Health

Training for a triathlon has been a long-term project. And anything undertaken long-term (think: parenting; or, marriage), has its ups and downs. Under the circumstances, an everyday reminder, or mantra, can be truly helpful and inspiring. Here's mine: worth the effort.

I adore summer. Things slow down for the better, we take the time to relax a little more and that suits me just fine. So in looking ahead and making summer plans, I also put together a list of the 10 things that are a must-do for my happy summer.

With so many fruits and vegetables coming into season across the country, now is a great time to give vegetarian and vegan meals a try. And if you're going to do that, picking up Color Me Vegan by cookbook author and columnist Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is a great place to start. Patrick-Goudreau's latest cookbook is full of healthy, delicious recipes that cover the rainbow, and consequently provide a wide variety of nutrients: from orange peppers for beta carotene to green kale for chlorophyll and red tomatoes for lycopene, you'll be hard-pressed to find a piece of produce that isn't represented here.

According to a new study out of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana, our jobs are contributing to rising obesity rates. According to the study, “Over the last 50 years in the U.S. we estimate that daily occupation-related energy expenditure has decreased by more than 100 calories, and this reduction in energy expenditure accounts for a significant portion of the increase in mean U.S. body weights for women and men.”

The mind-body connection is something that many people speak about, but now it seems that science is jumping on the band wagon. Maintaining a positive outlook, being optimistic about the future, enjoying the small things and going about your day with a smile are both our natural state and a healthier state. Let's all find our silver lining and enjoy the moments that make us smile.