Happiness is…

(in no particular order, and of course by no means an exhaustive list)

• an incredible meal with great friends
• finishing a race with a new personal best (fingers crossed that’ll happen for me this year–I’ve already resolved to run a half-marathon in 2011)
• scoring a gorgeous handbag or piece of clothing
• vacation time
• a furry little kitten

Why am I blathering on about happiness? Well, later this year, we’ll have a chance to find out what happiness is to Canadians. Coca-Cola turns 125 years old this year and to mark the occasion, the brand is conducting an in-depth study on what makes us happy (and I’m sure Coca-Cola would love to hear me go on about the joy of seeing my favourite boy bands in concert or perhaps about my love affair with bacon–two more items on my list).

As part of their study, Coca-Cola is also asking whether you think Canada should measure Gross National Happiness (think of it as the GDP with a twist–GNH would be a measure of our country’s standard of living in terms of happiness)–it’s a concept that’s gaining support in France and the UK. Vote in Coca-Cola’s poll here.

And while we’re on the topic, I think you should make sure you do something today that makes you happy–and share what that is below in the comments to help spread the joy (doesn’t reading about other people’s joy make you feel happier?).

I’ll kick things off–my happiness task today: officially kicking off training for my next half-marathon. I’m missing the first clinic night at the Running Room, but will do a run on my own here in Montreal. Bring on that runner’s high!

Leave a Comment February 10, 2011

Should you be getting your vitamins through VitaminWater?

South of the border, there’s a consumer group causing a commotion over the VitaminWater’s health claims.

And in answer to the question above, no, you should be getting your vitamins through a balanced diet–but you already know that, my Health & Swellness readers, right?

Sure, I drink VitaminWater from time to time. I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a big water drinker (still working on picking up that habit again), but VitaminWater is flavourful enough to satisfy me. From the many dietitians I’ve interviewed and past articles I’ve written, I know this drink is providing me with vitamins I am probably not deficient in–along with extra calories that plain old water wouldn’t. But I don’t guzzle it regularly as my source of vitamins (I’m making veggie-filled meals for that), and the occasional one I do have is fewer calories than a soft drink I might otherwise drink.

2 Comments February 4, 2011