In the Sproutlight

It is never too late in the year (or too early!) to create and accomplish a list of resolutions. Although millions of Americans make resolutions every year, only about 12 percent are successful in achieving their goals. Why are resolutions so easy to make yet so difficult to keep?

Like any emergency situation, think about your personal list of resolutions like this: When there is a crisis, the person to help is the one most capable of helping everybody else. That person is you! The mother, the sister, the daughter, the wife, the friend ... you have so many people to care for,  so make a resolution that will benefit and fulfill you!

Wanting to make a change for the better is already a step in the right direction. To make it happen requires that a four-step plan be put into effect:

1. Choose Realistic Goals

Make this your year! Choosing the right goals for the right reasons is crucial in achieving success. Identifying the motivation behind why you are choosing a specific goal will help you to avoid setting goals for the wrong reasons. Remember, choose a resolution for yourself and not others!

Overwhelmed by the multitude of things you should be eating and you should be doing? Put a little research into your areas of interest, ask your friends and co-workers for tips, and remember, there are no tricks!

Aim high! The most successfully achieved goals are those that are difficult, and therefore present a challenge, but not so difficult that success is unrealistic.

Be specific and commit to it. Remember that change will not happen overnight and will require slight modifications to various behaviors. Start with small, easy goals, and add more as you slowly adapt:
• Add nutrient-packed vegetables and fruits to your diet and opt for whole grains to improve your health.
• Set 20 minutes aside 3 times a week for aerobic activity to get your heart pumping.
• Schedule 10 minutes a day for calming deep breathing in a quiet place to dramatically reduce your stress levels.

2. Identify The Plan

Like any good plan, action must be taken! Set small measurable goals to achieve throughout the year, such as losing 3 pounds a month rather than 36 pounds for the year. Assign yourself tasks with due dates that will move you closer to your goals.

3. Stick With It

Ten percent of women are more likely to accomplish their resolutions when making them public and receiving support from family and friends.

The new year brings a rush of motivation that tends to fizzle out by February.

Place motivational stick-it notes on the fridge, in your daybook, on your monitor at work and anywhere they will be in plain sight to give you a boost of motivation all year long.

4. Be Good to Yourself

Be flexible, forgiving and follow through! Do not abandon your goals because of a few mistakes or slip-ups; take them in stride and keep going.

Reward yourself. Each new day of this new year represents a new opportunity to get back on track and stick with it. Reward yourself with a celebratory lunch, a new book or indulge in a massage – you've earned it!

St. Luke's Hospital is a regional healthcare provider committed to improving the quality of life for patients and the community. It offers more than 60 specialty areas and was the only Missouri hospital named an America's 50 Best Hospital™ by HealthGrades® in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 based on quality.

"In the Sproutlight" is a sponsored opportunity. For more information on sponsorship, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 636-544-7233.

Pet lovers all have something in common – they enjoy spending time with pets, and they want to help those pets who may be less fortunate. On Oct. 1, 2011, at Purina Farms, dog and cat lovers had the opportunity to do both at the first-ever Purina Pet Project Event. Attendees found more than 30 different ways to give back to local homeless pets from constructing items for shelters to meeting adoptable pets to playing games and activities designed to spread the message about responsible pet care.

“Purina was overwhelmed with the turnout and enthusiasm of the people that came to participate in the Purina Pet Project Event," said Kristin Stapleton who helped coordinate the event. "Volunteers were lined up and ready to work 30 minutes before the event started.  More than 30 animal welfare organizations in the St. Louis area benefited from the event. This was a great day for local needy pets!”

The 2,800 participants accomplished a lot during the inaugural event. Here's a rundown of exactly what volunteers did during the event.
• 15 dog houses were decorated.
• 200 Kuranda dog beds were assembled.
• 40 cat towers were constructed.
• 220 pet blankets were made.
• 600 pet bowls and 550 bandanas were decorated.
• Through raffle tickets and games for participating animal welfare groups, participants raised $2,000.
• 20 pets were adopted.
• 12 huge bins were filled with donated supplies for the shelters and rescue groups.
• 27 volunteers were recruited for the Five Acres Animal Shelter makeover taking place a week later.

Each year, more than 50,000 dogs and cats enter St. Louis area public and private shelters, and outside of adopting a pet, many pet lovers are unaware of all the different ways they can make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. Sometimes it's as little as interacting with homeless pets and helping them socialize to make them more adoptable. Other times, it could be a financial donation that helps an animal welfare organization cover the veterinary care for their animals. The Purina Pet Project event is a day dedicated to giving back to the animals that give us so much in return. It's a day for pet lovers of all ages to come out and participate in whatever way they feel comfortable. Join Purina Farms for the next Purina Pet Project Event, scheduled for Oct. 6, 2012.

Watch a video of the 2011 Purina Pet Project

Located on more than 300 acres of rolling hills, Purina Farms offers animal lovers of all ages an opportunity to get up close and personal with barnyard animals and everyday pets such as dogs and cats. Purina Farms features the Visitor's Center where kids can play in the hayloft, milk a cow, take a tractor-drawn wagon ride and watch exciting canine performances of flying disc and diving dog.

Purina Farms is open seasonally mid-March through mid-November but is closed all major holidays. Reservations are required. Call 314-982-3232 or 888-688-PETS (7387).

