It's that time again already - a new issue of Body+Soul magazine is on sale and it's time for me to give you the rundown of what's good. If you happened to miss the first B+S review, or want to know more about the background of this publication, check out my June 16th review. For the July/August issue, Body+Soul's official website offers up the following blurb:

Energize your life! Our newest issue is the ultimate guide to feeling your best — inside and out. Cool off and stay healthy with recipes for healthy lemonades and get the latest news on SPF protection from the experts. Plus, fresh, delicious, power-packed summer recipes, our definitive recycling guide, and three easy moves to give you strong, beautiful arms.

As usual, I am impressed with how much information can be squeezed into just four sentences. Summing up a whole 144-page magazine issue can't be easy, but the Omnimedia crew does a good job of hyping up their hard work (and I mean that in the best possible way). The "Letters" section has been returned, while the "Reader to Reader" section is still intact. This month's RtR is all about recycling, where ideas for "ditching waste, buying less, saving water, and making the most of everything" are shared openly.

While only a small part of the "Whole Living" section, the "What Is …" segment grabs my attention in each issue. Explaining the dangers of certain chemicals in common products, it is great to see such a large media force taking a stand on what should and shouldn't be tolerated in everyday items. On the same page, Al Gore's Live Earth concert is mentioned, as well as a taste test of organic ketchup and mustard. Last but not least, UsedCardboardBoxes.com is mentioned as a tip for those planning to move (tis the season). I must say that when I moved across town last month, I ordered my boxes from their website and have nothing but good things to say.

This month's "Big Ideas" interview is with Rebecca Kousky, founder of the year-old website Nest. After finding the site myself about six months ago, I'm glad to see that B+S is giving smaller ventures the attention they deserve. In the recently established "Your Health" section of "Whole Living", more bad news about plastics is featured - they are linked to obesity, thanks to the phthalates used to make plastic flexible. The writers note that they are not trying to cause a panic, but, rather, provide another good reason to reduce your exposure to such substances.

As summer continues to rage on, all the new information released about sunscreens may have your head spinning. B+S's "Beauty Basics: Sun 411" article does a respectable job of helping to sort out the fine print in between natural and chemical UV blockers. After reading the whole piece, I came away with a personal feeling of wanting to stay with the more traditional sunscreens for the time being, at least until more research and testing is done on these newly released "micronized" particles.

Upon turning the page to find that beets were this issue's "Power Food", I was taken aback. Beets? Are you serious!? My childhood exposure this this vegetable was mostly through the canned versions, and that only happened about once a year. I expected to read about how healthy they were (hey, it is does grow in the ground, go figure), but just how much fiber and folate they possessed was a surprise in and of itself. While you won't find a cart full of beets on my next grocery store trip, I am quite tempted to try making the sauteed beet greens with roasted beets and pork tenderloin, provided I can find a veggie-meat substitute.

Before trying a new product, or deciding between two different foodie items, I read the Nutrition Facts label. Of course, considering how much is printed on them, I am confused at times as to what I should be factoring in the most. "Read Your Labels" on page 54 does a delicious (no pun intended) job of spelling it all out for you with a easy-to-follow graphical table. On a side note: two points to anyone than can recognized the product they used in the picture (wink).

Why the "Tapped Out" article about simple water-saving tips is not online yet is beyond me, but it is a damn good one. The usual recommendations of using low-flow shower heads and only doing laundry when you have a full load are present, of course. Along with those are tips on how to find pinpoint leaky fixtures, installing sprinkler sensors, why going to the car wash is better than doing it yourself, and more. For other helpful tips, check out Amy's post on reusing water and Elizabeth's post on installing a rain barrel, which helps to save water and money.

Eco-paints (previously covered by Amy) are the subject of this issue's "Green Living" column. The most common confusion that I've heard about green paints is folks think there isn't much of a color palate to choose from; boy howdy, does B+S prove them wrong! Three of the five brands featured have hundreds of colors to choose from, leaving your imagination limitless. As an added note of great research, the piece notes the VOC difference between a gallon of "regular" paint and the greener alternatives, a noteworthy difference that I had been curious about for some time now.

A subject on nearly every woman's mind, oral contraception is one of the ultimate natural conundrums. Balancing your body and mind by taking a pill is quite tempting, but keep in mind that you are, in turn, using synthetic hormones to do so. TracyGaudet , M.D., does a marvelous job of explaining the connection between birth control pills and cancer, along with many of the other options available and how to choose what is right for you. As a woman currently taking oral contraceptives, this piece was most enlightening and gave me much to consider for my current and future health.

Featured frequently is a wide variety of natural living magazines, Ayurveda is the subject of this issue's cover story, "Stay Juicy". This particular piece focuses on how to keep the ojas (Ayurveda's name for chi) flowing freely through personal nurturing, life balance, and basic dietary principles. The recommendations are straightforward, easy to follow, and relatively painless to integrate into your weekly routines. An add plus is given in the "Minding Your Ojas" table on page 87; it's the perfect side to cut out and hang on your fridge (or put in your wallet) for easy reference and reminding.

Recycling, a cornerstone of the green movement, is investigated in the feature "Sorting It Out". My favorite part of this piece is the two page spread that covers, step by step, how cans, plastic, paper, and glass is recycled, along with mentions of other products they can be integrated into. Most of the questions answered on page 94 (and continued on page 130) have already been covered on GO by Kelli, though B+S does go into a bit more detail and figure-flinging. Being the reference fan that I am, I can't go without mentioning the tear-out sheet on page 95, covered basic rules for recycling paper, glass, plastics, metals, and hazardous waste. For the average consumer, this feature will be an exponentially informative read.

You can't have a Martha magazine without a food feature, and this issue's "100% Fresh" rings true. The perfect season to visit your local farmer's market, chef Jody Adams takes advantage of the unique fruits and vegetables available during this time of year. Slightly concerned about the striped bass featured in the second recipe, I found this particular farmed fish to be listed as safe to eat.

A favorite feature for many readers, "The Natural Vet" has expanded as of this issue to include not only natural treatments from Dr. Shawn Messonnier, but also perplexing pet behaviors, courtesy of Dr. Nicholas Dodman. This month, aggressive behavior during walks and feline ear infections are covered with impeccable, professional detail.

As a long-time reader of Body+Soul, I must say that I highly enjoyed this particular issue - 4.5 out of 5 stars.