Layers of Health and Goggles

By Chris Mittelstaedt
February 15, 2010
Reading Time: 2 mins.

Lily, my four-year-old niece, who says things like, “Daddy, are you satisfied?” or “Mommy, what does the word “comely” mean?” decided last weekend that when going to swimming lessons one has a duty to wear not only the prettiest bathing suit but all of the bathing suits at the same time.

She started with last year’s floral two-piece that was a size too small; pulled on a red one-piece that came with a swim skirt, added another bikini (which took some doing as the poofy skirt didn’t want to scrunch into the bikini easily), threw on another one-piece and finally topped it all off with a multicolored sun shirt just to make sure she didn’t get sunburned at the indoor pool.

Knowing that she has a pretty good fashion sense (and a whip-sharp vocabulary) I asked my sister how she looked in her five-layered suit. “Like a duck,” she said. “But believe it or not, she matched.”

I have to admit that I felt like my niece this week even though I don’t wear bathing suits and goggles to work. I was wondering to myself what is the right combination of layers that will keep our bodies fit and healthy for the long run. An article I read in the January 31^st New York Times Magazine titled “Internally Fit” discussed an aging study that found that the cells of older athletes were “younger” than those of their peers who didn’t exercise. Another study I read about described how a Mediterranean-style diet – one rich in olive oil, whole grains, fish, and fruit – may protect aging brains from damage linked to cognitive problems.

So what keeps us healthy? Wearing five bathing suits may make us laugh – and that’s an important part of our health too – but finding that perfect mix of activity and diet is a lifelong experiment that may evolve with age. (I can’t play rugby anymore regardless of how much I might want to). Fruits, vegetables, humor, fitness, reduction of stress, and avoiding negative environmental factors are the important layers in my mind. Finding the way to fit them (and have them match) in our modern, busy, and stressful lives is a great challenge for all.

We hope the fruit helps you on your healthy path. Check out our mixes this week at www.fruitguys.com – click on the ladybug.