The Wood Chucks: Making a Difference, One Project at a Time
By Mark Hutchins What is a Wood Chuck? It is a talented, hardworking individual who uses his carpentry skills to help others. Lutheran Hillside Village is the home of a group of woodworking men who are affectionately known as “The Wood Chucks.” This group of about 12 active members can be found working on projects […]
Modern Hunter-Gatherers Show Value of Exercise
TUCSON, Ariz. — In a remote area of north-central Tanzania, men leave their huts on foot, armed with bows and poison-tipped arrows, to hunt for their next meal. Dinner could come in the form of a small bird, a towering giraffe, or something in between. Meanwhile, women gather tubers, berries, and other fruits. This is […]
Reflections: Growing Their Family
By Benjamin Goodin Jenifer Stanberry is a very busy person. As the director of the new Pekin location of the Villas at Holly Brook, the reason for her busyness is well understood. The new facility itself is one of a kind, housing one of the only state-licensed memory care unit in the Pekin area. Reflections […]
When Is the Best Time to See a Therapist?
By Paul Schellenberg, MA, LCPC Everyone goes through times in life when problems seem to be insurmountable. A common question is, “when is a good time to see a therapist?” There is never a bad time to see a therapist. Even if a person is not in a crisis, therapy may prevent a crisis. Prevention […]
9 Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue and 9 Natural Remedies
By Bill Kalman, RPh., Essential Wellness Pharmacy, Peoria Adrenal fatigue” is a common term used within functional or integrated medicine. It is not a condition defined by traditional medicine. Traditional medicine recognizes and treats the under production of other organs such as hypothyroidism but not low adrenal function unless there is almost no adrenal function […]
An Admittedly Unhealthy Person’s Experiment With a Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet
By Jessica Braun Nutrition is a touchy topic for us Americans. As far as health goes, we’re not exactly a shining example to the world. I admit that I drink a giant soda every day, and I hardly ever drink water…I eat vegetables sometimes, and occasionally I’ll buy the healthy grain-y bread, but overall, I […]
Seniors Commit Suicide Twice as Often as Teens
While teenagers are the age group most associated with suicide risk, the terrible truth is that another group is killing themselves at even higher rates: seniors. Adults aged 65 to 84 are nearly twice as likely to commit suicide as 15 to 24-year-olds, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Beyond age 85, […]
Alternatives to Patient Care
By Leah Grebner, PhD, Director of Health Information Management Have you considered a career in the medical field, but just don’t feel that patient care is a good fit for you? There are a variety of healthcare career opportunities that you may want to explore that require anywhere from one to four years of education […]
Animal Hoarding: Devastating for Animals and People
By Lauren Malmberg, Peoria County Animal Protection Services Remember the “cat lady” who lived in your neighborhood and kept dozens of cats? Most neighborhoods can cite examples of people who fit this description. While it may seem harmless and even sweet, this is considered animal hoarding and causes tremendous suffering and cruelty to the animals. […]
For Alzheimer’s Caregivers, Knowledge Is Power
Michael Snowden was just 12 and his sister 16 when their mother began to exhibit symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Although they didn’t receive a definitive diagnosis until seven years later, the need to assume caregiving roles while still in their teens profoundly affected their lives. “Not many people understood the disease or how to take […]