Editorial
Volume 16 Issue 5 — January/February 2011
by Melva Armstrong

As we start a new year, it is always an excellent time for making resolutions and finding ways to create those changes you have been thinking about, some recent and others long-lasting. Whatever the case may be, I am sure as the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2011, you will be thinking of how you can make your life better during the new year. This is what I will be doing. It always feels good to be starting fresh and using it as a springboard for moving on to things I have been wanting to do, but haven’t made time for yet. So, I trust you will use this special time as a new beginning, and that you will find ways to keep your promises to yourself, and find the enjoyment and peace and happiness that comes from doing things you love.

I have had a terrific year and am grateful for all the goodness, joy, happiness, and abundance in my life. I feel blessed for the many connections I have through my work with WHOLifE Journal. I look forward to continuing those connections and experiencing more in 2011. I am happy to see so many people getting involved in wholistic health and wellness and many finding ways to make their lives much more fulfilling, rewarding, healthy, balanced, and prosperous. It is exciting to see people unfolding in miraculous ways, where they are growing and expanding, and getting in touch with their creative talents and passions and sharing them with those who are drawn into their lives. We have a province full of amazingly talented people and my instincts tell me this coming year is going to get better and better, so hang on to your hats, and enjoy the shift of the ages, as we continue to experience the celestial speed-up.

An important issue that is of deep concern to many of us is food security and preserving the quality of our food supply. There has been a lot of talk and writing from people who are worried about the manipulation and control of our food and our seeds. One local heritage seed supplier said he sold out of his seeds at all the trade shows he attended in 2010, and he indicated it was younger folks who were interested in a back-to-the-land philosophy and direction. I was excited when I heard his comments, and I trust there is a genuine growing movement here, throughout Canada, and the world for people to become more honouring of our land, and thoughtful about where our food and supplies for living are originating. Our world is moving so fast, there tends to be a lot of disinterest in and a disconnection from our roots and our heritage. I feel it is important now to educate young children, as well as adults so they can have choices about their future lives in each of their communities. From all accounts our planet seems to be headed in a destructive direction, and with some help, guidance, and perseverance from those of us who care, we can all shift the consciousness and help restore the balance so that our young people have a healthy planet to live on in the future. And we also want to make it healthy right now, for all of us!

Part of food security is the idea of getting back to eating locally grown food, rather than using food shipped from miles away, and thus often lower in its nutrient value. It is about supporting the local farmers, and by so doing we can eat fresh, healthy food that is natural and organic, and which hasn’t travelled long distances. In light of this, we are pleased to present a timely article by Amy Jo Ehman called Prairie Feast: The Gifts of Locally Grown Food (p. 24). Amy Jo, who grew up on a Saskatchewan farm, and her husband undertook a project in 2005 to eat locally grown food for one year, and from that amazing experience she wrote a book called Prairie Feast: A Writer’s Journey Home for Dinner. Her article explains their journey and how it has positively affected their lives. I hope it will be an inspiration to you. Another important aspect of the local food movement is community shared agriculture (CSA), which directly links the farmer with the consumer, and which you can read about in Brenda Goldsworthy’s Eco Farm article (p. 21).

We are blessed at WHOLifE with a wide array of inspiring articles and advertising. May you read and benefit from them all!

May 2011 be a year of inspiration and exploration, and may you find friendship, love, abundance, and good health in each new day!

Namaste
(The Spirit in me honours the Spirit in you)