One of my goals for this year is to explore mindfulness. In this blog, I want to share a few things that I’ve learned about this life changing topic. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in American mindfulness, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” I […]
And I think to myself…. what a wonderful world.~ Louis Armstrong Being environmentally well means “recognizing the responsibility to preserve, protect, and improve the environment and appreciating your connection to nature.” In other words, environmental wellness happens when the different surroundings in your life enhance your health and wellbeing. This includes your home, your workplace, […]
November 30, 2020 by jmlobb “Want to come out and play?” This simple question was the catalyst for many grand adventures as a child. Whether we explored in a park or played a game of tag in the back yard, we had fun! As an adult, do you ever wish someone would ask, “Do you […]
February 8, 2018 by Shannon Carter In my family of four, it is often my thirteen-year-old daughter who requests a family game night. This is the same thirteen-year-old who truly does not want (or need) a cell phone because she doesn’t want to become addicted to a phone. I think she’s on to something here… […]
April 19, 2021 by Laura M. Stanton A great way to celebrate Earth Day is spending time outside and connecting with nature. Time in nature offers an easy and inexpensive way to increase your happiness, improve your mood, and feel part of something larger than yourself. Studies have shown that getting outside can: Improve your […]
In our family we joke about our 2-year-old son having two belly buttons, when he has a feeding tube. When he was born, he struggled to learn how to breath, suck, and swallow a bottle due to a medical condition, and has had some sort of feeding tube since birth, and two years later he […]
January 21, 2014 by lisabarlage After viewing a few television shows about the new trends in dining and hot eats – it got me wondering how it would influence my own choices as I prepared foods or choose to eat out in the coming months. Several of the trend lists I viewed were from surveys […]
July 25, 2019 by Daniel Remley Although I’m the son of a dentist, I can’t say that I practice the best dental hygiene all of the time. I love sweets, sometimes forget to brush on weekends, and don’t floss every day. Oral health has been associated with overall health. Gingivitis (inflammation and swelling of gums), […]
May 11, 2014 by Michelle Treber USDA’s People’s Garden Initiative has some great gardening tips to help you get started. Learn how you can make having a garden a fun and positive family activity. Visit their website http://go.osu.edu/PeoplesGarden for recipes, tips and ideas for starting a garden. • Make It A Family Affair. Enlist your […]
A couple of years ago I started to hear and read what was a new phrase for me: Future Self. The older I get, the more I consider how the things I do today will affect who I am tomorrow. And that may just be the definition of maturity. This is by no means a […]
June 24, 2013 by Kathy Tutt Swimming and other water-related activities are excellent ways to get the physical activity and health benefits needed for a healthy life. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, swimming is the fourth most popular sports activity in the United States. Not only is it a fun outdoor activity but is […]
November 12, 2013 by lisabarlage Are you interested in maintaining your weight or even losing a few pounds during this holiday season? Could you use some encouragement and guidance but don’t have time to attend classes? Give our Zero Holiday Weight Gain holiday wellness challenge a try. “Zero Holiday Weight Gain Challenge” is an on-line […]
April 15, 2013 by Michelle Treber I have things about my family that I wonder about . . . . How did my grandparents meet? What was life like for them years ago? What were their family traditions? According to the Search Institute, family assets are the everyday things that families do to be strong, even […]
According to a 2018 Nielsen report, 39% of Americans are shifting toward eating more plant-based foods – for various reasons and to varying degrees. Some potential draws of a plant-based diet include health benefits, food safety, cost savings, ethics, and sustainability. As depicted in the graphic below from Illinois Extension, plant-based eating can range from […]