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The Seed of the Season
As we approach the festive season, I feel both grateful and contemplative. I’ve been reflecting on the essence of Christmas and its profound impact on humanity. Amid the hustle and bustle, the decorations and the commercial frenzy that seems to start earlier each year, I find solace in recognizing the seed of good that resides within the heart of this season.
Christmas, a word derived from the union of Christ and mass, carries a significance beyond the glittering lights and Santa Claus folklore. Christ, meaning “anointed one”, represents the anticipated savior sent by God to redeem humankind. While the celebration of his birth has evolved beyond its scriptural origins, the core message endures. The Christmas tradition of gift giving, now often entangled with consumerism, traces its roots back to the Magi presenting precious treasures to the baby Jesus, as recounted in the Bible.
In the whirlwind of commercial expressions—from manger scenes to gold and silver ornaments to the bright stars at the tops of Christmas trees—the unmistakable connection to the biblical narrative persists. This connection serves as a seed, waiting to germinate and blossom into a deeper understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the understanding that He is God’s gift to the world to redeem our sins. Despite the commercialization of the holiday, this seed of good still holds the power to spread the message of redemption, salvation and faith—a beacon amid the consumer-driven chaos.
Christmas is also a collective call for us to love one another, fostering a heightened sense of togetherness as a human family. It’s a time when the involuntary spirit of upliftment envelops us, transcending laws or incentives. Year after year, lives are transformed during the holidays as people reconnect with loved ones and become more caring toward themselves and others.
Natural Awakenings’ recurring December theme, Uplifting Humanity, reflects our magazine’s commitment to contribute meaningfully to the discourse of this busy season. We focus on the qualities that define our best potential as humans—helping, caring and sharing. In our feature article, Carrie Jason delves into “The Grace of Giving and Generosity,” and we profile Dominique Robinson, founder of Rockwell Complete Wellness Center, on her own journey of healing with natural therapies.
While this year has been challenging and uncertain for many of us, it has provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on what matters most in life: our health, our relationships, our environment and our purpose. We hope that Natural Awakenings has inspired you to make positive changes in your lifestyle, to connect with nature and yourself, and to discover new ways to enhance your well-being and happiness.
We also hope that we encourage you to practice generosity and kindness, not only during the holiday season, but throughout the year. Generosity isn’t just about giving money or material things; it’s about giving your time, attention, compassion and love. It’s a powerful force that can uplift humanity and create a more peaceful, harmonious world.
In this issue, as always, we’ve curated timely and actionable information to guide you toward a healthier life on a healthy planet. We hope that you’ll find it useful and that your holiday season is filled with meaning, joy and well-being.
Merry Christmas and blessings until next month,
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Now available on: HealthyLivingHealthyPlanetRadio.com, Spotify Stitcher, Google Podcast, Radio Public, Anchor (rate, review, subscribe)
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FEBRUARY HEART-HEALTHY LIVING
MARCH FOOD & NUTRITION
APRIL ECO-TRAVEL
MAY WOMEN’S WELLNESS
JUNE MEN’S HEALTH
SEPTEMBER EMOTIONAL HEALING
NOVEMBER
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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Holiday at the Heard in the Heart of Nature
The nonprofit Heard Museum of Natural History will present Holiday at the Heard, a half-mile nature trail illuminated with holiday lights and décor for a festive, family-friendly experience in the heart of nature, from 6 to 9 p.m., December 7 and 18. Other attractions include live music, hot cocoa, snacks and after-hours rides on the carousel, mini-train and Gorilla Trek. The event will have a “holidays in paradise” theme with a tropical twist, so guests are encouraged to wear their favorite beach shirt and escape to an oasis filled with fun and festive activities.
The trail will be adorned to complement the natural beauty of the woods, prairie and wetlands. Along the trail, guests will encounter the Dinosaurs Live! exhibit, featuring life-size animatronic dinosaurs that roar and move. Proceeds will support the Heard Museum’s mission to inspire children and adults to discover, enjoy, experience, and restore our priceless environment.
The tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors, which includes admission to the museum and the Holiday at the Heard attraction. Location: 1 Nature Pl., McKinney. For more information, visit HeardMuseum.org/ holidays-at-the-heard/#holidays.
