I feel so very special. It seems everywhere I go people are concerned about my health. Magazines tell me what to eat as well as what foods to shun. Television and the internet promote every food and pill imaginable that purports to lower my cholesterol, raise my energy, alter my moods, enhance my sex life, enrich my blood, and rid my arteries of plaque. The siren call of a healthy longevity can be quite provocative.

Let it be known that I believe in herbal remedies, and doctor’s medicines. I also believe in my ability to remember what my high school biology teacher taught so long ago: if I wanted my amazing body to be an ally, I needed to take care of it.

For those of you who may have skipped this class, allow me to give you the answers to the final exam.

Exercise: Do SOMETHING every day. Bike, swim, jog, walk around the block, and then walk around again. Exercise improves our mood, strengthens our lungs, energizes the blood flow, and gets those sweet endorphins popping. It also strengthens bones and ensures a restful night’s sleep.

Food: Okay, this is important. Eat as much fresh, unprocessed food as you can; fruits and vegetables, big salads, wheat rather than white. Stay away from sugar, except occasionally. No one needs dessert every night. Instead of meat every night, try some vegetarian recipes that use beans and rice or some seafood. They are quite delicious, and give your digestive tract a break from processing the meats.

There is a great vegetarian recipe in this issue called “Corn and Black Bean Casserole”. Give it a try!

Drinks: Think water, water, WATER! Not soda, soda, soda. Milk is also a good choice if for no other reason than the calcium it provides. But don't over do it. And yes, juice (real juice)! Mix it up. Again, don't do soda, soda, soda.

This is not rocket science folks, just simple biology and common sense. I’m working on this right along with you. Let me know how you are passing the test!