THEME:  Gut Vitality

Plus: YOGA MONTH

Feature Story:  Working title: “Restoring Gut Health: Investing In Your Inner Ecosystem: by Hannah Tytus 

In this deep dive into the gut microbiome, Dr. Madiha Saeed (Naperville, IL) and Dr. Tom O’Bryan explore how diet, stress, toxins and lifestyle choices affect microbial diversity and overall health. The article outlines practical strategies—ranging from fiber-rich foods and targeted supplements to gardening and environmental detox—to restore gut balance and build long-term resilience. Readers are encouraged to treat the microbiome as a living ecosystem, healed not by quick fixes but through steady, mindful care.

Healing Ways: "Oral Health Benefits of Yoga: Surprising Ways To Improve a Smile" by Marlaina Donato

This article explores how yoga and mindfulness practices can complement traditional dental care by reducing stress, inflammation and risk factors linked to periodontal disease. Integrative dentist Dr. Amy Dayries (Roswell, GA) and yoga teacher Jamie LiCausi (Hawley, PA) share how practices like pranayama, posture correction and tongue exercises can support oral health and improve overall well-being.

Conscious Eating:  "Sweet and Tart: The Joys of Homemade Fruit Shrubs" by Chloe Karydes Krecun

This piece explores the history, health benefits and revival of fruit shrubs—sweet-tart syrups made from fruit, sugar and vinegar. Experts like Dr. Lea Ann Chen (Rutgers University) and fermentation author Kirsten Shockey explain how shrubs support gut health and offer a flavorful, low-sugar alternative to sodas or alcohol. The article includes tips from Pink House Alchemy’s (Fayettville, AR) Morgan Shortt on how to make your own shrubs at home using seasonal fruit.

Fit Body: Working Title: “Gut Vitality Through Yoga: A Holistic Path to Digestive Health” by Jordan Peschek

This article explores the growing use of yoga as a supportive tool for gut health, drawing on research about the gut-brain axis and the parasympathetic nervous system. It features insights from yoga teacher and Ayurvedic counselor Katie Mullins Denk (Brookfield, WI), who shares breathwork and posture-based practices that aid digestion, relieve discomfort and calm the nervous system. With minimal side effects and broad accessibility, yoga emerges as a complementary therapy for digestive issues ranging from bloating to IBS.

Green Living:  "Ocean Harvests: Eco-Friendly Benefits of Seaweed" by Maya Whitman

This article explores how seaweed farming offers promising environmental benefits—such as carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling and local water remediation—while also supporting regenerative ocean agriculture and biodegradable packaging solutions. Experts Sarah Redmond of Springtide Seaweed (ME) and Charles Yarish of the University of Connecticut highlight seaweed’s roles in climate resilience, nutrition and replacing plastic in consumer goods.

Healthy Kids: "Childhood Friendships: How to Support a Kid’s Social Development" by Christina Connors

This article explores how to support children’s social development through emotional presence, co-regulation and trust, rather than advice or micromanagement. Featuring insights from authors Joanna Faber and Julie King and clinical psychologist Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge (CT), it emphasizes that friendship is a developmental necessity best nurtured by calm, empathetic guidance.

Inspiration: A Gentler Grip on the Wheel of Life" by Marlaina Donato

This reflective piece invites readers to release the illusion of control and allow life to unfold with greater ease and presence. Drawing on examples like muscle memory in dancers and unscripted moments of brilliance, Donato encourages letting go of rigid planning in favor of spontaneity, trust and grace.

Natural Pet:  "Guide to Canine Hormonal Balance: Strategies To Overcome Spay-Neuter Syndrome" by Dr. Ruth Roberts

This article explores how early spaying and neutering can disrupt hormonal balance in dogs, leading to issues like joint disorders, behavioral changes and chronic inflammation. Dr. Ruth Roberts, a holistic veterinarian, offers natural strategies including nutrient-dense diets, detox support, glandular and herbal therapies and lifestyle changes to help maintain canine endocrine health post-sterilization.

Wise Words: Dr. Patrick Hanaway, MD

Dr. Hanaway is a board‑certified family physician (Asheville, NC) specializing in integrative and functional medicine, with a strong background in nutrition, digestive health and systems-based healthcare.

Eco Tip: "Packing School Lunch With Zero Waste":

This back-to-school guide offers simple, sustainable swaps to help families reduce daily waste from school lunches. From reusable containers and bulk-bin snacks to homemade wraps and eco-friendly totes, it provides practical tips that save money, protect kids' health and lighten the environmental footprint of lunchtime routines.