Holiday at the Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents Holiday at the Arboretum, featuring the 12 Days of Christmas outdoor exhibit and a Christmas Village through January 5, 2024. Elaborate 25-foot-tall Victorian-style gazebos depict each day in the beloved carol. Each gazebo is filled with charming costumed characters, whimsical animals and winter scenes made of silk and other natural materials. The exhibit is open day and night, with special light and music effects in the evening.
The new Christmas Village, inspired by the European Christmas markets, features 14 shops and façades that represent a quaint town square. Visitors can explore the baker, the candy shop, the Santa house and more. The village also has a 30-foot-tall spruce tree, decorated with more than 10,000 sparkling lights, and a musical tree.
Other free and paid programs such as holiday tea, live entertainment, family activities and classes in A Tasteful Place are available (call 214-515-6615).
General admission is $20 for adults, $16 for seniors 65 and older, $12 for children 2-12, and free for Arboretum members and children under two. Location: 8525 Garland Rd., Dallas. For more information, call 214-515-6500 or visit DallasArboreetum.org.
Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Conference
The Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (TOFGA) will hold its 31st annual conference from January 28 to 30, 2024, at Estancia del Norte, a Tapestry Hotel, in San Antonio. The theme of this premier event for farmers, ranchers, gardeners, consumers and advocates of organic and sustainable agriculture in Texas is “Rooted Across Texas,” reflecting the diversity and resilience of the organic and sustainable agriculture movement in the state. The conference includes two days of in-depth workshops and learning sessions, plus multiple off-site intensives and farm tours. Plus, back by popular demand from last year's conference, there will be a movie night and having a morning wellness movement session before the conference every morning. Conference attendees can sign up for Work Share. Work shares complete six to eight volunteer hours at the conference in exchange for a very discounted full conference registration ticket.
The registration fee is $200 for TOFGA members and $250 for non-members at tofga. org/2024-conference, which includes access to all sessions, workshops, farm tours and meals.. Location: 37 NE Loop 410 at McCullough, San Antonio. For more information and to register visit TOFGA.org/2024-conference.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is one of the most common reproductive health issues, affecting roughly 5 million women in the U.S. alone
Being diagnosed with PCOS and dealing with the associated symptoms such as weight gain, irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair growth, as well as the possibility of infertility, can be devastating. This is especially true for young women dealing with the emotional and physical symptoms that can impact their self-esteem.
PCOS is often misunderstood...
Doctors will often say that there is little that can be done to treat PCOS and that it will be a life-long battle, regulated by prescription medications. Common medical treatments include birth control pills to normalize periods, metformin to control blood sugar and insulin levels, statins to control high cholesterol, hormones to increase fertility, and procedures to remove excess hair. Unfortunately, these so-called solutions only mask the symptoms of PCOS and come with a plethora of side effects. So, unless the PCOS treatment you’re using is having a sustainable impact on correcting these imbalances at the root, all you will end up with is a list of medications that simply band-aid your symptoms.
Balance your hormones naturally!
At BeBalanced, we have helped countless women who are dealing with PCOS to find symptom relief quickly and naturally. We believe that our natural hormone balancing program is the missing piece to addressing any hormonal endocrine disorder, including PCOS at its core.
Through our holistic approach to weight loss and overall wellness, we provide women an all-natural solution. We address the root causes of hormone imbalances through education, stress management tools, a whole foods diet, natural supplementation, and one-on-one support. As a result, our clients have reported vast improvements in their PCOS symptoms, including frustrating weight gain, and many are entirely symptom and medicationfree!
If you or someone you know is struggling with PCOS or any symptoms of a hormone imbalance related to weight, mood, sleep, PMS, or menopause, start by scheduling a free consultation at www.BeBalancedCenters.com.
New Christmas Village at Lightscape
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Lightscape display, with more than one million holiday lights and artistic installations from around the world along a 1.2-mile-long winding walking trail, will run through January 1, 2024. A new Christmas Village is a cozy and festive area with fire pits, s’more-roasting, hot cocoa, holiday music and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.
