As the impact of Covid-19 continues to grow, it has become apparent to the Sustainable Backyard Network that we cannot in good conscience continue to plan for a June Sustainable Backyard Tour this year.
We are disappointed to have to make this decision, but the 10th Annual Sustainable Backyard Tour, originally set for June 14, 2020, […]
By TJ Williams, DC, PhD
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing us to reevaluate so much of our lives, to focus on those we love, and what is important. As an act of self-preservation and as an act of service to our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow Americans it is imperative that we now, more than ever, […]
By Dr. Amy Davis, MD
As the Coronavirus COVID-19 spreads rapidly across our communities there are limited treatments available. If you develop symptoms (fever greater than 100.4, dry cough, shortness of breath) please get tested.
Here are some steps that can be taken to boost your immune system and to aid in treating viruses.
Immune enhancing suggestions:
Get plenty […]
Due to COVID-19 please visit the event websites to confirm rescheduling and cancellations.
NEW EXHIBITS
Through April 26REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL EXHIBITJacoby Arts Center in Alton, Illinois; for info, visit www.jacobyartscenter.org.
Through May 31LEON BRONSTEIN: BETWEEN THE FANTASTIC & THE REALSt. Louis University Museum of Art, 3663 Lindell; for info, visit www.slu.edu/sluma.
Through May 31THE CIVIL WAR: IMAGINED & REALPius […]
St. Louis Area Fine Arts, Crafts & Performing Arts
Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Arts Editor
Let Art Online Help You Out Of The Doldrums
Much as I liked reading Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, we all now agree that falling down the rabbit hole is no fun. The Covid-19 virus has kept us cooped up too long, […]
St. Louis Area Fine Arts, Crafts & Performing Arts
Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Arts Editor
Arts Events Could Be Impacted By COVID-19
As this goes to press, the coronavirus has been declared a pandemic and, in efforts to protect the public, events are being cancelled or postponed across the region. Things are changing by the moment so, before heading […]
By Kathy McFarland
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company is a family owned and operated distributor of non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds. The company offers nearly 2,000 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers—the largest selection of heirloom varieties in the USA. Baker Creek also carries one of the largest selections of seeds from the 19th century, including many Asian […]
By Teresa Garden, DVM
Canine Ehrlichiosis is a worldwide tick-borne disease caused by the rickettsial organism Ehrlichia canis.
Ehrlichia lives and multiplies inside ticks. Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the tick that transmits Ehrlichia to dogs. Other hosts for the disease include wild canids and cats. These ticks love warm climates but are considered nonseasonal. Ticks are tough and […]
By Maisah Khan, Clean water directorCoalition for the Environmentwww.moenviron.org
2020 Flooding Outlook
Last year was a devastating, destructive year when it came to flooding and extreme weather events. It was the second wettest year in the Missouri River basin since record-keeping began, and the river spent a record 279 days above flood stage. Now, as we look to […]
By Sienna Tuinei, MCE InternCoalition for the Environment
www.moenviron.org
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on March 26 a temporary policy relaxing enforcement in reaction to the evolving COVID-19 crisis. While the EPA says the policy change does not give a license to pollute, it waives many reporting and testing requirements that alert the public to their exposure […]
Lighting Bugs, Glowing Insects with a Dark Side
By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation
There’s something magical about seeing a mass of fireflies pulsing in a field. It’s almost as if a cluster of stars descended twinkling from the sky. Fireflies are a real treat starting as early as May. But did you know fireflies aren’t really […]
Dutchman’s Breeches, the Flower with Ants in its Pants
By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation
Most people wouldn’t consider getting ants in their pants to be a good thing. In fact, it sounds downright uncomfortable. But there is a pair of pants flower that welcomes them because they help it reproduce.
One of the first spring flowers to […]
With Jean Ponzi
Courage for Change
Received this poem from Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow, a climate action leading Elder. The poet ** is Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar, minister and editor of Unitarian Universalist Quest for Learning.
Pandemic
What if you thought of itas the Jews consider the Sabbath — the most sacred of times?Cease from travel.Cease from buying and […]
By Fredericka Brandt,USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
Where we learn matters! Baba Dioum, a Senegalese forestry engineer stated, “In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” If future generations do not love the Earth, will they […]
Wednesdays in AprilLEANING INTO OUR NEW WORLDWeekly Meditation SessionOur world is changing so quickly; really from day to day. There is so much change and so much unknown that many of us are facing challenges we have not faced before. I am offering 30 minute weekly virtual meditation sessions on Wednesday afternoons from 5:00 p.m. […]
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the State-wide stay-at-home order, the Healthy Planet Spring Natural Living Expo will go virtual during the entire month of May at www.thehealthyplanet.com. You will be able to go to our website’s homepage and click on the Virtual Natural Living Expo button and it will take you to the Expo. […]
By Linda Weber Spradling
The United States has excellent acute care medicine. Acute care is Not preventive care. Anyone on the path of wellness can attest that finding the right preventive health care lifestyle and diet for you is sometimes confusing and difficult. We are all just as unique in our health needs and concerns as […]
While Being Safe & Social
By Tom Braford
It may be difficult at this point in the coronavirus pandemic to see how anything positive could come from this. There is likely to be much suffering and loss before this is behind us.
On the other hand, we are coming together in surprising ways, even as we embrace physical […]
By Tom Braford
As we contemplate the reopening of our economy, let’s consider what kind of economy we are reopening and what else is possible.
