If You Are Happy, Are You Heathy? And A Garden Update!!!!!

Hi, everyone!

A few months ago I picked up Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project. It's a great book on how she took one full year and test drove theories on staying, being and promoting happiness.

She found many things. For example, money can indeed buy happiness — if spent wisely. Or the smallest of changes can make the biggest difference. Or one of my favorites — outer order contributes to inner order. So, how do I apply this or how does this affect ME, my garden, my physical and mental health?

What I did shortly after beginning this book was create a Book of Inspiration. And because of circumstances within our family that were extremely stressful, I created one for my Little Sister, too. (Yes, we are all "grown-up" but I still call her my Little Sister...notice the caps!)

Every time I come across an article, list or "blurb" that is inspiring, I put it into my book. I have attempted to categorize my book, however, that seems to be an ongoing project. Whenever I get a chance I leaf through my book and it never fails to give me that extra push to keep a positive attitude and to try to go about my day with as little negativity as possible. (Don't get me wrong — I am not perfect. Just put me in Chicago [and suburbs] traffic and you'll see!)

I recently read an article about happiness and being healthy. And I thought, YES! It definitely makes a difference when I eat/behave healthy, and it DOES make a difference when I am happy: I feel healthier. I am a HUGE proponent of fresh air. In my world a quick, brisk walk outdoors definitely "ups" my happiness level...and how can that NOT be healthy?

After reading (and continually reading) about happiness and healthiness, I came up with a list of a few basic things you can do to promote both...

1. Clear the air at home. Open the windows for 10 minutes every day. Hot or cold outside, 10 minutes will do it. By doing this every day you can reduce your indoor air pollution by 20 percent or more. Clean air = healthy body.
2. Strengthen your bones. You need a strong, healthy body to enjoy your life (happiness?) to the fullest. Have some almonds! Have a couple of cups of green tea! Make sure you're getting the right amount of Vitamin D! Yep, that's sunshine, folks!!
3. Look on the bright side. A study by Sheldon Cohen, PhD, showed that when he exposed 193 participants to a virus (I know! Sounds NUTS), he found that people who scored low on positive emotions were three times more likely to succumb to the "bug." Think positive = stay healthy.
4. Don't worry about finding the "best" or having the "best." Just think about BEING your best. How good do you feel about your decisions...mental decisions (I am mentally not going to yell at the idiot who just cut me off in traffic!) and implemented decisions (I just chose a burger and fries instead of a chicken sandwich and salad!). 
5. Don't rush. You've heard this before — stop and smell the roses. Seriously, make a point every time you pass by some flowers to take a lean in and smell them. Takes only a second...yet feels pretty good!!

GARDEN UPDATE: Man! I still have a ton of squash!! Almighty Gardener has insisted he did not plant a carrot in the middle of my dill. Somehow, I'm just not trusting him on this.

I like this time of the year because we can assess how we dd in the garden: what worked and what did not. We did very well on tomatoes and cucumbers. Corn — not so good. My herbs are ready for their second harvest — have never had that happen before. Onions have been picked and planted, as well as garlic. Just have to clear out the rest of the squash, tomato plants and cukes and we can "winterize."

Squash soup will be a staple in our meals this winter, as will lots of tomato based soups and dishes. All in all it was a pretty successful year for the garden. The biggest question is how we'll be able to continue to eat healthy and natural, and find fresh grown products over the winter. I'll keep you updated!

Thanks for reading, everyone! As always, be healthy, eat well and feel great!!