Be on the lookout next week for another post of great warm weather tips to keep you at your fittest – mind, body and spirit!
Woo hoo! I’m always so excited to be talkin’ Summer! I hope you enjoy my tips below to make this your healthiest Summer yet!
Make healthier sweet frozen summer treats! I love to make popsicles and “ice cream” that are made with blended frozen fruit or coconut milk blended with fresh berries. Add these naturally sweetened, healthy mixtures to popsicle molds then just pop in the freezer and enjoy one when you need to cool off!
Bike, walk, or run, to your destination (if it’s not too far). In the winter it’s so easy to get cooped up inside and rely on a vehicle for transportation, but in the Summer we have the freedom to use other methods like biking, running, or walking which allows us to get exercise, fresh air, and some Vitamin D – all at the same time!”
Watch Patio Foods & Bevies (they add up!) Our mindset can become a little more relaxed as our socializing in the warmer months tends to be more casual too. When out on the patios, whether it be your own, your neighbours or a local establishment, remember that if you’re planning to have a cocktail or glass of wine (or more), know that alcohol can easily lower our resistance to appy’s like a handful of sweet potato fries or nachos. Before you know it, that turns into 2 or 3 or more handfuls so always remember to be mindful. Before you eat, rate yourself on a hunger scale of 1-5. 1 equals physically hungry and 5 equals physically full, almost uncomfortable. Eat if you’re at a 1 or 2, and the goal is to eat to the point of energy, which is at 4. Rate yourself ¼ way through your meal, then again ½ way through your meal and stop when you feel like you’re at 4.
Stay hydrated by infusing your water! Water is the most common nutritional deficiency and a very easy one to remedy. Shoot for half your body weight in ounces daily. Add fresh fruit, herbs, edible flowers and other flavor enhancements to your filtered water (like I do for my infused water!) to stay hydrated, boost the flavor and make it more fun!”
Try to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day or until the color of your urine is pale yellow-clear, which is a much better indicator of hydration. Note the changes you experience and experiment with fun ways to drink water.
Mix a jug of fruit infused water every night and put it in a big to-go bottle the next day. Be sure to sip on the water throughout the day and refill often. The water tastes amazing once it’s had a chance to sit, and keeping hydrated helps ward off food cravings.
Pre-make smoothie bags is a great way to make sure you always have a healthy breakfast on hand, no matter how hectic your mornings are. Set aside 15 minutes on a Sunday to pre-make 5 zip-lock smoothie bags, and store them in your freezer so you’re never stuck without a protein-fueled breakfast that will get your day started right.
Always make your smoothies with healthy fats. The natural occurring sugar in fruit, if not consumed with healthy fats or proteins will leave you with a “sugar crash” where you might feel faint, hangry or light headed. Add healthy fats to your smoothie blends to balance out all of the carbohydrates from the fresh fruit and veggies. I love to add hemp seeds, nut butters, Brazil nuts, avocado, cacao and coconut products. I also add in a scoop of pea or hemp protein on most days.