Our Functional Medicine doctor reviews lab work for my husband and me twice a year, keeping us on track and recommending lifestyle shifts to keep us vibrant and healthy. She recommended that we incorporate beets into our diet. We chose to make it easy by adding beets to our salads regularly. That simple change has led to gold stars from doc and a happy dance from me. I’m motivated by positive reinforcement, maybe I’ll try some beet powder in my morning shakes!

“Beets boast so many health benefits. Being rich in folate, manganese and copper, they are good for heart, brain and bone health. They are also a good source of fiber, which will feed the good bacteria in your gut, leading to improved gut health,” says Candace Bell, a Phoenix-based holistic nutritionist in Fall Beets: Versatile Leaf-to-Root Eats[page 22]. 

Author April Thompson shares that the stems and leaves of beets are not only edible, but also packed with vitamins A, B and K, as well as copper, manganese, iron, and calcium. I’ve sautéed the leaves with a little olive oil and garlic, they are delicious and cooking them has the added benefit of nothing going to waste. Check out our yummy beet recipes [page 24] and try some beet linguine, hummus or easy to make chips.

Our feature article this month focuses on creating a healthy and resilient home in Sustainable Sanctuaries: Supporting Human and Planetary Health at Home[page 18]. Find out why less is more in tooth repair in Conservative Dentistry [page 26]. Discover nine Halloween safety tips for pets in A Happy Halloween for Pets [page 28]. And be sure and visit my-NA.com to enjoy our online exclusives. Learn how to protect yourself in Reducing Radiation Risks: Ways to Lessen Electromagnetic Exposure and the ways that Dancing Boosts Our Health and Happiness. You’ll also find how Concrete Jungles Become Natural Playgrounds. I hope you find inspiration in this issue to nourish your body and earn you healthy gold stars!

Here's to staying vibrant and healthy!

Kris Urquhart, Publisher