Your health: 10 things to do in August

6. Eat dessert
Yes, sugar, fat and refined flour are on the hit list of unhealthy foods, but that doesn't mean you can't have them once in a while. Consider it a mental health break. The important thing? Make sure to enjoy every mouthful. Consuming a sweet treat without paying attention isn't helping anyone. So savour your pie, pastry or ice cream sundae, and if you can, make it healthier: use some whole wheat flour when baking, pick fruit desserts over creams and custards, and top your ice cream with heart-healthy walnuts or almonds. Some recipes to try:

• Red Currant Cherry Almond Pie
• Easy Apple Strudel
• Chocolate Meringues with Ice Cream and Berries

7. Plan a winter getaway
Now's the time to start dreaming about how you'll fight the midwinter blues come February. Plan ahead by asking friends for tips and browsing through brochures, websites and travel guides to find the perfect spot for your sunny holiday. Not making it out of the country this winter? That's no reason not to take a break -- instead, plan a week (or even a long weekend) of fun activities to do nearby.

8. Make hemp a part of your diet
Hemp really is a wonder plant -- just don't confuse it with its cousin marijuana. The plant itself grows quickly in a wide range of soil without need for pesticides or herbicides, and can be used to make products such as paper, yarn and fabric. And the seeds are packed with nutrition: they contain all 10 amino acids, making them a superior source of protein, and have anti-inflammatory properties, notes professional Ironman triathlete Brendan Brazier, author of The Thrive Diet (Penguin, 2007). To get started, buy some Canada-grown hemp seeds from your natural foods store, and sprinkle them on cereal and salads, or add hemp oil to salad dressings and smoothies.

9. Do nothing
Our days are packed with stimulation: news reports on the minute, ads everywhere and the background buzz of traffic permeate our lives. Give your brain a time-out by taking time to do nothing. Sit or lie in the sun and watch the clouds go by. Let your mind wander. And the next time you're feeling frazzled, bring yourself back to the state you were in when you let yourself relax.

10. Binge on beans
Rude rhymes aside, beans are an essential part of any healthy diet. "Beans or legumes are an incredible food," note Pearson and Smith. "They've earned a first-class reputation for their exceptional nutritional content, as well as their ability to fight heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and more." Try the following recipes for a healthful summer meal:

• Curried Lentil, Wild Rice and Orzo Salad
• Mexican-Style Bean Salad
• Juicy Portobello and White Bean Hummus Pitas

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