Hello and welcome to our October edition! Our weather has taken a definite turn toward fall temperatures, perfect for long walks and bike rides. Our animal companions notice the cooler temps too. My dog can play fetch much longer without throwing herself into the cool grass, and one of my horses has already grown her winter coat. She overreacts to everything though and will regret having all that hair during our Indian summer later this month.

As we enter this season marked by increased consumerism, let the joy of living simply resonate in your home. The pandemic made us more mindful of our stress level, and the importance of self-sufficiency. A sense of well-being, satisfaction and peace is the reward of releasing a life with too much stuff and an over-booked schedule. See our living lighter checklist for simple living tips.

The quiet power of intuition and trusting that voice within is the focus of this month’s Inspiration. We each have a superpower, a sixth sense that communicates as a quiet voice within. Cultivating your internal knowing is a wise investment with payoffs in personal relationships and business dealings.

Raising little humans with self-confidence is explored in Wise Words, through Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR correspondent and parent. Raising kind and helpful children using techniques from ancient cultures is the topic of Doucleff’s book Hunt, Gather, Parent.

Simply walking for health and well-being is the focus of Fit Body. Learn the fundamentals of choosing proper shoes to prevent the common problems of plantar fasciitis, hammertoe and other foot issues. A few benefits of walking briskly are increased metabolism, lower blood pressure and burning calories.

October is breast cancer awareness month, and a perfect time for women and men to consider lifestyle choices to lower their risk. Healthy Breast Basics by Sandra Yeyati includes advice from several renowned health professionals.

Fall fruits are the focus of Conscious Eating this month. From heirloom fruits to experimental varietals from the 1800s, farmer and restauranteur Kyle Connaughton creates dishes highlighting fruit grown on his 25-acre California farm.

We hope you enjoy this month’s edition, and will explore our calendar’s many events.

Rebecca Young, Publisher