Healthy Living 167 results

Farm to Yarn: The Craft Part 3 of a 3-Part Series on the Life of Local Fiber

Lindsay Welsch Sveen

In parts one and two of her “Farm to Yarn” series, Lindsay Welsch Sveen procured yarn from its source and learned how to dye it. In this finale, she finds help with knitting “magical creations” — socks! Click here to read the full story.

July 25, 2016

Outfitted: Paddling the Lakes and Rivers of Southern Indiana

Michael Waterford

Adventure-travel writer, outfitter, and explorer of the unknown, Michael Waterford says some of the best excursions can be had in southern Indiana. In this introduction to paddling, he offers suggestions on how to get on local lakes and rivers. It’s the first step, he says, to saving them. Click here to read the full story.

June 3, 2016

Dismayed by the conspicuous absence of nurse-midwives in local hospitals, the newly formed Bloomington Consumers for Birth Choices (BCBC) recently petitioned IU Health Bloomington Hospital to provide local families with “a network of fully supported certified nurse-midwives.” The hospital has been “actively addressing this need,” but first, it must recruit enough obstetricians to support a midwifery program. | Photo courtesy of bies, Creative Commons

IU Health Addressing Push to Provide Nurse-Midwives

Susan M. Brackney, Andrew Grodner

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) help with pre- and postnatal care, but none are available at nearby hospitals. Since a local group petitioned IU Health Bloomington to provide a network of CNMs, the hospital has been “actively addressing this need.” First, it must recruit enough obstetricians to support a midwifery program. Click here to read the full story.

May 20, 2016

Mercedes Jones founded Crimson Cupboard to combat food insecurity on the Indiana University campus. The food pantry focuses on student-specific issues, such as the fact that dorm residents don't have easy access to kitchens. | Photo by Natasha Komoda

Food Insecurity, Part 3: Complex Issues Put College Students at Risk

Sarah Gordon, Natasha Komoda

Concluding her three-part series on food insecurity, writer Sarah Gordon found the obstacles to getting healthful food are different for college students than for others — everything from insecurity within their social groups to disasters in their hometowns or countries. She also found an IU student who is doing something about it. Click here to read the full story.

May 9, 2016

Laura Reagan sits with her twin sons, Korbyn (left) and Jarek, and their dog, Sancho, and cat, Squishy. Reagan has dealt with food insecurity on and off throughout her entire life and has worked very hard to protect her sons from the stress of being food insecure. | Photo by Natasha Komoda

Food Insecurity, Part 2: Seniors and Children Are the Most Vulnerable

Sarah Gordon, Natasha Komoda

In part 2 of this three-part series, Sarah Gordon looks at two of the larger groups of Americans who are experiencing food insecurity — seniors and children. Not only are they more vulnerable and susceptible to hunger and malnutrition than most of the population, they’re also less able to improve their situations. Click here to read the full story.

April 14, 2016

Permaculture, says writer Daniel Bingham, originated as an attempt to reshape industrial agriculture into sustainable ecological design that works in harmony with the natural world. First applied to farmsteads, it’s also used to create self-reliant homesteads. | Photo by Natasha Komoda

Can Permaculture Make Society Sustainable? Part 1

Daniel Bingham, Natasha Komoda

Permaculture, says writer Daniel Bingham, originated as an attempt to reshape industrial agriculture into sustainable ecological design that works in harmony with the natural world. First applied to farmsteads, it’s also used to create self-reliant homesteads. Part philosophy, part methodology, and part science, permaculture integrates humans with the natural environment. Click here to read the full story.

April 11, 2016

Stephanie Solomon, the director of education and outreach at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, says the problem of food insecurity is broader and more systemic than many people realize. Monroe County is tied for the fourth-highest hunger rate in the state. | Photo by Natasha Komoda

Food Insecurity, Part 1: Misconceptions Persist About Who Needs Help Getting Food

Sarah Gordon, Natasha Komoda

In this three-part series, Sarah Gordon investigates the popular misconceptions about “food insecurity” — the inability to afford nutritious, or even enough, food. Most people considered food insecure are seniors and families with children. Many are our neighbors. Local experts say the problem is more systemic than most people are aware. Click here to read the full story.

March 21, 2016

The Eastern box turtle is one of many Indiana species on the state's "special concern" list. | Creative Commons, Branlon

150 Species in Indiana Now Listed As Endangered or ‘Special Concern’

Susan M. Brackney

What would happen if the hellbender goes? More than 150 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mollusks that call Indiana home are now listed as “endangered” or “special concern” in the state. Susan M. Brackney shows who decides which animals make the cut — and how. Click here to read the full story.

March 11, 2016

The stars of the 7th Annual Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane Festival at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in Greene County. Tens of thousands have already been spotted in the area. | Photo by Thomas Marriage

Treasure Hunting at Goose Pond During Marsh Madness

Limestone Post

The spring migration of sandhill cranes and countless other birds will be celebrated on March 4-5 during the 7th Annual Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane Festival at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. David Rupp, owner of IndiGo Birding Nature Tours, gave Limestone Post a preview on a recent trip to the pond. Click here to read the full story.

March 2, 2016

Many Monroe County residents commute to work by bike, no matter the weather. On this day in 2014, a bike commuter heads into town from the south side of Bloomington in negative-degree weather. | Limestone Post

Even in Dead of Winter, Bike Commuters Fend Off Nasty Weather and Drivers

Susan M. Brackney

Hundreds of Monroe County residents hop on their bicycles and commute to work every day, year-round. In Susan M. Brackney’s story, they share tips on how to be safe and comfortable when dealing with snow, ice, subfreezing temps, and hostile drivers who don’t want to share the road. Click here to read the full story.

February 15, 2016

Anna Weber put her academic life on hold to work toward her goal of running in the Olympics. She has qualified to compete this Saturday for a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic marathon team. | Courtesy photo

B-town Marathon Runner to Compete at Olympic Trials on Saturday

Jonna Mary Yost

Last fall, Anna Weber put her pursuit of a Ph.D. at IU on hold to train for the Olympics. This Saturday, February 13, she will compete with 244 other women for a spot on Team USA, which heads to Rio de Janeiro in August for the 2016 Olympic Games. Click here to read the full story.

February 9, 2016

The American Discovery Trail is a 6,800-mile, coast-to-coast phenomenon that is the first of its kind in the country. Much of it travels along existing trails, such as this one in the Harrison-Crawford State Forest in southern Indiana. | Photo by Ron Eid

From the B-Line Trail to the Pacific Ocean — Hiking the American Discovery Trail

Ron Eid

Imagine hiking from the B-Line Trail to the Pacific Ocean (or the Atlantic) without ever leaving an official hiking trail. For years, hiking enthusiasts have been working on the American Discovery Trail, a coast-to-coast trail that passes through southern Indiana. Connecting it to the B-Line, via the Knobstone Trail, isn’t far-fetched. Click here to read the full story.