This week, the Greatist Team settled back into our city office after a four day retreat out in the country, full of team bonding, really delicious family meals, wine, and lots of talk about how to continue producing the best fitness, health, and happiness content out there. So in light of our weekend living the life we champion, we’ve got some killer recipes, exercises, and health info to get you started (or keep on, keepin’ on!). Inspired by our homemade personal pizzas on the retreat, we rounded up 74 ways to make pizza healthier, plus we’ve got two cookie recipes — if you don’t try the dark chocolate avocado cookies this weekend, well then you’re simply missing out (the entire team can vouch for that one). And now that we’re back at our desks, and not circled around a fire, we’re filling you in on 11 of our favorite gadgets to make our desks a happier place. — Nicole McDermott

Health

The Complete Guide to Calories [Infographic]

Ever wonder what exactly those calories we consume every day are used for? Here are all the answers.

74 Ways to Make a Healthier Pizza

Craving pizza? Leave that greasy slice behind and make your own healthier pizza with these crust, sauce, and topping options.

Recipe: Spicy Kale Salad

Kale is the perfect hearty fall green to use as a base for any seasonal salad. Try this easy option with freshly grated pecorino cheese and red pepper flakes for lunch today!

The Greatist Table: 5 Healthy Apple Recipes from Around the Web

Check out our five favorite apple-themed recipes for this week!

Debunking Diets: Raw Pros and Cons

No stove, no problem? Greatist takes a closer look at the raw diet.

Is Whole Wheat Pasta Healthier

In the battle between white and wheat pasta, the brown stuff knocks out the competition with a one-two punch, retaining all three of the nutritionally rich parts of the wheat.

Recipe: Healthier Coconut Macaroons

Try these lightly sweet pure coconut macaroons for an easy way to statisfy that sweet tooth without going off to sugar-coma land.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Avocado Cookies

Try these Greatist-approved chocolate treats: Delicious, gluten-free, and vegan. A successful and easy baking recipe with no butter, eggs, gluten, or dairy!

31 Surprisingly Delicious High-Fiber Snacks

To fill a rumbly-tumbly void before your next meal, look no further than this high-fiber list with a snack for each day of the month!

Do Women’s Periods Really Sync Up?

It seems like fact: Women who play together, menstruate together (that’s how the saying goes, right?). But is this phenomenon backed by science? Greatist gets the scoop.

Why We Overeat

We’ve been there: The mind is telling us no, but the body is saying “Yes! Eat that second plate of cake!” But what’s really the cause of overeating?

Happiness

40 Days of Meditation #Zensperiment: Bring Friends

On the Greatist retreat, I learned what it means to share a private moment when I led a group meditation session.

Healthier Choices: Leo Babauta’s Daily Routine

A blog post about simplicity, a couple of handstand push-ups, and a nice Neapolitan pizza (once in a while). Leo Babauta, creator of Zen Habits, gives us a sneak peek of his daily schedule.

The Dirt on Dating: My Open Relationship

Do committed relationships require being monogamous? Greatist opens its mind to open relationships.

11 Gadgets That Make Our Desks Happy Places

Technology can drive us crazy, but these 11 gadgets are designed to boost happiness. Plus they carry a variety of science-backed health benefits. Read on for the details!

6 Breathing Exercises to Relax in 10 Minutes or Less

Finding time to unwind ain’t always easy. Good news is, the remedy could be just a few breaths away. Read on for the best expert-approved breathing techniques to help de-stress in no time at all.

Quote: Henry David Thoreau Knew How to Finish a Race

Henry David Thoreau knew a thing or two about nature, but he also knew what it took to finish a race. Here he explains the power of perseverance.

Does Less Stuff Make Us Happier?

Minimalism sounds fine and dandy, but does owning fewer objects actually make people happier? Greatist explores the connection between stuff and satisfaction, with some unexpected results.

Fitness

News: Exercising Less May Help Us Lose More Weight

We may want to forgo the hour-long workout for something shorter. A new study suggests exercising for longer has no additional benefits when it comes to shedding some extra pounds.

#imagreatist Running Inspiration

Our #imagreatist community keeps inspiring us in all sorts of new ways. Check out this week’s tips on keeping healthy, happy, and fit no matter what life hands you!

Cable Machine Fail [Don’t Try This at Home]

Here at Greatist, we happen to love gym fails. We send our regards to this guy, but this weight-room mishap deserves a belly laugh.

What I Learned from My First (Blunder-Filled) Marathon

GUEST POST: Entrepreneur and former collegiate gymnastics champion Jason Shen has a less than awesome experience running his first marathon. Find out what went wrong and how we can all learn from his rocky road to the finish line.

50 Bodyweight Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

No gym membership? Not a problem. Here are 50 bodyweight exercises that can be done (almost) anywhere — no equipment required.

8 Resources to Jump-Start Your Interval Training Now

Interval training is the best thing for the body since sliced bread. Want to accelerate fat-burning, boost metabolism, and overall fitness but don’t know your tabatas from your HIITs? Read on for 8 science-backed ways to get going now.