At this time of year it is customary to reflect on what makes us feels grateful. This year is most likely my final year with both of my boys living at home. My youngest will graduate high school in May and the home dynamics will change. I am very grateful to have this time with them. My husband has a job he loves and is a talented handyman, what more could a girl ask for? I am so blessed that most of my family is nearby and we can enjoy time together. In addition, I am thrilled to have Natural Awakenings magazine as a window into our natural health community. The connections I have made as a result of publishing this magazine have enhanced my life and supported the health of my family in a multitude of ways.

To help you make connections for your health, this edition is our very special annual Natural Living Directory. This issue is your natural phone book; keep it year-round to easily access our community’s best natural living resources. The practitioners and businesses you’ll find in this directory are working hard to build a healthy community – be sure to call on them.

 Since we began publishing in 2001, we have watched alternative modalities and natural health approaches move into the mainstream. Over the years, Natural Awakenings has kept you informed with the latest in natural news. As I look back I can see that Natural Awakenings has grown to become the community’s multimedia resource for healthy living and a healthy planet. We offer online, mobile, and social media access to resources, informative articles, and events in our community. To keep easy access at your fingertips our iPhone/iPad app that can be downloaded free at the iTunes store. And to bring you face-to-face with the products and services you love, we produce the Healthy Living Expo annually.

It is the support of our readers and advertisers that have made that growth possible. I am grateful for all of you! Together we can help each other develop the healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Kris Urquhart, Publisher