Ah August. The sun is shining, the grass is burning, the flowers are blooming (or wilting) and we all feel the winds of change off in the distance. It will be back to school time in just a matter of a few weeks for many students.
I can hear the collective moaning from kids and the rhythm of the happy dance the parents are doing all at the same time.
My own son will start Pre-School for two days a week this year and I’m torn between being happy that he’ll make new friends and experience new things and sobbing like a baby. I will probably be the one hanging onto his leg wailing, “Please don’t go!” I hope the other parents will still respect me the next day when I do it again.
August is a month that is still hot enough to remind us it’s still summer time and it is also the month that bedtimes are reset as school schedules loom in the near future.
So we have compiled a short list of helpful tips to combine the two lifestyles as we enjoy the last month of summer.
For surviving the heat, remember these tips:
Reduce Sun Exposure During Peak Hours
UV rays are the strongest and do the most damage between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so the less time you spend outdoors during these hours, the better. That doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun though. Just hit the pool or the beach later in the day when the sun is lower. You will still have plenty of time for fun and you won’t melt as quickly or risk sunburn as easily.
Apply Sunscreen Generously
Apply a liberal amount of sunscreen evenly on all areas of the skin—and don't forget your lips, nose, ears, neck, hands, and tops of feet. Apply at least 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and remember to re-apply every two hours, especially after swimming. It’s easier to apply the sunscreen before you get dressed, too. This way you will be sure not to miss any areas like under sleeves or under collars.
Keep Hydrated
Dehydration can occur very quickly when we perspire and babies and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Water is the best way to re-hydrate and the optimal amount to drink is ½ oz for every pound of body weight.
The benefits of staying hydrated are:
Weight loss – the more you drink the less you will weigh. It helps our stomachs feel fuller longer and often times when we think we’re hungry we are really just a little dehydrated.
You look younger – the more hydrated you are the more youthful your skin looks. Fine lines, blemishes and dark circles are less noticeable.
You have more energy – when you feel yourself lagging especially in the afternoon, remember to re-hydrate with some water or a good sports drink that isn’t loaded with sugar.
Tips for saving money on back to school shopping:
Don’t Feel the Need to Buy Everything Right Now
Retailers will prey on you feeling the need to get all your shopping done right now and in their crafty ways have raised prices on fall clothes. They may lure you in with 25¢ notebooks and free glue, but they’re hoping to make it up on the higher prices you’ll pay for clothes. Wait for sales, check out Goodwill and resale shops and try and buy at end of season for the best prices.
Learn to Buy Off the Rack
Your kid may be screaming for those private label jeans, but don’t give in, stay strong. We all know fashion is fickle and what’s in this week will be out before school even starts. So stick with the basics – pants, tops and shoes in color schemes and designs that all complement each other. Try and reuse clothes from last year that still fit combined with just a few newer pieces to mix and match, thereby expanding their wardrobe.
Get the Kids Involved
Sit down with your children and show them the lists you have made for what you need now and in the future. Let them have a say in what they want and have them make up their own lists. Have them write down both what they think they need and what they just want. Then do a little online “window shopping” at some of your favorite stores.
Tally up what your child list says and also tally up what’s on your list. This will give you both a glimpse of what it’s all going to cost. (Just remember though you will be waiting for things to go on sale)
If your child doesn’t already have a summer job to help pay for things, then you can “hire” them yourself. There are plenty of what I call “extra” chores that are always needing done.
I’m not advocating paying them for the normal chores everyone has to do to keep the household running, like doing the dishes, grass cutting and normal cleaning, those things are not for paying. I’m referring to the extra things we tend to put off due to lack of time. Maybe its weeding the flower garden that’s been overtaken by crabgrass, or cleaning the summer grime from windows and window sills. It could be vacuuming out the van, washing and yes, even waxing it to help prepare it for winter. How about that fence that needs painting or maybe you have an elderly neighbor that needs help. There are countless ways you can help your child finance their wants and needs (or what they think they need). Get creative and ask for their input on ways to make a little extra money.
When they have to work for it, your kids may come to find it’s not really worth all that extra effort for those overpriced and often really weird looking clothes. And the lesson we teach our children about working for and finding ways to pay for the things we need will be one of the more important things they learn this year.
Our favorite two tips though would be one, to do little things to improve your health like cut back on pop and keep yourself hydrated and two, take time to enjoy this time with your family. Like summer, life is short. Be sure to enjoy it while it lasts.
Over 100 gold, silver and bronze medals have been won, record breaking achievements have been made and even NASA astronauts use them to rehydrate!
We love Performance in our house as it helps us stay hydrated without all that sugar and it helps us keep our energy up when we are working and playing outside in these high temperatures.
But Shaklee Sports Nutrition isn't just for the explorers, top athletic performers and record-breakers of the world. It's also for you and everyone you know.
Who could benefit from Shaklee’s Performance and other Sports Nutrition products?
- People who work out regularly at the gym
- People who play sports
- People who run to stay fit
- People who run competitively, as in marathons
- Parents of children on sports teams
- Parents concerned about the high sugar or caffeine content of sports and energy drinks, or about artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives
- People who are working out in order to lose weight
Check out this cool video highlighting just a few of Shaklee’s Athletes: http://images.shaklee.com/video/show.php?video=sportsnutrition
And here’s a list highlighting our Summer Specials still going on:
· Cinch customers get an even greater benefit - for every three consecutive months they purchase Ultra Cinch on AutoShip, they get the fourth month FREE!!
Click Here for more info: Current Product Promos
· Save an additional 10% on selected items when you use AutoShip plus Loyalty rewards in the form of product coupons** valued at up to $100.00 SRP on select offers. While you are shopping, you can add any product to AutoShip by simply clicking the "Add to AutoShip" link on each product page. Then, in the checkout process, you will see links to manage your AutoShip, similar to the way you would manage a subscription. You can determine how frequently you want to have it delivered, put it on hold for a month, and more.
Click Here for more info: Current Product Promos
· If you are a stay-at-home mom who has ever struggled to make ends meet, or a working mother who would like to transition to a business that allows you to spend more time with your family, then Project MAHMA is for you!
Project MAHMA(Moms at Home Making A Difference…and a Lot of Money!) is a global coalition of moms (and dads) who are earning an income from home and giving themselves the gift of freedom— including more time with their families—while at the same time offering others the gift of better health and a better life.
Visit us on the Web at: Project MAHMA
Have a safe and happy summer!
Julie
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