Editor's Welcome

I come from a pet-loving family and have grown into an unabashed animal person. Even though I’ve had a career in the public eye as a broadcaster, I’m actually one of those introvert/extrovert mixes who usually feels more comfortable on the floor with someone’s dog or cat than making conversation with the adults.

I can often be spotted out and about in my neighbourhood trying to make friends with any dog who happens to be tied to a post waiting for its owner to finish errands somewhere nearby. OK, I’m starting to sound strange. Well, I guess I am!

My freak flag flies high for the furries. I’m the proud pet parent to two of the world’s cutest cats: Nate and Bean. (That’s Nate’s face I’m squishing.) They’ve been with me for 16 years; that’s longer than some marriages! We’ve been through a lot together.

Nate and Bean have moved provinces with me. They’ve been through heartbreak and job changes, loss and illness. They don’t care if I’ve got a dried-up smoothie ring around my mouth or if I haven’t washed my hair in a week. They love me unconditionally, and I love them the same way. It’s an easy, uncomplicated, emotional relationship. If you have a pet, you know exactly what I mean.

There are a lot of scientific theories out there as to why we humans love our animals so much. There’s even a term for the study of pet ownership called anthrozoology. And though researchers are still trying to determine the exact evolutionary reason we are a culture of pet lovers, I definitely resonate with Lauren Toyota’s take on it: we’re all connected (read Mindfully Meatless, p. 37) So I’m thrilled that we have dedicated part of this issue to keeping our fur babies happy and healthy.

And since we’re all spending a lot more time outside this season with our animals or our human families, chances are we’re showing off a bit more skin. I know that I, for one, am paying particular attention to skin-loving nutrients like daily fish oils, tons of avocado, seasonal berries and ch-ch-ch-chchia, left, right and centre.

In honour of radiant summer skin, this issue is full of natural, practical tips to enhance your epidermis. I especially love our chat about holistic esthetics with Province Apothecary founder, Julie Clark (p. 24). Oh, and did I mention, we have a recipe for watermelon cake?! (p. 48). Our July/August issue is really the perfect summer read.

So find a comfy place and soak up a little safe vitamin D (p. 20) while you enjoy your summer and our latest issue of Vista!

EDITOR IN CHIEF RHN, B. JOURNALISM HONS. Follow me on Instagram: KIMDEONCOM