June brings us the opportunity to spend long, sunny days with children and to celebrate the fathers in our lives, making it a perfect time to focus on the well-being of the whole family, but especially on men’s health. Writer Melanie Laporte offers an insightful path to wellness in “Nature’s Toolbox: The Key to Prostate Health,” an up-to-date report on the latest approaches to treating and preventing some major problems associated with this tiny yet highly important gland.

Of course, cerebral health knows no gender and “Food Sleuth” Melinda Hemmelgarn’s “Brain-Savers: Smart Strategies for Preventing Dementia” is a must-read for anyone concerned with preventing and treating cognitive decline and memory loss. More than a third of global dementia cases are preventable, so adopting diet and lifestyle risk-reduction measures is a “no-brainer”. One way to feed the brain is with the unique nutrients found in mushrooms. Discover the magic in these healthy (and delicious) fungi with writer April Thompson’s “Medicinal Mushrooms: Beyond Buttons and Portabellas.”

This month’s Wise Words also points the way to the healing power of foods and much more with Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s take on “Chasing Life.” CNN’s chief medical correspondent shares his eye-opening experiences following an immersive tour of some of the happiest and healthiest places on Earth. The resulting docuseries of the same name explores, among other helpful topics, how ancient traditions may play a role in 21st-century health care.

With warmer weather and longer daylight hours, now is a perfect time to adjust transportation patterns to include walking, cycling or public options like the bus or the new Hop streetcar, in lieu of driving. Although Earth Day has passed, we can continue to implement green measures at home. For example, we may consider installing a rainwater collection barrel, LED lighting and perhaps some native plants or a rain garden. As we sew, so shall we reap from Mother Earth, which delightfully gives back in great and small ways.

Here’s to a healthy and joyful summer,

Gabriella Buchnik, Publisher