June 2 – SUMMER Sidekicks We Forget About
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Grab a cup ‘o Joe and share what’s on your mind for an hour on this MONDAY, JUNE 2
As summer has rolled into our lives, there are some amazing opportunities we could capture with its onset!
From the generous offering of fruit and vegetables to some super amazing benefits for our skin and body health.
As any human being, we have to be reminded of the already known to us facts. But this is the power of our mind, too! With repetition comes strength and determination of a new start. And Practice makes Perfect, that’s for sure!
Scroll down to grab your moment of truth and facts to Incorporate into your daily life!
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• What would be your challenge this summer?
For some it’s lack of personal time and trying to balance the family.
For some it could be eating more fresh produce.
We would like to hear and then support each one of you in overcoming your challenges!
good morning it is a very dreary day in Ohio expecting storms and high humidity today! I amy take a nap!
Same thing here Wendi today it and yesterday.
Morning Miss Laura 🙂
Good morning ladies. Happy to join you all again. Challenges…I feel I have so many. One of my biggest is is finding time for everything (work, commute, children, husband, errands). I feel like I never have enough time to dedicate on anything!
good morning you strong loving ladies my challenge will be what to do with my 6 yr grandson who has autism
wishing you the best!
Good Morning!! For me it’s getting back into shape. I had a very difficult pregnancy and an even harder childbirth because I started off in bad shape. I plan to exercise so that I can think of having another child in the next year or so!!
well Menu that’s great hope you know we are all here for you
thanks! I know 🙂
@Menu, good luck.
Morning, I want to spend more time with the kids. I plan on taking them to the beach, museums, friends house and just hanging out.
Good morning all
Good morning all. I don’t know what my challenges are going to be this summer. When they come I just try to leap over them or deal with them. I know I always have my AM Coffee friends to help with them so I just take one day at a time. 🙂
Morning all, totally late this am.
My challenge will be time management.
As I just found out yesterday my challenge will be to figure out why I am retaining water–a lot of water!! Also to figure out if there is anything they can do to try and fix what seems to be wrong with my eyes.
Here’s a problem that our National at Large faces: Providing Not enough fresh food to children, families, seniors.
Please go to this post and comment with your opinion on the subjects.
i understand the amount of waste I worked at pizza hut when i was younger and if the pizza did not sell in 20 minutes it had to be disposed of, you could not eat it, you could not buy it half price, you had to throw it away, I feel guilty in my home throwing stuff away ughh but sometimes after 2-3 days we dont want it anymore i try to pay it forward when i can to the neighbors or friends!
@Wendi that’s just crazy how they just don’t give it away and chuck it don’t make no scence to me
I saw that too working at Arby’s as a teenager
it’s awful what goes on in fast food places and restaurants – those are the worst.
I know it is awful the way the restaurants waste like that.
@Jennifer, have you thought of freezing the items you do not want? or creating a compost for the fresh items?
Luckily I live in a town where they are really pretty concerned about making sure that folks dont go hungry if at all possible. We have Wonderful Food Banks here. They are all over the town with easy access and they happen all week long. We also have Churches that feed folks at night with a good Hot meal. 🙂 My friend also owns a Clothing Store that is Giving to the Children of the US as to Not let them go hungry 🙂 My mom lives in a Adult Apt Building and they feed her at least one meal Monday thru Friday….we take care of the weekends. 🙂 I wish even with all of that , that I could help more..The elders DESERVE so much they have made it alot of years and we wouldnt be here without them. The YOUNG are our future 🙂
I agree it is up to each one of us to take charge and get out and help our food banks and give when u can you might not think it helps but it dose help I think the stores throwing this food away it dumb ppl are hungry here so give it to them I know Pandora breads give their stuff to food bank
@Julie that’s a great town you live in wish all places were like that
Wouldn’t that be nice
I commented on the post but I will also leave the same comment here: This is such startling information. Some of these statistics just baffle and surprise me. I admit that I waste too much food. It’s always bothered me but I was never sure what to do about it. I’m very interested in the Green Egg Shopper and Food Storage & Shelf Life apps. I don’t have an iphone but I’m guessing I could find a similar app for my smart phone. I learned how to cook at a restaurant and it took me awhile to learn how to buy and cook for just me (and then my family). But the food that got wasted at the restaurant was horrible. I was only 16 at the time but I really wish I would have been more aware and could maybe have taken the leftovers to those in need.
that’s horrifying. we grew up with an “eat everything on your plate” attitude. While that’s not always the best approach, I always use up all my leftovers – sometimes by “repurposing” them into a new meal. We also have great food banks and soup kitchens here, but I’m sure there are still those who suffer – more than we want to know about.
