As we enter the dog days of summer, when fathers are remembered and kids are afoot, we focus on health and fitness for him and well-being for the whole family.

Writer Melanie Laporte offers an insightful path to wellness in “Nature’s Toolbox: The Key to Prostate Health,” an up-to-date report on the latest approaches to treating and preventing some major problems associated with this tiny yet highly important gland.

Marlaina Donato also offers a masculine perspective on water aerobics, a fitness regimen that was once the domain of women. “Just Add Water: Aquatic Workouts for Him” details how more men are moving to the shallow end of the pool to sculpt their bodies and tend to injured knees, stiff joints and high blood pressure with low-impact therapy. And Chris Bruno offers inspiration to fathers with his personal essay, “Fatherhood’s Pain and Glory: We Must Face Our Own Story First.”

Of course, cerebral health knows no gender and “Food Sleuth” Melinda Hemmelgarn’s “Brain-Savers: Smart Strategies to Keep Dementia at Bay” is a must-read for anyone concerned with preventing and treating cognitive decline and memory loss. More than a third of global dementia cases are preventable, so adopting diet and lifestyle risk reduction measures is a “no-brainer”.

One way to feed the brain is with the unique nutrients found in mushrooms. Discover the magic in these healthy (and delicious) fungi with writer April Thompson’s “Medicinal Mushrooms: Beyond Buttons and Portabellas.”

This month’s Wise Words also points the way to the healing power of foods and much more with Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s take on “Chasing Life.” CNN’s chief medical correspondent shares his eye-opening experiences following an immersive tour of some of the happiest and healthiest places on Earth. The resulting docuseries of the same name explores, among other helpful topics, how ancient traditions may play a role in 21st-century health care.

Lots more good stuff has been packed into POP for June, including Natural Awakenings of Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi Publisher Meredith Montgomery’s delightful Healthy Kids piece on “The Minimalist Family: Trading Clutter for Calm.”

For the past several years I have been working on simplifying my own life and so have been reducing the number of my possessions. The older I get the less it seems I need or want and with fewer possessions my mind seems to clear accordingly. As I contemplate my next move, I am now focused on reducing my carbon footprint and if I don’t have the space I can’t accumulate right? At this point in my life the design of my home holds a greater meaning for me than its size. Today for me less is more!

To conscious living,
Pamela Gallina, Publisher