5 Habits for a Healthy Summer: The Family Edition

1. Make Fresh Foods the Star. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fruits and vegetables at their peak. Seasonal favorites like berries, watermelon, cucumbers, peaches, and tomatoes are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.

Encourage kids to snack on fresh fruits and vegetables by keeping them washed, cut, and ready to eat. Offering a variety of colorful foods helps provide important nutrients that support overall health, including vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.

  1. Stay Hydrated. With warmer temperatures and more time outdoors, children need more fluids to stay hydrated. Water is the best choice.


Promote drinking water throughout the day, even before feeling thirsty. A refillable water bottle can make hydration easy and fun, especially during outdoor play, sports, or travel.

  1. Keep Food Safe in the Heat. Food safety is especially important during the summer months. Higher temperatures create an environment where bacteria can grow quickly.


To help prevent foodborne illness:

  • Keep cold foods cold using ice packs or coolers

  • Keep hot foods hot

  • Avoid leaving food out for extended periods



  1. Protect Skin During Outdoor Play. Outdoor activity is essential for children's physical and mental health, but sun protection is key.


Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply as needed. Encourage children to wear hats, sunglasses, and take breaks in the shade during peak sun hours.

  1. Keep Kids Moving. Regular physical activity supports strong bodies, healthy growth, and emotional well-being.


Encourage movement through fun, family-friendly activities such as:

  • Walking or biking

  • Swimming

  • Playing at the park

  • Outdoor games or sports


The goal is to keep kids active in ways they enjoy—movement doesn't have to be structured to be effective.

Maintaining these simple habits can help children feel their best, stay energized, and fully enjoy all that summer has to offer.
Harvest of the Month: Strawberries: Summer's Sweetest Superfood
Sweet, refreshing, and packed with nutrients, strawberries are one of summer's most beloved fruits, and for good reason. Whether enjoyed as a quick snack or blended into a smoothie, strawberries are a simple, delicious way to support children's health all season long.

Strawberries offer a surprising amount of nutrition in one small package.

  • Vitamin C supports immune health and helps the body heal.

  • Fiber supports digestion and helps keep kids feeling full between meals.

  • Antioxidants help protect cells and support overall health.


Research also suggests that regularly eating berries, such as strawberries, may support heart health, brain function, and overall wellness.

Easy Ways to Enjoy Strawberries


Add fresh strawberries to cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt for a colorful boost. Pack them as a quick snack for summer activities. Blend them into smoothies for a refreshing treat. Or toss them into fruit salads and light desserts for a naturally sweet finish.

Tip for Families


Wash and slice strawberries ahead of time so they're ready to grab and go. A little prep makes healthy snacking effortless, even on the busiest summer days.
Strawberry Yogurt Bark
Recipe by:californiastrawberries.com

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups diced fresh or frozen strawberries

  • 2 cups non-fat vanilla yogurt or flavor of your choice

  • ½ cup melted coconut butter

  • Honey to drizzle (optional)


Instructions

  • Line a 9½ x 13 in. rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Add 2 cups of the strawberries, yogurt, and coconut butter to a large bowl and stir to combine. Pour the mixture onto the baking sheet and spread into an even layer.

  • Sprinkle the remaining strawberries on top and drizzle with honey (optional). Freeze for 8 hours minimum.

  • To serve, break apart a piece of the bark and enjoy!


Adapted from: californiastrawberries.com
Serving: 3 oz, Calories: 129 cal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 6g , Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 23mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God".

-1 Corinthians 10:31

 
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