Summer fun ✨ wellness-y bucket list + a summer recipe (a bruschetta variation)
The vibes inside this issue are magnetic!
Your ‘go-to’ newsletter for holistic self + health improvement to unleash your inner superwoman (or man). It’s like a health coach in your pocket!
I keep a running bucket list in the notes app on my iPhone. Whenever I hear of a new trail, activity, shop, town, lake, or restaurant I add it to my bucket list. It especially fills up for summer adventures. I refer to my bucket list at any time of year, but summer is my favorite time for adventures.
We still have plenty of good weather left this summer and I am not wasting it away. I am outside as much as possible, especially this time of year.
I am sharing some of my bucket list, and some simple ideas for your summer bucket list.
So, get out a pen, or make some digital notes and create your list today!
Melissa’s summer bucket list, so far
Picnics! Packing up a picnic on a weekend is so classically summer.
New trails within a 100 mile radius. There are tons of state parks and trails in New York State and I’d like to conquer a few more this summer.
Do yoga outside in the field. This might conquer a fear of exercising alone with the chance that someone might see me.
Start a separate wellness journal ( I did start this and jot down daily wellness goals and vibes).
Themed dinner nights - this is so much fun! Next up, I am doing an appetizers-only themed night.
Visit a few new towns within 50-100 miles.
Find new gardens to visit.
Day trips to Ithaca, NY - one of my all-time favorite places where the best hiking, food, shopping, nature —— kind of a hippy town. Of course Ithaca is where Cornell and Ithaca College are, so total college town vibes too! I actually love college towns beause they always have good food and coffee shops.
Connect with a workout that serves me - that my mind, body, and soul loves. For me, this has been biking. Every time I ride back into my driveway, I want to turn right around and keep going.
Kayak as much as possible and take kayaks to new lakes. I keep my kayaks at a deep river where I live, but I am ready to adventure to other bodies of water so I bought a kayak rack for my car.
Summer fitness bucket list, anyone?
Yoga
Kickboxing
Hip-hop or belly-dancing (my friend teaches belly-dancing and people LOVE it)
Roller-blading (it’s a thing again!)
Rock climbing (I am trying this soon to get over my fear of heights)
Volleyball as it’s the classic summer sport!
Tennis or pickleball
Hula-hooping is fun at any age
Swimming - a total summer sport
Jump-rope to make you feel like a kid again
Biking is my new fav hobby! I bought a bike a few months ago and ride almost daily
Summer fun and wellness-y ‘bucket list’ ideas
Go berry picking
Visit a farmers market once a week, then
Plan meals around farmer’s market finds
Visit state parks in your area
Participate in a 5K fundraiser
Ride bikes - pick a trail and GO
Visit the zoo (classic)
Picnic - choose some new spots and schedule these into your weekends
Smore’s night
Botanical gardens tour
Go for ice cream at an ice cream stand you’ve never been to
Make it a point to watch sunsets
Wine tasting - we are lucky here in the New York Fingerlakes (grapes galore)
Find music festivals to attend
Any beaches near you?
U-pick flowers (the best)
U-pick veggies
Take walks after dinner - good for digestion and for your soul
Hike on local trails
Take up a summer sport
Host a summer dinner party
Take the kids to the local pool or lake where swimming is permitted
Go to a drive-in (ultra classic thing to do in the summer)
Decorate your deck with plants and hanging lights and spend loads of time out there! One of my fav evening things to do is sit with the plants and sparkly lights
Read outside in a hammock or blanket on the grass
Take your kids to a water park or any park you’ve never been to
Make and can homemade (and homegrown!) sauces and jams
Be a tourist in your own city - you seriously need to try this!
Take an afternoon nap in a hammock (that’s if you have a hammock)
Participate in summer activities that light you up!
Thinking…
What are your favorite things to do?
What outings or activities that recharge you and your family?
How can you do more of those things this summer?
Is there something new that you want to learn? Add it to the list!
Let’s not forget the recipe I promised! ⤵️
Summer Bruschetta Pita Wrap
Serves 4 (I add lots of greens and can get 4 pitas out of this recipe)
Save to make later! 🍅🍅🍅
Ingredients
Block of feta in brine, drained and cut in half
2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped (or more if you love them)
Your favorite greens
4 whole wheat pita wraps
Seasonings (your preference)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
Warm the oven to 325°
Coat with feta with whole wheat panko
Mix together the tomatoes, onion, garlic and kalamata olives, and olive oil.
Add some shakes of your favorite seasonings, salt and pepper to taste.
Add the mixture to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper with the feta block positioned in the middle. Drizze some olive oil on the feta and add some seasonings on top.
Bake at 325° until the tomatoes are blistered. About 25 - 30 minutes.
Spread the feta on a warmed pita bread, add some greens, parmesan, and the bruschetta mixture.
Fold and EAT!
Let me know if you try this!
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Thanks for reading! Cheers to a healthier + happier YOU this summer!
Amazing things to do in this amazing life! Keep at it! ❤️ im on my mat most of the time, peloton daily. Armbalances 😎
Those 🥙 look so good! Going to Colorado in August is a summer bucket list item for us.