For my money, summer is the easiest time of the year to live in a healthy way.

The weather is generally amenable to a variety of outdoor exercise: biking, hiking, swimming, running, and walking. Even regular summer chores like gardening, landscaping, and lawn mowing are good calorie burners.

To top that off, the tastiest foods of summer are healthy: huge salads of just picked lettuce, fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, an abundance of veggies, sweet and delicious fresh fruit. Grilling meat allows a lot of the fat to drop away. And fresh fish is even more abundant.

So, if you just avail yourself of the bounty of the season, you'll likely find yourself living in a healthier way. (And an occasional family trip for ice cream on a warm summer night is fine.)

But, as you enjoy the summer, keep a few important health points in mind:

• Sunscreen is your friend. Reapply frequently, especially if you are swimming or sweating a lot.
• Hydrate. Hydrate. And then hydrate some more. By the time you are thirsty, it's too late. Pour yourself a nice big glass of water or a glass of herbal iced tea (surprisingly tasty!) and drink throughout the day when you are outside.
• Be aware of insects. I'm allergic to bees, so I need to watch out for them. And mosquitos can make you miserable. If you hike along trails, know if there are ticks around. If there are, take care to follow the recommended precautions on clothing, insect repellant, and checking for ticks when you are done.

And don't forget to watch out for your pets as well! Never leave a pet in a closed car — even for a few minutes. Just don't. If you do and I find you, you'll either be buying a new window or talking to the police. If your pet spends a lot of time outside, make sure he or she has constant access to fresh water and talk to your vet about flea and tick repellant.

Have a happy and healthy summer!