Publisher’s Letter

As the sun set today on a warm autumn day in the Chicago area, I cherished the golden hues of the fall evening sky, the birdsong at dusk and the scent of fall air, feeling grateful for it all. The Midwest’s natural landscape is shifting from October’s vibrant oranges and yellows to the warm browns and grays of late autumn, preparing to settle into a quiet winter slumber. It’s an ideal time for gratitude and reflection, as well as a time to prepare our surroundings for the coming months, which includes supporting overwintering birds, animals and insects that share our neighborhoods.

If you have a yard or garden, there are simple actions you can take to help provide a safe winter habitat. Native bees and wasps (including bumblebees) often burrow underground or shelter in leaf litter, and leaving whole, fallen twigs and leaves in place offers ideal hiding spots while also creating nutritive mulch for perennials and spring bulbs. Create cold weather habitat by leaving plant stalks standing, providing a place for pollinator insects to burrow and seed heads for birds to forage. Logs and twig piles not only serve as additional habitat, but also add visual interest to a winter garden.

In this issue of Natural Awakenings Chicago, we continue our 2024 theme of lifelong wellness by focusing on nurturing inner wisdom and passing it on to others. In our feature article, “Rising to the Calling: Earning Wisdom as We Age,” Carrie Jackson explores how gaining wisdom throughout life can empower us to embody the role of a wise elder at any age. Sandra Yeyati builds on this topic by sharing author Carol Orsborn’s insights on growing whole over our lifetime, while Dr. Rajka Milanovic Galbraith reveals three essential secrets for living long and well. Julie Mackey rounds out the discussion by showing us the transformative power of a daily gratitude practice.

On a chilly day, few things are as comforting as the aroma of a pot of soup simmering on the stove. A hearty soup, filled with vegetables, beans and whole grains, can be a nutritional powerhouse. Many soup and stew recipes are passed down through generations, connecting us to our families and heritage, and can be a focal point of holiday dinners and celebrations, as well as a source of love and comfort—a hug in a bowl. In this month’s Conscious Eating section, you’ll find recipes for soups perfect for both weeknights and special gatherings, from a hearty farmers market minestrone to a spicy Brazilian black bean stew and a savory sweet potato soup.

As the holidays approach, I encourage you to take personal moments each day for reflection, gratitude and recharging in nature. Amidst the demands of work and family, it’s essential—and okay—to pause, breathe and find solace in the little moments of the day. This practice of conscious and mindful gratitude can help us to both embrace the beauty of the season and find resilience and strength in its challenges.

Please try to step outside each day and notice the seasonal transition. Observe overwintering and migrating birds, track the moon’s journey across the night sky, visit a natural area, look for big trees in your area, feel the wind and marvel in the subtle colors of late autumn. I encourage you to relish these moments within nature and find solace in the times with loved ones as well as those spent on your own.

Happy Thanksgiving!