5 Delicious Ways to Celebrate the Summer

Summer is in full swing! It may look a little different this year, but the heat, the fun and the sweet nostalgia are all still there. It can feel a bit hard to get into your summer groove when the concerts, trips, events and gatherings are on hold for the near future. But summer 2020 still stands to have those magical moments that blend the past and the present - that’s what the summertime is all about!

It takes some effort this year to get that summer feeling that has been so easy to conjure in years past, but making an active effort to pursue a good summer is worth the investment of time and energy. Make it your mission this summer to try to grow something beautiful, either inside or out. It’s fun and engaging to have an indoor or outdoor garden to enjoy and to care for.

Also aim to reconnect with a friend or family. It’s an ideal time to learn some new skills and get active on social media using the Visiting Angels Social Care Program. There’s nothing like reconnection to fuel a great summer.

It’s also a good time to unleash your creativity by crafting, playing music or building. This year, we have to be mindful about keeping ourselves busy. Those summer days are long and lazy. That’s a good thing, as long as we have some fun plans to keep ourselves happy, active and engaged.

Food is always such a key component of the summer; consider these refreshing treats.

Hydrating power  

It can be a challenge to get our daily dose of hydration. The Cleveland Clinic reports that the eight daily servings is a good aim, and that seniors have to be especially mindful. The clinic points out that “as you age, that sense of thirst diminishes. So even when your body needs to be replenished with water, you might not realize it.”  

Therefore, a good rule of thumb is to hydrate throughout the day, and there are plenty of delicious summer foods that are also hydrating. Watermelons and cantaloupes are affordable and plentiful in the summertime; they are delicious and hydrating. Likewise, cucumbers are easy to grow and always delicious! To give them a twist, try dressing them with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a dash of salt. Tomatoes, bell peppers, and lettuce are also easy to grow and packed with nutritional and hydrating benefits. Peaches and pineapples are also great choices for delicious hydration.

Nostalgic treats

Nostalgia runs thick in the summer time. Embrace it by making cool, sweet treats. Grab your blender and make a milkshake or a malt to enjoy in the shade.  While ice cream can have a lot of sugar, it can also have some healthy, hydrating attributes. Food writer Kanksha Raina explains: “Ice cream contains milk and milk solids, which means whenever you eat ice cream, your body obtains the goodness of vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus and riboflavin.” While you don’t want to eat too much ice cream, it’s a great summer treat that has some healthy attributes.

Another great classic - the root beer float. It’s a snap to make and lovely to enjoy from your porch swing.

 Play it smooth

Smoothies are delicious, easy to make and perfect for summertime. It’s an affordable, easy way to get a good dose of protein, fruits or vegetables. There are plenty of smoothie recipes around, and many call for frozen fruit which is affordable and easy to store and use. Yogurt or frozen yogurt serves as the base of this delicious treat. Registered Dietician Kathleen Zelman explains: “Most frozen yogurt, just like the regular stuff, contains live probiotic cultures. These are good bacteria that can help build a healthy gut, lower blood pressure, and improve your immune system -- your body's defense against germs.” Frozen or regular yogurt are both healthy options, just check the sugar content.

Healthy pops

What says summer more than a popsicle? These hydrating summer treats often have a high sugar content; read the labels to find healthier alternatives.

You can also make your own frozen treats using hydrating coconut water, fruit juice, fruits and veggies.

Crunchy treats

Even though we don’t have baseball to enjoy this year, we can crank on and re-watch our favorite games of the past via YouTube while crunching away on popcorn, peanuts, cashews, pistachios and walnuts. As long as they don’t hurt your teeth, these classic treats always hit the spot on a summer afternoon, with a cool drink in hand.  

We have to be a little creative this summer, but there’s plenty of fun and joy to go around.