Sad to hear. We all need to work together on fixing this issue. No one should go hungry.
I can beleave it..it is so sad
It is very sad that people don’t think about other that are in need when it comes to wasting.
So so, so very sad.
At least compost it!
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Summer is the Time to offer yourself and your children an ample amount of vegetable and fruit.
Of course, try to buy it all from your local markets to get less pesticides and chemicals with your consumed goodness!
Show by your OWN example how you enjoy eating vegetables and fruit.
Here are some FACTS we cannot ignore just to be conveniently situated in our summer environment.
– START EARLY in childhood by introducing new vegetables and fruit often to your child
– It takes 5-10 times to show and introduce a new vegetable to a child, so he or she would start eating it
#1 Study shows that “children start to snub foods even those they liked in the past when they reached 2 years old.” But when you keep introducing and offering veggies to her/him, they are less likely to decline vegetables when they’re getting older.
#2 Study shows that “masking the taste of the vegetable, for instance sweetening it, so that the children could eat them would not work.” –> surprising to you?
we are always at our local farm markets buying fresh fruit and veggies it is so close to that time! I can’t wait…i am very lucky that the only veggies mostly that the kids won’t eat are peas! But i love them and eat them now and then
Growing my Garden as we speak. All the kids that come here love to go and be able to help in the garden , watch the things grow. Then when they are ready The kids love to be able to pick the veggies and eat them. Lucky for us we grow with no pesticides and we have wonderful fruit trees also. Kids in our home have always loved fresh fruits and veggies I guess watching them come to life and grow has helped them appreciate them 🙂
that’s on my dream list – to have a garden space to grow our own veggies. When I was little I tried planting tomatoes but did not know how to care for them so they got diseased…
@Menu, our community has a community garden. We got in this year and I am super excited. It has been 4 years since I could have a garden (our home has too many trees surrounding it).
I love being able to eat the stuff I grow knowing exactly where it came from.
My daughter just turned 3 and will not even try food. I’m at a loss of what to do. I’m at a point where I will give her whatever just so she eats. She completely refuses to even taste most foods. Luckily, she likes fruit and a few veggies but I think my family as a whole need to expand our veggie palate.
oh this country gal lives off the land and was raised on a farm we do eat and grow our food and my grandson is a fruit lover it is great to have your own veg and fruits right out side your door and its a lot cheeper but we do give all our extra stuff to ppl in need
@Jennifer I have a autistic grandson who is picky to but we make a game of it and do silly things to a least have him try this is what we do we put the food on the table and try to get if off with out mouth yes we all do it and make it fun and sure enough he will do it and eat it I have got great teachers at his school who do this to
That is a fantastic idea! Thank you so much. I will try this!!
just want to help ty
I miss the farm markets we had while living in Jersey.. it’s hard to find them here in NYC….
We love summer time, lots of fruits and vegetables to pick from. Local farmers market great places to look. I’m lucky our kids love them. We started them early. I let them touch, smell the fruits and veggies in the stores. They help with shopping.
I love going to the Farmers Market. And I am pretty lucky that my kidslove fruits and veggies. . Yesterday I took one of my 3yo twins to the store with me, the only things she wanted were watermelon, strawberries, and apples
This is true. My kids eat all fruits and veggies because we always ate them. My sisters kids when I took them in would push them away but after everyday they started eating them.
So much going on I did get to put out any veggies to grow yet..might just put some in puts. I need my tomatoes and bell peppers for salsa
We go to the local farmers market every Tuesday. My son looks forward to it. I have a self made vegetarian here, in all actuality I would rather him eat veggies over meat.
SUMMER COULD BE A GOOD TIME FOR SMALL CHANGES LIKE TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR WEIGHT.
More time spent outside doing different sports and free time activities would definitely add to your calorie burning lifestyle this summer.
