We dedicate our August issue to nurturing our children to lead vibrant and healthy lives. One of the most important things we can do for our children is to nourish them well—feeding their bodies and minds fosters curiosity, as childhood is the time to get and stay healthy to prevent future problems.

        Modern childhood presents myriad challenges that previous generations have not encountered. Most parents do all they can to help their children be happy and lead meaningful lives. Taking responsibility for the decisions we make available to our families is the first step; it all starts with choices we make at home.

       Adults and kids will find plenty of healthy activities and options in this month’s issue. Take a walk on the wild side with April Thompson’s “Wild and Wonderful: Foraging for Foodies” as your guide. With delicacies hiding in plain sight, look no further than the back yard, the roadside or local woods. Wild plants—weeds—pack more nutrition than the species we cultivate, with new, healthy and delicious recipes and great tips.

       Establishing a healthy diet for kids from a very early age can translate into healthier lives when they become adults. Our “food sleuth” Melinda Hemmelgarn tackles that in “Feeding Healthy Habits: A 10-Step Guide” while bringing awareness on how to overcome the “invisible parent”—the media—which teaches them through advertising what is “normal” to eat.

       The kids are heading back to school, and it’s an ideal time for parents to hit the reset button, taking stock of the myriad challenges today’s children face. Meredith Montgomery confronts these head-on in “21st Century Parenting: Preparing Kids for the Future.” She offers insights into raising kind, resilient and resourceful kids in a world vastly different from the one we grew up in.

       When I was growing up, we couldn’t wait to get outside and play with all our friends. Everybody played outside—baseball, freeze tag, hide-and-seek, jump rope and riding our bikes everywhere. Just being out-of-doors provided exercise and lots of laughter. Unfortunately, today’s research proves things to be different. The Children & Nature Network has reported that just 6 percent of children ages 9 to 13 play outside on their own.

       Our August spotlight shines on animals, too. Julie Peterson presents a helpful overview of the natural approach used by holistic veterinarians. Be sure to check out our local vet John Smith, known as “The Dog Doctor”. His article, “Integrative Cancer Therapy for Pets,” explains how to combine natural therapies that can be integrated into a holistic treatment protocol to help pet cancer patients.

       Mindfully staying aware of and magnifying the good enables us to make the most of every day, whatever changes come our way. Feel confident, take great pleasure and have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your whole family is healthy... naturally.

 Trina & John