Mom sent me a couple of cookbooks many years ago: One was 101 ways to cook hamburger the other was 101 ways to cook chicken. Times sure have changed in my life -- bring on the arugula and tofu. Mom is not sure what happened to me over the past few years up here, but I know I have been eating healthier.

Then I stumbled across a Web site: 101 ways to run. Yes, stumbled, as I am still a beginner at this running thing. The site provides great advice and hints on jogging for beginners and seasoned pavement pounders by Women's Health magazine. I have been doing a little jogging this summer and sort of like it. Wow, this from the gal whose former definition of exercise involved words like evil, chore, pain, hate, sweat -- you get the point. Now I look forward to my daily exercise as much as my first cup of coffee in the morning.

More than 101 ways and hours of working toward eating a better diet and getting regular exercise is my acquired mindset that will keep me and my health journey on track. My best advice to you: Get fit, stay fit and everything in moderation.

My new challenge is to find 101 ways to enjoy different ways of exercise and staying active. Today's winner was riding my bike up on Diamond Ridge Road and enjoying the view of fireweed carpeting the rolling hills. This is worth the trip -- even if you travel by car. If you go by bike, you can enjoy it longer. Grab a friend and enjoy yourselves on this quiet road.

Life has to be a balance of meeting your physical, emotional, spiritual and nutritional needs just like a perfectly balanced salad resplendent with tastes, textures and color. You are so worth it, so take the time to invest in yourself to live your life to the fullest. You will be so glad you did, at least 101 times a week.

Here are some ideas from

101 Simple Salads for the Season

Courtesy of Mark Bittman

* Grate carrots, toast some sunflower seeds and toss with blueberries, olive oil, lemon juice and plenty of black pepper. It's sweet, sour, crunchy and soft.

* Chop or slice radishes (or jicama or kohlrabi) and combine with chopped or sliced unripe (i.e., still crunchy) mango, lime juice and mint or cilantro.

* Chop or slice jicama (or radishes or kohlrabi) and mango and mix with coconut milk, lime juice, curry powder and cilantro or mint.

* Cook whole grape tomatoes in olive oil over high heat until they brown lightly, sprinkling with curry powder. Cool a bit, then toss with chopped arugula, loads of chopped mint and lime juice.

* Cube watermelon and combine with tomato chunks, basil and basic vinaigrette. You can substitute peach for the watermelon or the tomato (but not both). You can also add bacon or feta.

* Mix wedges of tomatoes and peaches, add slivers of red onion, a few red-pepper flakes and cilantro. Dress with olive oil and lime or lemon juice.

* A nice cucumber salad: Slice cucumbers thin (if they're fat and old, peel and seed them first), toss with red onions and salt, then let sit for 20 to 60 minutes. Rinse, dry, dress with cider vinegar mixed with Dijon mustard; no oil is necessary.

* Grill quartered romaine hearts, radicchio and/or endive. Drizzle with olive oil and sherry vinegar, and add dill and chopped shallots. Top with tiny croutons.

* Combine cooked or canned black beans with shredded cabbage and this vinaigrette: olive oil, fresh orange juice, not much sherry vinegar, ground cumin. Mix canned salmon (sockeye, or use cooked fresh) with capers, chopped celery, yogurt or mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Serve on greens or in endive leaves.

* Dust shrimp with chili powder. Saute in butter or oil (or a combination) with fresh corn kernels and flavorful cooking greens (bok choy is good, as is watercress). Add halved cherry tomatoes and lime juice at the last minute.

Until next time, try one of these salad recipes and a new way to get your daily exercise. I'll look for you on the bike route and at the Homer Farmers' Market.