Eating RAW VEGGIES in salads and by its own would be a huge benefit in cleansing your body and adding minerals and phytonutrients into the system to BALANCE THESE 4 Fat Burning ‘ingredients’ into your body that are either in the “overload” or “not sufficient” mode within you—>
1. Not Enough Adiponectin
Adiponectin tells your body to burn fat for fuel, but the more fat on your body, the lower your adiponectin levels. To break the cycle and kick start your adiponectin, take a high-quality magnesium supplement or eat lots of seeds and green, leafy vegetables.
2. Insulin Imbalance
Overweight people often experience some level of insulin imbalance. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a diabetic, it is a major underlying cause of excess weight and obesity. However, a recent study found that consuming 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before a high-carb meal significantly reduces blood glucose levels—if you can stomach it.
3. Too Much Ghrelin
Ghrelin is the hunger hormone. The more you have in your system, the hungrier you are and the more fat your body stores. New research indicates that lack of sleep increases ghrelin levels, so get 7-8 hours of shuteye. But skip the caffeine and energy drinks, because the resulting crash slows your metabolism and makes you feel hungry, even when you’re not.
4. Cortisol Overload
Cortisol is necessary for a fight or flight situation, but too much increases your cravings for sweets, stores body fat, breaks down muscle tissue, and can cause depression. Reducing stress is the best solution — if you can find the time to do it in your busy schedule.
Great information as always Miss Laura Thanks 🙂
I’m really surprised I’ve never heard most of these terms. I have always been concerned about my weight and come from a family of diabetics. I’m very high risk and gained a lot of weight while I was pregnant that 3 years later, I still can’t seem to drop. I’m so glad to learn about Adiponectin and apple cider vinegar!
I seem to loss my weight in the summer I gain it in the winter being stuck in side but when summer comes I eat less and you are right all the good stuff from the garden is in so we are busy them
Me too Karen
its true – much easier to maintain weight and health in the summer. I just re-started my daily walk efforts. They’re on hold for now due to some ankle pain (which has been a sprain in the past – I don’t think it’s there yet but I don’t want it to get there…) but we’ve been doing pretty well!
I am board too. Thanks Laura for this information.
Gd bless whoever invented decaf coffee!!
Great information, I didn’t know these things.
Great information
I am more active in the summer working out in the yard qns sweating. Also trying to work against meds at cause my to gain weight
Constance, there is two levels of physical activity. Lifestyle which means parking further in the parking lot and Active, which means you are in the fat burning zone. At this point your heart rate is elevated. When you are at this point you know you are burning fat!
I add all kinds of veggies to salads, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, broccoli. I even add cranberries and strawberries.
I know that if I don’t get enough sleep I will snack just because.
Me too Rebecca, I try to keep things around that wont do to much damage..I love me some bbq pork rinds
Rebecca, I am with you on that. Today is a day, my son has a fever so I got very little sleep last night.
Sleep while you can Elicia. At night their fevers tend to get higher.
Rebecca, I would love too. I have too much to do around the house!
Load on Fermented Foods in Summer
What people do forget that Fermented Foods like sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, miso, tempe and more are rich in Essential Amino Acids, the ones that our body does not produce and needs from the outside sources!
Fermented foods deliver taste and protection from Metabolic Chronic Diseases like obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
SUMMER is the time to try your hand and food options in this food “department” of fermented foods!
See the amazing benefits of fermented foods and start enjoying them in your life as well:
Foods that heal & maintain weight
Cabbage, Kombucha
Miso, Kefir
Kimchi, Tempeh
Kvas, Rejuvelac
Yikes, I’ve never tried or heard of any of these things. I don’t think I’m much of a “fermented” food person but it is something I am interested in learning more about. Sounds important.
I have been eating more of them foods as we had this topic a while ago and who dosent like coleslaw I love it great infor
The word Fermented throws me off, it just sounds gross to me..but I love some fermented stuff
interesting, sauerkraut is the only way I’ll eat cabbage, and I always thought it was less healthy like that. good to learn otherwise.
It was the only way I would it it too Menu, until I found the recipe fir the fried cabbage with bacon and onions..I love the stuff
Same here, unless it is in a egg roll!!!
I remember talking about Kefir in an earlier chat. I have to look at these.
