“I don’t understand how a banana can be bad?” My husband, Jim, and I were discussing his evolving diet and the perception of food. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” certainly applies to food. I don’t generally believe in good or bad foods; instead, I prefer to consider the person’s goals and personal health situation when making choices. For example, if you need potassium, then bananas are a winner. If you are trying to avoid high glycemic options that could cause a spike in blood sugar, bananas may not be the best option. 

In our feature article, Food as Medicine: The Healing Power of Nutrition [page 20], we explore the healing power of nutrition. “Eating fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of vibrant colors ensures we get a variety of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants,” says author Julie Peterson. When it comes to overall nutrition, there are some guidelines that just make sense including, “Whole foods grown locally provide the most nutrition.” And another gem from Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food, famously said, “Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” I am finding that the connection between what we eat and our health, becomes even more apparent as we age. 

This issue is packed with tips to boost health at any age. We have natural tips for deep sleep in  Sweet Slumber: Natural Tips for Deep Sleep [page 32] and recipes for healthy, grilled summer fare [page 30]. You’ll find benefits of urban gardening in Growing Food Security [page 38] and dive into how to use herbs in your food as medicine in Herbs as Food and Medicine  [page 24]. 

This month, we begin a series exploring the complex topic of medical marijuana in the first article Exploring Medical Marijuana: Essential Health Benefits of Cannabis [page 26]. We talked to local doctors to learn how this plant can help address different ailments, as well as, how to qualify for access. We’ll dive deeper into this fascinating topic to enrich our understanding over the next few months. To hear more from our experts, check out our Natural Inspirations Podcasts at my-NA.com/NIPMedicalMarijuana.

Here’s to a summer filled with healthy “beautiful” food choices!

Kris Urquhart, Publisher