After such a tough winter it is nice here in New York, and I welcome the Month of May tomorrow. The flowers and trees are starting to bloom, it smells fresh outside and the air is warming. To continue the theme from the last newsletter on healthy families, I would like to remind everyone that the month of May is Family Wellness month. So here are a few tips to help you continue to move your family towards health and wellness.
1. Tweak your eating habits: With the season of BBQ’s and parties about to begin start the season with a few healthy changes. This doesn’t mean you have to have a full transformation, just a couple of small changes. For example, give up soda and sugary drinks at the next BBQ and try making Sun-tea or fresh lemon water. Serve fresh fruits and veggies to pick on with the BBQ dinner rather than chips.
2. Get Fit Together: a cheap and easy way to get fit and spend time together is to explore local parks. This can be done walking, going to the beach, hiking and biking. A family bike ride is a wonderful way to get together. It doesn’t have to be a race just an easy exploratory ride out in the sun.
3. Garden: If you are going to have some fresh veggies to pick on on your family picnic table why not try growing some of them yourself? Just dig up a small patch of your yard. You can use just enough space to have a tomato plant, a pepper plant, some herbs and watch them grow. I have done this with my kids their whole lives and veggies taste so much better when you can go out and pick them yourselves. Which if you don’t want to grow them, make a family trip to the local farm stand or grower and pick their.
4. Family: Yes, BBQ time means family time. This is important when it comes to wellness. The connection to family and friends is as important as the food you are eating when you are together. If always entertaining is a hassle include them in your outings. Meet at a park or on a walk. Or just do a Skype call!
5. Set a goal: Last but certainly not least, set a personal goal. What is the one thing you have been putting off because you haven’t had time, it wasn’t the right time, or you were just procrastinating? It is incorporating more of the above things into your daily routine? If nothing else pick just one. Vow to bring one new vegetable to the table this month. Or bring one new healthy exercise into the family routine by the end of the month. May 1st is tomorrow so think about what this will mean and remember at the end of the month is the unofficial start to summer. Memorial Day. Make your changes and check in by then. I would love to know how you are doing during the course of this month. Because it is the perfect time to set and accomplish a goal. Email me your goals. Lets make this a bit of a challenge. You in?
kerryfleckenstein@gmail.com I would love to hear how you are doing and what is most on your list. Let me know if you grew something or not………I would love to be here celebrating for and with you. Bye for now.
