Pick a healthy summer tip: get happy with sunny flowers, buy the right kind of strawberries, and more - Fresh Ideas for You

Natural Health, May-June, 2003

[check] Boost Your Mood with Daisies

Studies confirm what we already know from experience: Flowers make you happy. In one example, receiving bouquets lifted study participants' spirits right away and also helped their long-term mood. To brighten your day, fill a vase with cheerful flowers like gerber daisies.

[check] Buy Safe Strawberries

Strawberries, now at their sweetest and most luscious, can have a sinister side: Conventionally grown strawberries contain more harmful pesticide residue than 42 other common fruits and vegetables, according to the nonprofit Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group. However, this doesn't mean you should swear off them. JUSt buy organic strawberries, which have little or no pesticide residue. One cup of fresh strawberries contains the cancer-fighting plant chemical ellagic acid, more than 3 g of fiber, and more than your day's requirement of vitamin C.

[check] Use Vinegar for Sparkling Windows

Many conventional glass cleaners contain ammonia, which can irritate your eyes and trigger an asthma attack. For better health and spotless windows, make your own safer cleaner. Just mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with 2 quarts of warm water in a small bucket. Apply the mixture to your windows with a clean sponge and squeegee off the liquid, absorbing any drips with a cloth. You can buy squeegees at most home-improvement stores.

[check] Walk for Strong Bones

The sun sets later each day through the end of June. Take advantage of the extra daylight and walk for at least 30 minutes after work each day. Not only does daily exercise reduce stress, but weight-bearing exercise like walking can help ward off osteoporosis. Gradually increase your walking time and speed each week, and your body will thank you.

[check] Ahhh ... Get Ready to Bare Your Feet

To soften rough skin and diminish calluses, soak your feet for 10 minutes in a basin of warm water spiked with 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil and 2 to 3 drops of either peppermint (Mentha piperita) or lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil. Dry your feet and gently buff rough areas with a pumice stone. Slather your feet with moisturizing cream, and wear a pair of cotton socks to bed. Wake up to soft, summer-ready feet.