June 2018 – same new song

Just thought I would share a few things that I can’t get enough of right now, because great things need to be shared! Matter of fact, some of these things I have found courtesy of a share – I love knowing what others are into.

Two summertime snacks I just love are persian cucumbers and asian pears, sliced and topped with lemon and himalayan pink salt. Quite an international sounding dish, no? Instead of chips or nuts, I will cut up a bunch and put it in a glass container so that I have easy snacks available. The combo of sweet, salty, crunchy and tang make for a perfect nibble. If you are into more flavor, add Everything but the Bagel seasoning from Trader Joe’s. Have you tried it on an avocado? Delish!

Silverado Trail Strawberries literally taste like they were grown with sugar pumped through them. If you aren’t in Napa, sorry, because these are like candy. The key to making them last longer is to wash them immediately and let them soak for a few minutes in water and distilled vinegar. I cut them up and put them in a glass container for a quick and easy grab. My kids and I go through a pint at least a day.

Hoola and High Beam, both by Benefit are musts all summer long. I have minis for my purse and have full sizes in my drawer. Hoola gives the sun-kissed bronze without the glittery sparkle (which I hate) to your face. High Beam highlights where you want to look fresh and dewy. The micro-texture of High Beam gives more of a natural effect, versus the shimmer of some glittery highlighters.

SPORTea is as old as ever, but nothing quenches the thirst better! I can only drink so much water, and if I have exercised in the morning, my daily intake goal has usually been met by noon. I brew up SPORTea and put a big pitcher of it in the fridge. If it is good enough for climbers that tackle Everest, it is good enough for me!

Mechanical pencils (my favorites are these) are a way of life for me year-round, but especially in the summer. I feel like writing things in ink makes it so permanent. Pencil seems sort of negotiable, keeping doors open, yet marking potential plans down as notes. Summertime should be easy and not so structured, that’s why I love keeping the mix of camps vs. free time balanced so that my kids can enjoy summer the way I did, freely and with options! Try switching to pencil for June and July. There’s plenty of time to put it in ink. Trust me.

Summer is my favorite season in California. It is easy to love: barbecues, rose, swimming, sunshine, corn and tomatoes, the smell of sun(screen)tan lotion…the list goes on and on. This summer is different though; I have been a cycle instructor for a full year now, teaching and taking about 5 times a week. That’s a hefty amount of cardio for this girl. I can say my legs definitely are looking and feeling strong – but I need a bit more. Some girl pals and I have decided to up our game for the next month, with both movement and mindful eating.

Here’s the thing, we live in Napa and with our friends, there is no shortage of food, drink and fun. Our Whole Foods bill doubles because chances are high that you’ll be entertaining another family for dinner, gone are quiet nights at home. Take out is almost non-existent because the grills are blazing and the produce is piling in. No complaints at all, trust me.

In an effort to find balance between summertime indulgence and bikini wearing fun, two friends and I are making a commitment to moving in some way, every single day for the next 30 days. I recently got an apple watch and it has changed the way I approach my personal efforts. The “rings” as you may have heard about, track your movement, exercise and stand time throughout the day. If I cycle in the morning, both my move and exercise rings close. It feels so fantastic to meet those goals before 8:00 a.m.! I always close the stand ring by dinnertime. The accountability the watch brings to the surface is incredible, and it has proved to be the perfect motivator for me.

Another one of my favorite things to do in the summer is ride bikes with my kids. My in-laws brought us some Townie cruisers which are super fun for looping around our neighborhood. The kids like to head up to the club to grab a soda at the mansion, and I might sneak a soda of my own! We laugh and giggle the whole time, and the only hazard is getting a bug in your eye or worse yet, your mouth.

Anyone else making a commitment to stay summer-ready all season long? Get ready for this blog to have new life back into the posts, as I am documenting it all here. Perhaps SNS might motivate you to get out and move as well. Cheers to the best season!