The more I study and learn, the more fascinated I become by the realization that much of what we are “learning” today is in fact a rediscovery of what was once known and practiced but supplanted by newfangled information. If we think of human progression as a spiral upwards, that which is old really does become new again, though perhaps at a higher level of understanding. 

For this issue, Managing Editor Patricia Staino worked overtime to produce educational and comprehensive pieces on topics that exemplify this old-then-new concept. She examines the trend back toward community herbalism (you know, like our great-grandparents in the old country might have practiced, and their parents before them). There is an active herbalism community growing in Connecticut, and Patricia spoke to some of the leaders in the area about what makes herbalism both an art and a science, as well as the accessibility factor that makes herbal products so special.  

In addition, this month Patricia took on the herculean task of sorting truth from the hype of hemp and CBD. Hemp, a crop that was illegal in U.S. soil for about 50 years, is now reaching for the sun as this no-buzz cousin to marijuana fuels high hopes among farmers, agricultural researchers, manufacturers and consumers for its use in a host of areas. If you’ve been wondering about the potential utility of CBD in your own life, don’t miss Patricia’s deep dive; you’ll learn a lot and be positioned to become a wiser consumer of this remarkable set of products.

In keeping with the “everything old is new again” theme, humans began as hunter-gatherer omnivores when it came to their food supply, but their base diet was heavier on the gathering and less on the hunting simply because meat could be scarce at times. While meat may be plentiful these days, plant-based diets are experiencing a resurgence in this country, for a variety of reasons and in different forms. This month we include a few articles about the ever-increasing popularity of plant-based eating, providing pointers on how to adjust your diet if you are so inclined, as well as tasty recipes that will leave you satisfied without missing meat.

Lots of great events are coming up this month in our area; be sure to check out the news briefs and calendar section as you plan your time. We hope to see you at many of them!

With love and light,

Nicole