Staying Cool for Under $10.00

When all you want to do is sit inside and stay by the air conditioning, it is hard to think about enjoying any outdoor fun. But I am going to tell you 5 things you can do for under $10.00 , that might make you want to get out our your cool air conditioned house!
1. Gelato/Ice Cream. We have plenty of ice cream parlors or stores to choose from. And guess what? They are all inside in the AC. So frequent one of your local favorites today!
2. Putt-Putt. Remember when you were a kid and you used to love to play it? Well your kids love it too. I have found that I am much better at it now that I am an adult. Oh, and guess what? They have an arcade that is INSIDE!! But so are the games, and that would be another splurge!
3. Museum/SciWorks. We have several museums that are entertaining and don’t require an application of sunscreen.
4. Games. You can find great deals on games at Target or WAL-Mart. We have been playing the classic game CLUE and it is really great family entertainment!
5. Movies. The cinemas are having Summer Movie days on Tuesday. They play a classic movie and popcorn and drinks are only $1.00. Yes, ONLY $1.00. You can’t beat that with a stick!!
So go on out and venture into that bright, hot sun! It may feel miserable in the heat, but you will feel cool saving on these summer splurges!!

Super Simple, Super Easy, Super Healthy Twisted Salsa

Wednesday’s Hint: Eat more vegetables! It is easy to increase your intake of fresh vegetables and enjoy low calorie treats during the summer. Great prices and great tasting vegetables can be found at local farmer’s markets and some of you are lucky enough to have family and friends with gardens. Tasty, easy and good-for-you are all packaged in the following summer salsa recipe. My husband found this recipe and as usual, I had to put my twist on the recipe. You can serve this with whole grain chips or put your own twist on the recipe.

Do you have a favorite summer vegetable recipe? Please share your favorite and healthy way to use summer vegetables.

Twisted Summer Salsa
• 1 1/4 pounds diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sliced green olives
• 1 bunch sliced green onions, (I think purple onions would be nice too!)
• 1/4 cup Harry & David Pepper and Onion Relish
• 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
• 4 teaspoons minced fresh oregano (I think you need more)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cracked pepper (you might want to reduce this if you aren’t a pepper fan)

Summertime Hair Care from Ollie Grayson’s

Denise Mosely of Ollie Grayson’s Salon had another great tip for protecting your hair during the dog days of summer.

“Each piece of hair is filled with tiny holes, whenever you jump in the pool or the ocean the water saturates your hair with the chemicals of the pool or the salt of the ocean.  That’s why hair always feels so awful after it’s dried!  The best thing you can do for your hair before jumping in the pool or the ocean is to soak it with regular tap water first!  This saturates the holes in the hair with water so that not as many chemicals or not as much salt gets in those holes as you enjoy summertime activities.  Always remember to rinse your hair immediately after a summertime dip, this ensures that the only thing sitting on the shaft of hair is what your hair wants.”

If you’re just hanging by the water, give your hair a break by saturating it in conditioner and wear a hat all day.  Pay special attention to the ends as this is the oldest part of your hair.  The curlier the hair the drier it tends to be.

Thanks Denise, as we show off our summertime tans, and let our hair down we know we’ve done everything to keep it healthy!

The endless Summer Days of Childhood

As I was driving home from a meeting around dusk the other night, I drove past a house with 2 girls sitting on a blanket. They were making clover bracelets or blowing on grass and it reminded me of those long endless days of summer as a child.
I can remember sleeping in, getting up and eating breakfast and then I was out the door. Not to return until sundown. I might have stopped back in for a quick bite of lunch, but I wasn’t inside for long. I can’t remember exactly what I did on those forever days, but what I know is, I had fun. I can recall traipsing through woods, wading in creeks and looking for creatures. It was always a good day when a turtle or salamander was found and brought home for observation. Sometimes we would walk down to the Dairy Queen for an ice cream. You know the one they would dip in chocolate and then the coating would hardened? Or we go in Crown drugstores and buy a record single for $.99.
Ahh, those were the days, filled with exploration and innocence.3 months of freedom to be a kid. I think back on them with fondness and hope that even in our hustle and bustle lives of today, I can instill in my daughter the magic of an Endless summer.
What did you do on your endless summer days as a child?

