Meet local farmers and artisan producers, learn why the best food is local food, shop the indoor farmers’ market, attend panel discussions and workshops designed to support the growth of local food production, processing and distribution. Do all of this and even more at the Family Farmed Expo in Chicago November 21-23, 2008 (more…)

More free samples than you can shake a stick at!

Whole Foods Market FlavorFest, Presented by Horizon Organic, is a two-day festival that entertains and tempts taste buds the Whole Foods Market way — with delicious, all-natural foods and products. And of course, lots of free samples! Saturday & Sunday, August 23rd & 24th (11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday; 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday) Wrightwood Park (Wrightwood & Ashland in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood). (more…)

One Sunday while attending mass at Chicago’s Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, we’ve discovered that faith-based communities are increasingly becoming health-aware. Low-gluten Communion hosts, suitable for most Celiacs, are now available at Old St. Pat’s at all Masses as an alternative for those who cannot receive regular Communion host due to health reasons. One just has to inform the Mass coordinator before Mass begins and at Communion identify himself or herself to the presider as the person to receive the low-gluten host.

Apparently, this option is a viable solution to a long-standing problem, at least in the Catholic Church. Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, wrote about this issue (more…)

The Illinois Renewable Energy Association (IREA) presents 7th Annual Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainable Lifestyle Fair on August 9th and 10th, 2008. IREA supports sustainable energy development in Illinois and provides hands-on opportunities for the Illinois public to learn about the benefits, potentials, and uses of renewable energy and energy efficiency for our homes and businesses.

The Fair will feature over 100 booths and exhibits, 60 workshops, food, entertainment, children’s activities and tours. (more…)

New findings by Harvard researchers reveals new genes that are implicated in autism. Scientists discovered, that the genes that are involved in autism, are those that are involved in learning.

Three newly discovered “autism genes” are particularly intriguing, because unlike some other defective genes linked to autism that are permanently disabled, the new genes are simply idle — present, but not turned on for one reason or another.

“That gives us the potential, in the long run, to develop therapies that may be able to reactivate those genes that are silent,” said Dr. Christopher Walsh, chief of genetics at Children’s Hospital in Boston, who led the study.

Read more at ABC News Autism Genes Unlock Disorder’s Mystery.

Christopher Dawson, a teacher and IT administrator for Athol, MA High School and regular contributor of ZDNet, has an interesting take on a story about a small group of homeschoolers selling freshly-roasted coffee to learn about business development, marketing, and accounting.

Dawson tells his readers: “Homeschooling isn’t for everyone, but their original motivation of providing hands-on, practical, experience-based lessons to kids really should be.”

Read more at Homeschooling + marketing = great coffee?

The most prestigious and exciting Natural Health Expo returns to Illinois to bring the finest health care products, information, and experts. The Chicago Health Freedom Expo - June 27-29, 2008 - features more than 75 prominent speakers introducing cutting-edge discoveries in natural health. Browse Expo Hall with over 200 exhibitors displaying the latest innovative technology and products in alternative medicine. (more…)

Chicago, IL (May 2008) - Green Festival, the nation’s largest green living event, will make its second trip to America’s heartland when it visits Chicago May 17 and 18, at the city’s historic Navy Pier. (more…)

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago announced a first-of-its-kind exhibit - Smart Home: Green + Wired - to showcase the latest trends in “green” living. The exhibit, sponsored by ComEd, will be a functioning, three-story modular and sustainable “green” home in its own backyard to showcase the ways, big and small, that people can make eco-friendly living a part of their lives - and to highlight unique home technologies for the 21st century. A 2,500 square-foot modular house on MSI’s campus will be open to the public for guided tours from May 8, 2008, to Jan. 4, 2009. (more…)

Everyone with a mobile phone has either read or seen news casts about their negative impact on our health. Many independent sources claim that it’s a big and growing danger but those that are usually sponsored by the multi-billion dollar telecommunications industry tell us that the impact is almost harmless. The fact is, many people and businesses nowadays are very dependent on this technology and for some there is simply no way to function in today’s society without them. We have become a culture of communication convenience. Perhaps a recent article on The Daily Telegraph will make you think twice about getting extremely chatty the next time your cell phone rings and you go to pick it up. (more…)