22 Ways to Have a Healthier Fall

Stay Globally, Eat Locally

Good news on the farm-to-table front: Now a number of Starwood hotel restaurants are including local crops on their menus, whether it’s pecan oil and zucchini from “Farmer Bob” Mischler at San Antonio’s Westin La Cantera Resort & Spa, or Matsuda- Fukuyama Farm’s eggplant at Oahu’s Sheraton Waikiki.

Plant Daffodils

Flowers should be like friends — low maintenance and always wildly happy at your place. Nothing follows this rule like daffodils. October is the perfect time to plant bulbs in a sunny spot. They’ll reward you (and future generations) with colorful blooms just around the time you’re sick of winte

Chose an Eco-Friendly Rug

As it gets colder, we want softness and warmth underfoot. Because synthetic carpets often contain petrochemicals, area rugs are a healthier solution. (We particularly love Eileen Fisher’s recycled leather ones; from $98; garnethill.com.) Just remember, rugs trap all those outdoor toxins you bring in on your feet. Along with vacuuming, beat them regularly: Shake them outside, then hang them over a clothesline and take a few whacks with a broom.

Fight the Good Fight

For the 16th year, Ford is sponsoring the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Join the company’s Warriors in Pink by donning charitable gear (like this 2010 Warrior scarf, $33; fordcares.com), or create a patch for a runner or a breast cancer survivor to add to the site’s virtual quilt.

Create Your Own Adventure

Got some time and money but no idea where to go? Check out kayak.com/explore. The trip-planning site lets you plug in your wish list (e.g., January 2011, no layovers, beaches, and an average temperature of 80 degrees). All your options pop up on a world map with price tags attached.

Pick the Perfect Boots

On the reasons-to-love fall list, throwing on the perfect pair of boots ranks right up there with leaf peeping and hot apple cider. Whether you’re bound for the office or the orchard, we’ve got tips on how to pick a pair you can slide into year after year — and a selection of our latest favorites.

Avoid a Halloween Sugar Crash

Because it’s a given that your little monsters will ingest fistfuls of candy on Halloween, help prevent mood swings and crashes by balancing the sugar rush with some salt. Refined carbohydrates, like pretzels and chips, will just turn to sugar, so try chicken soup, sea-salted nuts, or turkey on whole grain with pickles.

Have a Good Laugh

A guffaw may be as beneficial as a workout. New findings from Loma Linda University in California support the evidence that laughter triggers healthful physiological responses similar to those produced by exercise. Subjects who watched rib-tickling videos experienced positive changes in blood pressure.

Study author Lee Berk suggests spending time each day with people, YouTube videos, or blogs that crack you up. “A joke break takes you off the merry-go-round, the spinning of everyday life,” he explains, and daily laughs may remind you not to take things too seriously.