There’s something about the end of the calendar year that leads to reflection on the past year, along with some assessment of where I’m at on my path in life.  There are so many opportunities to become distracted along the way.  It seems like holiday gatherings and spending more time with family are both enjoyable and yet a little bit stressful. Unfortunately, healthy habits can start to slide when we truly need them the most. Let’s make a pact to be present and aware, not take ourselves too seriously, and try to simplify our holiday celebrations as much as possible. Deal?

Big news with our Healthy Living expo: The date has changed to Saturday April 2, so please mark your calendars accordingly.  I’m really pleased with the way that things are starting to come together for this event.  We are planning a “Build your Business Breakfast” for vendors, local entrepreneurs and local business owners who are interested in exploring effective ways to grow their companies.  I’m impressed with the number of healthy living and green businesses that have contacted me, and I think it’s high time we bring the Downriver Wellness community out of hiding.

We’re pleased to welcome Dobrasevic Food Co. this month, and we will begin distributing magazines at Hiller’s Markets in Plymouth and Northville too.  Both these companies are family owned, which says a lot about the types of businesses that are thriving in this economy.

Dobrasevic Food Co. of Troy delivers boxes of fresh fruits and veggies right to your door every Saturday – which is very helpful for those of us in farmers’ market withdrawal.  The delivery service works with several local farmers and orchards. More importantly, these items are picked up just prior to delivery, so all the produce really is as fresh as possible.  Be sure to see their clever ad on the outside back cover this month. DFC is partnering with Total Health Foods to offer a special co-op price for deliveries to the store each week, and they’re expanding into Wayne County, so let’s do our part to help them feel welcome.

Speaking of Total Health Foods, have you seen their new place in Wyandotte?  It’s a larger location, with more space for all our favorite events and promotions, more room for retail and all the practitioners that share space with them. They are bringing a new wellness vibe to the Wyandotte area, and it’s pretty awesome.  Congratulations on your success ladies, we wish you all the very best!

So what do you think about our December cover?  I was in love with horses growing up, and have sometimes wondered how different my life would be if I had not traded loving horses for loving men somewhere along the line.  We’re lucky to be in very close proximity to some thriving horse communities, including Northville. Did you know that you can arrange to go for a sleigh ride at Northville Horse & Recreation?  I’m pretty sure that this is a new holiday tradition that I want get started in my family.

I hope that you find many ways to enjoy the season, and to rejoice and reflect on the things that really matter most to you.

Love, Peace & Joy be with you.