Editorial
Volume 30 Issue 1— May/June 2024
by Melva Armstrong

Here I am, starting “Year 30” of publishing WHOLifE Journal! That means there’s an exciting celebratory year ahead. It’s going to be a joy-filled and adventurous journey. I look forward to sharing it with you.

With the winter behind us now, it’s time to break loose outdoors and enjoy the gorgeous sunny spring days, that will eventually flow into summer. The return of the light makes a huge difference in our energy, and our ability to spend more blessed hours bathing in the healing and nurturing powers of Mother Earth. I hope you find time to do a lot of that.

When I look back on the first days of creating the journal in 1995, it seems like it was yesterday, and yet it was years ago. I have had many wonderful experiences meeting and working with people whose gifts have blessed the WHOLifE pages, in a wide variety of ways. For all of you, I am truly grateful. During the delivery days in Saskatoon, I love seeing and sharing hellos with the kind and friendly business folks where I leave the copies. It’s my sincere pleasure to be able to help spread the natural health and wellness news throughout our communities. I thank you for your support and love.

In this issue I’m excited to introduce you to a new project that, according to one of the creators, may very well be the first of its kind in the world. I’m referring to Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck’s article called Blessing the Trees with Love: Introducing the Saskatoon Forest Chaplaincy (p. 30). When I first heard about it, I absolutely loved it, and I hope you will too. According to Sanford Beck it all began with the burning question: “What are humans for?” He explains, “A chaplain is someone who does not stand above, trying to control, but rather walks beside, offering an open heart and a caring hand. Can we imagine ourselves as humans relating in this way with all our more-than-human neighbours—the trees, the plants, the animals, the insects, the waters, and the winds—offering prayer, blessing, magical healing, good energy? This is the foundational principle of the Saskatoon Forest Chaplaincy.” This project was launched in February 2024 by a small group of Saskatoon residents who’s desire is to send loving care, in an intentional way, to our more-than-human community. It’s an experiment in the power of love, and is open to anyone who feels called to it, according to the article.

Resha Zastrow’s article Welcome Spring … Rise and Shine! (p.10) is encouraging everyone to take time to enjoy the beauty all around you. She and her partner have decided to leave city life and live in the country on an acreage. While there, they have found all kinds of wonderful things they can do in nature, such as growing plants that can be used for different kinds of healing purposes. Zastrow says, “They have laying hens, are bee keepers, and they strive to live more sustainably by living in harmony with nature and being stewards of the land.” She adds, “Our passion is to inspire others to live more in the moment, with a gratitude mindset.” It reminds me of that beautiful saying, “If you can dream it, you can do it!” May you feel inspired by Zastrow’s passion for life in all its beauty and wonder.

If you are someone who uses health care products to help maintain your body, mind, and spirit, then you may want to read Veronica Jean’s article, Join the Campaign to Protect Canada’s Natural Health Products (p. 16). At this point it is fairly urgent to support the Member of Parliament’s Bill C-368 which would repeal parts of Bill C-47. The article provides all the details you will need in order to understand the severity and urgency of this matter.

If you are a lover of grains, then you are sure to enjoy checking out Hélène Tremblay-Boyko’s article, Pseudo Grains: Exotic and Ancient (p. 8). Instead of the well-known wheat, oats, and barley, Tremblay-Boyko wants to introduce you to these lesser-known and highly beneficial grains—amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa. She provides extensive nutritional details about each one and includes some cooking instructions, as well as some interesting recipes for you to try.

As always, I encourage you to read from cover to cover as there is a delightful number of unique nuggets of wisdom, joy, love, caring, healing, and compassion within these pages. They are there to help make your life even more beautiful than it already is.

I love you! Be well and Blessed Be!

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