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Archive for August, 2017

A Healthy Diet is Essential For Optimal Health

By Dr. Amy Davis, MD

The Standard American Diet is heavily laden with calorie dense nutrient-poor food and beverages, processed foods and includes few fruits and vegetables. It has been linked to the growing problem of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease to name a few. An inactive lifestyle, large portion size, and high stress worsens […]

Adrenal Fatigue: Stress Is The Likely Culprit

By TJ Williams, DC, PhD

Adrenal fatigue is a condition estimated to affect approximately eighty percent of people around the world. The prevalence of adrenal fatigue is predominantly due to something most of us are dealing with: stress.

What are Adrenals?
Your adrenal glands are two thumb-sized organs that sit above your kidneys and are part of the […]

Air Pollution Brings Increased Risk For Asthma Attacks in Kids Heading Back to Class

Article courtesy of the Clean Air Partnership

With the arrival of August, many area students are preparing to head back to school. For most kids, the start of the school year is an exciting time, filled with fun, friends and new adventures. But for kids with asthma, the new school year can come with serious health […]

ALS Patient’s Unexpected Journey: My Patient as My Teacher

By Simon Yu, MD

Several years ago, I wrote an article, Time to Heal at Last: The Story of Rons ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The odds were against him to live more than few years after diagnosis of ALS, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” at the ALS Clinic at St. Louis University Hospital. ALS is […]

ARTful Happenings August 2017

NEW EXHIBITS

Through August 13
BIENNIAL FACULTY EXHIBITION
Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design’s Gallery, 6640 Delmar; for info, call 314-725-1177 or visit www.craftalliance.org.

Through August 30
THE ILLUSTRATED BOOK
University City Public Library Gallery, 6701 Delmar; for info, call 314-727-3150 or visit www.ucitylibrary.org.

August 5-September 7
RABBIT HOLE
Multi-media exhibition of works by 48 regional artists; opening reception, 6-8 p.m.; Art Saint […]

ArtFul Living

St. Louis Area Fine Arts, Crafts & Performing Arts

Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Arts Editor

Making A Change

Trained in dance at Webster University, local St. Louis dancer Rain Stippec, 26, had performed internationally, with a promising dance career ahead of her. On February 6th, she and a companion were sitting in a car around midnight in Soulard. An […]

ArtFul Living

St. Louis Area Fine Arts, Crafts & Performing Arts
Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Arts Editor

Fall Fashion And The Arts

September signals the end of summer as we round the curve into fall. Time to pull out some autumn fashion pieces! Speaking of which, if you haven’t yet seen Reigning Men at the St. Louis Art Museum, get there […]

Ask The Herb Lady

With Cathy Schram

Should I Take A B-Complex For A B12 Deficiency?

Q: I was told that I have a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Can I just take a B-Complex, or will I need to take a separate B12? What is the difference?

A: Taking a B-Complex will not be enough B12 if you are deficient. B-complex is a […]

Ask The Herb Lady

With Cathy Schram

What Can I Do For ADD and Optimal Brain Function?

Q: My child is really struggling with being able to focus and seems to be very anxious. I am afraid he has ADD. What are some natural things I can do to help him?

A: ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder seems to one of the […]

Best Pets For College

By Dr. Doug Pernikoff, DVM

Many kids are off to college right about now, and for those newbies entering freshman dorms, or elder classmen or women planning life in an apartment or even a rental home, pets are always a consideration. Why not? We all love our family pets, and they provide us a genuine sense […]

Caring For Your Pets While You Are Gone

By Dr. Doug Pernikoff, DVM

August is a common time for families to attempt a final vacation prior the coming school season. People call our clinic asking about boarding references again and again. It is important to educate pet owners to their options in caring for animals while they are gone.

One first option that I […]

Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

By TJ Williams, DC, PhD

News stories have downplayed the significance of non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), even suggesting that it does not exist. But there is a growing body of evidence that is proving that gluten intolerance is not only real, but there is little doubt among those familiar with the scientific literature that NCGS can […]

Coalition Report

By Melissa Vatterot
Food & Farm Coordinator
Missouri Coalition
for the Environment
www.moenvironment.org

New Policies in St. Louis are Supporting a Thriving, Local Food System

Through MCE’s work convening the St. Louis Food Policy Coalition, we have been working to advance a thriving, local, equitable, sustainable food system for our region and we just had our first policy victory on […]

Coalition Report

By Brad Walker,
with Aitan Groener and Chris Barnett
Missouri Coalition for the Environment

www.moenvironment.org

Environmentalism Requires A Working Democracy!

