Lifestyle | Live Happy

Happiness Is Just Around the Corner

Costa Rica typically ranks high on indexes that measure happiness, and much of that is attributed to a high life expectancy and high levels of general well-being. In other words, they enjoy their lives overall. Research by the Greater Good Science Center in Berkeley, California, also found that Costa Ricans are less lonely and rank high in the area of social connection, which research shows is important for overall happiness.Official language: SpanishLife expectancy: 78.23 yearsHappiness claim to fame: Ranked No. 1 by the Happy Planet IndexCarlos Arias admits that happiness is easy to find in his country. Living in Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose, he and his wife, Carla Araya, and 5-year-old son, Juan Jose, enjoy all the elements that make the area a magnet for vacationers and retirees from around the world. Four months out of the year, their country is blessed with clear blue skies and a cool breeze. The rest of the time, rain falls every day after 1 p.m. Fresh fruit is abundant and available yearr-ound, and the tropical warm water beaches are a constant attraction. But what makes the country even more appealing, Carlos believes, is that Costa Rica does not have a military presence.A land of peace“We are a happy country because we don’t know what it is to lose millions of people in a war. We have no army,” Carlos says. “Our happiness is easier to achieve because we are easily amazed, and maybe that has to do with the fact that we haven’t suffered any big wars, like the rest of the countries in our continent.”Carlos and Carla have known each other since they were teenagers, and married six years ago. They grew up in Desamparados, a low-income neighborhood in San José, but moved to Curridabat, a neighborhood considered by Costa Ricans to be much nicer and safer, a few years ago. The freedom to move from one social class to another and having friends with different social and economic backgrounds is part of what makes Costa Rica so special, Carlos says. “We live happily without those differences.”Weathering the stormsTheir longtime relationship is a big source of their happiness; together they have weathered storms common to any couple and have grown into adults together. They appreciate what they have learned through their struggles. “You need to go through tough times to realize that happiness is just around the corner,” Carlos says.Today, Carla works as an elementary schoolteacher, and finds it fulfilling to see her former students get into college. In addition to working as a creative director in an agency, Carlos also owns Tuanix, an online extreme sports magazine. The freedom and flexibility he enjoys as an entrepreneur further adds to his overall life satisfaction.Do what you loveThe magazine covers something he loves—extreme sports—and he also finds it gratifying to help unknown athletes get exposure while following his passion. “Another key element to being happy is doing what you love; I don’t see myself working in an office eight hours a day and wearing a tie,” Carlos says. “I love what I do. I don’t do it because I have to, I do it because I like to.”Click here to read more about following your passion.Stay curious and surprised by lifeCarlos and Carla emphasize that part of staying happy comes from never losing the ability to be surprised by the little things in life. They also perceive difficult times as a way to be reminded that happiness is about overcoming the challenges and working hard to get what you want. They have improved their own personal economy through hard work, and today their life is rich with family and friends. For them, that is plenty.“What we have, we have achieved with a lot of effort,” Carla says. “Right now we have everything we need.”Click here to read more about happiness around the world.

Lifestyle

Is Bhutan the Happiest Place in the World?

Thinley Yangzom is an unusual case. She lives in a farmhouse that belongs to her mother in the Paro Valley of Bhutan. She was born in the same house.“It is rare in Bhutan for young people to leave Bhutan, get educated, and return back home to help their families,” she says.Getting an educationShe went to Bangalore, India, to attend college and to work in a call center. Her English is good; she learned it in primary school. Most Bhutanese children are taught English along with their native Dzongkha. She returned to Bhutan to help her mother and grandmother with the farming. Soon after she moved back, she married a boy she grew up with.Returning to family“For me happiness is not only for myself, but also includes my family,” Thinley says. “If there are needs in my family and I can provide for them, that is what gives me satisfaction.”“Being human, I really can’t say that I have more happiness than another person. Human beings have desires, so one day you might think you are happier than another, but you are really not.”A multigenerational unitFour generations—nine people—live in her house. She has one child, a 16-month-old boy named Doenkuen. Her father runs a small saw mill in the Paro Valley.“I think we are happier than others in the world, because we are well looked after by the Bhutanese government,” Thinley says. “We are not worried about wars in our country, or being unsafe. The Bhutanese people don't live with this kind of worry. We have a lower poverty rate than other countries around us.A self-sustaining family“We try to be self-sufficient. Our alternative to having a lot of money is to work and be self-sufficient. We are less dependent on money than we are on our agriculture.”She grows rice, apples, chilies and potatoes for cash to a wholesaler who comes directly to their farmhouse. Her two cows provide milk for income and home consumption. She makes her own butter and cheese.Health is the gateway to happiness“If you are healthy, then you can accomplish all that you want to do in life. Health is priceless, and for me, that is happiness.“If I have my health, I can work and help others. If you are not physically fit or not able to help another person in need, then you will be unhappy.”She urges others in the world who seek a better life to appreciate and enjoy those with whom they share their days.“If you are busy seeking more money, you won’t have time for your family or friends. If you can’t seek your goal of ‘more and more’ then you will suffer depression.”

