Love may be in the air this month, but at Natural Awakenings our editorial team has been focused on matters of the heart—the one that keeps us alive and well. In “Sacred Vessels: The Lifeblood of Heart Health,” writer Julie Peterson examines the crucial role of the vascular system and how simple, natural lifestyle choices can prevent or remediate damage that can result in a heart attack, stroke, vision loss and cognitive decline.

I lived in a wonderful and secluded location for many years, but as I aged, I began to find it stifling so I decided to give small town living a try. I now walk just a few blocks for most of my needs. I volunteer, go to yoga and never need to get in my car. There is always someone that I stop to chat with on my morning walk on the boardwalk, fishermen on the pier or a shop keeper that strikes up a conversation. My walks are good for my heart in many ways.

In “Good Hearts Start Young: Boosting Kids’ Cardiovascular Health,” Ronica A. O’Hara underscores why it is never too early to embark on the path to cardio fitness—beginning in the uterus where maternal choices can set the stage for conditions like high blood pressure in their offspring by the time they’re in grade school.

While lifestyle changes have the power to restore heart health, the field of regenerative medicine is making great strides in rejuvenating joints, ligaments, tendons and tissues by stimulating the body’s natural healing process using a patient’s own platelets, growth factors, adipose, stem cells and other methods.

I use many different methods of keeping my body loose, including yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic, supplements, massage, infrared sauna, walking, strength training and energy work. There will be no joint replacements for me!

In case you’re wondering, regenerative therapy isn’t just for humans as Peterson explains in “Pain Relief for Pets: Prolotherapy Gives Joints New Life.” Veterinarians are treating cats, dogs and even horses with this non-surgical form of self-healing.

Our February issue also includes an eclectic stew, featuring April Thompson’s “A Feast for All Seasons: Embracing the Rainbow Year Round,” Yvette Hammett’s take on “Disrupting Disposables: The Drive to Banish Single-Use Plastics” and much more.

And of course, we top it all off with a large dose of love featuring Scarlett Lewis’s inspiring essay on “Choosing Love: How to Cope With Fearful Times” and a Valentine’s Day Wise Words interview, “Linda Carroll on Skills That Make Love Last.”

I resonate with Choosing Love. I cancelled my cable TV subscription six years ago and now I read all my news online from non-traditional sources. I made a conscious choice to stay informed and to cultivate my personal views on the world, but I do it without the aid of TV. I stay informed on all sides of topics and I choose understanding over hate, anger, misinformation and ignorance and I don’t waste my time with people that don’t. I believe that if we put positive energy out into the universe, then that’s what we will get back. If everyone would do this, there would be nothing but love and understanding flowing. Of course, this is my inner idealist showing up, but I’m glad she’s still around!

To conscious living,

Pamela Gallina, Publisher