Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, Winter-willies… Searching for something ARTful to do this month? Well, look no further.

By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Healthy Planet Arts Editor

Artwork: Ancient Threads, by Jim Scheller, at Third Degree Gallery

Through February 9 (hurry!), Upstream Theater presents Pictures from a Revolution, at the Grandel Theater in Grand Center. www.upstreamtheater.org

Every Saturday and Sunday […]

Attend the Heartland Hypnosis Conference to Learn How Hypnosis Can Help You

By William Mitchell M.Div., BCH, CI

When people find out that I am both a Protestant Minister and a Hypnotist, they want to know what can be done with Hypnosis. Most people immediately think of entertaining hypnosis stage shows. However, Hypnotism is much more than […]

By Natalie R. Toney M.F. A., C.H., Healthy Planet Food Editor

1/2 C. Cooked, puréed beets (about 2 small roasted)

1/3 C. Chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate bars/melts

1/3 C. Unsweetened cocoa powder 

1 1/2 C. GF flour (oat or almond recommended), or all-purpose flour

1/2 C. Unsweetened applesauce 

1/4 C. Maple syrup, Honey, Agave nectar, or coconut […]

February: The Eastern “Screechless” Owl

By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation

Photo caption: The eastern screech owl is actually screechless, preferring to whinny instead.Photo courtesy Jim Rathert, Missouri Department of Conservation

If there was ever a creature that was innocent of what its name accuses it of, it’s got to be the eastern screech owl.

The screech owl […]

 Photo: Steve Calloway, Executive Director of World Space Conservation

Before becoming a trail and state park, the Katy Trail was formerly known as the “MKT Railroad”, nicknamed the K.T or “Katy” by railroad employees. When the railroad company closed operations in 1986, the Department of Natural Resources acquired the land as part of the “rails to […]

A few inexpensive tips (and foods!) that might help

By Lou Stemmler

“Hey, let’s talk about stress!”

Just reading that sentence, it’s possible that your amygdala triggered your hypothalamus to signal your adrenal glands to release adrenaline (epinephrine), which quickened your heart rate and increased your blood pressure (that whole “fight or flight” thing). Sorry ‘bout that; just […]

By Jean Ponzi

Bare Trees

One bright morning, early NovemberEyes open into a lattice of branches:Colors are gone!Leafy space empty!

What happened to this Growing Season?

Last spring bestirred so slowly…Chilly rains kept April creepingLife-force, tempered, held back budsUntil a mid-May BURST of Greening

Early summer: mild, a blessingSo many nights cooled just by breezesRain enough to naturally water‘Til Dog […]

By JB Lester

February is the month of love and of everything heart related. As someone who has been in love and has had plenty of problems with my heart, I can tell you that the heart is the center of the human body universe. 

Even though love is an emotional and mental construct, when someone is […]

By Maeve Elder, Communication & Outreach Coordinator, Missouri Gateway Green Building Council

Photo Credit: Terry O’Connor

EarthDance Organic Farm School in Ferguson has taken a big step forward in its regenerative practices with a new solar array. The farm, which aims to empower local residents to grow and access healthy food through sustainable farming practices, community outreach, […]

By Linda Wiggen Kraft, Healthy Planet Green & Growing Editor

Photo: Mary Reynolds’ Chelsea Flower Show garden

In this chilly winter, movies about gardens can warm our gardener’s hearts. I have two favorites that are perfect to watch when we can’t be out in our gardens.

My very favorite is “Dare to Be Wild”, a true story of […]

This Valentine’s Day, show your love in the most meaningful way—with the gift of relaxation. Physical, mental, and spiritual well-being are the foundations of a happy life. Sharing self-care with your partner is a thoughtful way to nurture your bond and remind them how much you care.

At Vitality Unlimited Spa, we make it easy to […]

By Tom & Carol Braford

Sketch by Jason Winfrey

What if a big chunk of what ails St. Louis, Civilization and the Planet could be solved with one optimized existential opportunity? An existential opportunity is defined as a development that dramatically accelerates the progress of Humanity.

We invite you to join our rapidly growing team at Irresistible Community […]

By Simon Yu MD

Is it possible to reverse what were once considered irreversible neurological disorders by merging new brain neuromodulation technology with acupuncture meridian assessment (AMA)? Reactivation of dormant partially injured neurons with electrical stimulation is based on neuroplasticity principles.

Based on your learning about the dangers of “silver” mercury dental amalgams, root canals, and cavitations, […]

Photo: Farmer/educators Jena Hood and Will Delacey talk about the importance of using the right soil for starting seeds during Spring Training Starting from Seed 2024, the first hands-on class. At left are participants Lashonda Lockhart and two of her children, who participated in the class with her.

By Jess Coffin

North County residents Lashonda Lockhart and […]

By Kathie Sutin, Healthy Planet Staff Writer

Photo: Willmore Lodge

Each year uncounted numbers of vacationers flock to Lake of the Ozarks to swim, fish, boat and relax. With no way to count how many people come each year, it’s hard to determine actual numbers but estimates are at least 2.5 million. 

Although the story of the lake’s […]

By Susan Hunt-Bradford

After the craziness of January—filled with snow, freezing temperatures, and complaints about street plowing—we finally find ourselves in February. Despite its chilly nature, February is filled with many great events and meaningful moments that make it a month worth celebrating.

Of course, when we think of February, Valentine’s Day immediately comes to mind. This […]

By Diane K. Wilson 

 Your heart chakra is the energetic center of love, health and connection. Enhancing this energy can improve your overall well-being and heart health. The key? Letting go. Release what no longer serves you and make room for vibrant energy to flow.

Consider these:

Old Wounds. Unresolved emotional pain weighs heavily on your heart. Heal […]

By Steve Davies, Healthy Planet Columnist

That’s a really good question. So why recycle? Well, it’s safe to say when I was just a kid, it was part of my family, something we even did as a family occasionally. As I’ve talked about before, I can still remember those early visits to our local recycling center. […]

Food is Medicine: Why it Matters

Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025

Women’s Health Naturally Expo & Workshops (WHN) will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Carbondale Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Ave, 9am-4pm.

This is the 11th annual WHN Expo, and it keeps growing every year. Hundreds of people have been touched by this event, and […]

Renew the challenge to visit locations throughout the Shawnee National Forest in 2025. Five additional locations have been added to the challenge, and a new prize option of a patch. The Shawnee Challenge is a free mobile exclusive, self-supported, outdoor challenge that allows you to experience different parts of the Shawnee National Forest in the […]

By Natalie R.Toney M.F.A.,C.H., Healthy Planet Food Editor

February may be short on days of the month, however it’s full of occasions to prepare, share, and savor fun finger foods with flair. Valentine’s Day is just after Superbowl Sunday. Hosting at home, or venturing to a party with snacks in tow, beets will score flavor points […]

By Jasmin Acosta, Healthy Planet Staff Writer

Our hearts are vessels, collecting the experiences that shape our lives, from the smallest, fleeting moments to the most profound challenges. They hold the echoes of joyous laughter, the warmth of familiar scents, the stillness of quiet reflection, and even the weight of heartbreak, loneliness, and the search for […]

By Dr. Amy K David, MD

According to the World Health Association, “antibiotics are serious medicine” – not to be taken lightly. Overuse has led to increasing numbers of antibiotic-resistant superbugs like – MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staph aureus) and VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus).

So, what options do you have when you get sick and would like to avoid unnecessary […]

By Dr. Gail Cloud

Today I want to talk about how our connection with each other is much greater than we think it is or that we are aware of. 

Our connection with each other surpasses those we know or those that are in this world. We are all connected by an eternal heartbeat of life. In […]