Celebrate summer with these seasonal soul snacks…
Just before dawn, take a moonlit
hike. Then sit back at your destination and watch
the sun rise from a new place, which may lend a
fresh perspective to the day ahead.
Make strawberry shortcake with
real, fresh whipped cream.
Go fishing.
Escape with your husband and rent
a canoe. Enjoy a romantic journey across the lake.
Take the kids horseback riding.
Borrow a convertible.
Take a historic walking tour of
your town or city. Visit your local library for
information about self-guided tours, or call your
Chamber of Commerce to see if your town offers
organized tours. Build your sense of community by
learning about your city’s heritage.
Take the kids to the zoo.
Hike through your nearest wildlife
area or state park.
Sit back in a lawn chair with
fresh iced tea.
Take the kids on a bike ride.
Visit your local farmer’s market.
Take the rocking chair onto the
front porch.
Make a great big salad for dinner.
Grill chicken, cut in strips, place on a bed of
lettuce, and top with your favorite veggies.
Float down the river.
Run through the sprinkler with
your kids.
Take the kids for miniature golf,
or head to a nearby driving range.
Sit outside and paint your
toenails. A number of brands dry in 90 seconds. Now,
put on a pair of sandals or go barefoot. Enjoy an
instant energy lift each time you look down at your
feet.
Eat raspberries.
Play disc golf. Many communities
now feature courses for “Frisbee Golf,” but you can
create your own in any park.
Just designate a few trees as your
“holes” and toss away.
Host an outdoor tea party with
your daughter and her friends.
Find a petting zoo.
Fly a kite.
Head to the beach.
Blow bubbles.
Go inline skating.
Dine al fresco. Set a table on the
deck, front porch, or in the middle of your
backyard. Outdoor dining doesn't have to mean paper
plates. Use the good stuff, light a few candles, and
enjoy a glass of wine. Don’t forget the centerpiece
of fresh-cut flowers.
Indulge in a glamorous pair of
sunglasses. Pretend you're someone you're not.
Take the kids out for an ice cream
cone. Take a walk while you enjoy this warm weather
treat.
Make a giant jar of sun tea to
enjoy this afternoon. Fill a gallon jug with three
family-size or nine regular-size tea bags and place
in the sun for three to four hours. For a little
zing, add a few spicy teabags. (I love Good Earth
Sweet & Spicy Tea, available at most supermarkets.)
Enjoy the feminine flair of a
sundress, sandals, and a straw hat.
Sit on a park bench. Just sit
there, with nothing on your agenda. As Richard
Carlson writes in his best selling Don't Sweat the
Small Stuff, and it's all small stuff, “the beauty
of doing nothing is that it teaches you to clear
your mind and relax."
Take off your shoes and run
through freshly mown grass with the kids.
Refrigerate your favorite body
spray, or make your own by adding a few drops of
your favorite essential oil to a spritzer of water.
Spray the cool mist on your face, the back of your
neck, and the soles of your feet to cool down.
Pack a picnic and go the prettiest
place you can think of.
Visit a botanical garden.
Treat yourself to a homemade fruit
smoothie. Blend low-fat yogurt with your favorite
fruits. Serve in an elegant wine glass or goblet.
Enjoy the summer air while
providing some creature comforts. Many animal
shelters need volunteers to walk their dogs. These
dogs greatly benefit from the exercise and the
companionship, and so do we.
Take your camera along on a walk
today. Be on the lookout for peaceful moments you
can capture with a photo. Once the photos are
developed, place them where you will see them
whenever you need a quick escape.
Round up the kids this evening,
bundle up, and head outside to watch the sunset.
Focus on all of your senses. What do you see? How
does the evening air feel against your skin? Curl up
with your favorite dog or cat for 10 minutes. If
your dog loves fetch, head outside to throw a few
Frisbees.
Walk for 15 minutes with no
destination. Whether you go alone or with someone,
just make sure you're outside (no treadmills). As
you walk, be on the lookout for signs of summer. The
smell of fresh grass clippings. Your neighbor’s
daffodils. Nature's restorative powers are
unrivaled, and summer offers so many opportunities
to breathe deeply and enjoy the season.
Nap on a porch swing.
Take the kids to the library or
browse an online bookstore.
Select a "beach book": an
absorbing story you can enjoy without a whole lot of
thought. While it may not be great literature, it
will allow you to escape into a new world every time
you pick it up. It doesn't matter how long it takes
you to read the book. It just matter that it's
there.
Sit in the middle of your yard and
practice some deep breathing exercises. (For the
lowdown on diaphragmatic breathing, see, "A Breath
of Fresh Air.") Consciously relax each part of your
body, and let the tension melt away with each
breath. Just five minutes of deep breathing can work
wonders.
Become aware of the present
moment. Try not to think about what's going to
happen Monday, or this afternoon, or even five
minutes from now. Instead, turn your attention to
the details of your life...the way the sun feels on
your face, the way your scalp feels when your hair
blows in the wind, the way your children talk, the
joy of spending time with your family. Cultivating
this present moment awareness will help you relax
and enjoy the world, while taking things just one
step at a time.
Appreciate nature. Whether you
focus on the stars above, a distant mountain range,
or the cottonwood tree in your backyard, try to
notice the details. Give thanks for the beauty that
surrounds us and the seasons that are to come.
Susie Cortright of
Momscape - The website devoted to nurturing the
nurturers. http://www.momscape.com
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