We’re back! We took a little break from printing, but not from publishing. So if you missed the May or June issue, we’ve posted the digital editions at WakeUpNaturally.com. Our May edition focused on autoimmune breakthroughs, while our June edition focused on brain health. Be sure to read them when you get a chance—they’re packed with lots of good health info.

 

Like many local businesses, we’ve used the past two months to recalibrate and find fresh and creative ways to serve our community. For example, we’ve added a news brief form on our website that allows readers to send us local news tips and story ideas. (To get there, click on Submissions and then Editorial Submissions. We’d love to hear from you!)

 

The last two months have been both challenging and transformational for many. In May, the killing of George Floyd sparked widespread marches with calls for justice and equal treatment under the law for black citizens, and put a spotlight on systemic, institutional racism in our country. While the Black Lives Matter movement launched several years ago, it seems to have galvanized our nation in a matter of weeks, resulting in a shift of white consciousness—with the majority of Americans now standing beside and supporting the efforts of BLM.

 

In June, the Supreme Court handed down two landmark rulings: the first protecting gay and transgender workers from being fired based on sexual orientation, and the second upholding DACA (for now)—protecting the dreamers, or the undocumented children of immigrants, from being deported from the only country they’ve ever known. Lots of reasons to celebrate the emergence of a more loving and inclusive national ethos, even during the stresses and challenges of the continuing pandemic. What new signs of conscious evolution might we see in July? I’m optimistic for continued positive change.

              

Here’s another proposed change for the good: the elimination of factory farming. With food as our focus in this month’s magazine, our article “Beyond Factory Farms: ‘Big Meat’ Comes at High Cost,” on page 22, explains why the Center for Food Safety recommends replacing half the meat we buy from traditional factory farms with organically raised beef—and the other half with plants! (Grass-fed beef is a hot commodity in our area. Turn to page 8 to read about surging sales at Three Feathers Farm.)

              

Vegans don’t have to worry about the dangers of factory meat farms, so we’re excited to tell you about Vegan Wednesdays now happening in Tarrytown. Through 2020, folks can order favorite dishes from popular vegan vendors on Tuesdays before 3 p.m., and pick them up the next day at Coffee Lab Roasters. See page 8 for details.

              

Also on the local food front, kudos to Scarsdale teen Nicole Zlotnikov for creating an innovative farm-to-food pantry program. Food pantry volunteers can now work at small neighborhood farms to collect and donate food that might otherwise go to waste. Learn more on page 20.

              

Farmers markets are open now with some safety precautions, like special hours for higher-risk shoppers. Find a farmers market near you in our Ongoing Calendar (pages 38-40), and check their websites for any special instructions. If you notice our calendar is missing a farmers market, please let us know.

              

Finally, we hope to see you at the big Awaken Wellness Fair this month. It’ll be held outdoors, on the grounds of the DoubleTree Hotel, in Tarrytown, and it’s free this year. For more info, see page 9.

Stay inspired!

Marilee