Seven Extraordinarily Sweet and Simple Summer Pleasures
A life without love is like a year without summer. -Swedish Proverb
Sweet, Sweet Summer
The best things in life aren’t complicated—in fact they are blissfully, undeniably simple, especially in summer. With a warm breeze in the air and the outdoors beckoning from every open window, escape your everyday routine while enjoying these seven extraordinarily sweet—and simple—summer pleasures. (Note: a green lifestyle isn’t a pre-requisite for enjoying summer’s best, but we find that the simplest pleasures are all-natural and therefore pro-planet.
1. Camp out.
What we can learn during a night under the stars—about Mother Nature, the Milky Way and ourselves —is priceless. Pitch a tent, play all day, then for dinner, grill healthful meatless items like veggie kebabs and organic corn. For dessert, whip up a healthier s’more: wrap a bite-size piece of banana along with a marshmallow and a small piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate in foil. Roast for a few minutes and eat with a spoon.
2. Ahh, iced tea.
Sip it, gulp it, just don’t overlook the seasonal pleasure of a refreshing glass of iced tea. Green, black and white teas are all bursting with cancer-fighting antioxidants, especially if you brew them yourself (freshly brewed teas have a higher concentration of antioxidants than bottled tea). Summer’s the time for sun tea, so early on a sunny morning, place two or more tea bags in a pitcher, fill with water and place in the sun until afternoon. Bring the pitcher in, remove tea bags and douse with a little lemon juice or fresh mint. Add ice and enjoy.
3. Run through a sprinkler.
It’s not just for kids, but for anyone who’s tickled by a splash of cool water on a steamy day. And while this frivolous use of H2O might not qualify as good green fun, the sprinkler will be less impactful if it does double duty watering your lawn. Remember, don’t over water your grass; the goal for most lawns is one inch of water per week, best delivered in the morning or late afternoon.
4. Eat a peach.
Nothing says summer like a sun-kissed peach. Are you a purist? Just bite and smile. Peaches will also partner with everything from pork chops to ice cream, and are significant sources of Vitamins A, C and E and fiber. When selecting peaches, focus on the area close to the stems; creamy yellow means perfection within. And whenever possible, go organic; conventionally grown peaches are treated with more pesticides.
5. Go out and play.
This is a surefire cure for Nature Deficit Disorder, a term coined by journalist Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods” (Algonquin Books, 2005) to call attention to the lack of nature in children’s lives. Interaction with nature has been shown to reduce depression, promote healing and increase life expectancy. Stumped for ideas? Try these: wake early to watch the sunrise, ride your bike with no destination, plant something, fly a kite, catch fireflies, skip rocks on nearly any body of water…the possibilities are limitless.
6. Hit the road.
Summer vacation is a time-honored tradition. This year, save energy by “vacationing” in your own city, visiting a new neighborhood each day, eating out at new restaurants and visiting undiscovered attractions. Or, for a uniquely green getaway, stay on a real working farm and enjoy comfortable lodgings, homegrown dinners and authentic farm-life experiences. Inquire at your local farmers market for farm stay options.
7. Throw a “green” picnic.
On Independence Day, Labor Day or any day, bring a blanket, frisbee and these eco-friendly essentials to your local park, beach or your own backyard:
• Reusable grocery tote in place of a picnic basket
• Reusable or biodegradable tableware, napkins and cups
• Organic or locally grown picnic fare stored in glass containers or (recyclable) aluminum foil
• Stainless steel thermos for filtered water or beverage of choice
• DEET-free insect repellent, featuring essential oils like citronella and eucalyptus
• Book on local wildlife, plus a journal for kids to record the day’s “discoveries”—interesting leaves, photographs of four-(or more) legged critters, etc.
It doesn’t take much time, money, planning or even creativity to enjoy the best that summer has to offer. All you need is the desire to tap into summer’s essence, to be mindful of how much pleasure is derived from the simplest things in life. Happy Summer!
