Summer's Here!

Memorial Day is coming up this weekend.  In my family this means two things:
1. To remember those brave men and women who gave their life for this incredible country.
2. Kick off to summer.

Summer is the greatest season of the year.  It's time for sun dresses, baseball, cook outs, beach days, swimming, fireworks, and late nights by the campfire.  It's time to celebrate life and live outside again.  Summer is also extremely busy.  It seems as though there's always something going on each weekend.  Whether it's a barbecue, graduation party, wedding, birthday party, Fourth of July cook out, or simply a day by the pool with friends it seems as though every weekend is booked before summer even starts.  This is not a bad thing, it's great!

However, this amazing season comes with a price...sunburns, hangovers, and the endless potential for poor food choices.  So how can you keep this price low?  Moderation.  And sunscreen...lots of sunscreen, but that's for another article.

Summer cookouts almost always consist of hotdogs, hamburgers, macaroni salad, brownies, and coo coo juice.  Oh sorry, my family may be the only ones to fill Gatorade coolers with coo coo juice ;)  It's important to make healthy food choices, eat small portions, and drink in moderation to maintain your health and to make sure your weekly workouts don't go to waste.  Instead of 2 hotdogs every weekend, try having one each month.  Instead of filling your plate with macaroni salad, fill it with vegetables.  Instead of brownies, have a slice of watermelon.  These are small changes to the weekly summer diet that will help you feel great so you can enjoy every weekend.  Here's a few more tips...

1. Eat a healthy meal at home before you go to a party.
2. Fill your plate with veggies.
3. Eat fruit for dessert.
4. Go for chicken or fish instead of hotdogs and hamburgers.
5. Drink a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverage.
6. Bring a healthy dish.
7. When you do indulge, savor one small serving instead of 2 or 3.

This weekend I'll be bringing a toasted almond and Gorgonzola salad to my family cookout.  I will most likely eat veggie sticks and guacamole, grilled chicken, watermelon, and a decedent chocolate dessert.  I'll be sure to drink plenty of water and fully enjoy a few glasses of coo coo juice.  The key is to enjoy everything in moderation, except fun.  Load up on the laughter and fun!