Letter from the Publisher

There’s just something about the magical scents of spring that have a way of reaching back through time and reconnecting us with our seasonal rituals. 

The fragrance of lilacs reminds me of our backyard on the northwest side of Chicago, where an old lilac grew back by the alley, just past the apple tree and the magnolia. Each May, we’d snip a few branches and bring them inside, setting them in a hand-blown green glass pitcher my mom bought in Colonial Williamsburg. I still use that vase. And I still stop to admire a lilac in bloom, bringing a few blossoms close to breathe them in, especially after the rain or on a humid morning, when the scent seems to linger in the air.

It’s also the subtle spiciness of tulips and magnolias, and the aroma of lily-of-the-valley, with their tiny bells just opening on stems in a small ceramic vase on the kitchen table. And then there was that same scent in another form, the original Coty Muguet de Bois, worn by my mother and grandmother and sometimes dabbed on my wrist, too. These scent memories have stayed with me and bring their own kind of personal vitality to each spring.

In this month’s Women’s Wellness issue, we explore Vitality Her Way, a theme that feels especially relevant today. It’s about coming back to center physically, emotionally and spiritually, and recognizing that well-being does not look the same for everyone. Our feature story, “Strong, Centered and Whole,” looks at what it means for women to truly thrive, not by doing more, but by aligning more deeply with who they truly are.

Across this issue, we explore wellness in ways that are both practical and deeply personal. In Healing Ways, Brendan Cournane explores how gratitude is more than a sentiment, and how its three principles can help rewire the mind and carry us through life’s challenges. In “Herbal Rituals for Women’s Health,” Shanna Bierman reminds us that simple, intentional daily practices can offer gentle nourishment and a way to reconnect with ourselves. And Piotr Pitera looks at emerging research on how sound and vibroacoustic therapy may help shift the nervous system into deep rest.

Then there’s the vitality of our outdoor farmers markets, which are opening again across Chicagoland. In our Local Food Dispatch section, Bob Benenson looks at how spring rains and warmer temperatures are shaping what’s showing up at the early markets—from the first asparagus and ramps to tender lettuces, greens and a few seasonal surprises. And ILFMA Executive Director Janie Maxwell offers us a fresh, simple, spring pasta recipe that captures the flavors of spring asparagus and other market finds.

May also brings peak spring migration, and in our Green Living section, Sheryl DeVore explores the healing effects of birdwatching. May 9 is also Chicago River Day, and in our Natural Chicago section, Sheryl looks at how rain gardens can help reduce flooding, filter pollution and bring native habitat back into our communities. And if spring has you ready to get moving, it’s a great time to get your bike tuned up or lace up your hiking shoes and head for the trails. In Fit Body, Ders Anderson explores the extensive trail systems across our state, including the Grand Illinois Trail, and some special events coming up this season.

As always, I encourage you to step outside each day, and surround yourself with the sounds, sights and scents of spring. Consider volunteering at a Chicago waterways clean-up or bird count on May 9. Visit the lakefront or a natural area. Dig in the garden soil. Sit in your yard and sing with the robins as dusk falls. Turn on the Merlin app on your phone and you may be surprised by how many bird species you hear in just a few minutes. And enjoy the two full moons of May.