Physical Inactivity: 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.”~ Dr. Steven Blair. Bigger than smoking? Obesity? Stress? Apparently so. (This article was first published in June of 2015. It’s been updated to reflect more recent research and …

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The Many Health Benefits of Walking

"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 Midwestern Wildflowers

"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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Hearing God in Our Outdoor Adventures

"Hearing God's Voice Outdoors" with image of woman on a wooden swing overlooking a huge mountain valley

For us outdoor lovers, God often speaks to us in and through our adventures and experiences in nature. That’s what Emilie O’Connor discovered when she hiked Peru’s Machu Picchu in June 2021. God revived a dream in her heart she …

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7 Wild Edible Berries of the Midwest

"Wild Edible Berries" with image of container with wild blueberries and raspberries

The wild edible berries we cover here are found in the Midwest of the US, since that’s where I live. There are many others, too, but this will get you going on some great snacking options when hiking and camping. …

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15 Favorite Rocky Mountain Wildflowers

"Favorite Rocky Mountain Wildflowers" with image of purple flowers and colorful rock

I live in Minnesota and love many of the wildflowers we have here. But some of my favorites are ones we find when we head west to the Rocky Mountains. The tiny-but-tough alpine flowers are amazing. Only the privileged few …

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