Working with the community... for a healthier community.

The Transition

Building Wealth to Creating Retirement Income   Submitted by Tim Whisler, CRPC®, CLTC®, Certified Financial Fiduciary®, President of The Whisler Agency, Peoria IL.   As we go through life, we experience two financial stages; the Accumulation Phase and the Distribution Phase. The act of retirement is the transition from one phase to the other. The […]

Smart Swaps & Budget Friendly Ingredients for Heart Healthy Meals

Information from the American Heart Association   Rising food costs can make healthy eating a challenge for many families. A June 2024 public opinion poll from the American Heart Association and Research found about 60% of Americans cite the cost of healthy food as their single biggest barrier to achieving better nutrition. The American HeartAssociation, […]

Understanding Autism

A Guide for Parents & The Importance of Early Testing   By Kodjo Anahlui, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Resident, Christian Psychological Associates   Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts how individuals communicate, interact, and perceive the world. Challenges in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and unique sensory processing mark it. When parents suspect that […]

Alcohol Awareness Month

  the ripples of alcohol By Alexander Germanis   From ancient Rome came the saying: In vino veritas, translated as “in wine there is truth.” It means when people are under the influence of alcohol, they are usually more likely to reveal what they truly think and feel. Similar phrases exist is nearly every culture […]

Navigating Anxiety While Adapting to a New Culture

By Alan Moreland, LMFT, CSAT-S, CMAT, EMDR Certified, ERCEM Trained, Life Balance Counseling   Moving from a collectivistic culture to an individualistic one, or vice versa, can lead to anxiety. This entails not just adapting to a new place and culture but also experiencing a dissonance between ingrained values, experiences, and societal norms. Anxiety may […]

Expert Nutrition Tips to Help Fuel Your Pickleball Play

Sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company   Do you have pickleball fever? This popular sport has been making waves across the country. Not only is it great exercise, but pickleball is also a great way to meet new friends or spend time with old ones. Like any other sport, nutrition plays a role in supporting […]

Patient-Centered Medical Home

Submitted by Bleeding & Clotting Disorders Institute   The Bleeding & Clotting Disorders Institute (BCDI), located in Peoria, Illinois, stands as the only federally recognized non-profit Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) of Excellence in downstate Illinois. Dedicated to providing integrated, family-oriented care, BCDI offers comprehensive services to individuals affected by bleeding, clotting, and other blood disorders. […]

Rooted in Wellness The Health Benefits of Gardening

By Alexander Germanis   Mankind has always been tied to the soil. For thousands of years, we have tilled the earth and subsisted on what has sprung forth. To this day, people around the globe continue to work the soil in order to provide for themselves, their families, and even entire nations. It’s no secret […]

New Years Resolutions How Are You Doing So Far?

By Beth Cooper Ingle, CSA® Living by Your Design, Inc.   So, we are a month into the New Year, are you still keeping your New Year’s Resolution?  Did you even make a new Resolution? Many of us make a resolution to be more health-conscious. Every January the gyms are full of people who have […]

Flavorful Snacks Packed With Lean Protein

Living a happier, healthier life often begins in the kitchen. From lunches on the go to sit-down family meals, keeping flavor at the center of your meal planning is key to maintaining healthy habits. Based on Mintel’s 2025 Global Food and Drink Trends, experts predict that sweet, sour, smoky, and spicy flavors will continue to […]