By the time you read this, we will have sold our parent’s house. My siblings, Laurie, Brad, and Jennifer, and I grew up there. It was our family home where many memories were made. Last Christmas we chose to spend one last holiday there, and even though our parents weren’t there in person, they were very much there in spirit. It is our hope that the next owners find as much joy there as we did.

The process of sorting through our parent’s photos and belongings was bittersweet. It also caused us to consider the items in our own homes and ponder what we could clear now so that our loved ones have less to manage after we’re gone. “By paring down our possessions, we can become more authentic, simplify our finances and pave an easier pathway for the next generation,” says Carrie Jackson in our feature article, The Joys of Minimalism: A Rich Life With Less Stuff [page 20]. The strategies in this article have further inspired me to clean out a closet or two!

The article Responsible Pet Adoption [page 26] explores a topic close to my heart. I spent many years volunteering at my local Humane Society. We encouraged those seeking to gift a pet to include the recipient in the process. Selecting a furry friend together prevents the “gifts” from being returned. If you’re considering providing an animal a loving home, find a shelter near you at Find Your New Furry Friend. Local Adoption Resources (or adopt.my-NA.com).

With the holidays fast approaching, enjoy festive recipes everyone will love in Plant-Forward Holidays [page 22], and there are even more holiday recipes online at recipes.my-NA.com. Explore natural strategies to breathe easier in Lung Maintenance 101 [page 28]. Find additional intriguing articles at my-NA.com including Green Fitness: Choosing an Earth-Friendly Gym , The Magic of Parent-Child Synchrony: How Skin-to-Skin Contact Helps Development and Holiday Workouts.

For gift-giving inspiration this holiday season, check out our digital Healthy Holiday Gift Guide. To receive access in your email inbox, sign up as a newsletter subscriber at my-NA.com or visit HHGG.my-NA.com.

In this month of Thanksgiving, I’d like to share my gratitude for each of you, our readers and advertisers, that make up our healthy living community. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kris Urquhart, Publisher