Dr. Maoshing Ni (Dr. Mao) doesn't hit the gym every day to stay fit. This practitioner of Chinese Medicine and Second Spring author says embracing an active lifestyle and eating certain super foods are his secret to a healthy body and mind.

After the jump he reveals his favourite physical activities and what you'll find on his grocery list that keeps him energized and young-looking as he approaches 50.

Q: How do you keep yourself looking so young?

A: I eat little meals more frequently; five little meals a day. It really helps to maintain my energy and metabolism.

My weight is always stable and I always have energy - this is something that patients have always remarked. I exercise every single day, be it Tai Chi, moving meditation, walking on the beach, rollerblading, or hiking in the hills. I move my body every single day. That's something that I also recommend.

Third, there's no replacement for sleep and relaxation. You have to take time to do that. Too many people just stay up too late. Always make sure you get your 7-8 hours a day and preferably with an additional half an hour of meditation every day.

With that and many other tips that I use on a regular basis, I feel great.

Q: What favourite foods do you typically include on your shopping list?

A: You're going to find a lot of cooking herbs; dill, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, sage, bay leaves because they are shown to be good brain stimulants.

I always make sure I have my organic green tea with the wonderful antioxidants.

Fuji pears – I love that fruit because it gets rid of dark circles under your eyes. Lots of spinach, carrots and squash for my vision.

I eat a huge amount of leafy greens because chlorophyll is excellent for detoxing the liver and that helps lift my moods. I have two handfuls of nuts and seeds every day as my snack. It's wonderful because the fatty acids are good for hormonal health and for neurological conditions.

I usually eat in season; so whatever is in season I will get. I eat a lot of whole grains. I try to eat the more unusual grains like quinoa, amaranth and millet as opposed to opposed to breads and pasta. They have intense nutrients that are not available in wheat.

Q: What are some of your weaknesses when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle?

A: I do have one weakness. It is my favourite little dessert that I crave on a regular basis which is a bowl of mixed berries and I put soy yogurt on top. I can eat this all day!

I limit myself to one bowl a day otherwise I could go crazy with it.

Q: You've worked with plenty of people over the years who are striving for a healthier lifestyle. If they didn't read your book and you didn't have an hour to spend with them, what would be the one piece of advice you would give them?

A: What I try to emphasize is that unhappiness creates illness.

If there is only one thing that I would advise them to do, it would be to search within them and to ask them to pursue their dream.

When people are doing what they love, they are happy and they produce all sorts of beneficial chemicals that will help them be healthier. I would say, yes, go after your dreams!