Celebrating the first day of Summer with Family

Summer seems to be everybody’s favorite season! The weather often encourages you to spend more time outdoors and the kids get the extra special treat of taking up a break from the classroom for a few months. Not to mention, summer is the perfect time for family and friends with the prevalence of festivals, community fairs, Backyard BBQs and more! What are your plans this year for the first day of summer - June 21st ? Will you be welcoming this season of outdoor fun? Here are a few summer activities for the kids and the family that are perfect for kick starting the season!

Summer bike riding

Riding bikes in summer is a quick way for some simple fun in the sun! Make the most of the warmer weather and head out with your biking gear to explore your neighborhood and city through a new perspective. Here are a few tips for safe biking in the daytime:

• Wear light colored clothing as they reflect the sunrays more than dark colors and therefore protect your skin.
• Always carry a sipper in your backpack or use the water bottle cages mounted on the bike’s frame to keep the bottle. Also, carry cash with you so that you can stop at gas stations to buy a Gatorade and hydrate your system.
• Wear sunglasses and protect your eyes from the harmful sunrays at all times. Use a sweatband to wick away the sweat from your eyes.
• Carry a cell phone and a bike kit. While the former will help you contact friends or family in case of an emergency, the latter will help you seal a small puncture by yourself.

Rollerblading in summer

Choose your destination and roll on to some exciting times. You might plan to zoom along a river, lake, or some other body of water as the cool breeze will help keep you refreshed at all times. For safety, make the most of parks or beaches that have designated skating paths. Better still; organize a group skating event in your community. Not only will this be fun to connect with friends and community members but skating in groups can increase your visibility if you’re out on the roads.

Packing for picnics

Greet the summer sun with a well-planned picnic with the family or your group of friends. Set the scene with comfy blankets and pillows and go green with eco friendly cutlery or food containers. Wet wipes, games, sun blocks, earplugs, books, and water bottles are musts at any summer picnic. Carry light food that’s easy to cook and serve like these two delightful recipes for summer picnics:

Roast Beef wrap

• 1 flour tortilla
• 4 slices roast beef
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese blend
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 4 black olives
• 2 tablespoons Italian-style salad dressing

Directions

1. Layer the flour tortilla with roast beef and then cheese.
2. Microwave till cheese melts.
3. Sprinkle the rest of the ingredients and finish it off with generous splashes of Italian dressing.
4. Roll up and into the picnic basket!

German Potato Salad

• 2 cups of boiled, diced potatoes
• 4 slices bacon
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Fry the bacon and keep aside.
2. Add onion to the bacon grease that’s left behind and toss.
3. Add the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper to the pan.
4. Add the potatoes and parsley.
5. Crumble in the bacon, mix well, and pack!

Here’s hoping your summer days are as bright and cheerful as the season itself!