Lifestyle

Fort Worth Kicks Off Blue Zone Initiative

The city affectionately known as “cowtown” may be looking for a new nickname after last weekend’s kickoff to the Blue Zones initiative, an effort to make Fort Worth, Texas a more sustainable and healthier place to live, work and play. Fort Worth is the largest city to take on the well-being project to date, boasting roughly 790,000 residents. According to the Blue Zones organization, cities in California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota and Texas are currently participating in the project with great success. Healthy communities invite people and businesses “Blue Zones is an important tool for Fort Worth because it makes it easier for families to make healthy choices and to be active,” says Mayor Betsy Price. “Healthy communities make for engaged, vibrant cities that attract businesses and families. It's another tool in our toolbox to make Fort Worth stronger.” Blue Zones is a well-being company designed to help people live longer and better lives. It is the brainchild of Dan Buettner, the New York Times best-selling author of The Blue Zones, Thrive and the upcoming The Blue Zones Solution. Dan, a fellow at National Geographic and keynote speaker at the Forth Worth event, is considered an expert on longevity. Through his research, he has pinpointed areas of the world where people live the longest and why. What it will take To become a Blue Zone, Fort Worth has pledged that over the next five years, the city plans to make healthier options easier for people to find in restaurants, grocery stores, schools and at worksites, while also implementing other changes in the community. “It’s not about being a nanny state,” Betsy told the crowd. “It’s about offering choices that will make it easy for you.” Some of those options include more bicycle-friendly areas and bike-sharing programs, signs pointing to healthy food in supermarket aisles and designated Blue Zones menus at local eateries. What makes some people healthy? “When it comes to longevity, there is no silver bullet and no easy fix,” Dan says. He went on to explain that the Blue Zones project is a different way to look at health. Instead of shaming an individual to have the discipline to get healthier, they focus on what he calls a “life radius” to make the decision to be healthy easier. “We set up a healthy swarm of nudges, so people don’t even think about it,” Dan says. “They are just nudged into being healthier every day.” Next steps to certification While this is just the beginning stage for Fort Worth in obtaining its Blue Zone Community certification, Betsy is excited for the changes. The expected results include a reduction in healthcare costs, an increase in the quality of life and economic improvements for individuals, business and local government. “We are already an incredible city of great character, made up of great characters.” What Fort Worth must do to be a certified Blue Zone city: Individuals: At least 20 percent (or 111,000) of people living or working in Fort Worth ages 15 and older must sign the Blue Zones Personal Pledge and complete one pledge action; Worksites: A sufficient number of employers that represent 85,000 employees must become designated Blue Zones Worksites®; Schools: At least 25 percent (or 44) of public schools from the Fort Worth, Keller and Northwest ISDs must become designated Blue Zones Schools®; Grocery Stores: At least 25 percent (or 14) of the city’s 54 grocery stores must become designated Blue Zones Grocery Stores®; Restaurants: At least 25 percent (or 59) of the city’s 259 independent or locally owned restaurants must become designated Blue Zones Restaurants®; Community Policy: The community must adopt a minimum of policy goals contained in the Blue Zones Community Policy Pledge regarding the environment, food policy, and tobacco policy. Courtesy of The Blue Zones Project by Healthways.

