Worry about exercise in the fall and enjoy some R&R this summer!

 

Published Aug 24, 2002 in the North Island Weekender

 

It is a beautiful August summer day and I am wondering what you would like to hear about. It is the time of year when we like to leave life’s rules behind and let loose and have fun and fill our boots with sun, sand, surf, hot dogs, lemonade and ice cream.  Come fall we will pull up our socks and do that detoxification program we have always promised ourselves or get going to the gym regularly again. But now our biggest concerns may be where we put our sunscreen and that wonderful novel we are reading!

The ingredients for a good healthy life involve just as much what we think, love and enjoy as much as what we consume. Sitting still and doing nothing is a wonderful time for Soul to come through and get a few words in edge wise. Like what is really important in my life anyway? Is it going to work in a job I don’t like just so that I can make money so that I can spend more on things I really don’t need? Folks get wake up calls usually where life forces them to re-evaluate their plan of attack. It comes in the form of accidents, death of a loved one or health crises where they realize the tentativeness of this thing called life.

I was born in the fifties and back then so called middle class people were worse off than those we see today whom we might call poor. Life is so relative. Now a days we take so much for granted at such a high speed and our bodies are the battlefields.

So here is my recipe for enjoying the last 27 days of summer.

·        Go the library or bookstore and read that book that has been on your “fun to read” list.

·        Don’t watch television for the next 27 days. If you want to keep up with the news get the paper.

·        Spend as much time outside as you can. The cool weather will be here soon enough. Have you had a picnic at the beach yet? Have you hiked the boardwalk up at Mount Washington or taken the ski lift to the top? Have you hiked the new trail to Elk Falls yet? Have you gazed at the stars looking for shooting ones?

·        Take your “morning ceremony” to the beach one morning and enjoy sunrise which is around 6am these days.

·        Enjoy a sunset from April Point Lodge or Cortez Island.

·        Introduce a family member or friend to the new Nordic ski lodge at Mt. Washington and treat them to lunch on the patio.

·        Some simple summer recipes:
German potato salad. Cook small organic potatoes in chicken broth. Cut into bite size chunks. Add a splash of red wine vinegar and olive oil, a handful of finely chopped onions, sprinkle with dill and liberal amounts of freshly ground pepper and voila a refreshing salad to be had any time!

Coleslaw and poppy seed dressing. Buy prepackaged coleslaw mix and add poppy seed dressing which can be made ahead of time and keeps a long time in the fridge (see Recipes).

Fruit salad with yogurt. Combine seasonal fruits such as apricots, peaches and grapes, add 1 tsp vanilla extract and a splash of hazelnut syrup and shredded coconut if desired. This will taste exceptional if all fruit is organic and folks will ask you what you put in it!

A simple Greek salad of tomatoes, cucumber, onions, goat cheese, and fresh basil sprinkled with olive oil and red wine vinegar can be made very quickly.

Buy a tzatziki dip mix made by Canadian Herb and Spice Company, add cucumber and yogurt and you have a quick dip to take to the beach along with your favorite crackers

·        Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration and headaches while you soak up the sun with your sunscreen, hat and sunglasses on!

Even once school starts summer is still not over, so don’t rush it. By then you will be ready for more health tips on autism, breast cancer and how to beat the flu. Until then have a swell and safe time at the beach!

 

Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com