Dear Readers,
Reminisce with us for a moment and return to the warm weather days of our childhood. The breeze carries the delicate, fresh scent of blooming flowers in the garden. The soft, freshly mowed grass carpets the lawn for our bare feet. Plentiful, luscious, fresh fruits sit on the table for casual snacking. Do you remember this season – when our hearts, minds, spirits and bodies connect with the life force of the earth?
With the profusion of convenience, prepackaging, precooking and eating on the go, we have estranged ourselves from the notion that food is life. It sustains our living bodies, but it also originates from a living source. Our suite of cover stories illustrates the community, health and environmental significance of supporting local, sustainable agriculture.
In her article “North Union Farmers Market,” Donita Anderson recalls the history of the vibrant, producer-only markets in Shaker Square, Lakewood, Olmsted Falls and Parma. Here, at some of the best farmers' markets in the United States, consumers can become intimately familiar with the people responsible for growing their food. You will fully understand the value of this relationship after reading our health article, “What the Labels Don't Tell You.” In this article, Wendy Johnson, MD, offers a chilling account of the lack of safety in the commercial meat and produce supply. The frightening realities of the commercial food industry are further supported in comments made by Parker Bosley in our review of his upscale Ohio City restaurant where fresh, local, seasonal products truly provide superior flavor.
In “Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey: Bringing Life to Jazz,” Franklin C. Malemud explores how the members of this trio approach their music with a philosophy that integrates mind, body and spirit. The band discusses their emphasis on nutrition, meditation, spirituality and living in the moment to cultivate conscious music. They strive each day to improve themselves as human beings and hope to inspire the same in their listeners. Experience this innovative jazz band in May when they perform locally.
We also interview Marianne Williamson, who articulates a need for a new consciousness in our society. Marianne is a prolific author and avid activist who believes, “…we need to become as sophisticated in the ways we wage peace as we are sophisticated in the ways we now wage war.” She passionately promotes the power of love and forgiveness in us as individuals and throughout the world in domestic and international conflicts. Discover more when she personally addresses Northeast Ohio at an event in June.
We at Balanced Living thank you and truly appreciate your support. You encourage us to cultivate and grow this magazine. In this issue, we encourage you to nourish yourself and others with wholesome love and delicious food.
With love and respect,
Balanced Living Magazine
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While I found myself intrigued by Reverend Joan Gattuso's essay on “The Divine Feminine” in the March-April edition of Balanced Living, I disagreed when she fell into the common trap of thinking that all things feminine are included in the divine feminine while all things masculine are included in the demonic masculine. This is incorrect. The issue is not merely a question of masculine or feminine, but the maturity level of masculinity or femininity that one brings into the world. What Rev. Gattuso describes as the “masculine…use [of] force or intimidation… [to] demonstrate…power through wielding weapons" are all qualities of the demonic, underdeveloped masculine.
My observation is that immature men and women fear the divine – whether masculine or feminine. Immature people don't know what to do with divinity in their lives.
It would not be helpful, as the Reverend writes, for the “feminine to rise and take her place alongside the masculine.” I do not want an immature feminine taking her place alongside the immature masculine that is currently running the world. This would result in continued world devastation.
What the world needs is the divine feminine and masculine to come forward together.
Rev. Gattuso claims that “the divine feminine is here to stay.” After meeting many wonderful people at the Winter Wellness Weekend '04, I am quite certain that Divinity – in forms of both masculine and feminine – is here to stay.
Sincerely,
Tim Warneka
President, The Black Belt Consulting Group
One day I awoke with a troublesome pain in my scapular area. Not wanting to go on pain killers, I wasn't sure of the direction to take…until I came across the Sept.-Oct. issue of BLM, which featured a story about The Oaks Massotherapy Spa. The woman who answered the phone could hear the angst in my voice and set up an appointment for me that day. I left the treatment not only pain-free, but also feeling centered.
Thank you, Balanced Living, for being the messenger that I needed.
Laurel, Cleveland Heights
We just picked up your magazine, Balanced Living. As a native San Franciscan, it's a breath of fresh air to finally see a comprehensive and smart-looking magazine celebrating healthy living. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Timothy Harry, Cleveland
Congratulations and thanks to all the wonderful staff and volunteers who put together a very professional and educational experience at the Winter Wellness Weekend at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. The program speakers were excellent and the wide variety of vendors made for a fun and enlightening event. Give yourselves a big hug and pat on the back for a big job well done, plus the unlimited patience and enthusiasm you bring to all that you do.
Thank you for your continued outstanding professionalism with each issue of BLM. You have truly put your heart and spirit into each issue and the quality and care are always evident. I look forward to each new issue and the sharing of this magazine with my family, friends and co-workers. Keep up the great work and thank you for your continued support to the community.
Sincerely,
Jeanne, Westlake
I picked up your magazine at the Gestalt Institute and I love it! Way to go! You've created a magazine that I dreamed should exist!
Sue E. Thomas
I just read the March-April issue of Balanced Living. I'm so glad to have found this magazine, and happy to hear it's a local production. I love the articles, and plan to visit some of your advertisers. Keep up the good work!
Barbara B., Lake County
We would love to hear from you! To share your thoughts, please e-mail us at editor@BalancedLivingMag.com
or by regular mail at 13314 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, Ohio 44107.
We appreciate your comments and we thank you for reading our magazine.
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