Healthy Summer Vacations

Alright folks, here is the straight goods. Just because you are on vacation from your job doesn’t mean you are on vacation from your health. Your body is the house you live in all day every day for your entire life so making healthy lifestyle choices shouldn’t feel like work you need a break from. Living a healthy life means living a great life, full of energy and possibility.

Here are a few of my favourite summer holiday nutrition tips:

Never say never. Deprivation feels like a punishment and no one liked discipline as a kid, why choose it as an adult? Instead, allow yourself to have a taste of your heart’s desire. Choose serve yourself on small dishes and limit portions to one serving.

Let the light shine in. With the sun shining so brightly above, allow it to shed some light on your awareness. Many of us can spend a day by the pool or on the beach, mindlessly shovelling food into our mouths without noticing. Pay attention to when you feel hungry and eat only until you are satisfied. Move bags and stacks of snacks away from arms reach and notice when you are getting up for more.

Energy in and energy out. There are so many great summer activities to participate in like beach volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, swimming and waterskiing just to name a few. All that activity takes energy and fuelling your body will go a long way to keep you energized and lean. Eating foods that provide nutrients along with calories are the best options such as fruit, nuts and seeds or delicious smoothies. Calorie rich and nutrient empty choices like chips, pretzels and alcohol don’t contribute much but excess body weight to squeeze into that bathing suit.

In the spirit of my favourite summer time food (Gelato of course!) I am pleased to share a delicious, energizing and healthy treat for you to enjoy under the summer sun.

Vanilla “Gelato”

2 cups tightly packed young coconut meat

Approx 1 cup coconut water

2 cups macadamia nuts**

1.5 -2 cups Agave Nectar or Raw Maple Syrup (sweeten to taste)

2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

Place all ingredients in high-powered blender and mix thoroughly. Freeze.

** Nuts can be replaced with 1 frozen banana.