Flip Flops, Friend or Foe?

I have been a victim of Plantar Fasciitis for the past two years. It is the painful ailment where your heel constantly hurts. I cannot tell you how annoying it is, but if you have had it, you know!
I think I developed mine from wearing flip flops. Yes, flip flops. Those cute little summer staple that everyone loves, including me. They come in all colors, are usually cheap and downright adorable! So how could these simple shoes be so bad for you? Well, they have no support and with no support underneath, the foot it loses it shock-absorbing capabilities.
An assistant professor at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Dr. Justin Shroyer, studied flip flops and found that wearers of flips flops try to grip and hold the flip flops into place and this causes the muscles in their shins to work harder. He said that wearing flip flops can shorten you stride and cause stress in the lower leg muscles. Dr. Shroyer said “The more the shoe conforms to your foot, the better off your foot and leg will be.” He also stated that deepened heel cups and defined arches can help to relieve some stress from the feet and legs.
There are many brands out there that have support for your arches and your heels. The APMA has on their website, www.apma.org, a seal of acceptance for flip flops. You can read all about flip flops they find are suitable for wearing. A few brands they listed were Dansko, Orthaheel, FitFlop, and Chaco.
When you wear flip flops, try to limit your time to a few hours a day. If you are by the pool or the beach, it is fine to be wearing them, but going on an all day outing with lots of walking is not a good idea. So be flip flop smart! That way you can look cute in your flops, but also pain free as well!
So do you love your flops?

It is Time to Fire up the Grill!!!!

Today is Memorial Day and the start of all things summer. It means pools are opening, school is winding down and everyone is thinking about cookouts! I love just about anything cooked on the grill. It just seems like it all tastes better over an open flame. Here are a few of my favorite grilled things:
Corn on the cob is wonderful on the grill. Place it right on the grill, with just a little husk left to protect it and Voila!!! Spray on some butter and dig in.
Kabobs are easy and quick to fix for impromptu grilling. Chicken, Shrimp and Pork are fast and delicious. You can add any vegetables you like to your skewers. I like to use, green peppers, onions, grape tomatoes and red potatoes.
Burgers are a staple of any cookout and the great thing is, there are burgers for everyone. Turkey burgers are leaner, and so is pork. If you have Vegan friends they can try black bean or Portobello burgers.
Fish is also great for grilling. I love salmon, but any fish will do. All you have to do is wrap it loosely in tin foil with spices and butter, and set it on the grill.
Like I said, everything tastes better on the grill. So go round up some friends and throw together some food to throw on the Barbie, and enjoy!!
While you are enjoying your fire roasted goodies and spending time with family and friends, don’t forget to remember those who have served and fought for our country and the ones who are still doing so today!!! Happy Memorial Day!! God Bless America!

How Will You Heat Up Your Summer Wardrobe?

These past few warm days have me thinking, we are in the middle of May and hot hazy days are on their way. While I ponder this thought in my head, I think about my summer clothes. It usually consists of Life Is Good T-shirts and shorts. I love these summer staples, but I started thinking: How can I spice up my summer wardrobe?
Shoes… I decided to add a sassy pair of shoes to my regular lineup of flip flops and Keens. My constant ailment of Plantar Fasciitis made me give this decision a little more thought. I need support but a little flair would be nice.
I decided to buy a pair of Alegria Portos. They are comfortable and supportive and they are HOT PINK. Alegria believes that “Color therapy can make you happy from the inside out.” While I am not sure about this belief, I am sure digging my new shoes. They go with way more things than I thought, and they actually do make me smile. It is funny how a little color in your life can make putting on shoes more fun. They are a little expensive, but they go with so much and are so comfortable, that I can see myself wearing them well into the school months.
I think it is always fun to add something new to your wardrobe. I will still be wearing my t-shirts and shorts, but now I will have happy pink feet to go along with them!!
What do you want to add to your summer attire? Please share!!!