CARDIOMETABOLIC HEALTH
STARTING IN YOUR GARDEN | 06
TAKE A HIKE!
EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL HANCOCK COUNTY | 10
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
MICHAEL JACK | 14
CHOOSING PROPER GEAR
STAY PREPARED WHILE HIKING | 18
PLUS:
RECIPES INSPIRED BY INDIANA’S LOCAL PLANT LIFE
See page 12
CARDIOMETABOLIC HEALTH GOOD HEALTH CAN START IN YOUR GARDEN
TAKE A HIKE!
EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL HANCOCK COUNTY
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
MICHAEL JACK HOW HE FAILED RETIREMENT AND FOUND HIS BEST HEALTH
CHOOSING
SO
SPRING RECIPES INSPIRED BY INDIANA’S
PLANT
JOEL HUNGATE ASSOCIATE VICEPRESIDENT, STRATEGY & INTEGRATED WELL-BEING HANCOCK HEALTH
In this issue, we explore a special focus on small, consistent choices to get outside and move our bodies, and to help make that process fun and less intimidating.
Spring has a way of reminding us of the gift of health — how easy it is to take for granted when we don’t have it, how powerful it is to unlock experiences in life and with those we love, and how, whether we know it or not, we lay the foundation for the amount of opportunity and adventure unlocked by good health with every decision we make.
It’s no surprise that this version of health doesn’t happen exclusively in a doctor’s office.
It happens in those small, consistent choices we make every day. Getting outside. Moving our bodies. Sharing a meal. Tending a garden. Taking that walk we almost talked ourselves out of.
This issue of BeWell is an invitation to return to those moments and to rediscover how powerful they really are.
Too often, we think about health as something complex, clinical, or out of reach. But the truth is, and the data shows, that the most meaningful changes happen in the simplest ways. A hike through one of Hancock County’s gorgeous trails can reset both your body and your mind. Preparing a meal inspired by what’s growing locally this season can reconnect us to the rhythms that support long-term well-being.
These aren’t just nice ideas. They’re foundational to how we think about health. And how we build momentum toward a better, healthier tommorrow.
At Hancock Health, we’ve spent years rethinking what it means to truly support well-being and have worked diligently to align our health system around your needs and those of our community. We know that better outcomes don’t come from more fragmented solutions or more complicated systems. They come from integrated well-being solutions that make it easier to “say yes and stay yes” to the behaviors that build the best version of you, in the rhythms of everyday life.
That’s why this fantastic issue is centered around the outdoors. Not as an escape, but as a return to movement, to connection, and to the kind of lifestyle that supports a happier, healthier, more productive, and fulfilling life. And conversely, we’ll explore how health has a habit of naturally unlocking more adventure in your life — something we could all use more of.
You’ll meet Michael Jack, whose story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite what health looks like. You’ll find practical ways to get moving, explore, and even rethink how you approach food this season.
And remember—just by taking that first step towards better health you put yourself further ahead than you think.
Have you ever spent hours in your garden digging, pulling weeds, planting, and been exhausted afterwards? That’s because gardening is a great workout! Notonly does it build flexibility and muscle mass, but you can also reap benefits of better cardiometabolic health.
If you haven’t heard of cardiometabolic health, now is the time to get acquainted with this buzz word. Cardiometabolic health refers to how your heart, blood vessels and metabolism work together to create an overall picture of your heart function. We are used to assessing risk via cholesterol and blood pressure, but the latest testing paints a much broader - and more holistic - picture of your health by taking into account blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, weightand fat distribution, and healthhistory.
While formal exercise via cardio and strength training is a great way to ensure better cardiometabolic health, it is important to remember that some of the activities we weave into our everyday lives are also reliable ways of maintaining that stamina. Gardening is a low-to-moderate intensity, multi-component
physical activity and burns about 150-200 calories in30 minutes. Think of it like a gym right in your own backyard!
But the exercise - or “cardio”component of cardiometabolic health isn’t the only one ofimportance. Gardening delivers many other benefits as well.
Any outdoor activity has the potential to lower overall stress, which is a huge marker for cardiovascular health. Through a cascade of hormones, stress itself causes a fight or flight response, which is meant to help our bodies during times of crisis. Think: a boost in blood pressure, blood flow shunted to the limbs for quick movement, increased heart rate, decreased energy going toward digestion and other organ system function.
Getting into your garden and being surrounded by the quiet of nature, bird song and fresh air signals safety to your body and erases the need for a fight or flight response, even if you are working hard.This reduces cortisol levels, blood pressure and even your body’s level of inflammation.
Why is this important for cardiometabolic health?Stress impacts every single aspect of your body, including markers for
heart health, metabolism, blood sugar, weight and more. In short, the more well managed your stress, the better your overall cardiometabolic health.
