It is with great pleasure that we dive into this month’s topic of Traditional World Healing, uncovering the wisdom of ancient wellness practices that have been making a remarkable comeback in recent years. In keeping with that theme, later this month I’ll be attending the Wise Traditions conference in Kansas City, hosted by the Weston A. Price Foundation. I can’t wait to share what I learn about how nutrient-dense whole foods and traditional diets lead to improved health.

We’re witnessing a revival of interest in traditional methods and practices across various facets of society and in our daily lives. I think it’s fueled by several factors, including a growing desire for sustainability, a reconnection with cultural heritage, and a response to the rapid pace of technological advancement. Allow me to shed light on a few of these remarkable shifts.

·         Agriculture and Food Production: The return to traditional farming practices, such as organic farming, permaculture, and heirloom crop cultivation, reflects a yearning for natural, eco-friendly food sources. Supporting local and sustainable food systems is becoming a priority, with an emphasis on knowing the origins of our food and supporting small-scale farmers.

·         Medicine and Wellness: Traditional healing systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine are making a resurgence. To learn more about these and other ancient practices, read Carrie Jackson’s enlightening article, “Traditional World Healing Wisdom: Returning to our Roots,”.

·         Food Preparation and Consumption: There’s been a revival in homemade and artisanal foods, as well as a renewed focus on traditional diets known for their health benefits, like Mediterranean and Japanese diets.

·         Craftsmanship: Traditional craftsmanship and artisanal skills are experiencing a renaissance. The intrinsic value of handmade products and historical trades like `woodworking, and pottery is being recognized and cherished.

·         Education: There’s a push for more holistic, student-centered education, often drawing inspiration from traditional teaching methods. The Montessori and Waldorf education models exemplify this trend.

·         Sustainable Living: More people are living off the grid or adopting  self-sustainable lifestyle practices, such as solar panels, electric vehicles and  homesteading, in a bid to reduce their environmental footprint.

·         Clothing and Fashion: The “slow fashion” movement, which prioritizes quality, durability, and ethical production, is gaining traction over fast fashion’s disposable approach.

·         Energy Sources: The shift toward renewable energy sources like wind and solar power represents a return to greener, more traditional energy-production methods as an alternative to fossil fuels.

·         Transportation: More people walking, cycling, and using public transportation points to a growing interest in sustainable alternatives to car-centric lifestyles.

·         Localism: Supporting local businesses and communities over large global corporations is becoming a prevailing trend, promoting traditional market dynamics.

·         Cooking and Food Preservation: Home cooking and time-honored methods of food preservation, such as canning and fermenting, are making a comeback, fostering a deeper connection with our culinary heritage.

If these topics sound familiar, it’s because we’ve been talking about every single one of them for 12 years now in Natural Awakenings Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex magazine. Each month we bring you relevant, cutting-edge (and not-so-cutting-edge) information on healthy, natural, sustainable living.

The modern shift toward traditional methods and values is rooted in the recognition that the natural choice is also the healthiest and most profitable. It’s an acknowledgment that our Creator, in His wisdom, bestowed upon us a perfectly made environment, one that provides everything we need not just to survive, but to thrive. The axis upon which it all turns is the impact of our actions on this environment, often in the name of progress or convenience. It’s what we do or don’t do, what we add or remove, that can disrupt this balance.

In this context, Natural Awakenings stands as a beacon of light, offering guidance and information that align with these traditional principles. As always, we hope you will find much in this month’s issue to help you get “back to the future” and live a healthier life on a healthy planet.

Until next month,

Blessings