Woodford Files

Wow, there’s so much going on in the world of natural health and green living that it’s hard to keep track of it all. But we’re giving it our best shot! From an Events Calendar jam-packed with things to do and places to go, to our Annual Guide to Organics which is literally busting at the seams (we could have put in more but we ran out of room) – this issue will inspire you to get out there and get involved. We are fortunate to live in a province that is bustling with green entrepreneurs and dedicated health professionals who bring a wide array of choices right to our doorstep. And they’re all here in Vitality – ready to share their insights, experience, and tools for healthy living with you.

These are exciting times for green business. Demand for organic food is growing at a rate of 15 to 20% per year (read our scary story on what the mad scientists are doing with GMOs and Biotech and you’ll understand why). What people really want is clean food on their plates and they’re pushing the marketplace to meet this demand. Ontario farmers are working hard to give us what we want, and our job as consumers is to reward them with our loyalty. Every dollar spent on local organic food is an investment not only in our own well-being but also the health of our environment and our local economy. That’s a lot of bang for your buck. And as the global climate becomes more unstable (think hurricanes, tornadoes, drought, and flooding) causing foreign crops to fail, a strong local organic network will ensure that our food supply remains stable.

This month, herbalist Michael Vertolli brings us an updated and expanded version of his popular Summer First Aid feature, which encompasses everything from lavender essential oil for burns to homeopathics for wound healing. Personally, I’d pick homeopathics over drugs any day of the week (especially Traumeel for stubbed toes or post-surgical swelling and Rescue Remedy for sudden shocks, accidents, and emotional upsets). Armed with Vertolli’s recommended remedies, you can create a personalized tool kit that will get you through the summer with ease.

Linda Gabris adds a new twist to barbecue season with her Fruits and Berries on the Grill feature in this issue. This will be of great interest to vegetarians eager to add flare to summertime meals, as well as carnivores ready to experiment with new combinations.

And Chinese Medicine specialist Tom Fung brings us his take on preventing and treating cancer using strategies from the Far East. I find this a good reminder that conventional Western medicine is not the only choice when dealing with life threatening disease, so it’s worth considering alternative treatment methods that have a much longer history. Since most disease arises from chronic inflammation in the body, therapies with the best track record for clearing inflammation should be front and centre in disease recovery.

It’s been a very busy year for Vitality so far, and we’ve had a great time bringing you the best that our community has to offer. Now we’re taking a wee summer break, and will be back (with bells on) in September.

Have a terrific summer,

Julia Woodford