From the Editorial
You and I both know that there’s
truckloads of leaflets and magazines
out there on healthy living. One trip
to the doctor’s surgery and we’re
inundated. Why aren’t we snapping up
these leaflets and magazines and
stuffing them into our shopping bags?
Because so much of the information
that
is written these days is either so
boring to read, so full of useless
facts, too technical, or just
downright
inapplicable to being Jewish. Not to
mention that it often comes in forms
and formats that are insensitive to
our
morals, both in the language it uses
and in the pictures that accompany the
text.
So when the local Gateshead council,
in
conjunction with the UK Department of
Health, approached me to create my
own “health magazine for Anglo Jewry”—
one that would promote a healthy
lifestyle in the areas of eating,
exercise, and mental health, I jumped
at the chance. What a great
opportunity, I thought, how could I
let
it go by?
The goals of this dynamic, newly
conceived magazine are twofold:
1. To present the information:
* in a clear and upbeat style;
* in down-to-earth layman’s terms;
* with a sense of humour to lighten
the
load.
2. To ensure the subject matter:
* is consistent with our values and
morals.
Bearing these goals of L’Chaim! in
mind, we’ve kicked-off with our very
first edition!
In this issue, we address some of the
more general areas of healthy living.
Plus, we dive head-first into specific
aspects of our daily eating habits. In
subsequent issues, I hope to dive even
deeper into the sea of eating as well
as to look more closely at exercise
and
mental health.
Incidentally, I chose the friendly
title L’Chaim! (To Life) because not
only does it sound like someone you’d
want to get to know, but it
encapsulates three ideas that I hope
this magazine will personify.
The first is healthy living. We want
to
make choices that, with G-d’s help,
can
lead to a longer, healthier, and
happier life. Wise decisions help wise
people live wisely – and longer.
The second is living life to its
fullest. We want to choose life in all
senses of the word. We don’t want to
let life just pass us by. We want to
grab it with both hands and live life
to the fullest – just as the Bible
enjoins us “Choose Life!”.
The third is enjoying life to its
fullest – truly celebrating the joys
of
life. Life is not just for living –
it’s for enjoying too. On that note, I
raise my glass to you and invite you
to
join me in toasting “L’Chaim!”.
Chava
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