1. The Summer
Olympics in Greece are coming soon so what better way to celebrate
than to host a “Silly Olympics” for your friends and neighbors. Steeplechase
over low platforms and shallow dishes of water, tape two paper plates
front-to front to make a “discus,” perform a synchronized “swimming”
routine without the water or, best of all, think up your own crazy
and creative version of the Olympic Games.
2. Try a new
recipe. The shrimp-pasta salad below has a real Greek flair, perfect
to serve at your “Silly Olympics” party.
3. Get your dog
(and you) into better shape. Find new places to walk, run and explore.
Even your dog gets tired of pacing around the same old neighborhood
loop!
4. Turn off the
television and play card or board games. You may actually get to know
your family and friends a bit better!
5. Plan and start
planting a vegetable garden. Depending on the zone you live in, you
may be able to start many crops right now, especially cool weather
crops such as spinach, lettuce, cabbage, peas and radishes. Start
warm weather plants such as tomatoes, peppers and squash indoors.
To check your growing zone, visit http://garden.org/regional.
6. Learn more
about nutrition by visiting http://nutritionforkids.com
on a regular basis. (and coming soon, you can check out two new sections:
“For Kids Only” and a recipe index)
7. The next time
you fire up the outside grill, add some variety to your barbecue by
roasting vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli, squash, mushrooms
or peppers on a skewer. Simply cut up vegetables into chunks, thread
onto wooden skewers, lightly spray with an olive oil pan spray, sprinkle
on desired seasoning and roast 2-5 minutes on the grill.
8. Since it's
too early to camp outdoors in many parts of the country, have an overnight
campout in your living room. Set up the tent, substitute flashlights
for lights, tell spooky stories, sing campfire songs and eat camp
food for breakfast the next morning. Bonus: NO mosquitoes to contend
with!
9. “Powerful girls
have powerful bones” is a fun place for girls to learn about the importance
of calcium and other healthy-bone habits. Check out this site at http://www.cdc.gov/powerfulbones.
10. Get more rest.
In order to enjoy fun activities, it's important to recharge your
system. Take time to relax every day and get adequate sleep every
night.