Lifestyle

Put Some Happiness in Your Home

Happiness begins at home, they say. In fact, the more we feel that our home—our precious personal space—is a peaceful refuge from the world that truly represents who we are, the better we are likely to feel. Below are 7 easy ways to add some extra happiness to your home.1. Make your bed to start the day rightSo simple, yet so effective. When you make your bed every morning, you start the day with a sense of accomplishment and order. “It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed,” said Naval Admiral William H. McRaven, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, in a recent commencement speech.2. Blue doesn’t cause the blues“All around the world, among every age, gender and income bracket, blue is people’s favorite color,” writes Bruce Feiler in his book, The Secrets of Happy Families. If you want calm, go for blue tones. “Blue reminds people of the ocean and the sky and is considered limitless, calm and serene.”3. Shop your own houseWe all have a tendency to think we need to buy something to make us happier. We often forget we already have what we need. Maybe you love new books, purple pens, a bright winter scarf or a comfy pair of jeans. Have you shopped your own house yet? Dig around in those closets and drawers, and you’ll get a happiness boost when you realize you already possess many of the treasures you seek.4. Dim the lightsInstalling dimmers for some lights in your house is another small change that can make a big difference. Dim lights—like those you’d see in a spa or wine bar—give your home a relaxing glow. Dim lights are the ideal backdrop for a date night, movie watching or intimate conversation. Even scientific research shows that dimming the lights in the evening puts us in a better mood.5. Have an inner sanctuaryYou need a place that makes you exhale with calm release as soon as you step into it. Maybe it’s just a corner with the perfect chair for reading or your dream garden in your yard. It could be a sunroom, a room with a view, or an incredibly comfy bed. Maybe it’s a decluttered desk or the world’s most organized garage that enhances your creativity. Make sure you have a some personal space in your home that feels like an inner sanctuary, and immediately puts a smile on your face.6. Create a memory wallSavoring positive experiences makes us happier. One thing you can do to make positive moments or events last a little longer is to create a memory wall. Hang family pictures, school banners and memorabilia, framed scrap-book pages from a favorite trip … anything you’d like to look at and think about again and again, every time you walk by.7. Fill your house with happyLast but not least, fill your home with people you care about. University of Hawaii professor of psychology Elaine Hatfield coined the term “emotional contagion,” which means we catch the mood of those around us. Create a happy home environment by choosing to surround yourself with OPP (only positive people).How do you add happiness to your home? We would love to hear your ideas! Share below!

Lifestyle

Do You Really Need That?

It can be a challenge to balance our desire for tangible things with our good intentions to become better stewards of the planet. While there is plenty of scientific evidence that curbing our commercial appetites can actually increase our happiness, putting that knowledge into action may not be as easy as we’d like.Like most other practices, the best way to live a less materialistic life is to start slowly and gradually embrace it. Timothy Sharp, Ph.D., of The Happiness Institute in Sydney, Australia, offers a few tips for keeping your consumerism in check.1. PrioritizeSometimes, what we consider “needs” are actually “wants.” A great starting point is to begin differentiating the two. Then, each time you start thinking about a purchase, make it a practice to identify whether it’s a need or a want.2. ProcrastinateInstead of buying something the moment you see it, give yourself some time to think about whether or not you really need (or want) it. Timothy suggests waiting a week to make purchases; you may be surprised how much your desire for it diminishes when you really think it over.3. BorrowBefore you buy something new, consider borrowing or sharing. This can even go for cars and bicycles—many cities around the world now have bike sharing (such as Red Bike) or car sharing programs (like Zipcar) that allow you to rent transportation by the hour or the day. And you can always share items like yard and household equipment with neighbors; it’s a great way to save money, and you’ll have the added bonus of interacting more with the people around you.4. Hang onto itMany of us have gotten into the habit of buying new technology the minute it hits the shelves, but do you really need a new smartphone, laptop or tablet every year? Make it a practice to stretch out the lifespan of your products and replace them when they need replacing, not just when a new model comes out.Of course, there are certain times when you have to buy new items, whether it’s clothing for a specific occasion or gifts or a new piece of furniture for your home. In those cases, Timothy suggests keeping the environmental mindset by researching the materials used in making the product and the company’s manufacturing process to ensure it is doing its part to be a good caretaker of the planet.

