By Michelle “Mike” OchonickyHealthy Planet Arts Editor                  

Photo Caption: “Orbit” by Nancy Grimes; Maturity & Its Muse exhibition at Art Saint Louis

If there’s anything we’ve learned during covid-19, it’s these two things:

It’s important to physical and mental health to GET OUTSIDE.It’s important to mental health to discover […]

By Linda Wiggen KraftHealthy Planet Green & Growing Editor

Spring is different this year. The greening and blossoming of plants are much the same, but we are different. Life feels more precious. This spring brings much joy and gratitude along with deeper sorrow from this hopefully ending year+ of pandemic. It is a solemn year to […]

Licensed to Trill

By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation

Photo Caption: The calming trills of the eastern American toad are Nature’s ultimate relaxation therapy. Photo by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Venture outdoors in spring and you can’t help but be dazzled by the sounds of Missouri’s amphibians. It’s their mating season, and males are doing […]

By Jean Ponzi

Turning Pointfor an Inside Job

Going All In thru Time Out, big time

My Goals:stay wellbe kindkeep the jobOK, So?Fine, just fine, thanksTHNX THANKSAll My Relations

last time around, at this timeSPRING!first Buds a reLEAFin step outdoorsOpen Heart

opened windowsspaced apartIntent: keep connections

The Big To-Do List?home improvementswithin, withouthouse, self, kin, planetoutreach investedpersistent – resilient – sentient Be. Here. Now.

Hocus […]

How to Age with Grace Physically, Mentally, and Socially

By Bobbi Linkemer

Let’s begin with two indisputable facts: (1) Human beings age, and as we do, inevitable changes take place in our bodies; (2) Some of these changes are out of our control. They are simply part of being human. On the other hand, the more we […]

Celebration and Fundraiser to YOUR Park

Join the Humane Society of Missouri for this special virtual event April 1-17 to raise dollars to end animal abuse

What: The largest dog festival in the Midwest is virtual this year! Due to the pandemic, the Humane Society of Missouri’s annual Bark in the Park celebration is now Bark in […]

By Tom Braford

Most people agree that as we transition to a greener economy and culture we need to include all segments of our population and world.

There is limited agreement on how best to accomplish this, however, so this is an open question of inquiry for COP 26 in Glasgow in September.

I suggest that the short […]

Attracting beautiful flying creatures such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and hard working bees to your garden is a snap with these natural beauties.

By Abby Lapides

Globe Thistle, Echinops ritro, features intense blue decorative spheres on tall 3-4′ stems. A highly ornamental plant, its striking blue balls of flowers bring a one-of-a-kind look to the landscape. Its fascinating […]

Beginning Our 25th Year By Repurposing Our Magazine Online

As The Healthy Planet magazine begins our 25th year in business, I can’t help but remember that first Earth Day Festival back in 1997 in Tower Grove Park. I set up a booth offering copies of our fledgling magazine to a friendly, like-minded crowd. It was well […]

 Mark your calendars for this year’s “Riverbend Earth Day Festival” to be held on Saturday, April 17 from 11:30 AM – 4 PM at The Old Bakery Beer Company. The 10th annual event offers live music, food & drinks, an artisan’s market, environmental education, and more! The Riverbend Earth Day Festival will be held at […]

By Christen Commuso

It is almost unfathomable that we have already entered into year two of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without question, this virus has taken an enormous toll on human life and the economies of the world. And, unfortunately, only exacerbated the disparities in access to education, healthcare, and healthy food, at home and abroad. While […]

Heading into Earth Week!

earthday365 is pleased to kick off an Earth Week that has something for everyone this year. Volunteer clean-ups? Check. Green dining? Check. Free movie screening? Check? Thought-provoking lectures, dance, raffle prizes – check, check, check!

“We know that everyone is so excited to celebrate this Spring, after a long, hard year,” says earthday365 […]

By Dr. Amy Davis, MD 

We are constantly exposed to potential infectious agents like viruses and bacteria that cause infections such as colds, flu, bronchitis and ear infections. The immune system defends us from invaders and repairs the damage that occurs with infections. 

When the immune system is weak infections may occur frequently and be difficult to […]

If a nice hot cup of tea sounds good to you, there’s even more reason to enjoy one now. Scientists have gained new insight into how tea helps lower blood pressure, perhaps pointing the way to new types of blood pressure medications.

The researchers found that certain compounds in both black and green tea help relax […]

By Lois Sechrist, LEED AP, Manager of Environmental Stewardship at Ascension

Across the country, conversations are taking place around climate change and health. We’ve seen the horrific and mesmerizing images from hurricanes, wildfires and floods. The cost of not being prepared is oftentimes beyond economic. Hospitals are anchor institutions and support the viability of their communities. […]

By Simon Yu, MD 

Recently, I saw a 40-year-old patient from Kentucky with myriad symptoms too long to list, including Lyme, seizures, severe fatigue, neuropathy, migraine headache and chronic pain. She told me that she had been at a major medical institution in the Midwest for a month, and her insurance was billed about $3 million […]