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…)

The 2nd annual International Babywearing Conference is coming up! It will be held June 25-28, 2008 at DePaul University in Chicago, IL, USA. The Babywearing Conference includes not just terrific shopping opportunities for all types of baby carriers, but also workshops on how to use different carriers, holds, and workshops on the business of making and or selling carriers. There will be a keynote speech by Jeni Norton, the founder of the largest babywearing online community, thebabywearer.com. Organizers have also put together a fashion show and a panel discussion on the history of baby wearing. There is a raffle scheduled for interested participants. Check out the conference website and their long list of exhibitors for more information: http://www.babywearingconference.com.

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…)

The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center will hold its next Annual Benefit on April 16, 2008. Tickets are on sale now for $150 a piece. The evening includes gourmet gluten-free dishes from more than a dozen of the nation’s best chefs and restaurants! Sponsored by Enjoy Life Foods, Whole Foods, William Blair and Company, Alvine Pharmaceuticals, Rice Works, and Bard’s Tale Beer. (more…)

Folks that are not allergic or intolerant to corn haven’t got a clue as to why or how this grain is such a time-consuming nuisance for its avoiders. The growing minority of people afflicted and those that care for them are painfully aware every time they go to the store in search of a liquid soap, bottle of shampoo, piece of fresh fruit, bag of potato chips, or powder for their baby’s bum. We have our own mantra. We hum it while we shop, a Bruce Springsteen tune with our own lyrics:

Corn. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing….. I’ll say it again…..

But in the eyes of the rest of the world the answer is EVERYTHING, according to Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis’s new documentary (more…)

Global warming is real. Along with the participating US cities (Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco), the World Wildlife Fund and millions of people around the world, join Earth Hour on Saturday, March 29, 2008, from 8 to 9 p.m - to make a bold statement about climate change. For one hour, residents, businesses and organizations across the world are being asked to voluntarily turn off lights to reduce energy consumption. We want to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate that the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against global warming.

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The World’s Most Innovative, Trend-Setting Food & Lifestyle Products…All In One Show! Combined, these three events (All Things Organic Conference and Trade Show, The Spring Fancy Food Show and U.S. Food Export Showcase) offer more than 56,000 products from over 1000 exhibitors leading the fastest growing segments of the food industry. The event will be held at McCormick Place (Chicago, Illinois). Conference: April 26-29; Tradeshow: April 27-29, 2008. (more…)

Organics are a part of our daily food shopping choices. Living Yoga studio in Naperville, IL, is presenting first in a series session on genetically modified foods with Jill Teller, Pilates instructor and Nutrition Specialist, at 2:00-3:30 pm Sunday, March 9, 2008.

Learn how to properly choose organic food and which organic foods are more beneficial to consume versus non-organics. Did you know that the European Union has banned genetically modified foods but the U.S. allows them in our food supply? (more…)

If you are tired of being bound to the kitchen and need a break, there is a new place to dine in the Chicago area. The Balanced Kitchen, a gluten-free vegan restaurant located at 6263 North McCormick Road in Lincolnwood, is now open for business. They feature a state-of-the art dining experience, offering a wide range of main course foods, sides, and appetizers, and they even include a gluten, dairy, and egg-free baked goods case.

The restaurant was the dream-child of New York Culinary Institute graduate and pastry chef, Betty Alper. Shortly after graduation Betty became ill and was subsequently diagnosed with Celiac disease. This spurred her into developing gluten free flour combinations that mimic the fluffy texture of wheat. Over time her dreams and talents became reality and now her dream child, The Balanced Kitchen, is open for lunch, carryout, and weekend brunch by reservation only. (more…)