7 minute read
Plan a Staycation
Enter the staycation. There’s a reason these little getaways are so popular. They offer all the fun of a real vacation for less time, less money and less planning.
What? You’ve never taken a staycation? Okay, we’ll take it slowly. A staycation is … Educational. You can learn about the history and culture of your city. Economical. You can save money on airfare, gas, etc. Easy. NO packing and NO wasted time in transit. Flexible. Bad weather? Sick child? Reschedule! Restful. Well, it’s certainly less exhausting than the real deal. And there are so many ways you can spend your day. Learn something. Check nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com for locations near you. Cannonball! It doesn’t matter if it’s a pool, water park, lake or ocean… as long as everyone is wet, you’re doing it right. Embrace nature. Go camping, horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, fishing, etc. You’re not cheating if you’re in your own backyard. Appreciate the arts. Museums and theaters often have special presentations and pricing for children and families. Roll down the river. Many cities located on the water offer short day cruises with meals and entertainment. You’ll have nothing to do but float and relax. Take them out to a ballgame. Splurge on ball park snacks to get the full experience. And don’t forget your catcher’s mitt! Make new friends. Visit www.fairsandfestivals.net to see what’s happening around you. There’s always a food or holiday being celebrated somewhere. To search for ideas by state, visit http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel-Tourism/State-Tourism.shtml.
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Truly, you can do anything you want on your Staycation. The only rule is that you do something different. Break from your routine, just like you’re on a real vacation. Show us your staycation photos #inspirehealthmag By: Michelle Poche LIFE IS BUSY. LIFE IS EXPENSIVE. AND LIFE IS COMPLICATED. VACATIONS ARE THE PERFECT ESCAPE FROM ALL OF THAT. BUT WHO HAS THE TIME, MONEY AND ENERGY? FORTUNATELY, WE ALL DO ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR, WHEN WE’RE ACTUALLY WILLING TO BREAK OUT THE SUITCASES, PASSPORTS AND TRAVEL PILLOWS. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER FIFTY WEEKS WHEN WE JUST WANT A LITTLE BREAK?
PLAN A STAYCATION
“Bon Voyage!”
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Community RESOURCE DIRECTORY
The Perfect & Healthy Family Picnic
SUMMERTIME IS A GREAT TIME TO GATHER EVERYONE TOGETHER AND HEAD TO A NEARBY PARK OR BEACH FOR A FUN FAMILY PICNIC. THIS TIME OF YEAR, A WIDE VARIETY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES ARE READILY AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL FARMER’S MARKET OR GROCERY STORE, MAKING IT EASY TO PACK HEALTHY ITEMS IN THE PICNIC BASKET. FOLLOW THIS HANDY GUIDE TO FIND OUT HOW TO PLAN YOUR FAMILY’S NEXT PICNIC, ON THE LIGHTER SIDE.
By: Maureen Sangiorgio
Plan ahead. Make a list of how many people will attend your picnic and their ages. Do any of your attendees have special dietary needs? Is the spot where the picnic will be held easy to get to if you have to push a stroller, or if an older person must use a cane or walker? Keeping in mind everyone’s special needs before heading out often prevents a mishap.
Prepare for weather
variations. Be sure to pack a large umbrella for sunny days, and sweaters or light jackets for the kids if your picnic spot is near a breezy lake. This is especially important if you’re planning a picnic for later in the day. Even in summer, temperatures can drop quickly at night time.
Bring seating. It’s always a good idea to bring extra chairs and blankets in case the picnic table at your site can’t accommodate everyone. Seat cushions also make hard picnic table bench seats more comfortable. Collapsible folding chairs are a good
Before heading out on a picnic, check out www.findaspring.com to look for free natural spring water near you. You can plan your adventure around a visit to your local spring. Don’t forget to bring a few jugs with you. Spend the day with family, friends, and nature! YOUR SOUL
choice if someone needs back support while sitting.
