1. She Loves to Travel
Zalk has visited over 20 countries and shows no signs of slowing down. “Traveling for pleasure can contribute to subjective well-being because people have more opportunities to detach from their work environment, to experience new things, and to control what they want to do during vacations,” says Paul Simeone, PhD, Vice President and Medical Director of Behavioral Health with Lee Health. “There’s ample research to support that positive travel experiences can make a person healthier, can strengthen their relationships, and benefits their overall wellness.”
2. Hiking the Trails
Zalk loves hiking with her daughters and frequently posts pictures of them together on her social media. "Think of hiking as simply taking a longer walk in nature; you can hike at any pace, at any elevation, and for any number of miles, hours, or even days," says Alyson Chun, assistant director of adventure sports at Stanford University and instructor for REI. "The more challenging the hike, the more calories — and stress — you'll melt away."
3. Skiing Trips
Zalk enjoys hitting the slopes on skiing trips with friends and family. “All over the world if there are mountains and snow, there will be people skiing,” according to experts at the University of New Hampshire. “So not only do you have a great group of people having a fantastic time; you’ve got a motivational team that encourages you to get off the couch in the winter and get your heart pumping all day!”
4. Farmer’s Market
Zalk spends Sundays at her local farmer’s market, picking fresh produce to cook her gourmet meals. “Produce from local farmers has spent more time on the vine, on the tree or in the ground, so you get better taste and more nutrients,” says Melinda E. Cater, MS, RD, LDN. “When it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables, the shorter the time and distance from farm to sale, the higher the levels of vitamins and minerals.”
5. Dark Chocolate
Zalk’s favorite treat is good quality dark chocolate, which is good for you in moderation. “Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content contains fiber and minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese,” says Alayna Guzak, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “It also contains potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium.”
