Giving thanks - gratitude for simple things helps replenish the spirit - Editorial - Brief Article

Vegetarian Times, Nov, 1997 by Donna Sapolin

Hi! This is the first time you're hearing from me, the new editorial director of Vegetarian Times. I want to tell you how fortunate I think I am to be able to apply my editorial talents to a subject I am impassioned about and that guides my own choices. It is rare that one experiences such a dynamic convergence between work and personal perspective, but all of the editors at VT enjoy such synchrony, and the excitement and devotion they bring to shaping this magazine cannot help but result in wonderfully informative, entertaining articles.

From the many E-mails and letters I've received from readers congratulating me on my post, I can tell we are blessed to have a caring audience committed to creating greater healthfulness in their lives and to finding the energy and joy that derives from taking responsibility for their health and that of the planet. You should know that I applaud and celebrate your spot on the trajectory that leads toward claiming a greater sense of well-being. Our goal, rather than wagging a finger toward any behavior or questioning any motive, is to give you the insight you need to make your bodies thrive and help you shape a life full of good things--including goodness.

New research emerges everyday on natural alternatives for preventing and curing maladies In this issue we deliver ways to treat arthritis, discuss the healing benefits of mushrooms and elucidate topics that range from the effects of milk consumption to hormone replacement therapy. More women are turning to typical estrogen supplementation these days and taking on extraordinary risks in order to alleviate their symptoms and protect their bones and hearts. The latest survey of menopausal women (252 members of the Prime Plus menopause support group) shows that few women are satisfied with the level of care and attention they receive from their physicians and that, in fact, they do not stay on the prescribed treatment programs long enough to reap the heart and bone rewards. So in the interest of helping you explore your options, we assembled five experts in the field of alternative health care to present their proven methods for handling menopausal problems without risks and side effects. Our objective is to assist you in safeguarding your health.

One way you can do that, of course, is with your diet. For us, food and eating are far more than just short-term sensory experiences. They also are about forging long-term health benefits, nurturing those who share time with us and fostering our relationships. We take care in this issue to protect the "delicious" and delicate bonds between people on different food paths by means of two strategy-driven articles directed toward smoothing the interactions between vegetarians and non vegetarians (teen-agers and their families, and dating and married couples). Addressing such behavioral dynamics comes naturally to us; we know the nuances--and the health, environmental and humanitarian dividends are vast.

Gains come in many forms; we just need to be attuned enough to take notice of them and value them. Gratitude, though more ethereal than the mouth-watering dishes we present in our Thanksgiving food section, is a high form of nourishment; it is one that goes a long way toward replenishing our inner spirits and strengthening the vital connections in our lives. Just this week my children and I returned from a trip to Alaska during which we stood in awe of nature's gifts--only to come home to our jumping, licking, ecstatic-to-see us dog. He may not be as majestic as the bald eagles we spotted, but nothing can beat the love and loyalty he offers--and for these I am unspeakably grateful. Our Last Morsel F essay this month talks about the many ways our animal friends teach us about gratitude. So, read on--and thank you for doing so.