Lightscape creators aim to build on the success of last year’s inaugural show. New installations for 2023 include Welcome Arch, Star Walk, Santa’s Grove, Branch Fireworks + Pealight Trees, Waterfall, Laser Garden, Winter Cathedral, Fire Garden, Bluebonnets, Singing Trees, Snowflake Forest and Candy Cane Lane.
Location: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth. Purchase tickets at fwbg.org/ lightscape. For more information, call 817-392-5510.
2023 ZooLights at the Dallas Zoo
Asthe oldest and largest zoological park in Texas, the Dallas Zoo will present the annual ZooLights exhibition from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through January 2, 2024. The walk-through attraction covers the entire zoo grounds, including ZooNorth and the Wilds of Africa. Guests can enjoy animal-shaped lanterns, 3-D lighted sculptures, a programmed light show in the amphitheater and lighted photo ops. The event also features live musical performances, festive holiday treats and after-hours rides on the carousel, mini-train and Gorilla Trek.
One highlight is the Illuminated Art Show, a traveling art exhibit that showcases the work of local artists that use light as their medium, including a giant kaleidoscope, a glowing tunnel and a colorful mosaic wall. The exhibit also celebrates the diversity and culture of Dallas with themes like “A Texas Christmas” and “A World of Lights”.
The zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals representing more than 400 species, many of which are endangered or threatened. They participate in conservation and research projects around the world such as saving elephants in Africa, protecting gorillas in Congo, and restoring ocelots in Texas.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for children and seniors at DallasZoo.com/zoolights#gref, which
Santa is On the Move
The 2023 Generational Group Dallas
Jingle Bell Run will take place on December 21 at the Hilton Anatole Dallas. All proceeds benefit The Trinity Strand Trail and The Mavs Foundation, two local organizations that are dedicated to improving the quality of life in Dallas. Highlights include a nighttime 5K run/walk, one-mile walk and a huge after party. This year is themed Holidays in Paradise, with Santa hats and beach shirts.
Participants are encouraged to run dressed up in holiday attire and bring the whole family, including dogs. The course traverses the scenic 7.8-mile Trinity Strand Trail along the original Trinity River watercourse.
The after party features live entertainment, complimentary food and beverages and more. The Paradise Perks package includes a premier experience with a private tent, VIP parking and other exclusive benefits. Register online or on race day, and choose between chiptimed or untimed options.
The registration fee is $40 per person, with discounts for children and virtual participants. Join a team or create one to make the event more fun and competitive. Location: 2201 N. Stemmons Fwy., Dallas. For more information, visit DallasJingleBellRun.org.
Higher Education Goes Digital
Parker University, a leader in healthcare education, has partnered with VictoryXR, a leading provider of virtual classrooms and campuses through virtual reality, to build the Parker Metaversity digital twin campus. This unique recreation of the Dallas Campus includes the grounds, building exteriors and interior student spaces in a hyper-realistic 3-D environment.
Other universities that have created similar scenarios have reported increased student engagement, better test scores and overall greater student achievement compared to both traditional on-campus and online courses. Some of the advantages to creating the Metaversity include a fully immersive 3-D space where users can attend and conduct classes, participate in meetings, perform research projects, provide campus tours and more using virtual reality headsets.
The legacy VictoryXR Academy is a multiplayer forum to learn using a library of more than 60 virtual reality classrooms and 9,000 3-D assets built on the ENGAGE platform. Steve Grubbs, CEO of VictoryXR, states, “Just as airlines train their pilots in a simulator, Parker University will take the same advanced technology to their students, leading to better-prepared practitioners.”
Dr. William E. Morgan, the president of Parker University, says, “Parker University remains at the forefront of educational innovation, steadfast in our commitment to harnessing pertinent technological advancements to enrich the learning journey of our students. By establishing our own Metaversity and the availability of thousands of 3-D virtual reality assets, we proudly extend an unparalleled and immersive learning experience. This extraordinary platform will undoubtedly continue our commitment to innovation in teaching and learning.” Students in the chiropractic blended program will have access to the VictoryXR Academy in 2024.
For more information, call 1-800-637-8337 or visit Parker.edu.
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