Pack a safety
kit. Include all family medications and OTC painkillers (for emergencies), Band Aids, bug repellant, fly swatter, sunscreen, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, ice, and bottled water. Be sure to pack all foods in plenty of ice, and store coolers in the shade.
Pack toys, games and activities. Go for a nature walk, toss a Frisbee, or play football or catch. You can also use this opportunity to teach your family about nature by sending them on a scavenger hunt. Give the kids a bunch of nature items sketched on pieces of paper, and help them find them, such as certain bugs, leaves, nuts, or pine cones commonly found in the area.
Opt for healthy picnic food. Take out mayonnaisebased salads, like potato salad and coleslaw. Instead, choose a variety of crisp, raw veggies such as cucumbers, carrots, celery, asparagus tips, cherry tomatoes, and radishes. Remove high-calorie creamy dips and pick hummus, salsa, or low-fat yogurt seasoned with herbs and spices. For the entrée, replace fried chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs with a whole, roasted chicken and make chicken wrap sandwiches topped with BBQ sauce, lettuce and tomato. Vegetarians can choose a healthy veggie wrap, loaded with seasonal vegetables or a large summer inspired salad. For dessert, nix cookies and brownies and pick angel food cake topped with fresh fruit and light whipped topping, or just enjoy fresh picked berries.
INSPIRE HEALTH TIP:
With a little creativity and imagination, you can have lots of fun making healthy picnic foods kids will love. For example, try layering fruit on a stick to make fruit kabobs instead of simply putting it in a bowl. Or make a peanut butter apple sandwich sprinkled with raisins or fresh blueberries. For veggies, add pretzel sticks to cherry tomatoes or olives to make spiders. Kids love having fun with their food and oddly enough they are more inclined to eat it.
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Flexibility Determines Your Age
EXERCISES THAT BOOST FLEXIBILITY HELP KEEP YOU ACTIVE AND FIT FOR LIFE
By Sidney Stevens
As you get older, it becomes harder to bend down, twist around, and stand up straight. But you don’t have to lose flexibility with age. Regular stretching and mobility exercises—particularly for your spine—can help keep you limber, standing tall, and on the move well into your later years. No doubt about it: you’re as young as you are flexible. “Studies show it’s possible to remain flexible as you get older, and even reverse the trend once it’s already begun,” says Anne Schubert, PT, DPT, a physical therapist with Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, based in Allentown, PA. “Flexibility keeps you functional so you can reach the top shelf for a jar or reach down to put on socks. It also helps minimize aches and pains, improves balance, and helps stave off ‘little-old-person posture.’”
The best way to stay flexible is by doing regular stretching and movement exercises that keep your muscles and joints elastic and improve your range of motion (mix in strengthening and aerobics exercises for a full fitness regimen). Sign up for a Pilates class or other exercise that fosters flexibility. Or do exercises at home.
The key is to start slow, listen to your body, and stick with it for lifelong rewards. “Bodies were made to move, and flexibility helps you stay moving,” says Schubert. “It keeps you feeling and acting young.”
4 FLEXIBILITY BOOSTERS
DO THESE SIMPLE STRETCHES SEVERAL TIMES A DAY TO INCREASE SPINE MOBILITY AND IMPROVE POSTURE. Shoulder blade pinches. Sit on the edge of chair or stand. Squeeze shoulder blades back together with shoulders pulled down. Do 10 for 3–5 seconds. Head rotations. With head centered, drop chin to chest. Look up at ceiling. Turn head right, then left. Tilt left ear to left shoulder, then right ear to right shoulder. Repeat 10 times slowly. Pelvic rocks. Sit on a chair and make your spine concave (chest forward with shoulders back). Reverse to arch back. Repeat 10 times. Hamstring stretches. Sit on a couch with leg outstretched and foot off the edge. Straighten back and lean over leg. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Do 3 for each leg.
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— Anne Frank
