Aloha. The state with the highest score for “well-being” is Hawaii, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index , a poll that surveys the physical, mental and emotional health of Americans. With its fair weather and scenic views, Hawaii led in overall well-being as its residents were most likely to report that they had smiled and/or laughed the day before and had the lowest rates of stress and depression. They also tended to report better eating and exercise habits, and lower smoking rates. The poll examined people’s ratings in life evaluation (whether they saw themselves as struggling or thriving), physical health (obesity, number of sick days taken over the month), emotional health (happiness, depression, stress), healthy behaviors (smoking, eating, exercising), work environment (job satisfaction, treatment at work) and basic access (safety in the neighborhood, access to medicine, doctor, health insurance). The poll surveyed a random sample of 353,492 adults using random-digit-dial sampling during 2011. The maximum margin of sampling error is ±1 percentage point. Here are the top five states in well-being scores: 1. Hawaii 2. North Dakota 3. Minnesota 4. Alaska 5. Utah The top five large metropolitan areas for well-being scores were: 1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California 2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-Virginia-Maryland 3. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, California 4. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin 5. Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, North Carolina-South Carolina Geographically, Western and Midwestern states fared well in health scores while the Southern states usually sat lower. Southern states also tended to have the highest obesity rates. The top five worst states for well-being scores: 1. West Virginia 2. Kentucky 3. Mississippi 4. Delaware 5. Ohio If you want to see where your city ranks, check here. Filed under: Health , Mental Health , Public Health Tagged: Madison Park – CNNhealth.com Writer/Producer

It’s unusual for a dietary supplement to have more than twenty studies to support its use, while at the same time being relatively unknown in most parts of the world. However, this is precisely the case for an obscure Japanese product known as fermented papaya preparation or FPP. In essence, this nutraceutical is an extract Related posts: Fermented Foods for Allergies Healthier Looking Skin Yoga for Diabetes

Terry Richardson’s photos for Equinox’s latest ad campaign are creating the same sort of buzz-building controversy as last year’s shots . The famed pop culture photographer keeps to his classic aesthetic for the gym’s ads, featuring provocatively dressed models in risqué poses. Critics of the series argue that the photos have nothing to do with fitness, while others find the shots artistic and clever. Click through the slideshow to see the controversial photos – plus what the executive creative director says about the shoot. Then tell us what you think of the campaign. View Slideshow ›

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar! Have a healthy (and cheap) trip to the grocery store By Bari Nan Cohen, Prevention You walk into a grocery store expecting to buy only the items on your list, yet you leave with a cart full of extras you may not really need – and a considerably lighter wallet. An accident – or lapse in judgment? Actually, the store setup is likely to blame. “You want to get in and out quickly, but the folks in charge want you to linger as long as possible, spend as much as possible, and ideally spend it on the highest-profit items,” explains Ali Benjamin, co-author of The Cleaner Plate Club: Raising Healthy Eaters, One Meal at a Time (Storey Publishing, 2011). How, exactly, do they make you stick around and load up on items you never meant to buy? Here are eight ways to guarantee a healthier (and cheaper) grocery shopping experience every time. Bring A C-Note – And Leave Your Credit Cards Behind Cash is king when it comes to avoiding impulse buys. “I know that I spend way less when I use cash rather than credit,” says Benjamin. And the research proves her right – Lindstrom advises shoppers to use a 100-dollar note for grocery purchases. “We find it emotionally harder to break a larger bill, so we spend less,” says Lindstrom. “We don’t have an emotional connection with numbers on a credit card statement.” 20 Ways to Feed Your Family on $100 a Week Watch Out For “Health-Washing” You may not read labels with as critical an eye in a store like Whole Foods as in, say, Super Target says Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg, president of Monetized Intellect Consulting, Inc, in Brooklyn, NY. “The atmosphere in Whole Foods Market makes you feel like everything in the store must be healthy,” he notes. “In Target you’ll look at the calorie count on the same package of granola you buy without thinking in a ‘healthy’ grocery store.” Learn three more sneaky tricks when you read more.

We asked you on Facebook whether you stay bikini-ready all year long , and the answer was a resounding yes. Turns out our readers don’t need a belly-baring excuse to stay healthy; you view staying in shape as an important part of your life, and not just because you want to flaunt your assets. How do you motivate yourself to stay in shape no matter what season? Read on for tips that you shared with us. Pick an exercise you love. Facebook friend Amber says Zumba is her go-to exercise for keeping her fit year-round. It makes sense; if you find an exercise that you love you’ll be more apt to stick to your routine no matter what your motivation. If you feel like you can’t find a workout groove, experiment with different exercises based on your personality until you find a routine that fits. Sometimes all you need is a change of pace to realize that you actually love to exercise. Check out more tips from our readers after the break!