Lifestyle

Simple Steps to a Greener Home

Whether you are concerned about climate change, your family’s health or saving money, the solution is the same: Invest in sustainable changes to your home.Get an energy assessmentThe first step in understanding your home’s energy use and environment is getting a comprehensive home energy assessment (audit) by a professional company. Most states have Energy Star programs that offer free or reduced-cost assessments, and help you contact certified professionals (contractors credentialed by the Building Performance Institute - BPI).First they will evaluate how much air is leaking from your home. (You’ll be amazed at the sneaky, invisible ways heat and cold can get in and out.) They will also check the amount of your insulation and other home environment aspects including air quality.You’ll get a detailed report about how energy efficient and environmentally safe your home is as well as a prioritized list of potential improvements. Armed with the knowledge provided by the assessment, you can begin making smart changes.Here are a few of the best ways to get environmental bang for your buck:Air Sealing: Caulk and weatherize to reduce conditioned air from escaping and outside air from getting in.Insulation: Improve and increase the “blanket” around your home.Lighting: Change to energy efficient light bulbs (fluorescents and LEDs).Low flow: Change your plumbing fixtures to conserve water and energy.Thermostats: Use programmable thermostats to use energy only when you want.Appliances: Upgrade to high-efficiency appliances, including a boiler or furnace.Behavior changes: Turn off lights when you're not in a room; bundle up in winter to keep the thermostat low.What’s your power plan?Now that you’ve started taking steps to reduce your energy needs, you can also start thinking about the type of energy you consume.The most popular renewable source is solar energy. In many places, you can get a state or local rebate for installing solar panels on your house, along with federal tax credits. Your specific house and location will determine if you can benefit from installing panels. Buying green energy is also a great option, especially if installing on your home is not. Many electric utility companies offer green energy solutions (solar, wind and hydro).Money mattersVarious financing options exist if you don’t want to pay out of pocket. In addition to traditional financing like home equity lines, many state programs offer low interest loans specifically for these kinds of home improvements. Several solar companies such as Solar City offer leasing options with no upfront cost. (Remember, the energy savings should be greater than the financing payments, so you will be cash positive the whole time.)It’s all connectedPeople integrating various sustainable improvements, have reduced their utility bills by 20 to 50 percent. Just like the actions you take to increase your happiness, your sustainable choices have a ripple effect. With time and effort, it is possible to save money while also creating a healthier, more comfortable home and helping the planet.Brian Kaminer is the founder of Talgra, a consulting firm focused on sustainable, responsible and impact investing. His educational website Invest With Values (investwithvalues.com) helps people interested in aligning their money and values.

Lifestyle

Why Pizza Makes Us Happy

Peter Reinhart is a baker and author based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was co-founder of the legendary Brother Juniper’s Bakery in Sonoma, California, and is the author of several award-winning books on the art of bread baking, including Bread Revolution and The Bread Baker's Apprentice. Ten years ago he set out on a journey to discover where to find—and how to make—the best pizza in the country, from New York to Phoenix, AZ and everywhere in-between (with a side-trip to Italy, of course). His findings make up the backbone of the book American Pie: My Search for the Perfect Pizza. We caught up with Peter to ask him a few questions about America's favorite food. Live Happy: What is it about pizza that makes it so popular? Peter Reinhart: Pizza, if you think about it, is just dough with something on it. But there's something amazing about that concept, dough with something on it (think quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, sandwiches in general, and naan bread as other variations of pizza under different names). In the end, pizza is the perfect flavor delivery system and, when the dough is excellent and the toppings are of good quality, you can deliver a memorable flavor experience. I think that's the key to pizza's popularity -- a great combination of dough and topping in the perfect flavor delivery system. LH: Why do you think Americans have basically adopted pizza as our national dish? PR: Because we like to claim everything as our own as we adapt it to our flavor palate and with local ingredients and preferences. Americans tend to be unbound by traditional rules, such as the Naples pizza method which is very specific (albeit, excellent), and we have access to many diverse and great ingredients such as excellent flour, our own domestic cheeses modeled on the European cheeses, and a vast array of international topping options. Coupled with pizza's natural ability to transmit (or deliver) flavor, we have created an unlimited number of variations that everyone can claim as their own. It's kind of a win-win all around. LH: What do you love most about pizza? What made you want to research it and write about it? PR: Pizza just works. Even average pizza—even frozen pizza—is better than no pizza because dough with something on it always delivers flavor. But my quest was to find out what separates good pizza from the great ones, since everyone is working with the same basic concept: dough with cheese and toppings. Once you've had a memorable pizza it kind of ruins you for the average pizza (but doesn't stop you from still eating it when that's all that's available). But I'm driven by that question: what's the difference between good and great, and pizza is a perfect example or metaphor of that dichotomy. LH: Does pizza make people happy, and if so, why? PR: Yes, for the reasons cited above. It is the perfect flavor delivery system and yet there are so many ways to make it. It's also a craft that almost anyone can learn, so it's becoming a great home hobby, like bread making and craft brewing. It's also one of the few meals that can bring the whole family together quickly—who doesn't love pizza? It kind of democratizes the table -- the one thing we can rally around and enjoy. Emily Wise Miller is the Web Editor at Live Happy.

