3 Easy Changes to Your Daily Routine to Keep You Healthy this Summer {Plus a Delicious Florida Orange Juice Smoothie Recipe}
June 26, 2020
Summer is here. It’s finally warm outside, and we’re excited more than ever to be getting some fresh air, practicing wellness activities, and promoting a healthy lifestyle – are you with us?
Summer is often a time when people get a chance to focus on themselves a little more. The weather is warm, and people are ready to head outside as part of a healthier lifestyle. Schedules open up, and people are better able to focus on health.
However, practicing wellness and promoting a healthy lifestyle is more than a seasonal fad. It is a state of mind – a commitment.
Many times, starting a new routine or process can be intimidating and overwhelming. Whether you haven’t worked out before and don’t know where to begin or you have tried every trending diet with little success, often the fear of failure holds you back from pursuing and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
But with just a few tips, and a little help from a delicious Florida OJ smoothie, you can start taking the steps to a healthier lifestyle.
3 Wellness Tips for Living and Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle
As a doctor, I think the most important aspect to overall health and natural wellness is setting realistic goals. There are many small changes you can make in your daily routine that are easy and effective. So today, I am giving you some healthy lifestyle benefits along with my top 3 wellness tips. You can easily incorporate these tips into your daily routine to kick start your wellness journey this summer.
1. You Are What You Eat
Sometimes dieting can become overwhelming. With so many trending diets, knowing the right things to eat is not only time consuming but can be super intimidating.
The reality is that you can actually live a healthier life by simply making minor adjustments to your daily routine.
Start your day off right.
Choose superfoods that not only fuel your body with the energy you need to get through the day but are also packed with antioxidants and vitamins your body needs to help support your wellness routine.
Many people choose a quick, convenient breakfast in the morning. Running out the door to work or heading out for the day, it’s easy to grab a high calorie, low nutrient pre-packaged breakfast and go. But just one small change to your daily routine can put you on a better path to overall health and wellness.
Citrus juices, such as Florida Orange Juice, are reportedly the largest contributor of vitamin C in the diet – a powerful antioxidant nutrient key in supporting immune health, iron absorption from plant-based foods, and skin and bone health. Vitamin C helps support our immune systems by protecting cells and promoting the production and function of immune cells. Vitamin C is also important in the formation of collagen, which is a vital component for the health of our bones, cartilage, and gums.
Just one 8-ounce glass of Florida OJ provides more than 100% of your recommended Daily Value of vitamin C, making it a quick and easy source of this important nutrient.*
Fortified Florida Orange Juice is also a good source of vitamin D*. Recently, vitamin D has gotten more media attention for its critical role in fighting infection and building immunity. Multiple studies have found an association between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of infections, including influenza and other respiratory infections and sepsis.
2. Get Your Body Moving
We all know exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle. And there are so many ways to incorporate fitness into your daily routine.
For many parents, getting to the gym is a daunting and inconvenient task. But there are incredible workouts that can be done from your own home in less than 30 minutes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with where to start, set realistic goals and find a workout that easily fits into your already busy schedule.
You can start with a 10-minute walk. Do it as a family. Instead of letting your dog out in your backyard, take him for a walk. Make easy wellness activities part of your daily schedule.
You don’t have to jump into an intense 40-minute cardio exercise. Practicing and promoting a healthy lifestyle that truly works for you is key. And you can achieve this goal by gradually introducing wellness activities. Exercise doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
While you’re moving, don’t forget to hydrate! And our favorite post-workout drink is always Florida Orange Juice!
100% orange juice is naturally almost 90 percent water, which is perfect for staying well hydrated while being active!
In fact, a clinical study reported that drinking 100% orange juice following exercise contributed to hydration equally as well as water or a sports drink, making 100% orange juice a viable and healthy option as a post-exercise beverage.
3. Avoid the Midday Crash
Personally, I start to feel that midday crash in mid-to-late afternoon. When the day is coming to a close, we can all start to feel a bit fatigued and run down.
This fatigue can lead to carb cravings and unnecessary snacking.
A great tip is to make a nutrient packed smoothie to hold you over until dinnertime. My kids love making smoothies with me. It’s always a fun activity to do together. A fruit smoothie is a great way for the entire family to get their daily nutrients. And it doesn’t hurt that I can sneak in some unwanted vegetables that they’ll never know about!
As mentioned, citrus is rich in vitamin C, which helps support your immune system. A healthy functioning immune system is critical to having enough energy to get you through your day. Also, 100% orange juice can be a good source of natural sugars to give you a quick pick me up during that midday slump.
Often, people don’t realize that dehydration can also contribute to fatigue.
Staying properly hydrated really is important for your overall energy levels throughout the day. While water is vital for proper hydration, drinking 100% orange juice can also provide you with other necessary vitamins and supplementation to keep your energy levels up.
With the right smoothie ingredients, you’ll have that extra boost you need to get through your day! Here’s one of my favorite smoothie recipes for tackling the afternoon crash.
Energizing Florida Orange Juice Smoothie
Combine the following ingredients, blend, and enjoy!
- 1 cup 100% Orange Juice
- 1/2 medium banana
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh mango chunks
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
Final Thoughts on Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle
Growing up in Florida, having a glass of Florida OJ with our breakfast was always a staple in our household. There is something comforting about starting off on the right foot with an 8-oz. glass of 100% orange juice*!
At Forever Freckled, we are honored and excited to collaborate with the Florida Department of Citrus to spread the word on the amazing health and nutritional benefits of 100% orange juice!
~Dr. Katie
*Nutrient content claims provided herein are based on an 8-ounce serving. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that 100% juice be limited to no more than 4 ounces per day for toddlers age 1-3 years, 4-to-6 ounces per day for children age 4-6 years, and no more than 8 ounces per day for children age 7 years and older.
This post is sponsored, but all opinions are my own.
FOREVER FRECKLED DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND TERMS OF USE.