Is it going to be the same old economy on steroids, where a small business is considered any company with fewer than five hundred employees? Will it be one where most people […]
By TJ Williams, DC, PhD
As cases of viral infections continue climbing, scientists have been scrambling to control the issues and find new ways to fight infection. But although it has become a global problem, there are plenty of steps you can take to help prepare for the increase in viral infections right at home.
In addition […]
With Pat Tuholske; Naturalist
Healing With Nature
We have a basic cellular need to be in Nature. This has become obvious with people seeking sanctuary outside in Nature during this pandemic. Nature is welcoming us back into a relationship.
With many of us staying put, traveling less and walking more, the waters are healing and the air is clearing. […]
By Dr. Brian Harasha
Patients have been asking me about the use of lasers for viruses like novel SARS-CoV-2. I tell them that prevention is the most important first line of defense, such as being conscious of your environment, avoiding travel and crowds, washing hands thoroughly, as well as supporting health with good nutrition, exercise, and […]
By Dr. Amy Davis, MD
As the Coronavirus COVID-19 has spread across our communities there are still limited treatments available.
Here are some steps that can be taken to boost your immune system and to aid in treating viruses.
Immune enhancing suggestions
Get plenty of rest – sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. Maintain a healthy diet rich […]
S.O.S. … A Note from a “Real” Small Business;
Needless to say, times are tough. The month of May is going to be a time of great trial for all citizens of the world. As people clamor to get back to some sense of normalcy, it appears we might be turning the corner on the COVID-19 […]
Hunkered Down? Read us online, too!
These are times that try our souls. Life as usual has been postponed or canceled due to Covid-19. Even as we would like to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, our planet has been brought to its knees by the spread of this deadly virus. This […]
The St. Louis – Jefferson Solid Waste Management District is a regional agency that was created in 1993 to assist the public, private and nonprofit sectors in establishing and expanding waste reduction and recycling. The District includes the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, Jefferson County and St. Charles County. These programs and services […]
New Date October 18 In Tower Grove Park
Enjoy Virtual Earth Day Festivities April 18-26 online at earthday-365.org
By Jessica Watson, PhD, Executive Director, earthday365
The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day has turned into an opportunity to practice resilience and community building. Instead of a focus on resilience in the face of climate change, we must quickly adapt to […]
Did We Make It to #1 Worldwide?
by Fredericka Brandt,USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
As of mid-April when writing this article, our St. Louis Goes Green! Earth Day Ecochallenge team was ranked 13 out of 735 teams worldwide. WOW! Over 8,000 participants have joined the Ecochallenge community of changemakers since April 1 to create a […]
Article courtesy of the Clean Air Partnership
The American Lung Association’s 2020 State of the Air report is out, and the data reveals that more cities across the U.S. experienced high ozone days and increased levels of particle pollution compared to the years covered by the 2019 report (2015-2017). For the fourth consecutive year, the St. […]
#6 Classic American Lager set to arrive at the start of the 2020 baseball season
Just in time for the 2020 baseball season, Urban Chestnut Brewing Company (UCBC) has partnered with the family of St. Louis baseball great Stan Musial to create #6 Classic American Lager. The new beer, an American lager brewed with a recipe […]
By Linda Wiggen Kraft, Healthy Planet Green & Growing Editor
I write this article as the U.S. begins the slowing and stopping of daily interactions. Hopefully time away from others will succeed in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Gardens are safe spaces during this trying time. Being outdoors is good for our physical and mental health. Sunshine brightens […]
By Christine Kniffen, MSW, LCSW
Do Your Work Before Getting Married
www.ChristineKniffen.com
Now Offering Video Sessions on Phone or Laptop
This Coronavirus affects people in all kinds of ways we often do not think about. I have several clients who have had to postpone their spring wedding plans. This has been understandably upsetting to them, with no idea of when […]
By Christine Kniffen, MSW, LCSW
This Too Shall Pass
Everyone feels their life upended to some degree due to Covid19 sweeping the world. Many of us are now having to work from home, favorite restaurants and bars are closing in droves around the country and travel is on hiatus for most people. In addition, economic concerns are […]
By Ian Wahl, founder & medical director of St. Louis Allergy Relief Center
Although you are reading this article in the April edition of The Healthy Planet, I am writing it on March 13, 2020, the day President Trump declared the coronavirus a national emergency. In the days before, and even more so in a matter of […]
By Linda Wiggen Kraft
Tree hugging has been somewhat of a joke in our society, yet an April 2020 report in the Iceland Review states: “The Icelandic Forestry Service is encouraging people to hug trees while social distancing measures prevent them from hugging other people.”
We are a society now able to stay connected via phones and […]
Winter will pass, the days will lengthen, the ice will melt in the pasture pond. The song sparrow will return and sing, the frogs will awake, the warm wind will blow again. All these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy… this lovely world, these precious days…” ~ E.B. White, “Charlotte’s Web”
With […]
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to cancel our traditional Natural Living Expo on March 29, 2020. We decided to bring you many of those exhibitors here, virtually, for you to browse and discover many resources that will help you live a healthier and more sustainable life. At each booth you will find a live link […]
YMCA Camp Lakewood – it’s not just any overnight summer camp. It’s that special time, at that perfect place, with friends, fun and memories your children ages 6-17 will take with them throughout their lives. Help them to high-five every accomplishment, celebrate their growing independence and their wonder of the world around them through the […]