Diet. Nutrition. Health. Exercise. It’s all good. It’s all important. VERY important. It’s also synonymous with "no fun". Part of staying healthy is to have ~to actually create~ a lighter side of life.

It’s been proven. Laughter is the best medicine. Joy reduces stress. A light heart preserves your heart. It’s definitely a part of staying healthy. You think clearer, you breathe easier, you function at a higher level. You sustain more energy.

We need to stay healthy, eat right, and of course, exercise. We also need to have fun. How can you do this? There are several ways. You can exercise with friends. You can eat healthy together as a family. You can create a lighter atmosphere in your own home.

My family is very active. We spend a lot of time at sports events (for the kids). We have stopped eating out at fast food (for the most part~because, again, you have to enjoy life, too!). What we do is in between games, we travel to the next field, plant ourselves under a shade tree, pull out the always handy blanket and have ourselves a picnic. This way, we can monitor what the kids are consuming, and how much (anyone involved in athletics knows that it’s not healthy to eat too much between games). It’s a great family time, very relaxing, AND we have the added benefit of saving money.

One other way to create a fun surrounding is to have a family night! Rent a movie, pop some popcorn, buy some candy. YES! It’s okay to go off that diet once in a while. Studies prove that if you deny yourself, you are more likely to go off of your diet faster. If you treat yourself after a certain goal is reached, you will be happier, more satisfied, and more likely to stay with your regiment, whatever that means for you.

I know of a company that specializes in this. They have created a package of fun, just for you and your family! It contains a delightful assortment of nostalgic candy that goes great with just about any occasion, in or out of your home. It also has the benefit of being inexpensive, and can add to your mental health with that much needed mental break that you have been craving.