When entering the magazine business two years ago, I could not have imagined how daily life would change on so many levels. I looked forward to transitioning from a routine weekday work schedule of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the… ahem, “freedom”—excuse me, had a little tickle in my throat—of entrepreneurship. I found that it can be pretty scary to have all that freedom and be on your own, but collaborating with so many other business owners is lots of fun too.

As a Natural Awakenings publisher, I meet amazing people doing amazing things all the time. This month a leading example is Steve Chinosi, director and chief innovation officer at Newton North High School (NNHS), and his student team of “solutionaries”. In June of 2011, we first featured the fledgling NNHS Greengineers program pioneered by 17 brave students researching and tackling real-life environmental issues. Since then, the group has grown to nearly 200 participants with new students eager to enroll. You’ll find our original story at NaturalAwakeningsBoston.com/MIDS/Archived-Editions. Don’t miss the exciting update “Newton Public Schools Innovation Laboratory – A New Model for Sustainable Education.”

I’m a bit envious of these young people, coming of age at such an exciting time. We extend kudos to each of them for embracing the opportunities available through this local volunteer initiative. These talented expanding minds together with their co-creating peers around the globe represent the future. We look forward to our world making the most of their breakthrough Earth-sustaining designs and inventions in the next decade or two.

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, we’ve packed this Green Living issue with ways to improve the quality of our lives by greening our daily lifestyles. “Household Cleanse,” sheds light on the most toxic common household chemicals and some healthier choices we can make to minimize their impact on our family’s health as well as the environment.

Don’t miss our special Earth Day calendar feature on making the most of our park systems and other community events. You’re sure to find many fun ways to celebrate our home planet this month.

We also want to thank you for your ongoing feedback. Constructive comments and suggestions help us to know what we’re doing right and places we might improve. Please, keep your ideas coming!

Always feel good, live simply and laugh more,

Maisie Raftery, Publisher