Mindfulness as a Tool

By AUTUMN YELICH

Stress has become a normal part of many of our lives yet we don’t always have the tools we need to deal with it.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of what you’re doing, feeling, or thinking in the current moment, without distraction or judgment. It’s regaining control from autopilot and tuning into what’s really happening in the now. We live in an extremely fast-paced world and sometimes it’s difficult to relax with all these stresses and burdens, but we deserve some rest.
That’s why mindfulness should be a tool that we all have in our backpocket to help bring clarity and focus to our lives.
Anyone can practice mindfulness, it’s for people of all ages and backgrounds who want to reduce stress, improve focus, or enhance emotional well-being. Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere – whether you’re at home, at work, outside, or even in the middle of a busy day. It’s about bringing awareness to whatever you’re doing.
You can practice mindfulness through techniques like mindful breathing, meditation, body scans, yoga, or simply paying attention to daily activities like eating or listening. It’s about tuning into the present moment, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.… Read the rest “Mindfulness as a Tool”

Reflecting on Food Access in Phillips

By ALEXANDRA NELSON

Food is something that brings us together and divides us. We all need it, yet only some have access to it.
My name is Alexandra and I am a nutrition student at St. Catherine University hoping to work in food accessibility. It is my core belief that access to nutritious food is a right that every person should have. In high school, I worked in elementary school classrooms and saw firsthand how food insecurity affects children and their families.

According to information shared by the US Department of Agriculture, many Americans suffer from food insecurity. In 2023, 14 percent of all US households were food insecure. Food insecurity is a disparate issue affecting less than 9 percent of white households in America, but nearly 22 percent of black households and 18 percent of Latinx households.

Food deserts perpetuate food insecurity – and the Phillips Community is one of those food deserts.
“There are ethnic grocery stores but Aldi is the only big one on Franklin Ave. The other closest are Target or Cub on Lake St,” said Natalie Bullis, MPH, Operations Coordinator for Community Health at Pillsbury United Communities.… Read the rest “Reflecting on Food Access in Phillips”