Your health: 10 things to do in September

Making a healthy change in your life doesn't have to be a big deal -- even small things make a difference in your overall well-being. Try these suggestions for manageable updates with big rewards.

1. Add a 10-minute walk to your daily routine
Studies show that even moderate amounts of exercise help stave off conditions like heart disease and cancer. And even if you're strapped for time -- or out of shape -- a 10-minute walk should be doable. Whether it's first thing in the morning, in place of your afternoon coffee break or right after dinner, a quick, brisk walk will help you stay healthy and burn off extra calories. (For more tips, read about 10 ways to sneak exercise into your day.)

2. Eat more seeds
If you're anything like the average North American, chances are good that you eat too many bad fats and not enough of the good ones. Try balancing the scales a bit by adding a tablespoon of heart-healthy flaxseeds or hemp seeds to your breakfast. Remember to grind the flaxseeds first (try using a blender or coffee grinder) -- your body can't digest them otherwise. (Read about 9 ways to add healthy fat to your diet.)

3. Take the family apple-picking
While an apple a day may not keep the doctor away entirely, it does offer a host of nutrients and tons of fibre -- and at this time of year, apples are at their freshest and most delicious. Get them at their best by visiting an orchard and picking them yourself -- you can't beat the combination of fresh fall air, exercise and just-picked fruit.

4. Go for greener cleaners
As the weather gets cooler and you keep the windows shut more often, your indoor air will have less of a chance to circulate. Keep it healthy by clearing out your chemical-laden cleaning products and replacing them with more natural solutions. Read about some of your options at www.styleathome.com and www.care2.com.

5. Find a new way to stay fit
There's no surer way to lose fitness motivation than to be bored. Shake things up this fall by signing up for a new class. Whether it's ballet, ballroom dancing or body sculpt, trying something different will ensure that you stay interested.

Spend your time wisely with September's to-do list from homemakers.com.

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