgeon Mary Neal writes about her near-death experiences and the purpose of life in her books To Heaven and Back and 7 Lessons from Heaven. Read More »

The Emerging Power of ‘We’: Awakening to the Evolution of Community

In this time of climate and societal problems, intentional communities that challenge the “It’s all about me” culture are pointing the way to collective solutions that can save the planet. Read More »

The Generous Heart: How Giving Transforms Us

When we give to others, whether it’s an act of kindness, generosity or compassion, it helps us live from the heart instead of the ego. Read More »

The Merry Vegan: People-Pleasing Holiday Sweets

Healthy vegan, gluten- and grain-free holiday treats and desserts, including recipes for peanut butter cookies, no-bake pecan snowballs and peanut butter cup bars. Read More »

Train Students in Mindfulness to Reduce Stress and Improve Grades

Middle school students who receive mindfulness training experience lower stress levels, less depression and improved academic performance. Read More »

Waste-Free Feasting: How to Reduce Holiday Food Waste

Eco-friendly holiday waste reduction strategies to apply when planning the family meal gatherings. Read More »

In-Print, Community news briefs December 2019 Court-Appointed Special Advocates CASA Toy Drive