Five Reasons We Love Summer
And Ways to Cope With The Heat
- Sad Goes Bye Bye
It’s easy to underestimate how far down we can get when we don’t have a lot of long, sunny days. A handful of bright days later, we have energy, laughter, and the awareness that it was the sun we were missing the whole time. Coping measures like exercise, UV lights, medication, vitamin D3, diet (eating enough of the right proteins and essential fatty acids, staying away from excessive sugar and caffeine for example), sleep aids, talk therapy, meditation, and a great support system can all be effective — but the sun is called the star in more ways than one because of it’s powerful ability to uplift.
When you’re sweating because you walked across the room and the air is on full blast, remember that quality of life is off-the-charts better for an estimated 3 million Americans.
2. Nice Cream And Non-Dairy Ice Cream
Sweet, creamy, and cold, it is the taste of summer. Thanks to a myriad of styles and brands, just about everyone can enjoy a spoonful, cone, or a bowl. Even those of us who can’t comfortably enjoy dairy ice cream.
Nice Cream is often made at home and is easily customizable. Start by peeling a ripe banana, cutting it into chunks, and freezing it. This is the most popular base. A food processor or high-speed blender and your favorite add ins are all you need to make whatever excites you at the time. Pulse until the bananas get creamy and then start adding in flavors . At our house, chocolate is always a clear favorite; cocoa powder works great. The over 21’s can add in rum and raisins for chocolate rum raisin. Extracts work well, too. All the sugar you need is in the banana.
If you’re not going to make your own, there are amazing non-dairy, gluten-free options made by So Delicious (widely available) and Trader Joe’s, just to name two that we’ve tried and would buy again.
3. Water Play
It takes full days of heat to warm up pools, lakes, and oceans, which is why we love to pull out our snorkels, wave boards, and water games.
Sporting our best beach wear, hats, and flip flops. Picnic masters packing feasts in their baskets. The wisest of us putting up an umbrella. Coolers full of chilled, hydrating drinks. Sunscreen. Memories are made of these. Remember to snap some photos.
It’s impossible to stay inside, until the heat drives us there for an afternoon nap.
4. BBQ’s
The oven is mostly retired until cooler weather arrives and it’s the BBQ’s turn to shine. Load up the grill with fresh organic corn, portabella mushrooms for your veggie friends, and stuffed turkey patties. Grill masters time it all to perfect harmony with the veggie fixings platter and baked beans. Trader Joe’s brought out Dill Pickle Mustard, which goes great in potato salad and on burgers.
Bonus, of course, we’re outside in the cooling evening, listening to bird chatter and cricket song.
5. Night Walks
Whether it’s parents holding hands as the kids run ahead on the park walking trail, summer vacation romance blooming, or a chance to be alone with the sounds and sights of warm nights, the heat has let up and we want back outside. Dab on citronella lotion and away you go.
If these five reasons don’t do it for you, try this one — fall will be here in a hot, rapidly cooling, minute.
Your inspired friend,
Gina
