I know it’s football season and when I say “ice bath” what probably comes to mind is a picture of Steve Jewell being on the receiving end of ice and Gatorade from a big orange cooler after winning another District championship.

When I tell folks I am a hospice chaplain, I often get puzzled looks. Most people do not understand what hospice is about. Just as often, I am told, “That must be hard,” or “You must be a special person.” What they mean by that is, they can’t imagine a job such as mine could be anything but depressing. The truth is, many people are afraid to talk about hospice.

The body is an amazing thing. Whether it’s enduring the grueling pace of a marathon run or simply fighting off the common cold, our body is intricately and amazingly designed. Each and every month that Fitness Plus magazine is published, I learn something new about how the body works. This month is no exception.

October – quite possible my favorite month of the year. Coincidentally, October is also the month of the year with the most marathons in the country.

It’s one of those days: you have a busy day all planned out when someone throws you a major curve ball and the plan no longer works. Or you are minding your own business and doing the best you can, when an angry person bites your head off for no good reason. Your heart beats faster, your blood pressure rises, and you feel yourself wanting to scream. Sound familiar?

Recently, three of my close family members informed me that they were getting a health check called “Lifeline” Screening. Of course, I’m a specialist and not an internist or family doctor. I also am not a spokesperson nor do I have stock in this company, but I immediately saw the benefit in these potentially lifesaving health checks.

Inspiration can come from a multitude of sources. Inspiration for me comes from running and from those who run. Running is tough — mentally and physically. For most, running goes against our nature.

Diversity is certainly a buzz word in our culture today. However, it is sometimes rarely seen in small town America.

About 90% of skin warts, including those on the feet, are contracted during the summer. Therefore, watching where you step barefoot this summer can save your feet from exposure to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the extremely contagious virus that causes plantar warts.