In the United States today corporations have all the rights of human beings, spending billions of dollars is equated to free speech; and as a consequence our environment is ignored and devalued. Three years ago a Princeton University study […]

Creating A Home For Fireflies / Lightning Bugs

By Linda Wiggen Kraft

Fireflies and lightning bugs are two common names for a special kind of beetle that fills our summer evenings with their magic of bioluminescence. Their scientific name is lampyridae. One of the most special times of summer is when fireflies start their evening light show. Flickers of light fly through the air […]

Demonstrating the Value of Sustainable Landscapes

By Barbara Deutsch

Rooftops, streetscapes, and city parks offer indispensable recreation opportunities for urban residents. They also provide a host of other benefits such as mitigating the urban heat island effect, managing stormwater runoff, stimulating economic development, and – most importantly – contributing to public health and well-being. Yet investment in landscape elements is often cut […]

Earthworms’ Castings

With Jean Ponzi

Going To Weddings

When my colleague Rob and his bride Mary invited our whole working team (and our partners) to their nuptials this summer, we were thrilled — and surprised. A group our size is a big chunk on a guest list. But we cleaned up nicely and, I believe, contributed to their lovely […]

Earthworms’ Castings

With Jean Ponzi

Spider Ma’am

I’ve heard you’re never more than three feet from a spider, anywhere on Earth. This is a tribute to the life force of spiders, whose adaptive persistence connects – I have to say it – everything in the Web of Life.

Last spring a spider spun up housekeeping around the sill of […]

Essential Oils For Pets

By Teresa Garden, DVM

Certain scents act like medicines, affecting the body on a biochemical level. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of volatile essential oils to affect a psychologic or physiologic response. The fragrant scents used in aromatherapy are absorbed by the mucous membranes in the nose and then travel to the brain to elicit their […]

Forget What You Thought You Knew About Probiotics

By Dr. Brian Harasha, DC, CFMP, ACBN

I am writing this article to question common myths about probiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines probiotics as “live micro-organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”.

A common belief is that we take probiotics to re-populate our gut with healthy bacteria, and […]

Functional Medicine Just Makes Sense

By Dr. Amy Davis, MD

When I first started practicing medicine an excellent physician was one who used scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preference to care for patients. The primary doctor was expected to be thorough and knowledgeable in all the body systems. The last 15 years this comprehensive model has been replaced by the […]

Fungus, Parasites and Dental Conundrum Conference: Curing the Incurables by Measuring the Immeasurable

By Simon Yu, MD

What is a conundrum? By a definition, it means a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary), or a confusing and difficult problem (Oxford Dictionary). The definition is vague and not clear to me, but somehow, I find the word, “conundrum” fascinating, as well as ambiguous and mysterious. I […]

Green Dining Alliance Benchmarking Jam Sept. 20

Take The First Step Toward Cutting Energy Costs For Your Restaurant

By Brianne Bannon,
USGBC-MO Gateway Chapter Intern

Energy efficiency isn’t typically the first thing on a guest’s mind when she walks in to your restaurant. She might be more concerned with the menu, atmosphere, or whether there’s anything left of the tasty peach pie special. But […]

Healthy Planet Happenings

September 6
Look Good, Feel Good
Presented by Iris Salsman and Deborah Zorensky, MS, RD, LD, CCN, Wednesday September 6, 2017, 7:00pm – 8:30pm. The Classroom at The Center for Mind, Body & Spirit, 7647 Delmar Blvd., Attendance is free, but please register. How do you feel about yourself in terms of weight, looks and health? Are […]

Healthy Planet Happenings

August 2
Tower to Table Dinners
at Vin de Set August 2nd and September 6th. Limited space available. Reservations are required Please call 314-241-8989. At Eleven Eleven Mississippi August 16th, September 20th. Limited space available. Reservations are required Please call 314-241-9999. Your Tower to Table experience starts w/ a tour of the Hamilton Farms aeroponic garden where […]

Irresistible Community Builders, LLC presents: Can Community Eclipse Global Warming?

By Tom Braford

I have an invitation for you. But first, a relevant quote from well-known, big issues author, Alex Steffen:
“Optimism is a political act. Those who benefit from the status quo are perfectly happy for us to think nothing is going to get any better. In fact, these days, cynicism is obedience. And what’s really […]

Irresistible Community Builders, LLC presents: Why Comprehensive Community Matters

By Tom Braford

The world is waking up, even the United States and St Louis! We realize that we are facing serious challenges that we must address sooner rather than later.

As we confront the facts about climate change and many other social and economic challenges, we see that there are solutions, and that some contain the […]

Learn How To Become Healthier and Greener At The Natural Living Expo In Webster Groves Oct. 1

The Healthy Planet magazine is proud to host its 34th Natural Living Expo, Sunday, October 1, 10 am to 4 pm, at the Webster Groves Recreation Center, 33 East Glendale Road in Webster Groves.

