The more I read, the more I realize how important it is to filter the information we are fed based on what resonates personally. Books, magazines, social media, television, billboards; wherever you look, there is information being presented for our general consumption that manifestly creates conflicts.

For every study that shows result "x" it seems there’s another creeping in around the corner with result "y" in direct contrast. One day butter, eggs and coffee are bad­—the next we’re told they’re good. It’s easy to see how daunting and exasperating it can be for anyone to make confident decisions about health choices amid the noise.

Rather than make myself crazy trying to follow someone else’s rules, I tend to deal with this issue by educating myself more on each topic by reading more, reaching out to respected authorities on the topic or simply “feeling it out” to see what resonates the most with me. It’s good to remind myself that there are over 8 billion people in the world which includes over 8 billion unique constitutions that each require an individual approach for optimal health.

This month’s national feature article from writer Sheryl Kraft, “Brain Power Boosters: Tips to Preserve Memory at Any Age,” offers practices we can adopt to nourish and optimize our brains. From food, supplements, medicinal herbs and sleep—there’s lots we can do that may keep our brains sharp.

Our local feature from Integrative and Functional Dietitian Alora Frederick, “Dietary Diversity: Try the 30-Plant Challenge,” provides the opportunity to put your resolution power to the test. While not eliminating animal-based foods, this challenge focuses on improving the diversity of the gut microbiome through the incorporation of at least 30 different plant foods each week. Let us know if you try it—we’d love to hear your results.

With warm wishes for a healthy and happy 2023!

Peace,

Maisie Raftery, Publisher