Summer is a time of abundant freshness, liveliness and brightness. Our daily activities tend to relocate from inside the house to the great outdoors. Our farmer’s markets are bursting with colorful produce like vine ripe tomatoes, jewel toned berries, crisp sweet corn and luscious watermelon. Our evenings consist of patio cookouts with the grill fired-up and a warm breeze in the backyard. This is a season of wellness, and the July issue of Natural Awakenings is all about channeling the health benefits of this vibrant summer bounty.   

 

The feature article for this month is on “Urban Agriculture Trends” which emphasizes the recent increase in both hobbyist and commercial farming in metropolitan areas. As rooftop, vertical and hydroponic methods of natural food production continue to gain traction with urban farmers, it’s now become easier than ever to grow fresh-from-the-earth herbs, fruits and vegetables in a limited amount of space. This article also draws focus to the community garden trend and how anyone can start this initiative in their own neck of the woods.      

 

Next, if you want to exercise that green thumb this summer and cultivate a home garden on your porch or in the yard, our “Green Living” article offers useful information on how to plant with organic sustainability at the forefront. From testing the soil to making rain barrels to raising native plants to conserving natural resources, this column has all you need to know about how to cultivate a garden that is beneficial and healthy for the environment.

 

Finally, to continue our deep dive into the bold, nutritious and irresistible flavors of summer, our “Conscious Eating” article describes how to add fresh herbs to your lineup of favorite seasonal dishes. Nutrient-dense sprigs of basil, mint, thyme, chives, dill and parsley are delicious complements to homemade smoothies, pizzas, salads or grain bowls, for instance. In addition, this article features some herbaceous plant-based recipes that you’ll want to include in your dinner rotation all throughout this season.    

 

Well, once again, this is just a snapshot of everything our July issue has in store for you. Please reach out with any comments, questions or feedback you might have to Publisher@NASRQ. And until next month, cheers to the beauty of summer!