Never discount the power of awe

Written by
Wednesday, 18/03/2026

I now realize why coloring books and sidewalk chalk were so appealing when I was a child, why watching snow fall out the window and staring at the flame of a candle calmed my racing thoughts, why exploring our wooded backyard, collecting leaves and rocks, felt like a grand adventure. 

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Ancient wisdom prevails over modern bravado

Written by
Wednesday, 29/10/2025

If you’ve never been exposed to Daoism (commonly known as Taoism), now may be the time to intentionally engage with this ancient philosophy. The way that Lao Tzu’s teachings serve as an antidote to today’s political landscape feels not only prophetic but encouraging. To realize that the same dark woes and authoritarian shenanigans were happening thousands of years ago offers a unique type of comfort. 

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Partner Content: Appalachian True Heritage Festival Returns to Downtown Waynesville in 2026
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Partner Content: Appalachian True Heritage Festival Returns to Downtown Waynesville in 2026

Two Days of Mountain Culture, Craft, Food, and Live Music – With Exciting New Experiences for 2026

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — The mountains are calling, and the Appalachian True Heritage Festival is answering. Organizers are proud to announce the return of this beloved celebration to the heart of Downtown Waynesville, gathering community members, cultural bearers, artisans, musicians, and storytellers for a two-day immersion in the rich history and living traditions of Western North Carolina. 

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Partner content: Using Your Freezer for Meal Solutions
Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian
Partner content: Using Your Freezer for Meal Solutions

I’ll admit that I am not always the best about using our freezer to its full advantage; but here are some things I do like to keep in the freezer. 

• Cheese pizza — I like to look for sales on good quality cheese pizzas and keep a couple on hand for those nights when we don’t feel like cooking or eating out.  I can quickly top a cheese pizza with vegetables like sliced tomatoes, spinach or even zucchini slices or fresh arugula (once out of the oven).

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Partner Content: Change Your Health, Change Your Life
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Partner Content: Change Your Health, Change Your Life

Ready to take control of your wellness? MountainWise offers the North Carolina Minority Diabetes Prevention Program to help you get ahead of type 2 diabetes. 

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Partner content: Prediabetes: Signs/Symptoms
Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian
Partner content: Prediabetes: Signs/Symptoms

Prediabetes is when your blood sugar is elevated over what is considered normal, but as yet, not high enough to be a diagnosis of diabetes. A HbA1C (glycated hemoglobin) test will indicate Prediabetes if the result is between 5.7 % and 6.4 % (equates to average blood sugars of 117mg/dl-137mg/dl).

Even before a blood test, you may notice some issues which may indicate prediabetes: 

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