There’s a lot to be thankful for in our November issue. Foodie April Thompson brings joy to the season’s table with her take on “Zenful Eating: Mindful Meals in Quiet Gratitude.” Three of the nation’s top Zen chefs share their wisdom about being grateful, present and peaceful at mealtime—just in time for Thanksgiving!

Ronica O’Hara offers parental tips for instilling thankfulness, one of the most teachable, growable strengths, in our children. “Kids With Gratitude: Making Thankfulness Second Nature” is based on emerging research that shows gratitude to be one of the easiest, most effective ways to kickstart happiness and well-being at any age. Benedictine monk Brother David Steindl-Rast, a leading figure in a worldwide gratitude movement, puts it all in perspective in this month’s Inspiration department, "Enough for All: In Pursuit of Grateful Living".

This month’s feature, “Chasing ZZZZZs: How to Put Insomnia to Rest,” examines the many contributors to and adverse health effects of compromised sleep, along with natural pathways to a good night’s rest. One of those considerations—optimizing thyroid function—is covered in-depth in our Healing Ways department, “The Happy Thyroid: Seven Ways to Keep It Humming.”

We’re also excited to share some new twists to old traditions. In “Antiques Rising: Discovering the Green in ‘Brown’ Furniture,” Green Living writer Yvette Hammett explains how Millennials (aka the IKEA generation) are beginning to discover that Grandma’s old china cabinet might be pretty cool after all—as well as sturdy, well-made, eco-friendly and oh-so-upcyclable.

We love to treasure hunt, and most of the furniture, china and gorgeous glass from the Great Depression era in our home, are antiques. I sometimes teasingly joke that because of the treasures I have found, I now have most everything I always dreamed of inheriting from my Grandma. The beauty and craftsmanship are the finest, they just do not make stuff like this anymore. And most of it is made right here in the USA.

Locavores with a hankering for fresh, organic eggs produced close to home have sparked a resurgence in backyard chicken keeping; even people that don’t like omelets are getting in on the trend. These chic chicks make great pets for vegans; read on as hens with benefits take center stage in “Urban Chickens: Coming Home to Roost.”

Speaking of close to home, we have some very cool news to announce. Beginning with the November issue, we are now the publishers of the Natural Awakenings Southeast Michigan edition, too! It serves both Wayne and Monroe counties, including Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Canton, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn, Livonia, Westland, Redford, Downriver and Monroe. We are super-excited and feel so blessed to broaden our reach to Southeast Michigan and be a part of the wonderful revival happening all over Detroit! Plus, our esteemed editor was even born there.