Tuesday, July 1, 2008 Christine's Corner

I’m thankful summer is officially here.As soon as it’s over we start counting the days for it to appear again. We curse it while it’s here for a variety of reasons: the endless heat, the humidity, the lack of or presence of rain, the bugs, and the construction. Children complain, "I’m bored," only to be sent outside (again). We write songs about it and plan vacations around it, and some people even move south to experience it year-round! No matter the complaints or lamentations, I’m thankful summer is officially here.

If you’re like me, life never seems to give you enough time. Work, school, social and family obligations, daily chores, home maintenance, travel, holidays, and children’s activities keep our brains in overdrive and forever find us rushing from one activity to the next. We have barely enough time to plan dinner or relax during a movie, let alone appreciate or enjoy any of these many activities.

Yet for me summer’s lazy, easy pace seems to ease all that, slowing life down and relaxing my admittedly overburdened schedule. Summer offers me a chance to savor extended meals outside under the evening sky and to enjoy long afternoons lazing in the sun. Its longer days offer me time to reconnect with family and friends during baseball games and barbeques, time to catch up and share gossip with neighbors over the backyard fence, and time to watch neighborhood children run through sprinklers and play roller hockey in the street. Summer recharges me, and though I’m no less busy, somehow its clear, blue, sunny skies encourage my mind to relax and enjoy life more.

Summer also allows me to spend a little more time on the things I’ve been putting off and hoping to get to. Reconnecting with friends and family members who are far away, cataloguing pictures of the events and adventures of the past few months, and enjoying some much-needed relaxation time are all things on my to-do list. This month’s issue features an article on meditation, an ancient technique that with practice, I’m hoping will help me to focus more on enjoying my activities and slowing down my overworked mind, even during seasons of busy times.

Summer is always a time of great growth. From a lawn that seems to always need mowing to weeds springing up in the garden overnight, the plentiful sunshine gives plants the energy they need to flourish. I’ve always been amazed at how with only water, warm earth, and light, plants have everything they need to grow and flower, giving us nourishment, fragrance, and beauty through the warm summer months.

I’m also amazed by all the uses we’re still discovering for plants. Aromatherapy—the use of essential oils or other plant compounds to affect mood or health—is the topic of one of our articles this month.

After so many months spent enjoying comforting, rich meals, and evenings snuggled up under a blanket watching a movie, summer offers us an opportunity to refocus on our health and eating habits through renewed physical activity and markets teeming with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. And with so many fresh, local produce options, how can we resist! From salads made from tender lettuce still warm from the garden sun to ripe, juicy berries eaten straight off the vine, I love all the delicious fruits and vegetables summer offers us.

Weekend nights you’ll often find my family grilling asparagus, zucchini, and squash to accompany the night’s meal, and many weeknight meals include nothing more than fresh, vine-ripe tomatoes; fragrant, just-picked basil; cool, smooth balls of mozzarella; and toasty grilled bread. One of my most favorite recent meals was an entire dinner of grilled fruits and vegetables—portabella mushrooms, plantains, even peaches—delicious!

And what better ways are there to get us moving after a long winter and spring hibernation than swimming, family bike rides, canoe trips, and long evening walks? To help you get a jump-start on your summer fitness and eating program, in this issue we’ve included articles on the health benefits of fasting and ways to (re)motivate your exercise program, something I’m definitely planning on finding time to do.

July marks the halfway point for the year, reminding us of the ever forward-marching passage of time, encouraging reflection and review and a renewed focus on the remaining year ahead. Not so long ago January found us setting goals for the coming year (see the article "Keep a New Year’s Resolution This Year" in the January 2008 issue of the CoSozo Newsletter), and the relaxing pace of summer offers us time to review them—and revise them as needed—and continue to work toward accomplishing them. This month I’m excited to feature guest columnist Terri Vought. Terri is a life coach, and in her article she shares with us the benefits of life coaching to help you work toward and achieve your goals.

Summer also finds us basking in the sun’s glow at the beach and in our own backyard. I love sunshine and the feeling of its warmth on my skin. I spend most of the summer sporting sandals and sunglasses, resulting in some interesting tan lines come September. My year-round number-one accessory, however, is sunscreen. July is UV Safety Month, and to help you make sure all your sun-exposure time is safe, we’ve included an article focusing on healthy sun exposure and methods of protecting yourself from the sun’s damaging UV rays.

No matter the amount of sun or rain, heat or humidity, weeds, or pests, I embrace every summer moment with open arms and a thankful heart, knowing all the memorable and relaxing time it will bring.

Summer is a wonderful season, and I encourage your family to embrace this summer, and to enjoy every moment spent soaking in the sun with friends. Too soon it will be gone, and we’ll be counting down the days once again.

~posted by Christine, 9:00 AM