Your health: 10 things to do in October

Good health is cumulative -- it's not necessarily the big things that make a difference, but the small decisions we make every day. Try these 10 suggestions for easy ways to make yourself healthier.

1. Cook up some squash
Nutritionists recommend eating fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of colours for maximum nutritional benefit, and no time is better than October to feast on all things orange: carrots, yams, and especially winter squash. Don't limit yourself to pumpkin pie; from acorn and butternut to kabocha and turban, there's an array of squash available to incorporate into hearty autumn meals. Go simple by serving baked squash with butter and brown sugar, or cook up something more elaborate like a pureed soup of roasted squash and yams. For more unusual varieties of squash, visit your local farmer's market.

2. Ditch the leaf blower
Not only are they noisy and bad for air quality, but they don't seem to be any more efficient than old-fashioned leaf-gathering methods. Save yourself the hassle and expense and clear up your fallen leaves with a simple rake. You'll also be doing your body a favour with the exercise -- just make sure to stretch before and after. For extra fall fun, chase the kids around in the leaves before you pack them away.

3. Go wild for pomegranates
Pomegranates have become trendy in recent years, and for good reason -- not only do they look and taste amazing, but they deliver high levels of vitamin C, folic acid and antioxidants. And while you can buy premade pomegranate juice or syrup (aka grenadine), the tastiest way to enjoy this fall treat is by eating it fresh -- try using the arils (seed casings) as a garnish to jazz up salads or desserts.

4. Take the stairs
Getting fit doesn't have to mean endless hours spent in the gym. Incorporating small amounts of exercise into your daily life is a great way to stay active. Canadians are getting bigger each year, and one culprit has to be the escalators, elevators, moving sidewalks and automatic door openers that have become ubiquitous, devices that were originally meant for people who really needed them -- those with true difficulty opening doors and climbing stairs. Make a point of taking the stairs and opening doors everywhere you go -- you'll be surprised at how many calories you burn from these everyday tasks. (Try this calculator from Health Canada to get an idea of how many calories you're burning.)

5. Breathe
Feeling stressed? In our busy modern world, who isn't? But you don't need to visit a meditation retreat to calm your mind. When you're feeling stretched too thin, take a minute to close your eyes and focus on your breath. Those 60 seconds of calm will do wonders for your peace of mind.

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