Letter from Publisher
Peggy Malecki
Summer is surrounding us in
hues of greens, yellows, purples, oranges, pinks, whites, reds and every
combination imaginable. Bright or subtle, nature’s palette brings surprise and
awe every day this time of year.
I love to walk outdoors,
observing these ever-changing colors as the light moves throughout the day,
watching how sun and shade affect the reflected light that we see as colors,
trying to capture with my camera the exact moment of perfect light on a leaf, a
petal, the water and sky, or even the soil and rocks.
July is here, and the summer
farmers’ market season is in full swing with events occurring daily across the
Chicago metro region. Talk about a color palette! It’s berry season, and
cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and more are in abundance.
Their vivid colors express the sweetness of the summer fruit season. Green and
yellow are also front and center at markets, with leafy greens and lettuces,
kohlrabi, cucumbers, early squash, radish greens and other veggies filling the
vendors’ tables and baskets.
Reds, oranges and purples are
showing their colors in early tomatoes and beets, and weaving through leafy
greens like rainbow kales and Swiss chard. Favorite herbal comforts such as
dill, parsley, cilantro and basil add brightly hued leaves and dainty flowers
to the seasonal bouquet. Edible flowers including nasturtiums, borage and more
offer a pop of color and flavor. The markets and our gardens reflect both
nature’s abundance and nature’s wellness cabinet.
Each July, we devote our
issue of Natural Awakenings Chicago magazine to exploring the benefits
of the foods we eat to our health and the wellness of our communities. The fun,
seasonal colors of the market evoke a feeling of abundance and joy, and also
one of freshness and health. In our main feature, Julie Peterson takes a deep
dive into “Food as Medicine: The Healing Power of Nutrition,” exploring healthy
shifts we can make on our plates through healthy diet additions, plant-based
options, eating by the colors (think farmers’ markets and garden produce), gut
health helpers and being more conscious of sourcing local foods (again, think
farmers’ markets, local stores and co-ops).
In our Conscious Eating
department, we’ve gathered some tasty and nutritious plant-based recipes for summer
dining options. And in our Green Living department, we take a look at how urban
gardening continues to build food security, improve nutrition and increase community
empowerment.
I’m looking forward to this
season’s harvest, as well as ways I can preserve the bounty for the cold months
through pickling, dehydrating and freezing; perhaps I will even do some canning
this year! This month I’ll also be drying and/or freezing mints, basils, lemon
verbena, oregano, tarragon and more for future use in teas and cooking. We’d
love to hear your favorite ways to enjoy the summer bounty, both fresh and
preserved. Please send your favorite recipes, photos and tips to us at [email protected],
via Facebook or Instagram,
and let us know if we can share your recipes online and in future editions of Natural
Awakenings Chicago!
As always, I encourage you to
get outside this month to enjoy the long evenings of listening to robins,
crickets, katydids and nocturnal insects. Observe the colors in your yard.
Watch a sunrise, look for the moon in all its phases (July 23 is the full moon)
and savor the longest days of summer!
