Newsbriefs
Gingerbread Adventures Teaches and Entertains Children
In the interactive Gingerbread Adventures exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden, children learn about the different plant parts used in creating one of their favorite holiday snacks, gingerbread. The Everett Children’s Adventure Garden is home of Gingerbread Adventures, through January 10, 2010.Vibrant vignettes of a gingerbread town deck the halls of the Discovery Center. A gingerbread jazz band, ice skaters and a gingerbread farmer are among the colorful characters displayed in the exhibit.
Popularity: 34% [?]
Naturalpet: THREE DOG NIGHT
Should Fido and Fluffy Share Our Bed?
by George Costa
Giving pets bed privileges is an age-old issue, with convincing arguments on both sides. The history of the pros and cons are evident in The International Encyclopedia of Dogs, which reports that in pre-Aztec Mexico, the Xoloitzcuintl, now known as the Mexican hairless breed, was a pet and a bed warmer.
Popularity: 30% [?]
Be Inspired… Give from the Heart this season
by Frances Lefkowitz
Presents allow us to express our love and gratitude. Why, then, do we get so stressed out over them, and how can we bring sense and significance back to the season? Though many complain about the commercialism of the holiday season, no one—not even the two-sizes-too-small-hearted Grinch—would wish to get rid of presents.
Popularity: 25% [?]
Inspiration: Set New Year’s INTENTIONS
by Tony Burroughs
On the eve of 2010, thousands of individuals throughout the world are set to write their New Year’s intentions using Tony Burroughs’ simple and effective methods for putting the laws of manifestation to work. Burroughs has authored nine books, including The Code: Ten Intentions for a Better World and The Intenders Handbook, and he explains that intentions are considerably more positive and powerful than New Year’s resolutions. “As Intenders, we deeply comprehend that our thoughts and words are constantly creating our future. Therefore, we state our intentions out loud every day, framing them in positive and powerful words that are most apt to produce the results we desire.”
Popularity: 25% [?]
DOWNLOAD THE DECEMBER ISSUE
The December issue of NUGREEN CITY can be downloaded here.
Popularity: 34% [?]
Localgreens: Sweet Holiday Treats
By Robin Mattson
Okay, here’s the thing…I could have come up with another way to use winter root vegetables for holiday entertaining. And it would have been great. But let’s be honest. That’s not what any of us really want, certainly not at this time of year. After the Thanksgiving leftovers are cleared out, my culinary thoughts turn to visions of sugared (anything) dancing in my head.
Every family has their favorite holiday cookies. This is the time of year we all dig up our long-cherished recipes that have been handed down from one generation to another. Eventually some cookies become tiresome, and are rotated out of the roster. But other recipes stand the test of time to become standards, replayed every year like classic holiday carols.
Popularity: 30% [?]
letter from the publisher
Welcome to the December issue of Natural Awakenings New York City.
It’s the holiday season and there’s no better place to enjoy the holidays than New York. The city is crowded, noisy and bright with activity. And this is maybe the one time of year no one seems to mind (much). One of the attractions offered here is the New York Botanical Garden’s Annual Holiday Train Show. It’s a great treat for both children and adults.
This month’s inspirational Natural Heroes are the students, teachers and administrators of The George Jackson Academy. This empowering private Middle School for boys, offers students from less-advantaged economic backgrounds, educational opportunities that are fast-tracking them to successful academic futures.
In Be Inspired…Give From the Heart This Season , shows how we can hit the “restart” button on all the pressures surrounding holiday presents and bring sense and significance back into the season. Children are an important part of this runaway-present equation that threatens to takeover the holidays in many homes. Gifts for Good, Instilling Generosity and Joy in Children , discusses ideas for introducing your child to alternative gift giving.
Many people plan to entertain family and friends this month. Maybe this is the year you Throw a Green Holiday Party. Green Living contributing writers, Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell, have some great ideas. For many, the holidays can be a time of great stress. In Emotional Fitness, Kathleen Noone offers suggestions on ways to trade that stress for an opportunity of introspection and growth.
If you’re tired of talking about the health care controversy, this month’s Natural Pet offers another heavy topic of almost equal controversy…“Should Fido and Fluffy share your bed?” In this month’s Local Greens Robin Mattson temporarily puts down her heavy load of C.S.A. vegetables and shares her family’s favorite Christmas cookie recipe, Pecan Puff Balls. Go ahead and enjoy the cookies. You can always work off some of the extra calories ice skating in Central Park.
And speaking of calories, the fun doesn’t stop with Robin’s beloved Pecan Puff Balls. Conscious Eating includes a half-dozen additional holiday favorites with a healthy slate of ingredients. And if the ice skating doesn’t keep you ahead of the calorie count, supplement with cross-country skiing in the park, or power-shopping on Madison Avenue.
No matter what you’re celebrating this month, enjoy the holidays! New York is an incredibly diverse city. There is arguably something here for everyone. In this month’s Calendar of Events we’re featuring a special holiday calendar, chock full of special events and things to do during this special time in our city. So find something to celebrate and make a holiday of it.
Tom Citrano
Publisher
Popularity: 30% [?]
Healthykids: Gifts for Good Instilling Generosity and Joy in Children
by Elisa Bosley
Every December, parents like me lament the “gimme” culture that so easily overtakes the holidays. But with environmental and social justice issues gaining ground and everyone rethinking economic priorities, introducing your child to opportunities for alternative giving can make a world of difference.
Popularity: 34% [?]
Healthbriefs
Celebrating Winter Solstice
In many cultures, traditions associated with the winter solstice on December 21—marking the longest night and shortest day of the year—spark celebrations. But with all the winter holiday to-dos and fewer daylight hours, this fun time of year can also be draining. Rituals can help us remember that life, like the sun, is cycling itself to rebound with strength.
Popularity: 6% [?]
greenliving: Throw a Green Party Eco-Entertaining Made Simple
by Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell
Whether you are still experimenting with ways to live green or are an experienced pro at an increasingly eco-friendly life, a party décor checklist is good to have on hand. The ultimate goal is hosting a zero-waste gathering, one that embraces only products and items that can be consumed, reused, recycled or composted.
Popularity: 36% [?]