I love me some sauerkraut and sausage and fried cabbage
The only fermented food I can eat is pickles and sour kraut the others I know I cant stomach.
Love pickles!!!!
I literally ate pickles and strawberry ice cream when I was pregnant together. Tasted Like sweet pickles.
@Rebecca, Yikes. that I would not pair together but then again I do not like ice cream.
Expand your spice Rack
Summer is so optimal solution to expand the variety of spices and herbs you consume with your daily meals!
It could be just a few staples, like fresh salad, black rice, broccoli but with the variety of spices you use on them, you could have quite a few “new” dishes for yourself to enjoy!
Spices bring new tastes and new experiences for you. They add amazing health benefits to your digestive system:
– Fennel seeds (which are great for digestion
– Cayenne pepper
– Berbere
– Fresh ginger (which boast anti-inflammatory properties) and fresh cilantro
– Basil
Go here to see what the BEST Benefits you’d like to reap off this summer with some of the most widely available herbs and spices! Tell us your favorite 3 Herbs and their benefits here!
great to know to try and spice it up and make a new creation we eat lots of salads in the summer months because the veg are plentiful
sage vitamin A and beta-carotene levels Fresh sage leaves are a good source of antioxidant vitamin, vitamin C ITALIAN PARSLEY anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber – basil Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Bacterial properties.
Do you gave q herb garden too Karen
I’m very interested in trying new herbs and spices. I just planted my first batch of cilantro in my garden. I have never grown herbs before so I thought I would give it try. I’m actually interested in starting a small herb garden but I have to do some research before that, I don’t know much about it. The 3 herbs I would like to try are: mint for it’s vitamin A and beta-carotene. I would also love to try Thyme for it’s benefits of chest congestion relief and as an antioxidant and last Cilantro as a dietary fiber.
can any of these be grown in a pot indoors? we don’t have any garden space, and my husband and I wanted to start growing some houseplants. We just don’t know what to grow indoors, and it would be great to do something like this as it can help our attempts at healthier eating 😉
Menu yes you can grow them in pots on your porch kitchen window sil they even have them already planted in the stores in pots
great! I’ll try them! we have a good sill for pots – will have to remove all the other “things” I have there.
I have a lot of pots on the grauge I can use, I have been sayin I was going to for a while and just haven’t yet
I have seen herb kits at lowes, home depot. It comes with all you need to start growing.
great! we were at lowe’s when we first had the idea to do an indoor garden. Our apt it TINY so I don’t have space for much but the truth is I can fit I think 5 small flowerpots on my windowsill. That could be nice.
Oh How I love the garlic…..We eat alot of fresh Garlic in our pasta dishes 🙂 We also grow some herbs too. Right now we have the Basil and Cilantro I love the freshness of herbs on things , really didnt know the benefits Thats great
I love garlic too..but my sister is a garlic nut and will put it on all kids of stuff. Drives my dad nut, he doesnt like the smell
@constance I just planted garlic for the first time yesterday.
I love the benefits of spices. I’ve started using fresh herbs.
I love to use spices. .I am not big on putting salt in my food so adding other spices really helps
ROSEMARY THYME and ITALIAN PARSLEY are my favorite spices. The benefits for me personally are that they taste good In like meatballs. Yummy.
Love herbs. I cook a lot with Parsley: Parsley is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber that is my favorite go to.
Top 5 Foods to Add a Sidekick Action to Your Summer Diet
BERRIES
Load up on seasonal berries, as they are packed with antioxidants that protect skin from the damaging effects of the sun!
WATERMELON
This summary gift is 90% Water that hydrates your body.
In addition it’s loaded with
– Vitamin C that is required for Collagen production!
– Antioxidant properties add to eradicating free radicals floating in your skin as the by-products of the sun damage
All the above supports your mission to Protect your Skin and Reduce the aging process of your skin and body.
CUCUMBER
Just remember how beneficial cucumbers are for our skin! Check all these FACIAL MASKS!
In addition to your facial spa masks, add cucumbers into your daily diet! VERY LOW Calorie food, they are mostly water! They Hydrate and Replenish your body and skin with minerals and nutrients that you cannot get somewhere else!
TOMATOES
Being rich in LYCOPENE, tomatoes are a must for your skin’s health to fight off fine lines and wrinkles!
