Jordan Peschek, RN-BSN, Publisher

As back-to-school season starts and the rhythm of autumn begins, September invites us to return to balance. The air feels a little crisper, routines settle in and we welcome the opportunity to nurture vitality from the inside out.

This year, our theme of Joyful Living reminds us that joy is not just a fleeting emotion, but a practice—a way of tending to ourselves and the world around us. Joy can be cultivated in small, daily rituals: a mindful breath before a meal, laughter shared with a child or even the grounding practice of planting something new in the soil.

Our September focus on Gut Vitality reflects this truth beautifully. Science now confirms what ancient traditions have long held—that the gut is not only central to physical health, but also to emotional balance and resilience. In Balancing the Gut: Investing in Our Inner Ecosystem, Dr. Madiha Saeed and Dr. Tom O’Bryan explore how our inner ecosystem thrives when we care for it with steady, intentional practices—fiber-rich foods, stress reduction, environmental detox and mindful living. It’s an invitation to view gut health not as a quick fix, but as a long-term investment in well-being. Our Conscious Eating section explores the joy of making fruit shrubs that nourish digestion along with helpful recipes.

This edition is also our annual Mind Body Spirit Directory Issue, offering readers abundant inspiration and local resources to support our holistic well-being. We celebrate Yoga Month: You’ll discover how yoga can support oral health and learn yoga practices that ease digestive discomfort and support the gut-brain connection. 

And for families heading back to school, our Eco Tip shares simple ways to pack waste-free lunches—small steps that ripple outward in powerful ways.

Whether it’s through yoga, mindful eating, sustainable choices or the quiet joy of connection, I hope this issue inspires you to embrace the season with vitality and presence. Let’s make life joyful—starting from the inside out.

Wishing you health, balance and joy,

Jordan Peschek, RN-BSN, Publisher