On average, gardeners tend to consume more fruits and vegetables, especially if they are home grown. Diet will always be an important aspect of overall health, and we are beginning to havea better understanding of how blood sugar impacts heart health. High blood sugar, which isn’t only relegated to those with diabetes, causes chronic inflammationin the body. This inflammation impacts LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol as well as the flexibility of veins and arteries, plaque build up and more.
One thing that can slow digestion and helpthose rapid blood sugar spikesis fiber. And that is something that is abundant in all fruits and vegetables. So, no matter if you are gardeningkale, broccoli, tomatoes or green beans,the fiber you are growing in your garden can directly contribute to your cardiometabolic health, especially if you consume multiple servings a day.
Another healthy way gardening can impact your metabolism is through your gut health. The health
of your gut microbiome has a huge impact on the overall health of your body, including major organs like your heart and brain. Why? Because these friendly bacteria in your gut are responsible for producing many of the metabolites that help to manage inflammation, blood pressure and cholesterol.
A healthy, fiber-rich diet helps keep your microbiome in balance. But there is one more thing that gardening does to give you a boost: it gets your hands dirty. Exposure to the microbes in soil can help your own microbiome and even boost your immune system. We are meant to touch earth, dig in the soil, plant and extract food. For those seeking balance in our modern world, gardening is a great way to honor the ancient ecosystems that are contained within our bodies.
Cardiometabolic assessments take your whole body into account, without sidestepping important markers that are not traditionally considered when it comes to heart health. By getting out into your garden this spring, you’re not only ensuring a beautiful summer full of blooms, but also helping to boost your own health!
Check out these local plant nurseries for beautiful additions to your spring, summer or fall garden!
- Tuttle Orchards, located at 5717 N 300 W in Greenfield
- Sunnyside Greenhouses, located at 3185 E 700 N in Greenfield
- Wells Nursery, located at 3710 US Hwy 40 in Greenfield
Winter is over and perhaps you, like many Hancock County residents, are feeling the urge to get outdoors more. It makes sense, after all spring is a beautiful time for buds and blooms all over the Midwest. Whether you prefer ambling through a garden, going on a bike ride with your family or heading on a hike to be surrounded by nature, you will find a place to enjoy the season right here in Hancock County.
Beckenholdt is a 75-acre preserve featuring two wetlands, a reforestation area, native prairie and grasslands, a native tree walk and fishing pond. Rover’s Run dog park is also located here along with a Greenfield Bike Share rack and the Beckenholdt Pavilion and Amphitheater. With both paved and unpaved trails, this is a versatile place to take in spring blooms and returning fauna.
Located in downtown Greenfield, Riley Park boasts 40 acres of open, grassy areas, Brandywine Creek, athletic courts, skate park, a pump track, a splash pad, aquatics center, picnic areas, playgrounds and paved walking areas. Enjoy a beautiful walk over and along Brandywine Creek as well as a picnic lunch or time spent enjoying a game of pick up with some friends!
Hancock Health’s Gateway facility is located in a mixeduse park alongside commercial, aging-in-place residences, retail, restaurants and multi-family developments. Within this community is a 3.7-mile trail loop featuring a pond, benches and tables with umbrellas all for public use. It is handicap accessible and a gorgeous place to boost your health and wellbeing with a spring walk!
This beautiful community garden offers plenty of chances to relax and take in the miracle of life’s return after a cold winter. Located inside Veteran’s Memorial Park, it includes a walking trail, community garden plots, plenty of places for kids to play, various sports facilities and a fishing lake.
With a beautiful trail system, campground and plenty of wildlife, this nature preserve situated next to Little Brandywine Creek is the perfect place to relax and let your cares drift away. Bring your walking shoes and a picnic to this 40 acre natural habitat and take in the sights of spring! For bird watchers, enjoy the newly installed feeders and viewing station as well as events with the Greenfield Birders club, with walks available April through October.
Accessed through the trail head at Lyon’s Park and other neighborhood connections, this three-mile paved trail is an excellent setting for a springtime stroll, jog or even bike ride. It gently meanders past the beautiful Buck Creek and not only has lovely scenery, but also a stunning mural.
Pennsy is a 5.5-mile trail through Greenfield that offers many amenities. On your walk, jog or bike ride, you can enjoy an art park, a bike share located at Depot Street Park, exercise equipment, a playground and accessible restroom facilities. Check out one of the run clubs or other fun familyfocused events that create a community around trail use. Dogs are allowed, so make sure your furry friend gets to enjoy the beautiful spring weather!