Global celebrations coincide with the passage of New York’s equality victory Cocktail trends to both embrace and avoid Check out Jennifer Aniston’s Norman tattoo! Ways to keep your makeup sweat-proof this Summer 15 celebrities who’ve given birth at home Chic and patriotic dresses for July 4 Six unusual dinner party decorating ideas The full rundown on the Superman Man of Steel cast list! Video: New details on William and Kate’s North American trip How to save more money after you’ve booked your travel Try to cure your headache with these yoga poses How cute are these kissing seals? City: The inside scoop on reality hot spot The Painted Nail in LA! See some awesome ways people are modifying their iPads Beat the heat with these Summer workwear essentials!

DrSugar is in the house! This week she’s answering a question about preventing the spread of HPV. Dear DrSugar, I am sooooo scared about this. Just had a cervical biopsy and I just tested positive for HPV. I am in a severe panic. I probably gave it to my current boyfriend. Can we keep passing it back and forth to each other? I do not know what to do. So if I have HPV, will definitely get warts or not? Gosh I am paranoid; help me. Worry Wart First of all, I’m so glad you asked this question, since human papillomavirus (HPV) is so common. This question is the perfect springboard to discuss HPV and answer your questions specifically. To learn more about HPV, keep reading!

Confession: I’m a bit of a germaphobe. Working in an office, commuting by bus, and frequenting the gym puts me in the line of fire when it comes to viruses. Now that it’s Winter, there’s a lot of extra sniffling going on. Since I can’t hibernate, I wash my hands a lot . I’m also fond of DIY cleansers for keeping the germs away. Here’s what I mix up to keep myself, my food, and my yoga mat germ-free. All easy to make, and you probably already own most of the ingredients. Hand sanitizer – For times I can’t get to a sink, hand sanitizer is my best friend. Make your own to save on money and to cut down on waste. All it takes is some aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol. You can also add tea tree oil to the mix, or, if you prefer something less antiseptic smelling, try lavender oil. Yoga/Pilates mat cleaner – Exercise mats can get pretty gross, so make a habit of cleaning them often. Keep a spray bottle of homemade disinfectant in your gym bag to sanitize your mat immediately after every use. Produce wash – Unfortunately, water is not enough to thoroughly clean produce. To really get the germs off, mix your own produce wash at home. All you need is some water, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. Have a cleansing formula of your own? Share it in the comments section below. Source: Flickr user lululemon athletica

Chronic constipation is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 6 adults living in the US. It’s even more prevalent in senior citizens. Dehydration, inadequate nutrition, lack of physical activity and medication side-effects all contribute to the problem. Many imperfect solutions abound including fiber supplements, laxatives and stool softeners. But in my opinion that’s putting the Related posts: Lemon Blueberry Muffin Recipe Cocoa, Coconut Oil, Coffee and Whey Protein Coconut Dessert Recipes Coconut Flour – The Other White Flour Cranberries and Flax

Welcome in Fall with this healthy recipe for stuffed acorn squash that FitSugar reader Aburnett posted in the Healthy Recipe Group . This is by far one of my favorite go-to recipes! I adore acorn squash and this is a delicious way to give it a try! See the recipe when you read more. Ingredients: (Serves 1) 1/2 acorn squash 2 ounces Jennie-O Extra Lean Turkey Tenderloin 1/2 cup garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed) 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms (button or crimini work very well) 1/4 cup of white onions, diced 1 garlic clove, minced Fresh parsley, basil, dried Italian herb mix (I use Emeril’s), granulated garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper to taste Quick spray of olive oil spray First, roast the acorn squash. Slice the squash in half (microwave for one minute if it is too difficult to cut in the beginning) and clean out the inside by removing all seeds with a spoon. Place the squash cut side down in a shallow baking dish with about an inch of water. Roast at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Check the squash to see if it is tender and soft. If it is not, pierce the outer shell (dark green) with a fork; make sure there is still water in the pan, and roast for another 20 minutes. Note: you can roast the squash ahead of time and simply microwave it with a little water in a bowl to warm it up when the stuffing is ready. Spray a skillet with olive oil spray and bring up to a medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender (about five minutes). Add the garbanzo beans, mushrooms, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir frequently. Take the turkey tenderloin and pat it dry with paper towel (it helps to get a nice sear on the meat). Season with granulated garlic, dried herbs, salt and pepper. In a separate skillet (preferably cast iron) spray with olive oil spray, bring to medium-high heat and place the turkey tenderloin in the pan when it is good and hot. Sear on all sides. When the turkey is seared, slice it into bite size pieces and return to the skillet to finish cooking. When the turkey is cooked, add it to the beans, mushrooms, and onions. Add the parsley and basil and mix well. Place the acorn squash on your plate and fill it with the delicious mixture! Enjoy! Nutrition: 275 calories, 3 g fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 450 mg sodium, 48 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 11.5 g fiber, 23.5 g protein (based on my livestrong.com food journal) We love when you share your healthy dishes and desserts, so head over to the Healthy Recipe Group and post your fave recipe with an original photo. It could be featured here on FitSugar’s homepage.