An Unsung Hero

Hold on to your socks because I have some fantastic news. Behold! The watermelon has recently been dubbed the title “Superfood”. In previous years people have lost their minds over this word alone. The simple utter of “superfood” has had quinoa, kale, chia, and hemp seeds all flying off the shelves. Personally, I think some foods become trendy while most folks don’t realize the potential benefits of what they’re eating.

Watermelon is typically a flavor that goes first in the bunch. It’s great in candy, slushies, popsicles, and various drinks. Watermelons obviously have great hydration powers, but what might be shocking to some is that they contain a lot of lycopene – which is a powerful antioxidant. This antioxidant helps cardiovascular health as well as bone health and reducing stress! Here are a few other benefits:

• One serving contains 16% of your daily Vitamin C
• It has potassium to clear your brain
• Phenolic compounds in the fruit reduce inflammation
• Increases flow to urine (gross, but still healthy)
• In turn, easing strain on kidneys
• Being 90% water watermelon energizes you while hydrating
• Low in calories, fat, and sodium

So there you have it folks. Watermelon is more than just a great Jolly Rancher flavor. This summer fruit is the gift that keeps on giving.

Dig in, cut it up, or just grab a spoon – your body will thank you.

CS

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De-Clutter Yo’Self!

Jokes and strange post titles aside there is a serious trend going on. People are actually talking about the de-cluttering that they are doing in their lives. Whether it’s in a Youtube video, a blog post, an Instagram shot, or a Twitter shoutout you can bet it’s out there. This trend is something I’m into. Very, very into.

It has been said that anxiety and stress lie in the piles around your house. In the useless things that really have no meaning other than a memory you’re holding onto there’s clouded mental health. Just hearing this and even writing it down, quite frankly, makes me uncomfortable. But here’s the deal – before I became aware of this trend I was doing some cleaning myself and man it felt good to chuck stuff into the trash, recycling, and Goodwill pile.

Think about it. You keep some article of clothing (that you no longer wear or fit into) or some random bit of, for lack of better term, trash – all because they hold some weird tie to your life or memories. These things aren’t functional and believe me you can go on without them. I have some tips if you feel like you can’t let go…

Take a picture. Literally grab the thing that you’re so desperately holding onto and take a picture of it. Take a few pictures if you want! They all can stay safe and sound on your memory card (pun intended). Next idea? Write it down. If you have something simply for the event or memory etc. that it’s tied to then get yourself a journal. If it’s really that important to you to remember then jot it down. Keeping organized without keeping so many “things” will lift a lot of weight off your shoulders.

As someone who finds it very hard to let go of things (sentimental or not) these changes have made a huge impact in my life. A book that has everyone buzzing is “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo. It’s a weird feeling of freedom from the things you no longer have to physically have with you.

After all, a nightmare of mine is being on the show Hoarders.

CS

Do Not Be Ashamed

There are lots of things in this world that people are ashamed about. Things that range from serious matters to petty things that (really) don’t matter – or shouldn’t at least. I’m here to give some advice on not being ashamed about a certain aspects of life, and I’m not talking about the boy band CD in your car.

Simply put; do not be ashamed of not wanting what other people want. Now this might seem a little confusing at first, but bear with me. Think about things like certain lifestyles, jobs and career paths, and even vacation spots. Have you ever seen a trend that you were confused about, a job that seemed utterly impossible to sit through, or perhaps a frequent abundance of photos from a place you really have no desire to visit? Well that happens and it’s OKAY.

Not wanting what everyone else strives for in every aspect of life is what keeps this little planet of ours diverse. Recently, with all my newly graduated friends and family I can see this stress sinking in more and more. People feel left out for not partaking in the traditional internship or sporting the latest fashion. It’s upsetting to see people feel so out of place when really they needn’t feel left out at all.

I’m not saying that we cannot all enjoy certain sports together or family vacations to a tropical location, because those can sometimes be the things that bring us closer together. However, if you’re someone who feels shunned or hurt from not loving what’s “hot right now” or doing things the “traditional way” have no fear. You are not alone. Perhaps you’re just more quiet than others…

Now get that CD out from under the seat and turn up the volume!

CS

Local (Travel)

You’ve heard it once and you’ve heard it again – stay local, buy local, keep it local, local local. Sometimes, you think it’s a little loco.

Here’s the deal, lots of people don’t like where they are in life. Don’t agree? Consider yourself and your friends lucky. Throughout the years people start to question what they really want. Before I get into something that’s a little too existential for this post let me get to the actual point I want to make in this write up. Local can be a word that’s a bit overkill, but I would like to politely remind you that traveling local can be pretty neat – much like nature.

I spent the last two weeks or so taking friends out and showing them around some local Colorado spots. I realize every day when I step outside how lucky I am to live here, but taking friends around make me a beaming bright proud Coloradan (that is what we’re called, right?). What’s interesting to me was not my newfound obsession with my surroundings, but my fascination with finding areas that were unique throughout the entirety of my life thus far.

When I had friends in Iowa who would visit me in Indiana, or friends who visited when I lived in Ohio or near Chicago – it was all the same. I would get all giddy about showing off hidden treasures and local spots I had held near and dear to my heart. Foodie spots, parks and trails, lakes and water features of sorts, and even local areas that were considered haunted. So, with all this out in the open, I invite you to find the local travel spots that YOU like best. Maybe they’re not the ones that appear on the Travel Channel or where headlining bands come to play, but that doesn’t mean they cannot bring immense joy.

We’re all part of this great world, and every bit of it is worth exploring. I hope you find bliss, and if it’s not that intense maybe a good spot for a mini photoshoot on your phone just for the memories.

Cheers if you got my nature reference above, by the way.

Keep trailblazing,

CS