“Where?” That is how Michael Jack says most people respond when he talks about leading photography workshops in Palouse, a beautiful region in Washington state known for its rolling hills and striking photographic opportunities. Is he a photographer by trade? No, he just, as he says, “flunked retirement.”
At a time when most people are slowing down, Jack is speeding up. The 83-yearold McCordsville Wellness Center member has been active his entire life, which may account for the fact that his Garmin watch tells him he has a physiological age of 60. “Lies like that keep me going,” chuckles Jack.
As a young kid, he picked up basketball—and hasn’t looked back since. From participating in athletics all through school and college to getting involved in handball, racketball, running and tennis in his adult years, Jack hasn’t stopped moving. Until 2008, he was working in upper level executive positions in both finance and HR, fulfilling 60-75 hour work weeks. Racketball clubs and daily runs kept his sanity—and health—intact.
The slow life of retirement didn’t agree with him. He found himself taking an interim CFO position for a nonprofit, participating in CPA peer review, taking leadership roles in both photography and car clubs (he is currently the Vice President of the Audi Indiana Chapter of the North American Audi Club), leading photography workshops, instructing at a high performance race track and— believe it or not—more.
But what has REALLY kept him going is his membership at the McCordsville Wellness Center, where he enjoys regular workouts, camaraderie and the knowledgeable and friendly staff. Before Covid, Jack was a member at a different gym. Although he enjoyed the group classes there, the facilities were not up to par. Once Covid bans were lifted and he was able to return to his exercise routine, he made the switch. “The [Hancock Wellness Center] facilities were well kept, clean and everyone was respectful of cleanliness and masks. Both the staff and the trainers are great.”
Jack has enjoyed getting to know other members, settling into a fun routine with the guys in the Breakfast Group, who go out to Lincoln Square Pancake house after their workouts once a month. He gravitates toward cycle classes, a lower impact workout for his joints following two knee replacements six years ago, attending about five times per week. Jack has also worked with the personal trainers on staff to find a weight lifting routine that has kept him engaged, strong and steady into his 80’s.
Living an active lifestyle pays off, especially with age. “I would tell
everyone to keep moving,” says Jack, “If you have stiffness or pain, you may need to compensate, but find ways to keep moving.” Indeed, movement has been shown, in study after study, to be one of the top factors for having a higher quality of life as you age. Sometimes, getting started can be difficult, but Jack reminds his fellow Wellness Center members of all ages to, “Do what you have to do to push yourself to stay physically fit.”
As for Jack, he enjoys and is grateful for his health and, as anyone who has met him can attest, he does not sound like he has any plans to stop moving anytime soon. He contributes his outlook to his physically active lifestyle. “I am a long way from depressed. I enjoy life. My wife is not in the greatest of health, but we enjoy travelling. I am very positive and so far nobody has told me I have cognitive decline. The standing joke in our family is who is going to take my car keys away, because I still love to drive.” Jack adds that “just a couple of days ago I drove Route 66 from Springfield, IL to Oklahoma City, OK. I had a meeting in Oklahoma City and I figured I may as well enjoy the drive and some photographic opportunities.”
Whether it is his hobby of photography or the energy he has for his exercise routine, Jack’s zest for life is an inspiration. Let this story be a reminder to all of us to stay active, find the things we love to do and go great distances to make them happen, even if it leaves others asking “where?”
After a long winter hibernation, stepping outdoors into Spring’s variable weather can feel at once invigorating and intimidating. As the sun warms and our bodies crave more sunlight and activity, nature feels like an irresistiblepull. But that time outdoors may becut short if you get too cold, too hotor lack the proper gear to get you through your walk, hike or bikeride.
This is the only time of year you might need both a tank top anda wool hat, so follow these simpletips to ensure you actually getto enjoy the great outdoors this season!
BUILT FOR HIKING IN THE MIDWEST SPRINGS
If you are headed out into a heavily wooded area or enjoying the parks and trails of Hancock County, here are some common sense tips to help you beat the heat AND the cold that comes with the fickle Midwest weather.
Because the weather of spring can go from warm and sunny to cool and rainy in an instant, it is important to layer your clothing appropriately. The Three-Layer Rule is an easy trick to remember, stressing the benefits of a base, middle and outer layer.
BASE LAYER: Your base layer should be thin and breathable. Think: cotton tee, light long sleeve shirt or even a turtle neck,
depending on the forecast. Merino wool also works great here and has a moisture wicking quality for when you are more active.
MIDDLE LAYER: This is going to give you a bit of insulation without bulk that you can remove when it gets warmer throughout the day. A cardigan, pullover or light sweater is great here.
OUTER LAYER: This layer protects you from the elements, especially if rain or wind are in the forecast. A light parka or rain coat works well here. Outer layers can also include scarves and hats when necessary, but we are crossing our fingers that this Spring, you will be able to get away without that!
