We all understand that we live in a world of information overload. Americans are subjected to as many as 3,000 messages a day, each designed to grab our attention and influence our behavior. How much more beneficial it is when the intention is to share a helpful idea that truly benefits the reader’s quality of life.

As Editor Beth Davis and I culled beneficial insights from the thousands of bits of information we typically process each month to produce this issue, this fact jumped out at me: According to the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 80 percent of cancer cases are caused by environmental and food carcinogens. Whoa, that hit home.

Until this staggering statistic becomes a core policy focus of government agencies tasked to protect us, we all need to educate ourselves and find ways to avoid encounters with pervasive carcinogens. Thank goodness holistic health care modalities, meditation and lifestyles for optimum wellness are becoming an increasing part of the curative dialogue for treatment of diseases, including cancer. More cancer patients are reshaping their perspective after witnessing the multiplication of encouraging results (learn more in our August feature, “Rethinking Cancer”).

Living in ways that prevent problems and support health isn’t a mystery, although in the onslaught of detailed discussions about disease and changing opinions, it is not always easy to know what to do. That’s why the overarching goal of Natural Awakenings is to help you make the best, most conservative and informed choices for you and your family. Each month we present an array of ideas that have helped others so that you can choose what suits and works for you. 

In this Women’s Wellness issue, for example, we aimed to include issues reflecting the full range of a woman’s life, including Kathleen Barnes’ feature article, “Aging Gracefully,” which reminds us of simple commonsense steps that will help us live better, longer. At the tail end of the boomer generation, I see firsthand how my peers want to do more with their golden years, not less. Our experts’ tips can make a difference at any age, and it helps to start now! 

Spring feels like a good time to clean up our life. We all know we want to, but too few of us do. I am particularly eager to take a closer look at Linda Sechrist’s “Spring Detox” article. We have the ability to eliminate the buildup of toxins that contribute to diseased functions and give our body the support it needs to heal and rebuild. It’s an incredible mechanism when we let it do its job properly.

With the promise of nutritious goodness from my tomato plants now ready to be dug into freshly tilled soil, my thoughts turn to other hopeful gardeners and farmers’ market fans anticipating the rewards of connecting with Earth’s natural abundance. Whether grown in patio pots or larger plots, reaping fresh produce is one of the best preventative health care practices I know to bring you and your family joy and longevity.

Don’t panic—go organic! Reid Boyer, Publisher