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Thursday, August 15, 2024

10 Fun and Easy Summer Self-care Ideas

Refresh Yourself Outdoors



Summer's last hurrah is an expression that refers to saying goodbye to summer, similar to waving goodbye to an old friend. It can also be used to acknowledge that summer is not yet over.


Make the most of the remaining weeks of this glorious sunny season, by seeing “10 Fun and Easy Summer Self-care Ideas” to help you end summer with that last hurrah.


10 Fun and Easy Summer Self-care Ideas 


1. Practice Summer Skin Sun Safety. Best time to walk and play outdoors is early or late in the day. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen before going outdoors (30-50 SPF) and re-apply often during the day. Wear UV protected sunglasses as well.

  

2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Good hydration improves mood, sleep, and overall health. Want to find out more? See Hydration Calculator: How Much Water Do You Need to Drink in a Day?”

 

 3. Even during the summer, when routines may be interrupted by vacations, outings, and gatherings, remember to do those “Simple Morning Routines That Help Us Thrive All Day.” 

 

 4. Make it a habit to exercise each day. Check out one of my favorite YouTube links. It's Yoga with Adriene for stress reduction, flexibility, and resilience. When you start any new exercise, slowly build up to the difficulty and skill level you want to reach. Sports, running errands, and participating in games outdoors all count as exercise. 

 

 5. If you resist doing exercises, tell yourself a little each day is better than none. Care for yourself with  aerobic exercise, stretches, and strength training. Warm up stretches combined with power walking with weights or your body weight covers all bases. Exercise pays off by reducing stress, helps keep you fit, and elevates mood.

 

6. Plan summer meals so they are lighter, fresher, and have fewer ingredients. Make them ones that you may be able to prepare ahead of time or batch cook. Here are tips to help you reap the Benefits of Eating In-Season Fruit and Veggies.”

  

Father and Daughter Barefoot at Beach


7. Walk barefoot on a beach or in a meadow. Discover a sense of being grounded, centered, and balanced. To learn more about the root chakra and developing and maintaining a strong foundation as you journey onward read “Root Chakra Tips to Support, Stabilize, and Sustain You.”

  

Yoga Exercise for Root Chakra

8. Wear your favorite color or colors to boost your mood. Learn more at “Secrets to Selecting Top Fashion Colors to Flatter You.”

  

9. Take breaks during the day to unplug and move away from your electronic devices. If you prefer, create "no-tech zones" in your home. Better yet, pack a picnic and enjoy the great outdoors. Time spent in nature is good for your mind, body, and spirit.

  

10. Seek out little moments of joy in the day, including taking a cat nap, drinking herbal tea with a friend, smelling the beautiful flowers in your garden or anything that refreshes or inspires you.

 

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Before you go, please leave a comment. What activities do you like to do during the summer?

 

Which of the self-care ideas I mentioned do you want to add?

 

What do you think would help you enjoy the summer more fully? Please share that as well.

 

I am thankful for each comment, but will not be able to publish those that contain links. Thanks for understanding.


This Post has been shared at Senior-Salon-Pit-Stop-326


 





Thursday, August 1, 2024

Benefits of Eating In-Season Fruit and Veggies

In-season/Local Produce has Many Benefits



 
When we serve vegetables and fruits during peak season, we reap many nutritional, environmental, and taste benefits.


In-Season Produce:


Produce that is local and in-season for your geographic area contains more nutrients, because it's so fresh. Fruit and veggies lose nutrients as soon as they are harvested. The cost and amount of time it takes to ship from distant places makes veggie and fruit prices higher than local fare.





Eating in-season/local food is good for the environment. Produce can come from nearby small farms or even your home garden. You may be able to check with the farmer to ask which crops are sprayed or grown with pesticides, and avoid those that are. Also replacing meat protein for plant protein makes a big difference in our health (both personal and planetary).



Seasonal eating supports local businesses and farmers.


Locally grown fresh seasonal produce is convenient, as it is sold at local farmers markets, CSAs, and even a nearby grocery store.


Eating by each season naturally adds variety to your diet by adjusting your grocery list to things that are in the market during each season.


Want to know when specific crops are at their peak? See Seasonal Produce Chart: Month by Month.



Locally grown produce tastes better when it’s picked and offered for sale in its ideal season and is fresh and vital.


In-season produce saves you money, because you’re eating fruit and veggies at their peak availability.


Colorful in-season produce may motivate you to learn new recipes, cook  creatively, and select those produce items that are ripe, juicy, seasonal, and have eye and taste appeal.


Please look below for examples of recipes that use produce that is at its peak in various seasons.

Asparagus is at its peak in Spring

Recipe for Spring Steamed Asparagus Here.



Recipe for the Best Tomato Gazpacho Soup

Recipe for Summer Gazpacho Here

 


Plant Delicata Squash before First Frost

Recipe for Fall or Winter- Quinoa Stuffed Delicata Squash



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Eating fresh fruits and vegetables when they are in-season is more flavorful, eco-friendly, and nutritious. Fruits and veggies don't have to be processed or preserved. 


In-season produce spends less time in transit from farm to table, so it retains more of its flavor and nutrition. It also costs less than crops that are imported. 


Eating high quality food can help you look and feel healthier, boost energy and mood, and improves sleep and overall wellness. 


Those things are excellent reasons why food selection needs to be an important lifestyle priority.


What is your favorite type of produce in spring, summer, autumn, and winter?


Please comment below.


How do you like to serve your favorite seasonal veggie or fruit? Please share with us in the comments section below.


I read and appreciate every comment, but will not be able to publish those with links in them.


Thanks so much for your visit and please come back again.




This post is a feature at Senior Salon Pit Stop#330. Honored, excited, and delighted.