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 days for many students and
some are already back.
I can
hear the collective moaning from kids and the rhythm of the happy dance the
parents are doing all at the same time.
August
is a month that reminds us it’s still summer time and also that bedtimes need
to be 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.
Our favorite two tips are:
1.
Do
little things to improve your health like cut back on pop and keep yourself
hydrated.
2.
Take
time to enjoy this time with your family. Like summer, life is short. Be sure
to enjoy it while it lasts.
~ 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 product spotlight this month is Shaklee’s
Sports Nutrition Line
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
Visit us online at Shaklee Sports Nutrition for more info on these great products!
And here’s a list highlighting our Summer Specials still
going on!
Get a free Shaklee Membership (a $19.95 value) and additional 15% savings on future purchases when you purchase Shaklee Vitalizer™. Vitalizer provides the best nutritional science in one convenient daily serving.
· Save an additional 10% on selected items
when you use AutoShip - that means you
save a total of 25% off of retail!!
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.
· 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 rest of summer!
Julie
Be sure to check out our
website: To Be Healthy
Our Health & Wellness Blog: youtobehealthy.com
Like us on Facebook: To Be
Healthy
Twitter: You To Be
Healthy
Pinterest: YouToBeHealthy
Always
Safe, Always Works, Always Green - See why we work when other don’t – The
Shaklee Difference
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