“To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”

-Buddha

As spring officially arrives this week, I am beginning to look ever more forward to the opening of our local farmer’s markets with fresh produce, outdoor walking without my jacket and catching up with neighbors and members of the community that seems to be much more frequent when the weather warms.

In dreaming of this annual beginning, I am again reminded of the power of eating and living healthy, and how by making simple habitual healthy choices our daily lives can be greatly improved.  From the energy it provides, the state of mind we are in, to the confidence we feel, how we treat our bodies directly affects our minds, our well-being and thus are ability to do (or not do) certain things.

In an effort to perpetual healthy habits in the arenas of eating, exercise and establishing balance in our lives, below are ten simple things you can do:

1. Reach for water, not the diet soda. In fact, opting for diet soda thinking it is a healthy choice can actually help keep the weight on. A University of North Carolina at Chapel hill study revealed that when people switch their favorite sugary soft drink for the diet variety, they craved more bread and desserts than those who swapped their go-to beverage for water. (Quick and easy flavored water– Jamie Oliver’s recipe)

2. Pack your veggies. Slice up a cucumber and place it in a plastic container, having it ready for easy nibbling throughout the week. If cucumbers aren’t your preference, try carrots, broccoli, radishes, sugar snap peas or whatever vegetable is calling your name from week to week.

“How do you build up your bank account? By putting something in it everyday. Your health account is no different. What I do today, I am wearing tomorrow. If I put inferior foods in my body today, I’m going to be inferior tomorrow, it’s that simple.” ~Jack Lalanne

3. Challenge your mind.

4. Eat more fresh and less processed. Click here to find out why processed foods aren’t doing you any favors.

“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.” – Julia Child

5. 30 minutes every day. Walking, pilates, cycling – indoors or out, move your body, de-stress and activate your mind.

“Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.” –Edward Smith-Stanley

6. Make your own trail mix. Roasted almonds, peanuts and golden or regular almonds.  It limits the sugar that is typically found in a bag of trail mix and it’s specialized to your taste.

7. Throw away the invitation to fast food restaurants. Period.

“We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are.” ~Adelle Davis

8. Less television.

9. A bit of chocolate to quench your cravings.

10. Be grateful. Whether you choose to write it down in a journal (Moleskine are my favorite) or mediate for a few minutes at the beginning or end of your day, take time to realize how fortunate you are.  Even if the reasons seem small – the car started, the water is working, I don’t have to water my yard today – discover something about your day that is a good thing. It only takes a glance at the news to realize that our lives are full of amazing blessings that we sometimes feel are simply deserved.  However, by being grateful you will not only help improve your attitude and approach as you move forward throughout your day, but doing so will also provide fuel to make the most of opportunities – big or small – that present themselves.

“The groundwork of all happiness is health.” –James Leigh Hunt

Image: TSLL IG