Why Our Kids Need to Play Outside

"Let's get our kids outside" with image of 4 young boys playing in a river

While it’s important for us adults to get outside and be active, it’s even more important for our kids to play outside. There’s a growing body of research from all over the world on the benefits of active play for …

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6 Common Plants You Didn’t Know Are Medicinal

"Common medicinal plants" with image of green plants

What if you could find all-natural and organic medicines that can help with your ailments with virtually no side effects? You can! I ran across this list of common medicinal plants—some of which grow as “weeds” in my own yard. …

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Exercise of All Kinds is Terrific for Brain Health

"your brain loves exercise" with image of woman hiking through an aspen grove

While regular exercise is great for all your body’s systems, let’s focus here on why your brain loves exercise. Dr. Caroline Leaf is a neuroscientist from South Africa. She wrote an article called “Your Brain Loves Exercise” that I want …

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Physical Inactivity is the #1 Health Problem of Our Time

"Physical inactivity = bad news" with image of two women talking along a rocky lakeshore

Physical inactivity is “the biggest public health problem of the 21st century,” says Dr. Steven Blair. Bigger than smoking? Obesity? Stress? Apparently so. That’s what Dr. Steven Blair had to say at an annual convention of the American Psychological Association …

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Walk Your Way to Great Health

"Health Benefits of Walking" with image of a woman hiking a wooded trail

Plain ol’ walking turns out to be one of the very best ways to boost your health. And it can be as easy as just stepping out your door to get some exercise and fresh air. Ok, I’ll admit it…I …

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17 Favorite Wildflowers that Thrive in the Midwest

"Favorite Midwestern Wildflowers" with image of a patch of bunchberry

One of my favorite things about being outdoors in spring through early fall are the beautiful native wildflowers here in the Midwest. Wildflowers are one of the wonders of our natural world. They grow, literally, everywhere (except maybe Antarctica) in …

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