“We are very excited to be hosting our 34th expo as part of our 20 year anniversary,” said J.B. Lester, Publisher of […]

Local Urban Farmer, Crystal Stevens, Writes New Book “Worms At Work”

Increasingly, we want to know where our food comes from, who grows it and how it is grown, and interest in permaculture, backyard composting, and gardening in general, is growing. So how does the budding gardener ensure that the soil is healthy and nutrient-rich enough to support growing some great food? One answer — worms! […]

Meditation & Enhancing Garden Yields

By Linda Wiggen Kraft

Meditation, or thought- based technology, which can also be called intention, prayer or mindfulness, has been shown to enhance crop yields, nutritional value and livelihood of rural farmers in India. This technology can be used in our own gardens and farms to enhance the life of the garden and gardener.

Sustainable Yogic Agriculture, […]

Mulch — Your Tree’s Best Friend

Mulching is one of the most valuable things a homeowner can do for a tree’s health. Mulch conserves moisture and improves growing conditions. But if mulch is applied too deeply or the wrong material is used, it actually can harm trees and other plants. Check out these tips and you’ll be on your way to […]

Nature Wisdom

With Pat Tuholske
Naturalist

To Create A Salve

I’ve been making salves for almost 40 years. At the height of production, I formulated fourteen varieties and shipped them all over the world. I made salves for burns, bruises, stretch marks, lips, hands, soles, coughs and colds. I felt like a real alchemist as I gently heated the infused […]

Publisher’s Corner: Expo, Eclipse, Politics…

On October 1st, at the Webster Groves Recreation Complex, an event much larger and monumental than the Solar Eclipse will take place — The 34th Healthy Planet Natural Living Expo. If you thought the hoopla over the Eclipse was big, wait until you experience our expo. People line up to get in, parking lots will […]

Publisher’s Corner: Total Eclipse Syndrome

On August 21, the moon will sneak between the earth and sun creating a giant shadow and engulfing our planet in eery darkness for about 2 1/2 minutes in the path of totality. This is not just a scientific event, it is a spiritual and metaphysical happening for many. The afternoon darkness will make the […]

St. Louis Wellness Center Hosts 10-Year Celebration Open House Sept. 15

By Gwin Stewart,PhD, CRAADC, MARS

Discretely nestled in the residential neighborhood of Webster Groves, The St Louis Wellness Center provides holistic, wellness services to 20,000 visitors each year. If you haven’t yet been to the StLWC, you are invited to attend the Open House and see for yourself how you might benefit from one or more […]

St. Louis Wellness Center To Host 10-Year Celebration Open House

By Gwin Stewart, PhD, CRAADC, MARS

If you’ve ever wondered about the St Louis Wellness Center, you have the opportunity to find out more at our upcoming Open House. Our peaceful building is nestled in Webster Groves, easily accessible to both highways 40 and 44. Upon entering for the first time, people often comment how calm […]

T’ai Chi Ch’uan For Health and Fitness

By Paul MacFarlane and Bill Grivna

You’ve probably seen people practicing T’ai Chi on TV, in a movie, or even locally, in a park or at the botanical garden. You know it’s a slow moving, graceful exercise that is supposed to be beneficial. You may have heard that at advanced levels it is a formidable martial […]

T’ai Chi Ch’uan For Health and Fitness

By Paul MacFarlane and Bill Grivna

You’ve probably seen people practicing T’ai Chi on TV, in a movie, or even locally, in a park or at the botanical garden. You know it’s a slow moving, graceful exercise that is supposed to be beneficial. You may have heard that at advanced levels it is a formidable martial […]

The Art of Relating

Christine Kniffen, MSW, LCSW
www.ChristineKniffen.com

Essential Prerequisites For Love

There is a very important distinction between finding love and having a fulfilling, successful relationship. However, for many of us the logic seems to follow the route of we fall in love and then a good relationship ensues. But, I think this logic, while reasonable, is what causes many […]

The Art of Relating: Feeling Secure In The Early Stages of Dating

Christine Kniffen, MSW, LCSW

www.ChristineKniffen.com

As many of you know, I am a therapist first, but serve as a Relationship Coach as well. I have had hundreds of people come to my office over the years wanting help in getting a great relationship. Understandably, people have lost faith in their ability to choose wisely in the […]

Turn Your Yard Into An Edible Oasis

By Crystal Stevens

August marks the beginning of the harvest season in the Midwest. Gardens and farms across the region have been hard at work since spring, planting seeds, weeding, watering and applying mulch. These gardens and farms are now bursting with juicy vine ripened tomatoes, an abundance of summer squash, green beans, herbs, kale, and […]

What You Should Know About Dehydration

By Denise Pott, LCSW
Assistance Home Care

Unless you are an athlete or work outdoors in extreme temperatures, you may not stop to consider whether you are drinking enough water. Dehydration is quite common, and can happen quickly. The average adult will lose more than 10 cups of water each day simply by going through their usual […]