Lifestyle

Strings of Passion

Musicians are creative people. To take notes and mix and meld them into complicated simplicities takes talent, but doing so using an instrument usually slotted for one genre and incorporating it into many others takes more than talent—it takes passion.Blending genres“The passion has to be there or else I wouldn’t be able to do this,” says Regina Carter, a Grammy-nominated violinist. “To be a musician, the passion is vital, especially playing music that’s not pop music or part of popular culture.”Regina doesn’t refer to herself as a jazz violinist. Instead, she embraces nearly every instrument and sound she can get her ears around. As a result, she says, “I have been able to include the love I have had inside jazz with other things.”Telling stories through musicRegina has studied with violin masters like Itzhak Perlman and Yehudi Menuhin and accompanied such legends as Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Dolly Parton and Max Roach. And throughout her remarkable career, Regina has followed her own path and told her own stories.“We all have our personal stories,” she says, “and that is kinda the object here—to tell my stories and to encourage others to look into and share theirs. It’s easy to look stuff up, but I want people to get away from their computers and find their stories.”Coming homeOn her latest album, Southern Comfort, Regina brings her international ideas home to her grandmother’s house in rural Alabama. She tells so many stories in so many different styles that her fans often have to be just as flexible.One thing is certain: Whatever story she’s telling, she’s telling the truth. “I do what I love and what I feel is in my heart because that is honest, and I want to be completely honest,” she says.“I think because I have been doing it for so long, people can trust that I am doing it for love and not just to make a buck. I love music, but not if I [have] to sell my soul.”

Lifestyle

Scott Foley’s Passion

Scott Foley is having a very good day.Only hours before, his wife, Marika Dominczyk, had delivered their third child—a 9-pound baby boy named Konrad.Family man“I am elated,” he says. “I am just over the moon. I knew how tired I was going to be and how tough it is with a new kid—but man, I saw that kid and all that melted away. Am I psyched! I am just so thrilled.”Those are not the first words you’d expect from Scott, aka Jake Ballard, dreamy lover and spy guy to Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope on TV’s popular Scandal television series. In fact, those are not the first words you’d expect from most Hollywood hotties thrust into a world that puts power and sex appeal above most everything else.Parallel universeBut this, as it turns out, isn’t the world inhabited by Scott Foley. Despite his on-screen charisma and success, he lives in a parallel universe defined by play dates and baby monitors, bedtime stories and breakfast cereal.“At this stage of my life, what makes me happy is my passion,” he says. “That sounds so generic and broad, but I love to act, I love to tell stories, and that is my passion.I love my family—my family makes me happier than anything else. They are my passion."I’m passionate about spending time with my family, watching them grow and making them laugh. Those are the two passions in my life: family and work.”

Lifestyle

Rosemary Sea Salt Shortbread Cookies

Rosemary Sea Salt Shortbread. Servings: 12 Ingredients 1 stick unsalted butter, softened ¼ cup sugar ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary 1 cup all-purpose flour Pinch of sea salt, plus more for sprinkling on top Make the cookies Preheat your oven to 375 F. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, sugar, rosemary and pinch of salt. Set the mixer to medium and slowly add the flour into the butter mixture until it comes together as a firm dough. Form the dough into a ball, and wrap loosely with plastic wrap. Use your hands to roll the ball into the shape of a log. Pop the dough into the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes or until it hardens enough to slice into ¼-inch rounds. Place the rounds on a sheet pan, and sprinkle each cookie with coarse sea salt. Bake until they become light-golden brown, about 20 minutes. Note: You can easily double or triple this recipe and freeze the dough until you're ready to bake. Simply defrost, slice and pop your cookies into the oven! For more on Chrissy Carter, see the article 5 Tips for Holiday Bliss. Follow Chrissy at chrissycarter.com.

Happiness Is Just Around the Corner

Is Bhutan the Happiest Place in the World?

Fort Worth Kicks Off Blue Zone Initiative

Put Some Happiness in Your Home

Simple Steps to a Greener Home

Why Pizza Makes Us Happy

Strings of Passion

Scott Foley’s Passion

Rosemary Sea Salt Shortbread Cookies

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