Summer is revving up, and that easy-living excitement is in the air! Do you notice in summertime how everything seems promising? The

You could celebrate right now!

plants are in full bloom, and the sun feels glorious on your skin. The longer days give you boundless energy, helping you realize it's possible to achieve all your desires and dreams. Why not harness this energy, ride the wave of summer, and try something new?

Throughout the year we live at an intense pace physically, emotionally, and mentally. We can get stuck in our routine either for the sake of efficiency, or out of fear of unfamiliar territory. (Totally normal, by the way!) But the lack of variety in doing the same things over and over stagnates not only our minds, but also our bodies and hearts. Are you hesitant to break your routine? Interestingly, fear and excitement have the same physiological expression in our bodies; it's our mind that classifies the feeling as positive or negative. So the next time you consider a change in routine and your mind says "scary!" see if you can re-frame it as "exciting!" Taking a deep breath can often do the trick. 

We can do completely new things, we can be the cartographers of our inner lives.

What is something you've never done before, maybe something you've wanted to do for a long time? Choose your own adventure: organize a kayak trip, take a dance class, do some exotic traveling, or set a goal for a new personal challenge. Or try something simple, like playing flashlight tag with your kids and neighbors or reading in the sunshine. Maybe it's time to discover a new vegetable dish or to visit a new town, restaurant, or beach. For my new adventure, I've chosen to go toBurning Man this year for the first time.  You can dream as big as you like!  

Whatever adventure calls to you, use this summer to make it happen, andenjoy your life even more. Increasing new experiences and excitement in your life can decrease your dependence on artificial stimulants like caffeine and sugar, leading to more vibrant health. Watch out for massive improvements in physical well-being, mental acuity, and motivation, plus a monster dose of fun.   

Fruit  

                                                                                                     We all know a healthy lifestyle is the key to longevity, optimal weight, abundant energy, and balance. We can use fruit to satisfy our taste for sweetness, leaving behind the use of chemical, processed, and refined sweeteners.  

Fruits are easy to digest, cleansing, and have a cooling energy. They're great for those who are overstressed from excessive mental strain or overheated in hot climates. Fruits are filled with fiber and liver stimulants, which act as natural, gentle laxatives. Whenever possible, buy fresh, locally grown fruit as opposed to imported fruits shipped from far-off places. This keeps you eating in season and more in harmony with your environment and climate.

Eating raw fruit in summer months is highly cooling, while baking it in the winter months neutralizes the cooling effect. Fruit in the form of juice is a great choice for cleansing the body, but be aware that juice rapidly raises blood sugar levels, and could lead to an energy crash soon after. If you have blood sugar issues, please use caution with fruit, especially in its juiced form. But for most people frozen, whole, puréed or juiced fruit can make great summertime cool-down treats. Try frozen grapes, banana-coconut smoothie popsicles, or lime juice ice cubes in iced tea!

Whether you're having fresh fruit for a light early morning breakfast, a midday snack, or evening treat, enjoy nature's sweetness. And remember, whenever possible, buy organic.  

Here are a few summer fruits and their health benefits:

 Apricots: Great for lung conditions and asthma; used to help treat anemia due to their high copper and cobalt content.

Bananas: Help to lubricate the intestines, treat ulcers, detoxify the body and manage sugar cravings. They're rich in potassium, which helps hypertension.

Cherries: Slightly warming in nature, cherries increase overall body energy and remedy arthritis and rheumatism. They're rich in iron, which improves the blood.

Grapefruits: Treat poor digestion, increase appetite during pregnancy, alleviate intestinal gas, and reduce mucus in the lungs.

Papayas: Tone the stomach, act as a digestive aid, moisten the lungs, and alleviate coughing. They contain carpaine, an anti-tumor compound.

Raspberries: Benefit the liver and kidneys, cleanse the blood of toxins, regulate menstrual cycles, treat anemia, and can promote labor at childbirth.

Prep time: 5 minutes 

Yield: 2 servings

 Ingredients:

• 1 banana 

• 1 cup rice or almond milk 

• 1 cup berries 

• 1 cup diced melon 

• 1/2 cup almonds

• 2-4 ice cubes   

Directions:

1. Mix in blender for 1-2 minutes and serve. Easy peesy!

Note: To add some super power to your smoothie, you could add some superfoods. My favorites include bee pollen, spirulina (only if you're in a damp climate), raw cacao, and maca powder. Coconut oil and flax seed oil are also a good idea, especially if you have dry skin or are spending more time in the sun. I suggest one spoonful of any of these.