When I walked into my home office after a long weekend away, Lilly looked… tragic. My peace lily, usually perky, glossy, and glowing, was slumped over in full “woe is me” mode. I felt an immediate pang of guilt and rushed to get her a drink. Within hours she was standing tall again, reminding me just how quickly living things respond when they get the care they need. As Dr. Madiha Saeed reminds us in Balancing the Gut: Investing in Our Inner Ecosystem [page 14], “Food is medicine. Every bite can either help or hurt.” It turns out, our gut microbiome is just like Lilly—it thrives when we nourish it well, and it wilts when we don’t.

Our “inner garden” depends on more than just food. As the feature story explains, stress, sleep, medications, and environmental toxins all shape whether our gut bacteria flourish or falter. Just like Lilly prefers fresh water and a sunny spot, our microbes appreciate whole foods, time in nature, and the occasional deep breath to offset life’s stresses. Even small changes such as switching to glass containers, adding fiber-rich foods, or sipping herbal tea can help keep our inner ecosystem upright and vibrant.

Sometimes, nourishment comes in delicious, unexpected forms. Sweet and Tart: The Joys of Homemade Fruit Shrubs [page 20] shows how these tangy, fermented syrups pack flavor and gut-friendly benefits. Since I’m partial to a splash of flavor in my sparkling water, I’m planning to try a cherry shrub and mixing it with bubbly water for a refreshing drink that will also make my microbes happy.

This month’s issue offers plenty more ways to thrive. Ocean Harvests [page 24] dives into the environmental and nutritional superpowers of seaweed. For inspiration on human connection, Childhood Friendships: How To Support a Kid’s Social Development [page 26] offers gentle guidance for nurturing kids’ social skills, and Packing School Lunch With Zero Waste [page 13] provides eco-friendly ideas to brighten the midday meal. At my-NA.com, discover Gut Restorative Yoga: Poses That Bridge the Gut-Brain Axis for soothing digestion and stress, plus a Guide to Canine Hormonal Balance: Strategies To Overcome Spay-Neuter Syndrome with natural wellness tips for dogs.

I hope this issue sparks simple shifts that help restore your energy and keep your life in balance.

Here’s to tending your inner garden,
Kris Urquhart, Publisher