Healthy Veggie Snacks Fall is a great time to enjoy picnics, pot luck dinners or tailgating parties with friends and family. Instead of fixing a traditional high fat food items, look for a healthy and tasty alternative. Here are some healthy ideas to try. Start with fresh vegetables and fruits. Serve cut up veggies with low-fat […]
August 22, 2024 by lisabarlage What do we learn from competing? Coming off the recent Olympics and heading into the busy fall sports season – there are lessons to learn from being part of a team and competing. This is true for both a group of 5-year-olds playing soccer or your work team submitting a […]
August 4, 2023 by lisabarlage Several years ago, I wrote a blog post for “Book Lovers Day”, which is coming up later this month. Since that time my co-workers and I have created a new virtual Book Club where we talk books with those who have signed up, while sharing information related to relationships, finances, […]
August 6, 2024 by erinrugg In recent years, you may have heard about sensory play, but do you know why it’s important? Sensory play is about engaging all of the senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, and has many benefits for all ages! Children typically engage in sensory play all on their own, starting […]
December 17, 2020 by jmlobb What’s for dinner? After months of living in a pandemic, does the thought of finding an answer to this ordinary question evoke feelings of panic, stress, or dread? If you answered with an emphatic “yes”, you’re not alone! While we know there are many positive, lifelong health and social benefits […]
December 28, 2020 by lisabarlage Do you like to watch “Chopped”, “MasterChef”, “Top Chef”, or “The Great British Baking Show”? Most of us enjoy seeing the creative creations they come up with over the course of 30 – 60 minutes, that look oh so tasty too. Have you thought about trying your own cooking challenge […]
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), cigarette butts — whose filters contain tiny plastic fibers — are the most common type of plastic waste found in the environment. Food wrappers, plastic bottles, plastic bottle caps, plastic grocery bags, plastic straws, and stirrers are the next most common items. Many of us use these […]
November 1, 2021 by Emily Marrison This time of year can be more comfortable than the dog days of summer to work on cleaning projects around your home. There are many reasons that people choose to make their own cleaning mixtures. For some, it is the simple knowledge of what they are using. Unlike food […]
Based on the title of my blog, you might think it’s focused on yoga, tai chi, or some other form of gentle movement often associated with mindfulness. While all of these can be beneficial, mindful movement can include much more. As a runner, I have struggled with an Achilles tendon injury for years. There have […]
April 4, 2019 by bohlen19 If you had asked me last year my definition of wellness, I would have said eating right, exercising and lowering my risk of getting sick. However, wellness has many aspects and is connected to more than just those three areas. This last year has taught me how important some of […]
About a year ago, I wrote a blog titled Fall: A SAD Time of Year. I talked about my experience with the winter blues, a milder form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I contrasted symptoms of winter blues versus SAD, and I reviewed things you can do to alleviate symptoms. As I write this today, […]
Every time I go to the store lately I see things declaring, “Happy Fall Y’all!” or some variation. While many people love all things fall, I am not a fan. Yes, you read that correctly, I am not a fan of fall. First, the changing colors on the trees means the leaves are dying in […]
April 9, 2024 by lisabarlage I recently attended a webinar ”The Epidemic of Loneliness” presented by Alex Elswick, PhD, from University of Kentucky Extension. Dr Elswick quoted the 2023 report in which The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory about how loneliness and isolation can have detrimental effects on health. It seems that perhaps society […]
May 24, 2021 by Kellie Lemly This is the time of year when family and friends gather to enjoy outdoor activities and meals together. Whether you are sitting on a blanket with a picnic basket or are the grill master in your backyard it is important that we all stay safe and healthy! Each year […]