Start this summer off the right way by getting up off the couch and getting active with your family. Whether you’re walking, running, skipping or jumping, leap into this summer with exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Far too often, we all try to beat the summer heat by spending our days indoors and glued in front of the television. Make a change to your lifestyle and strive to create mindful habits with your family that will help to make this summer a blast.
Outdoor Games and Activities
Work weeks can be stressful, there’s no denying that. Why not brighten up your weekends with activities for your whole family to enjoy! We have a game or two in mind.
Lawn Twister
Property of OneGoodThing
One of our favorite summer pastimes, inspired by well known blogger One Good Thing, is Lawn Twister, which is a twist on the traditional game by creating the board on the lawn. Simply recreate the board using contractors marking spray paint (this paint washes off with water so don’t worry) and 10” circle template.
Property of OneGoodThing
Once you have created your board, the only thing left to do is spin the wheel and twist and turn your way to victory.
Frozen T-Shirt Race
Use the summertime heat to your advantage as you square up against your friends and family in a frozen t-shirt race. Some steps you’ll need to follow the day before are:
Property of @agirlandagluegun
- Step One: Purchase one XL t-shirt for each player
- Step Two: Soak the t-shirt in the sink with water
- Step Three: Squeeze out and fold up
- Step Four: Place wax paper in between shirts and put in freezer
- Step Five: Remove shirts from freezer before game is about to begin
Once your shirts are icy cold, you’re ready to play!
The game is simple. The first person who can unfold the frozen shirt and put it on wins.
Fresher, Cleaner Air
Every summer, I face the same predicament in my house trying to beat the summer heat. With the kids home full time, I set the air conditioning to a comfortable 70°. This is great until I need to circulate the air in my house and get rid of unwanted dust and smells that build up. With recent heat waves reaching over 100°, I’ve always felt that opening the windows to circulate the air in my home would be “throwing good money out the window.”
Pesky smells have no place in my kitchen this summer. This is where my Sharp TRUE Hepa Air Purifier with Plasmacluster ® Ion Technology comes into play. Sharp air purifiers are known to effectively reduce pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke, germs, bacteria, viruses, odors, mold, and fungus in your home. Since incorporating an air purifier in my home, I arrive to a fresher smelling home without letting out all of the cool air in my house.
Summer Must Try Snacks
Weekend trips are a MUST this summer. Whether you’re headed towards the beach to ride some waves or to the mountains to climb high peaks, you’ll need a snack package to keep you fueled along the way. At Sharp, we’re all about quick and mindful snacks for every on-the-go endeavor, so we’ve compiled a list of all our favorites for your disposal.
Frozen Yogurt Covered Fruit
A simple, yet satisfying summer snack that is guilt free? I’ll take it! Frozen yogurt covered fruit is a delicious and protein packed way to fill those snack cravings during a long trip. Start off by rinsing the fruit of your choice (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc.). Then, using a toothpick or a fork, dip each piece of fruit into your favorite yogurt and swirl until the fruit is coated with yogurt. As you coat your fruit, place the finished pieces on a baking sheet. Once you’ve finished coating your fruit with yogurt, place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least one hour to allow the yogurt to freeze. Once your fruit is ready, pack desired amount in a sandwich bag and get going.
Popcorn Granola
Is popcorn the greatest snack on the planet? We’d argue that it is. With a Sharp Orville Redenbacher’s ® certified countertop microwave oven, you can make this delicious popcorn granola mix for a delicious breakfast on-the-go. Simply gather the following ingredients:
- 7 to 8 cups popped popcorn (from about 1/3 cup kernels)
- 1 cup raw hulled pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut chips
- 1 ¼ cups raw pecans, left whole or very roughly chopped
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
Sweet and Savory Trail Mix
My favorite snack to pack for both road trips and work is a sweet, yet salty trail mix. Trail mix should be filling and filled with ingredients that will give you a boost of energy. In order to make sure yours fits that description, add an ingredient or two from each of the categories listed below.
Nuts – peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans
Fruits – raisins, cranberries, banana chips, dried blueberries
Seeds – sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax
Extras – pretzels, chocolate, cereal, wasabi peas
Mini Breakfast Frittatas
If you’re looking to create a delicious on-the-go breakfast, these mini breakfast frittatas are an excellent make-ahead option. Every so often I will make a few batches of these and separate them into small storage containers in my refrigerator for my husband and I to take on our way to work. I find that reheating them individually for afternoon snacks also helps me avoid picking on cookies and sweets while I wait for dinner. Some ingredients you will need to make these delicious frittatas yourself include:
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup whole or 2% milk
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons finely diced red bell peppers
- 2 tablespoons shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- Nonstick cooking spray, for the muffin tins
Start off by whisking together the eggs and milk in a medium mixing bowl, seasoning the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. After, stir in the chopped spinach, red bell peppers, and cheese. Spray 6 muffin tin cups with nonstick cooking spray or line the cups with paper liners and pour the egg mixture evenly into the muffin cups. Once you have finished pouring the mixture, place the muffin pan into your Superheated Steam Countertop Oven on the crisper tray on the lower level. Turn on Bake function and set to 350°F. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the muffins are firm in the center. Remove from the oven.
Cooking Tip: You can store the egg frittatas in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and reheat them in the microwave.
Looking for more delicious recipes? Check out these additional meal ideas:
