Letter from the Publisher

Light stretches longer into the evening this month, and for gardeners, that’s the cue to get our hands back into the soil. For some, that begins with a flat of peppers, kale or tomatoes started indoors. There’s a particular thrill in watching those first shoots push through the surface, tiny leaves unfolding as new plants emerge. We nourish those plants with our care and watch them flourish. In March, when we’re weary of gray skies and salt-streaked cars, this gentle unfolding of green feels energizing. The anticipation itself is nourishment for the spirit.

March is National Nutrition Month, and in this issue of Natural Awakenings Chicago, our theme, Nourish and Flourish, grows naturally from this season of renewal. As we reset for spring, we’re reminded that growth, in our own lives and in the world around us, begins with small, intentional steps that nurture body, mind and spirit.

In “Using Food to Heal: A Look at Anti-Inflammatory and Elimination Diets,” Hannah Tytus explores how thoughtful, food-first approaches can help reduce inflammation, restore balance and build a healthier relationship with what we choose to eat. In “Stress-Free Fitness,” we explore how calming the nervous system and allowing for true recovery can be as nourishing as what’s on our plates.

What’s an issue devoted to nutrition without talking about food and, of course, delicious recipes? In Conscious Eating, we examine the surprisingly fun and flavorful side of fiber, highlighting simple ways to support gut health and bring more color to everyday meals. In “Eating Healthy on the Go,” Dr. Madiha Saeed offers practical ideas for building healthy meals and snacks into even the busiest schedules. Janie Maxwell highlights the nutrient power of a salad packed with locally grown winter greens and microgreens. And in “Wellness Benefits of Juicing,” Robert “RobG” Felder shares how making our own fresh juices can add vibrant color and vitality to the day.

Connection to the natural world nourishes us in its own way. In “Seeing More Stars Near Chicago: Palos Preserves Protects Urban Night Skies,” Sheryl DeVore explores how the night skies over the Palos Preserves in southwest Cook County offer a rare chance to step away from urban and suburban glow and take in the vastness above us. Fresh air, open space and a sky full of stars ground us and can restore perspective and remind us to slow down and flourish within the natural world we share.