TIP: Lycopene is fully released and becomes available for your cell’s nutrition when tomatoes are heated! —> saute with tomatoes, make pastas, tomatoes sauces or any sauces!
DANDELION GREENS
If you have any dandelions in June, get their leaves for your salads!
– Rich in Vitamins A & K, C as great collagen producing vitamins
– Used for skin conditions like Acne and Eczema, according to WebMDT
I’ve got lots of dandelions I could use! A whole yard full of them. We are growing tomatoes (which my whole family loves) and cucumbers. I really want to get some berry bushes so I can grow my own and make it more affordable and probably safer than buying in store. Oh darn, I forgot to get watermelon plants this year. Last year we had such great luck with them in the garden! I had no idea that dandelion greens were so good for your skin. Does it count if they are made into wine? 😉
lol jENNIFER wine
@Karen For mother’s day, we all (my brother, sister and I +kids and spouses) went to my mom’s house and all the women ended up picking dandelions and then pulling the “petals” out to make dandelion wine for my brother’s wedding in September. I’ve never tried it but this post made me think about it. We ended up having a really good time bonding .
That is really neat..I hope the wine turns out
I might have to try to make some wine with them. Cheaper than buying it.
Yep me too. Lol
haha, funny!
when I was pregnant I devoured cucumbers whole. I ate Persian cucumbers – just scrubbed them and ate them with the peel. It was a great habit to get into, I should try it again.
eat it all but didn’t know about the DANDELION GREENS will I have to try that one
My grandmother would go out to fields and pick the greens for salads.
I on the other hand do not like them.
I dont like cucumber unless it is chopped into little piece or in a sause like for gyros
I love watermelon during summer. I eat cucumbers just by their self, I love the. I also put slices in my water, it’s refreshing.
Funny story, at the Farmers Market when I get cukes. My son will just bite off the pieces and eat them. People think it is the cutest thing. I think hey, great for him!
Love Tomatoes…….Raw Cooked any way Tomatoes are great, We have 3 different types in the garden. The kids love the cherry tomatoes right off the vine..We also are growing the cucumbers..Love any type of fruit or veggies 🙂 I got very lucky all of my kids and grandkids love just about every veggie and fruit we have tried Summertime is my favorite time because if i get the munchies i just go out back and grab some goodies to munch on 🙂
how do you do dandelion greens? just like that? they’re edible? didn’t know…
My mom has told me about the dandelion greens but I have never tried it.
It is a lot like parsley.
I like to chop tomatoes and cucumbers, add a Little olive oil, or favorite salad dressing. It’s yummy. I never knew about dandelions, that’s interesting. I love berries, I make smoothies with them, or add to my cheerios or yogurts.
We.love it all but never ate the dandelion greens dispite my moms efforts..just make sure you wash them, I always think about animals peeing on them
All my daughter asked for at the store yesterday was watermelon, strawberries and apples
I love all the above but never try dandelions which are everywhere in my yard. My aunt and mom said they used to make dandelion wine when they were younger. Okay when I am done with AM I will go out and get a dandelion and try it.
Try my first dandelion leaf and like them. Going to collect them while it is raining because of the bees. Ty Laura 🙂
You see, it’s been a timely reminder!
We’ve gone through the dandelion period here!
🙂 Now I will not mind them so much. lol
Haha, I love this. Laura, you have educated many people on dandelions!!! Great job.
On a side note for others, a lot of times when you get a salad that is considered Spring Mix there are dandelion leaves in it.
I used to eat the tiny yellow flowers with the little pickle looking things growing on it. .they are sour tasting..
First thing I thought of when I read this Constance, were they safe? lol
Yeah..Imy mom showed me them when I was little. I used to eat them all the time. And im fine…well kinda..lol
We are all winners when we learn and keep our minds and hearts open to new information, new practices, and new connections.
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good luck and that’s for coming today and chatting I hope you all have a sweet day see you all later god bless you
Good Luck all. 🙂
Great Luck to all of you Great Ladies. I so love it when I can get here in time 🙂 I just happen to make it when Im not watching the one year old 🙂
Good luck all
Thanks so much 🙂
Congrats girls. 🙂
yay, thanks 🙂
Congrats