We hope you are in full summer throttle mode! We thoroughly love summertime! Living at the beach was the ultimate gift for our kids growing up! It was our built-in playground that allowed us to chill, enjoy our beach lifestyle and spend many nights eating pizza on the beach. It’s what our kids loved most growing up here.
We would take our annual summer road trip, and when the kids got older we ventured out a bit farther… However, we made sure all the trips were kid-friendly… And we made sure summer wasn’t packed full of things we had to do. It allowed us the freedom and space to just be.
What fun thing have you discovered this summer? New Places? New Activities? A new tasty recipe? What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy these months of warmth and freedom?
Do you make time and give space to simply do NO THING? Time to dream, read write, binge a favorite or new TV series? Perhaps even try a new recipe you’ve been wanting to make?
How do you want to spend more time doing things that bring you joy over these last weeks of summer for yourself and with your family and friends?
Take the leap and carve out precious time for yourself. Summer is the time to do this. Whether you do something special like a retreat overnight, just you or with a dear friend, or get a massage, take a solo bike ride for a couple hours. Check out more ideas on our reel here.
Summer was always a special time for our family.
Our kids never wanted to go to sleepover camps, so we always planned a special trip, mostly road tripping sprinkled in with a few father vacations one the kids got older…Hawaii, East coast and Europe. With 4 kids, it wasn’t always easy to travel far and it cost a lot!
Those road trips, however wild they were, were truly memorable! We also found “kid stops” that made for a much more enjoyable ride… such as an amusement park, a children’s science museum or something historic, but always we found a water park! Our kids growing up at the beach are water babies. It gave them something to look forward to on those long driving days..
Whatever you’ve planned or whatever you are doing this summer, we hope our finding time to soak up summer’s glorious warmth…time to rest and rejuvenate and simply BE. Giving a much-deserved BREAK to the DOING part of our lives.
Nature has a way of breathing in new life while regulating our nervous systems. Ever wonder why we feel anxious or overwhelmed more often these days? It’s our nervous system that has been dysregulated and off balance. The too much doing and not enough resting and playing. That is why for me, over time, I’ve learned how to regulate my nervous system…especially because I worked so hard to put my panic disorder into remission. I get into nature! It truly is an important part of my healthy lifestyle. Science has shown that time spent in nature nourishes our spirit and keeps us feeling healthier.
I love adventuring.
My favorite places to venture in are those with treeness. My soul relaxes when I’m in lots of trees, in the mountains and jumping into rivers, lakes and streams… The rest of my family loves the beach. So back in the day, because we live at the beach, I would take us into the mountains to experience a new and different environment. I read somewhere, even when your kids complain, once they’ve had an experience they will learn to love it and seek it out as adults. I’m here to share, it worked! Our kids are avid hikers and explorers! So don’t’ allow their complaining get in the way of your adventures…
Here are some of Peg’s summer time tips for making the hotter months of the year easy delightful and appetizing while never turning on your oven!
Peg’s Summer cooking Tips
- Sear, sauté or grill your food, especially your veggies and proteins.
- Make No-Churn ice cream or freezer popsicles
- Create nourishing tasty salads or 4-Part Soups that take little time and energy yet offer lots of nutrient rich goodness!
- Create the perfect summer Picnic
Salads we love to make all summer long…
- Lemony Quinoa Tabbouleh- great as a side or add seared or grilled protein for a simple meal (shred a store bought organic roasted chicken)
- Mock Cauliflower potato salad topped with a burger or veggie patty
- Mediterranean tomato Salad with seared wild fish filets
- Beet Salad (use already prepped and cooked beets from the produce section)
- Lentil Salad (using already cooked seasoned lentils)
- Garden Salad topped with your favorite proteins
- Taco Salad
- Peachy Kale salad
- Creamy Radish Cucumber salad
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Corn Tomato Salad served with wild fish or chicken
- Smoked salmon salad
We truly hope that your summer is off to a wonderful start! And that you will make time for the fun and wonderful adventures and delicious bounty this time of year offers.
FAQS
What are some easy, oven-free summer meal ideas?
Our blog shares several tips for creating delicious and easy summer meals without turning on your oven. Peg’s top recommendations include searing, sautéing, or grilling veggies and proteins, making no-churn ice cream or freezer popsicles, and preparing nourishing salads. Some favorites are Lemony Quinoa Tabbouleh, Mock Cauliflower Potato Salad, and Mediterranean Tomato Salad.
How can I make the most of my summer adventures with kids?
Planning kid-friendly activities and destinations can make summer road trips enjoyable for the whole family. Look for “kid stops” like amusement parks, children’s museums, or water parks to break up long drives. Incorporate nature adventures to help kids connect with different environments, whether it’s hiking in the mountains or exploring local parks.
What are some tips for balancing relaxation and activity during summer?
Summer is a perfect time to balance rest and activity. Make space for doing “no thing” – whether it’s dreaming, reading, binge-watching a TV series, or trying a new recipe. Carve out precious time for yourself, like a solo bike ride, a retreat, or a massage. Balancing rest with fun adventures helps regulate the nervous system and brings joy and relaxation.
With love and blessings,
Pegs and Megs