January 2019

About 847,000 adults through- out Missouri live with mental illness, according to a 2016 study by the Missouri Division of Behavioral Health. The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that roughly 20 percent of adolescents, either…

In the past five years, Columbia has steadily climbed Livibility.com’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live” rankings. The community has leapt from the 46th position in 2014 to 21st in 2018. In addition to recreation, schools, real estate and…

To look at Matt Taylor, one would quickly deduce he is no stranger to the gym. An avid weightlifter, Taylor has dealt with the aches, pains and injuries that come with vigorous exercise. About two years ago, he came upon a new way to deal…

No secret in vegan and vegetarian circles, jackfruit has been gaining traction in mainstream cuisine as many look to eat fewer meat-based meals or try more exotic foods. Jackfruit is having a moment. A species of tree in the fig, mulberry…

For centuries, “vinegars” have had the reputation of be-ing the ultimate DIY potion for all things household, ranging from shiny bathtubs to eliminating the nastiest of odors. So, what is so special about apple cider vinegar (ACV), and how…

In the winter, I love doing greens that we typically think of roasting but, instead, slice them super thin for a fun, crunchy salad. This salad gets a roundness of flavor from the bright and vibrant dressing and the pop of pomegranate…

During his motivational speaking stops around Columbia, through his work with children and adolescents from around the community, L’Damian Washington sees the impact he makes. When he goes back to Douglass High School and a student calls…

For those not familiar with Donald Quist’s work, his stories are warmhearted, sensitive and unapologetically honest. Growing up, Quist was raised in two homes; he lived part time with his father in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and with his…

A flashing, red neon sign in the window of a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Alley A reads, “Open now;” signaling that Big Mama Chim is back at a new location in downtown Columbia. On a chilly January night, or any night really, she can be…

At some point in our lives we become primary caregivers for an aging family member. My most recent patient wasn’t a parent or a pet. It was a Pontiac. From the tow truck’s shotgun seat, looking through a shoebox-sized side mirror at my…

Sometimes in the cold of winter, you need an easy dish you can make on a Monday and have for three or four meals throughout the week. Meatloaf is that dish. It is as easy or as complicated as you want. You can toss in ketchup, bread and…

Humans spend an average of one-third of their lives asleep. Therefore, it’s clear that adequate sleep is essential for the human body to function optimally. For more than 18 million American adults, sleep apnea interrupts those few hours of…