This month we say adieu to winter and adjust wardrobes and minds to meet springtime’s promise. Vernal Equinox 2018 arrives March 20th here in Tampa Bay. As a long-time Floridian, I enjoy the ebb and flow of the Bay Area’s tropical seasons. I love seeing the emerging buds on the purple jacaranda trees getting ready to bloom and appreciating the myriad of colorful wildflowers found on the trek to Fort De Soto Park.

It’s time again to tinker with time: set clocks one hour ahead on March 11 at 2 a.m. (Local Standard Time) to 3 a.m. (Daylight Standard Time). This little blip in the flow of time makes for expanded hours to play outside. It’s good for us.  

As always, exciting news and views fill this month’s Natural Awakenings Tampa Bay, highlighting inspiring, thought-provoking and natural ways to achieve whole health. This month’s special focus on healthy food includes insights on ethnic cuisine and ‘super spices’. In “Spice Up Healthy Cooking” (page 28), writer Amber Lanier Nagle shares news of “Six Seasonings with Surprising Payoffs” and offers an intriguing look at their health and wellness properties.

In our Healing Ways department, author Kathleen Barnes reveals why “Sunshine on Our Shoulders: Makes Us Happy and Healthy” (page 30). I never tire of hearing good reasons to spend barefoot time on our beautiful Gulf Coast barrier islands.

Get ready to build upon your storehouse of knowledge—from the personal to the universal. 

As always, open your mind, and read on.