Recently, the Purina Event Center, a state-of-the-art indoor facility designed to host a variety of canine activities from conformation shows to performance events like obedience, agility and flyball, opened on the Purina Farms property, giving visitors a chance to see some of the most prestigious dog shows in the country year-round.

 "In the Sproutlight"  is a sponsored opportunity. For more information on sponsorship, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 636-544-7233.

See what's happening at the Farms!  Visit the Purina Farms Sproutlight Page

Did you know that more Americans die from cardiac episodes between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day than at any other time of year? This December, lighten up your life by embracing simple pleasures and keeping your immune system resilient so that you can tackle the holidays with ease.

As we enter this busiest of seasons, let us practice positive thinking, love, patience and light-heartedness. Instead of falling prey to pressure and worry in the coming weeks, make it your mission to start an epidemic of positivity and kindness!

Most people would say the holidays represent togetherness, but the truth is that few of us are impervious to stress during all the festivities – stress that includes meeting time constraints, becoming the "perfect" host, and catering the "perfect" holiday party, which tends to leave us tense and rigid. Women in particular experience more pressure and derive less happiness from the season.

Managing stress is unique to each individual, but there is one common denominator we all share — the power of the mind. It's more than a holistic health concept: hard science has determined that the placebo effect is so mighty that up to 75 percent of patients can feel results from an imitation pill in clinical trials for depression.

During this holiday, transform your way of thinking! Use the list below to help brighten your thoughts and behavior:

• Find creative ways to keep your blessings in mind – make a pact to trade affirmations and jokes by email or text message with a friend or post positive notes in prominent places.

• Leave the sad novels and movies till later: surround yourself with uplifting media and people – visit cuteoverload.com or 1000awesomethings.com.

• Convert social gatherings into stress-reducing physical activity by hosting friendly sports games, dance-offs or neighborhood cleanups.

• Go green! Researchers have found that families enjoy holidays much more when limiting environmentally unfriendly practices. Candlelight and charitable giving produce little waste and lots of inner warmth!

• Decide on at least three shining moments in your life when you were proud of yourself and enthusiastic about the future. Reflect on them when feeling tense. Remember the sights, sounds, and smells; breathe deeply and send all of the apprehensions into the atmosphere as you exhale.

You are the boss of you, so take pleasure in life and limit the power of stress — allowing you to savor the true meaning of the holidays: peace, love and abounding joy.


St. Luke's Hospital is a regional healthcare provider committed to improving the quality of life for patients and the community. It offers more than 60 specialty areas and was the only Missouri hospital named an America's 50 Best Hospital™ by HealthGrades® in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 based on quality.

"In the Sproutlight" is a sponsored opportunity. For more information on sponsorship, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 636-544-7233.

The Belgian Malinois is a medium-sized, short-haired dog that appears square in its outline. Although they are often confused with the German shepherd by the general public, they are squarer in profile; lighter in bone and more refined in head, with a light, brisk movement. The Malinois is fawn, red or gray in color with black shading on the hair tips. Their tails are usually darker or have a black tip. Their face has a black mask and the ears are mostly black. They may have limited white on their chest and toes.

The Malinois is a very intelligent dog that learns very quickly. The Malinois is a devoted companion and does not make an ideal kennel dog, as they become bored and destructive. They are very affectionate and totally devoted to their families. They are not a breed for those wanting "just a dog." They will protect their home and family, but it is not advisable to encourage their guarding instincts when young, as they can get confused and start guarding you in inappropriate situations. Their natural guarding instincts will kick in, if and when necessary.

From April 11-15, 2012, hundreds of Belgian Malinois from around the country will participate in conformation and performance events at the Purina Event Center at Purina Farms during the club's annual National Specialty. Some of the Belgian Malinois handlers will step into the ring to be evaluated according to the breed standard to see which dog goes home with a Best of Breed title while others will try to earn a first place or high in trial award in performance events such as agility, obedience, rally and herding. The Belgian Malinois is a very versatile breed that excels at many canine activities including diving dog. In fact, the current Purina Incredible Dog Challenge diving dog record holder is a Belgian Malinois named Vhoebe, who landed a jump of 31' 8" during the National Championships of the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge in October 2011. Check the Purina Farms calendar of events for more information.

All of the Shows at Purina Farms, unless noted, are free and open to the public. Visit purinafarms.com to find out more, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Located on more than 300 acres of rolling hills, Purina Farms offers animal lovers of all ages an opportunity to get up close and personal with barnyard animals and everyday pets such as dogs and cats. Purina Farms features the Visitor's Center where kids can play in the hayloft, milk a cow, take a tractor-drawn wagon ride and watch exciting canine performances of flying disc and diving dog.

Purina Farms is open seasonally mid-March through mid-November but is closed all major holidays. Reservations are required. Call 314-982-3232 or 888-688-PETS (7387).

Recently, the Purina Event Center, a state-of-the-art indoor facility designed to host a variety of canine activities from conformation shows to performance events like obedience, agility and flyball, opened on the Purina Farms property, giving visitors a chance to see some of the most prestigious dog shows in the country year-round.

Photo courtesy of Pup Art Dog Show Photo Services.

"In the Sproutlight"  is a sponsored opportunity. For more information on sponsorship, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 636-544-7233.

See what's happening at the Farms!  Visit the Purina Farms Sproutlight Page