Thursday March 29, 2001

Where are America's healthiest cities? "Natural Health" magazine editor Rachel Streit has the right answers. She says, "We found certain cities stood out head and shoulders above the rest."

So what makes a city healthy? The cities that made the top of this list have clean air, clean water, and residents who care about their physical and spiritual health.

Take a look at the top five cities:

5. San Diego. The border city has year round perfect weather, where by land or by sea people are keeping fit.

4. Colorado Springs. Mountain views and an easy commute keep Colorado Springs residents happy. You can breathe deeply, here the air and water are clean.

3. San Francisco. Rachel says, "It has the highest number of acupuncturists and yoga studios of all the cities we looked at."

The Bay City has also has the arts: opera, ballet, museums, and miles of jogging and biking paths.

2. Minneapolis. Yes the winters are cold but 18 lakes and one acre of parkland for every 57 residents keeps people active and outside. When hunger strikes you have more than 20 vegetarian restaurants to choose from.

1. Honolulu. Residents surf the Pacific, hike the mountains, and enjoy the great outdoors. Honolulu has low breast cancer and heart disease rates, plus you'll live longer on the big island ... 79 years.

Rachel says, "The only downside to Honolulu is its really expensive to live there."

So if you want to live healthy, head to Honolulu!