“The mothering doesn’t stop.” That’s the thought I keep coming back to this August. My boys are grown men now, so there are no backpacks by the door, no lunchboxes to pack and no school supplies to hunt down. But that mama radar is still fully operational. When they are settled and happy, I feel better. When something is disrupting their lives, I feel it ripple through me, even from a distance.

That’s why this month’s feature story, Raising Healthy Humans: A Holistic Approach to Pediatric Care, still hit home. Even though I’m not raising little kids anymore, the way I support my children’s well-being has simply changed shape. I may not be reminding anyone to brush their teeth or eat their broccoli, but I still talk about supplements, nutrition, sleep and all the small choices that help us feel more grounded. As Claire Little wisely says in the article, “Meet them where they’re at.” 

It’s also the motto I need for myself when I fall off the healthy-habit wagon. For me, getting back on track usually starts with salads and movement. Not climbing, as you’ll read about in Strong From the Ground Up: Why Indoor Climbing Works for Every Body, but pickleball—my happy place disguised as exercise. Every time I return to movement, I’m reminded how much better I feel.

Soon, we’ll be heading to Spain, and I’m excited for a tapas crawl in Santiago de Compostela. Tapas With a Twist: Small Plates With Big Health Benefits celebrates the joy of small plates, shared bites and lingering around the table. I love that image for wellness: not one giant overhaul, but small, flavorful choices that add up.

This month, Smart Ways To Keep Produce Fresh helps keep those good salad intentions from wilting in the crisper drawer.  Clean Water, Clear Decisions offers guidance for choosing the right home filtration system. The Power of Gratitude: Changing Brain Chemistry and Opening the Heart reminds us that appreciation can soften stress and open the heart. And enjoy our online exclusives at my-NA.com: Black Belts and Life Skills: What Kids Gain From Martial Arts, Foundational Health for Pets: Treating Puppies and Kittens Right From the Start and Empowering Children for Lifelong Health: A Conversation With Brian Stenzler.

Whether we’re raising little ones, cheering on grown ones, caring for pets or simply trying to keep ourselves on track, wellness comes down to small things we choose again and again.

Here’s to small shifts that add up,
Kris Urquhart, Publisher