from us
Although we have experienced some odd changes to our seasons of late, we know that winter's blustery days and icy nights inevitably take hold of Northeast Ohio for a number of months. During this time of year, we head indoors to spend time with family and friends over the holidays. With our always-on-the-go schedules now and during the rest of the year, it is easy for us to become disconnected from our natural instincts to hole up and spend some time in rest and reflection.

The urge for “Hibernation,” the theme of this issue, is a natural instinct, explains Annette Keys. “Winter is a perfect time to let our bodies rest while we focus on our spiritual health,” she stresses in her article, “The Winter Solstice: A Period of Spiritual Rejuvenation.” She continues, “Our 21st century lifestyles, especially here in the western world, seem far removed from the intimate connection that our ancestors once shared with the earth and its forces of nature; and we have stopped nurturing what once was considered a blessed union. However, the passing of the seasons and their elements still affect us as powerfully as they did ages ago.” Annette addresses this time of introspection and provides helpful guidance on how to reflect inward.

Author Mary Ellen Ott, M.Ed., RCC, C.Ht, also discusses the importance of inactivity and seclusion in her article, “Hibernation for Health,” one of our cover stories. “Without healthy hibernation,” she asserts, “we are at greater risk for 'dis-ease' in every sense of the word – mental, physical and spiritual. Our entire being relies on an opportunity to rest and recharge in order to optimally function.” However, she notes that in our society, we can find it difficult to relax. Her article educates us about how to cultivate a “relaxation response,” as well as the advantages of doing so.

When we think of hibernation, we naturally associate the practice with burrowing down in a warm lair. With just a little effort we can ensure that our homes are energy-conserving, comfy dens, according to Tim Zaun in his cover story article, “Get Cozy at Home: A Winterizing Checklist.” Tim explains, “With advancing interest in eco-friendly actions, winterizing your home embodies new meaning and features. Plugging leaks and refining your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system remain procedural staples; however, taking a few more measures helps conserve energy as well as saves you money.” His article elucidates a vast number of simple steps to take.

In your warm and comfortable home, find a cozy nook to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa. In his article, “Cocoa: The Food of the Gods,” Christopher Cumo describes the many health benefits of it. Or, grab a notebook and spend some time journaling. For guidance on how to get started, check out Eileen Coan's article titled “The Power of Words.” Or, perhaps you might enjoy a knitting or crocheting project. If so, be sure to read “Organic Knits: Plants That Spin into Beautiful, Eco-friendly Yarns” by Erika Gadomski and Kristen Hampshire.

Last, but certainly not least, spend some time perusing our fabulous Holistic Holiday Gift Guide. We have a beautiful new layout for it this year, allowing you to easily find gifts that hold true meaning and value for family and friends. It is our largest Gift Guide ever, and we are sure that you will find something for everyone on your list – and do not forget the value of a gift to yourself, too!

From our cozy homes to your comfy lairs, we wish you a happy, healthy, holistic holiday season filled with love and blessings.

Warmly,
Balanced Living Magazine

from you

I just had to write to compliment you on the latest cover (September-October 2007). It embodies health, fitness, nature, divinity and playfulness in one great photo. It made me smile immediately. Please send my congratulations to your staff and all involved in developing this rich visual.

Many blessings,
Betsy B. Muller, MBA, C-EHP, CEC
The Indigo Connection
Strongsville, Ohio
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I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful graphics and uplifting content of your September-October 2007 issue, but when I got to the Conscious Cuisine department article by Maggie Busser, I was saddened by the photo of "braised pork belly" staring up at me from one of the Balanced Living pages. Let us be conscious here, okay? Really conscious. Let us be conscious that that is the flesh of an intelligent, sensitive mammal that has been brutalized in a number of ways before being killed: stolen away from his or her enslaved mother, painfully mutilated by having his or her ears notched, tail chopped off, nose bashed, teeth clipped, and if male, castrated without anesthesia; then fed special feed and hormones to force his or her body to gain weight abnormally fast. Then beaten and electro-shocked to force him or her from cage to cage in the factory farm, and finally onto the slaughter transport truck, experiencing nothing but overcrowding, violence, abuse and pain from human hands his or her entire life, until the utter terror of the kill floor, and the all-too-frequent botched killings there. Very often the pigs and other animals we eat are skinned or disemboweled while fully conscious. If this is "conscious cuisine," promoted by "The Awakened Epicurean," I would hate to see unconscious cuisine!

(Also, the comment in Alan Cohen's "The Happiest People I Know" that diet makes no difference in living to be 100 has been thoroughly debunked by John Robbins' research in his recent book, Healthy At 100.)

Sincerely,
Will Tuttle, Ph.D.

Editor's Note: At Balanced Living Magazine, we agree thoroughly with your disdain for commercial meat production practices. Please note that Light Bistro, as well as the other restaurants that we write about, does conscientiously source the products for its cuisine. Chef Matthew Mathlage has assured us, “We get most of our pork products (including pork belly) from a butcher in Frederickstown, Ohio called Dee-Jays Custom Butchering and Processing. Its pork is all sourced from local (mostly Amish) farms, including the Stutzman farm, which we use for a lot of other products as well. None of our pork comes from 'meat mills.' It is very possible to source all meat responsibly. It just takes a little more work and digging sometimes.”

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Recently I had an opportunity to visit the Cleveland, Ohio area for one of the biggest bodybuilding events. During my stay at one of the most prestigious hotels in downtown Cleveland, I happened to come across your amazing magazine. I love It! It truly is a well-balanced magazine with every aspect of knowledgeable tips and information to help your readers stay healthy and fit! I took a few copies back home to share with my family and friends. Keep up the great work.

Your friend in fitness,
Tracy Hess
Southampton, Pennsylvania

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I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to you on recently being recognized as a top Ten Under 10 business by the Council of Small Enterprises. This is quite an honor.

Balanced Living Magazine's focus on health and wellbeing provides access to information that is beneficial to both its subscribers and advertisers. The magazine contributes to the economic viability by acting as a reliable vehicle for local businesses to advertise their services. Thank you for your role in the economic growth of the Northeastern Ohio area.

Again, congratulations, and I wish you nothing but continued success in all of your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Mary Taylor, CPA
Auditor of State