"Mom, what’s for dinner?" This nightly mantra has become such a chore for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love to eat a healthy, tasty meal. I just don’t like all the planning, shopping and preparation that goes with it. In our feature article, How to Create a Life of Good Grub, Anna Lappe tells us, "As the number of hours we work steadily increases, we have less and less time to spend on our food choices." I can relate. Trying to keep up with a household and a job makes the nightly meal an after-thought even though I know it should be a fore-thought!

I’ve always wanted an in-home chef, one that could concoct fabulous healthy meals. I envision our mouths watering as the aroma drifts throughout the house. Then after feasting on scrumptious cuisine we pack up the left over portion to enjoy the next day. It feels like a full time job to hunt for healthy recipes, plan the meals, and prepare them. I have made attempts at this domestic vision and typically find my plans disrupted. Inevitably, my husband has to work late or the kids have some unforeseen activity. I don’t like tossing wasted produce so I decided that daily planning works better for our family. As a result, my husband is now recognized by the cashiers at the grocery store as a "frequent flyer."

To feel better about our healthy meal situation I stop and remember how far we’ve come. Our regular selections from the grocery store have changed over the years. Regular staples now include fresh olive oil, organic natural peanut butter, organic apples, daily salads, fine sea salt, homemade trail mix, and organic honey. It can be so overwhelming to make sweeping changes so I try to remember that each small change is a step forward in the right direction.

To help you create a kitchen filled with delicious and healthy food, this issue features seven steps to an organic kitchen. You’ll find the most important fruits and vegetables to buy organic and a list of what to keep in your healthy pantry. Check out our natural pet column to determine a natural diet for your pet. Plus, in our healthy kids’ column on page 26, you’ll find wholesome treats for ADHD kids. This holiday season I hope you find a few healthy changes that could make a nourishing impact on your holiday meal.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kris Urquhart, Editor