summer lovin

Summer is here, so let us Parkies find more ways to enjoy it.

Exercise outdoors- If you have a hard time finding the motivation to exercise or the weather in your area can be a deterrent to get outside in the winter, let this be the season for you. Choose your favorites. Walking, hiking, gardening, biking, swimming, an outdoor Tai Chi or yoga in the park class. Mix it up. Walk a different park or neighborhood each week. Don’t have a garden? Check with your local garden extension or public gardens and volunteer. Make it a date. Find someone to do it with and when you’re done, have a cup of coffee at a new cafe.

Enjoy the summer bounty - This is the perfect season to increase your fruit and veg. Pick a couple of your favorites and look for a few new ways to enjoy them all summer long. Right now there are beautiful local mangoes, so I’m trying them in all sorts of ways. I made this summer cake and replaced the berries with mango, coconut tapioca pudding, and mango salsa that I’ll top fish and tacos. Visit your local farmers market and get inspired.

Eat outdoors - It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Enjoy coffee or a cocktail. Have a picnic. No cooking necessary. Take a crusty loaf of bread, slices of salami & cheese, olives, fruit, and few store bought cookies and enjoy the sunset. It really doesn’t matter because everything you eat outdoors tastes better!

Try a new activity - Summer time may bring lots of extra activities to your city. Look for festivals, museums with special exhibits or free days, watch a movie or play in the park. Instead of reading on your couch, find a big tree to sit under and enjoy your summer read. In our neighborhood there is an old cemetery. A local theater group put on a play in the cemetery portraying interesting people buried there and how they contributed to the community. It was fascinating.

Stay cool - Dress in natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk. Looser cuts and dresses or skirts feel cooler than thick jeans. Drink lots of water throughout the day. Infuse a big pitcher of water with a few slices of lemon or lime, mint, or cucumber to make it more interesting. Wear sunscreen every day. Cerave and Elta MD are two of my favorites for my face and Sun Bum for my body. Wear hats. Solumbra and Coolibar are fantastic. I wear this wide brim hat for gardening and this one for walking. I can throw them both in the washer and they travel well.

Happy summer!