But, July and August can be sweltering, depending on where you live, and you may decide that fall is looking really good by now. I know that we are all feeling it, here in North Dakota, with the heat wave that has been sweeping through the Midwest. I am used to the dry heat of the Salmon River Canyon, in Idaho. The humidity makes for a sticky, muggy, oppressive sauna like feeling and it saps every bit of energy from a body.
But, no matter where you live, summer is a time of growth and change. There are many little things that we can do to stay happy and healthy, and help our kids thrive and smile.
WATER, WATER, WATER!
As adults, we punish ourselves more than necessary. Laying on the beach in the hot sun, drinking beer, and minimal water is very dehydrating. But we do it. And it's fun. And we survive.
Kids don't just lay on the beach. They run, jump, dive, swim, chase, push, pull, climb, and step on towels with sandy little feet. All of this, while we lay in one spot and occasionally slip in the River for a dip, and drink more beer.
Those little sweet faces turn red from sun and run, and they surely NEED to stay hydrated. Water creates life. Without is, there is no survival.We've all heard the body-earth-water ratio thing. The earth is 70% water and so are we. If we deplete this we will slowly shut down, dry up and blow away, right? Obviously, we all make it through the dog days, but it is surely something to be considered.
The thermos style water jugs are great! Fill them up with ice and top off with water. They keep your drink ICY cold for hours! Add some slices of squeezed lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange....wala, you have a zesty refreshing elixir. Not only is it yummy and kids love it, but the citrus actually helps regulate body fluids! Of course it also has folic acid, potassium, and Vitamin C. Fresh, is always best!
Always take a cooler with a lot of ice. Nobody likes to drink warm water in the summer. It's really good for the body, I've always heard, but the truth is....no kid wants it when it's the same temperature as the weather. Yuck.
Getting each family member their own water bottle is a great way to keep kids excited about hydration. They won't call it that. Most likely you'll just hear, "Mom, where's my bottle?" But, it is worth the investment and it makes them feel grown up.
I have been part of the plastic pollution, in a pinch, however. The cases of spring water are SO convenient on a trip, and thrown in the icy cooler, are very appetizing. It's NOT the best choice as far as trash goes, though, not to mention the nasty thin plastic properties leeching into the water. BUT, I will do it on occasion because it's better than nothing at all.
FRUITS & VEGGIES!
Children are growing, changing, and building bones, muscle, and tissue at an amazing rate. In the first year of their lives they actually DOUBLE their size! Isn't that awesome? What a great time to keep an eye on what goes into that foundation of development. We adults are not changing like that. Our change becomes mental and emotional, at this time in our lives, rather than physical.
It is of vital importance to remember that children need life giving sources for this growth. Well, balanced meals are great...but the issue here is surviving the summer heat, not carbing up for a winter sport.
Fruit and vegetables have the highest water content of all foods. They are sun and rain in edible form!
Stock your cooler and baskets with fruit that is sliced, peeled, Ziplocked and ready to go. This will make it accessible and not just a good idea that you had, that never really worked out. "I packed a watermelon...they just didn't eat it." Yeah, well, it was sitting on the hot sand and you forgot a knife. This isn't Castaway. They aren't out in the bushes with the blade of an old ice skate, fending for themselves. They will eat what is easy to get at. And that's what you'll hand them.
Slice up cucumbers, put them in a Tupperware, and dribble with your favorite Italian dressing or seasoning. Wash and cut celery, and pack with nut butter or eat them plain. Celery is actually known for hydrating you more than water can. It's got sodium that is good for your heat defenses. Pack salads in Tupperware tubs, heaviest veggies at the bottom. Bring your favorite dressing and a fork.
Cherries, grapes, berries, apples, citrus, plums, peaches, nectarines, and pears are fast food ready to go! They beat Gatorade's electrolyte thing, all to hell. These are super power foods! There is no trash involved! You just eat and toss the pit or core. It's a lovely thing.
KEEP COOL!
Gramma taught me this one. She pounded it into my head, as we would garden in the sun. "Hun, you just need to keep your neck cool and then your whole body will stay cool." She would wring out her little towel, swing it around in the air to chill, and then wrap it around her neck and tuck the ends into her shirt.
We use bandannas, but you can buy, or make, the ones that have gel crystals in them. They stay wet for a lot longer.
Of course we all know the wonders of air conditioning and swimming. Sprinklers are great and so are kiddie pools in the yard. The key is to stay sane in that heat and sun. It is good for you if you use common sense.
I have never been a huge sun screen advocate because we all tan very easily and I believe it is good in moderation. However, when we plan to be out on that beach camping it up and neglecting all things responsible, we do the sunscreen thing. I also takes tons of Green Salve and moisturizers. Coconut oil is the bomb!
My resources for all of this information are....10 years of mothering Salmon River Idaho girls! I am completely convinced that Harvard will put out a study, for a trillion dollars, that proves everything that I just said. Then it will be on CNN and the world will go..."Oh, the sun is good," or "Oh, plant food does keep you hydrated. Who knew?"
We don't need somebody to tell us what we learn through experience and our instincts. We all know what we should do. Now let's go do it!
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