During October, the weather cools off, Mother Nature starts to slow down in preparation for winter, and we get back to a comfortable pace of life after the whirl wind of summer activities. It’s also the time when our community starts to come together to create and reestablish personal and group connections. As schedules become more predictable, we begin to think about hospitality and holidays, and simply crave the comfort and stimulation of others.
At least that’s my theory as to why there seems to be more events, expos and classes in October than in any other month. If you’re wanting to connect and/or reestablish ties with others in the wellness community, this is the time to do it!

The month starts out with the inaugural New Jersey VegFest on October 2 in Morristown. This vegan and vegetarian food festival is expected to draw hundreds of people from around the state with speakers, food and product vendors, free samples and live music. The keynote speech by Dr. Joel Fuhrman has already sold out.

The Holistic Moms Network gathering takes place on October 8, also in Morristown. This event is focused on creating community for parents and others who are passionate about holistic health and green living, and will feature speakers, workshops, vendors and practitioners.

The NEWLIFE Expo, one of the largest holistic expos in the area, comes to the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City on October 21-23. Over 100 exhibitors and speakers will offer their expertise on alternative medicine, metaphysics, nutrition and more. If you’re closer to the Philly area, then try the Empowered Light Expo on October 28-30. Its theme is healthier lifestyles, including nutrition and food, stress reduction, alternative healing and spirituality.

Several of our local businesses will also be sponsoring events in October and November: The Holistic Consciousness of One, a group of holistic practitioners, will hold a wellness and vendor event in Rockaway on October 27; The Peace Within Spa & Wellness Center will host the Change Your Life Workshop with Joan Hermann of Change Your Attitude. . . Change Your Life, along with other speakers for a day-long series of presentations on October 29; Dian’s Wellness Simplified will present Dian’s Duck, a holistic and metaphysical festival on November 6; and the Wellness Gala will hold another of its elegant events featuring Concetta Bertoldi, a New York Times bestselling author and medium on November 10.

So, no excuses! Get out there and connect. You’ll find details on all these gatherings and others throughout the pages of the magazine.