A great pair of boots or shoes, along with some merino wool or moisture-wicking socks, will help you feel more comfortable in the elements this season. What you need will depend on your feet and activity levels. However, there are a few things to keep in mind, especially when the weather can be a bit finicky:
• Waterproofing: Gore-Tex (GTX)is a waterproof membrane found in many of today’s highperformance clothing and footwear. If you plan to hit the trails, it might be a good option so that your feet stay warm and dry.
• Traction: Running, biking or hiking require different levels of
traction as you will be on different types of terrain. Pavement can be slippery when wet, but muddy trails also offer a chance to take a tumble. In hiking boots, look for deep lugs and sticky rubber compounds to handle the mud. For running and walking shoes, check that they have traction on the bottom of the soles.
• Quick-Drying Materials: Lightweight, synthetic mesh dries out quicker than heavier leather when it gets wet. If you are looking for hiking boots, lighter weight options may be more quick to dry.
Using the old scout motto “Be Prepared” is a great reminder when heading outside in the spring. Make sure to check weather forecasts for where you will be actively spending your time. Bring along some water and extra snacks and pack your layers if you don’t need them right away. Most of all, enjoy yourself as you emerge from winter hibernation and step into the beauty of another Midwest Spring!
Mother Nature’s dining table is one full of bounty and beauty. Even just stepping into your own backyard, you will likely find a vast variety of plants — some that are meant to be eaten by us and some that aren’t. Foraging has become a hobby for many Hoosiers, as we seek to reconnect with nature through our own nourishment.
However, foraging is an art in and of itself and it isn’t one to jump into without the proper training and understanding of the plant life around you. Most of us have lost the ability to tell a poisonous plant or mushroom from an edible one. Not only that, as we head back to nature, we need to be aware that we share that space with many other animals, all of whom don’t have grocery stores like we do.
If you want to reconnect to the land this Spring, but haven’t got a clue about how to forage, start by cooking up these recipes inspired by our wild plant and animal friends living right outside our backdoors.
This delicious recipe brings one of the most healing plants you can find right to your dinner table. If you know the land you are on and there has been no pesticide use, you may be able to grab your own dandelion greens — just make sure to get them before they flower! Otherwise, you can find them up at specialty grocery stores, such as Whole Foods Market.
Dandelion helps boost liver health and is great for aiding in the detox processes already happening in the body during Spring’s thaw. This simple recipe can be served alongside your favorite meat or fish for a well-rounded and super healthy meal!
HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
• One large bunch of dandelion greens, chopped into one-inch pieces
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 Tbsp bacon grease or cooking oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 large clove garlic
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 1 fresh lemon
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and the dandelion greens and blanch vegetables for about a minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and squeeze out any excess moisture.
Heat a pan on medium and add the bacon grease or cooking oil. Next sautee the onions until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and saute for a minute.
Add dandelion greens to the pan and allow to cook with onions and garlic for a minute before adding in the chicken stock.
Turn heat to low and simmer until all of the vegetables are tender. Add more salt if needed and a drizzle of olive oil.
Mushrooms are a popular topic for many Hoosier foragers. Fungi can be tricky to get right and, with so many different types that are edible and poisonous, it is best to stick to those you find at the grocery until you have received thorough instruction. This recipe combines the lovely, earthy taste of mushrooms with a spring harvest of asparagus and super creamy penne pasta.
HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
For the Pasta:
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup thinly sliced baby bella or crimini mushrooms
• 1 ½ cups roughly chopped asparagus
• 10 oz gluten free penne
For the Sauce:
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
• ¾ cup unsweetened plain almond milk
• ¼ cup vegan parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1-2 Tbsp lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, mushrooms and asparagus.
Saute for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until mushrooms are browned and asparagus is slightly tender. Season with salt and pepper, remove from the skillet and set aside.
Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
Bring the heat on the skillet to low and add olive oil and 4 cloves of garlic. Saute 2-3 minutes and remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
To a blender, add remaining raw garlic, sauteed garlic, vegan cream cheese, almond milk, vegan parmesan, nutritional yeast, lemon juice and a healthy pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until creamy and smooth and mix once more back into the skillet.
Heat sauce over medium heat until warm, stirring frequently. Add cooked, drained pasta and mushroom and asparagus mixture and toss everything to coat.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FORAGING SAFELY IN INDIANA? GET STARTED BY CHECKING OUT THESE GROUPS: - Wild Edible Indiana (find them on Facebook and at wildedibleindiana.com) - Persimmon Herb School (persimmonherbschool.com) - Indiana Herbal Center (indianaherbalcenter.com)
