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7.17.2013
Your Complete* Summer Fest Survival Guide! + Recipe for Yummy Ballz
It's about that time folks... the thick smell of burgers, sweat, spilled PBR and sweet sweet music is in the air and you're ready for the ride. You’ve been waiting for this all year… You’ve strapped your gear on: Fanny pack. Check. Sneakers. Check. Camelbak. Duh.
You know what I’m talkin about.
The long awaited SUMMER FESTS ARE HERE.
Whether it’s a low key neighborhood street fest, or music
marathon Lollapalooza, staying on point with your healthy habits can be *ahem*
“challenging” to say the least. Translation: You’re ready to say F*CK OFF GREEN
JUICE AND KALE, HELLOOO SUMMER ALES AND SAUSAGES.
You might be thinking –
“Venessa, do you honestly expect us to be health angels right smack in the
middle of hedonistic summer?!”
To which I reply: Of course not! Not without some sharp ass
tools in your belt and a survival guide to help a sister out!
Enter:
Your Complete* Summer Fest Survival Guide
*Raft not included
Let's be honest. One of the biggest challenges for healthy hustlers out there
is BOOZE. It’s everywhere. It looks fun. It makes you feel loosey goosey and
perhaps gives you that liquid courage to dance on stage.
Which brings me to survival tip Numero Uno:
Stay Hydrated with your Liquid Assets. The replenishing
kind.
Who says you need alcohol for fun? Ok, maybe a lot
of people. But here’s what I’ve found… I often go to concerts or dancing at
bars and have no alcoholic beverages at all (gasp!) and ya know what? Not only
do I feel GREAT late night and can keep going for hours, but I also feel
amazing the next day too! No hangover, achiness, digestive issues or bloat to
boot.
You might be saying to yourself – look V… this may be easy for YOU but I
like my boozin’, thank you very much.
To this, I say SHALANGE (That’s “challenge”
in a “French” accent): I challenge you to go out to that fest/concert/party and
abstain from alcohol at least once. Push yourself to be just as social, fun
loving and carefree. You just might surprise yourself (and you won’t lose hours
of your life the day after ;)
 |
| Me at Lolla, The Strokes |
Here’s the low down on what alcohol does to your body
(especially in HEAT):
Those hot summer days cause quick fluid loss through sweating,
while alcohol causes fluid loss through increased urination. Together, they =
fast dehydration or heat stroke. No es bueno.
Did you know that 1 out of 2 water recreation deaths
(swimming, boating, etc) of teens and adults involves the use of alcohol?? I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer, but please be safe and
know your limits!
Alas, I’m a realist and understand that alcohol is not the
root of all evil and can often times be a pleasure. So if you MUST drink yer
alcoholic beverages, please, FOR THE LOVE OF LOLLA, eat food when you drink and
down those replenishing liquid assets such as WATER and COCONUT WATER. So for
every alcoholic beverage you consume, drink 2 NON alcoholic beverages
(preferably water).
Here’s a quick tip – anytime you’re feeling like your
electrolyte balance is off, instead of reaching for the Gatorade, grab a
coconut water. It has tons of electrolytes & potassium and none of the
gross additives like high fructose corn syrup.
So fill up that Camelbak with
some coconut love. And if you can’t find coconut water near you, throw some sea
salt into your water for an electrolyte booster.
Survival tip #2
Prep like you’re going on vacation.
If you’re looking to avoid tempting carni food and
drinks, then it is essential that you prepare in advance, packing delicious
snacks and eating a yummy well-balanced meal before you head out. You can even
pack up a healthy high water content meal such as a Superfood Salad in a
Jar with bombass dressing. Or bring along some Power Protein Ballz (see recipe at
the bottom of this article) and plenty of kale chips or trail mix to munch on.
If you can, check out the vendor list BEFORE you go to the fest or concert and
plan to make a bee-line straight to those that are pre-approved. If no food
vendors are lookin that good, then how about cafes, restaurants or shops in the
area? There are ALWAYS options. Utilize your Yelp or Google Maps apps if you’re
in search.
Survival tip #3
Enlist a partner in crime.
It’s tough out there when you’re a lone healthy ranger.
Having a buddy to join you in on the extravaganza is key – you can both hold each
other accountable and support one another in making good choices (which can
often times go out the window when you’re in the midst of street fare fun all by yourself).
It
feels really good to know someone’s got your back and that you’re not alone. So
reach out and grab someone (besides that crowd surfer).
Survival tip #4
Pick ‘n Choose Wisely
There are a LOT of summer fun activities out there… if you
know you have a problem saying no to bacon, THEN DON’T GO TO BACON FEST. If you
are really trying to stay away from drinking, THEN DON’T GO TO THAT BEER FEST.
Easy peasy right? Wrong… when we experience weakness in certain areas of our
wellness journey, then it’s hard as hell to stay away from our addictions!
Try
this:
- Make a list of all the awesome summer activities you’d like to partake in.
- Cross off the ones where you KNOW you’ll have a very hard time saying no.
- Then fill those slots up with other cool stuff that you find – stretch yourself and get creative. If you’re trying to stay away from meat, cross off that Barbeque Fest and sub for a kick-ass beach day (and maybe ride your bike there) or go all out and sky dive!
You can always have the par-tay come to your house too, that way
YOU have control over menu and company that surrounds you.
And lastly,
Survival tip #5
Be open and go with the flow! Really.
I know all this “planning” can seem like you’re taking the spontaneity
out of your summer adventures. But that’s far from the truth! You are giving
yourself the best chance for having a healthy, happy, good ‘ole time, stress
free, so that you can free your mind of guilt and avoidance and open yourself
up to amazing new experiences and fun peeps.
Keeping yourself open to new
experiences and going with the flow ensures that you’ll have or make more fun and
connect with others, creating new experiences – which is absolutely paramount
for our health.
So get out there tiger and survive thrive at your next
Summer Fest!!
♥ ✌ ♫ ∞
Aaaaand as promised, here’s your recipe for some Power
Protein Ballz!
Power Protein Ballz
¾ cup pumpkin seeds
¾ cup sunflower seeds
4 dates
3 tablespoons flax meal or chia flour
2 tablespoons coconut oil
½ cup blueberries
½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
1 tablespoon raw honey (optional)
¾ cup sunflower seeds
4 dates
3 tablespoons flax meal or chia flour
2 tablespoons coconut oil
½ cup blueberries
½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
1 tablespoon raw honey (optional)
Combine all ingredients (except
for shredded coconut & blueberries) in a food processor. If you want a
sweeter batter, add an extra date or the honey. Stir in blueberries and then
form mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball. Roll each ball in the
shredded coconut to coat and then refrigerate until chilled. (10 Servings)
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