Tag: summer

Strawberry Picking – Summer Fun Activity for All

Pick Your Own Fruits – PYOF or PYOS – pick your own strawberry is a very popular British summer activity for families and kids. You go to farms who are open and welcome visitors for this activity and can pick your own fruit and vegetables fresh from the field. These usually include strawberries, raspberry, and so in summer that is in the mainly in the month of July and other fruits like blueberry towards the end of August or September.
Strawberry-picking-uk-1Generally the produce available and other details are listed on the website of various farms. Also, there are several farms in UK that one can visit.

Pick your own fruits holds nostalgic memories for many of us.  Earlier there were thousands of farms in the country but now only a few hundred remain. If you are someone who likes to know where their food comes from and look for seasonal and local produce then pick your own fruits is a perfect summer time activity for you. On a nice sunny day, you can enjoy the fresh crisp air and connect with the nature by picking seasonal delights like strawberries, raspberries, rhubarbs and blueberries in a wide, huge and open field.

It’s a great day out and one a fun and healthy activity for the entire family. We stay so cooped up in the city that a day out refreshes our senses and rejuvenates us all. It’s also a great activity for kids and a fun way to bring them close to the nature. The best part of the entire activity is that you get to take fresh fruits like strawberries back home and make yummy puddings, smoothies, jams and so on with it. Usually the farms provide baskets or containers to pick the produce. There are signposts to spot the crops. And you weigh the produce and are charged per kg for the fruit.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you going to a pick your own farm:

  1. When picking strawberries choose firm and fully red berries because strawberries don’t ripen after they have been picked.
  2. Make sure your feet or knees don’t damage the plants near the edge of the row.
  3. You can help the farmers by removing the defected or damaged berries by placing them in the mud. Because if they are rotten then the rot will spread to the other berries quickly as well.
  4. Try to consume berries immediately after they have been picked. If you plan to store them then try to pick them on a cloudy or cool day. Berries picked in the heat become bruised and soft easily.
  5. Place the picked berries in the shade of a tree or in your car to cool them after picking.
  6. You can store berries in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and maintain the freshness.

Have you visited any pick your own farms? Share your experience in the comments below.

Summer Skincare Tips

Warm weather is upon us  and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m dreaming about beaches, mojitos, summertime sunsets and stylish swimwear…but I’m also thinking about skincare and hydration, and you should be too! The strong rays of the sun can really suck the life out of your skin, and I believe that it’s always best to prevent the damage rather than fix it afterwards. Ladies, here are my top ten skincare and haircare tips for the summertime:

Summer-Skincare

  1. You have heard it before and I will say it again: there is no replacement for drinking water. Yes, it is absolutely essential all year round, but it is especially important in the summer, when the heat sucks the hydration out of your skin. Remember, eight glasses a day keeps the skin doctor away.
  2. Like water, sunscreen should be part of your skincare routine throughout the year, but when the sun is out, sunscreen is non-negotiable. Wear it before you apply the rest of your makeup and save yourself some nasty burn (or worse!)
  3. For extra skin protection, switch to makeup that contains SPF. Most products will mention their SPF content, if any, on the label, but ask your sales representative for help if you’re not sure!
  4. Treat your skin to some cooling facemasks. Ingredients like cucumber and yogurt are very soothing on heated skin, while lemon and lime are great de-tanning agents.
  5. Never leave your home without moisturising your face and body, to replenish the hydration that they’ve lost to the warm air. If you are prone to oily skin, use a light, oil-free moisturiser to prevent unwanted shininess.
  6. As far as possible, use oil-free formulations when it comes to makeup. These products are less likely to clog your pores when you sweat.
  7. When it comes to your lips, use a lip balm that contains SPF. You can wear it on its own or apply it below lipstick or lip gloss for protection.
  8. Invest in a hydrating mist for your skin, or make your own by simply putting some water and a drop of essential oil into a spray bottle. Spritz this onto your face every few hours to revitalize your skin and prevent it from drying out.
  9. We’ve spoken about your skin, but what about your tresses? Again, use products that have SPF wherever possible, and never step outside without applying a protective leave-in conditioner to guard your hair.
  10. Always carry a hat to cover your hair from the harmful rays of the sun. If they’re not your cup of tea, use a cute headscarf instead!

Summer Coolers that are both Delicious and Healthy!

Summer Coolers

The heat outside can have you craving for a delicious, cool drink but perhaps the thought of calories involved stops you. Or maybe you are not counting calories but simply prefer to consume more healthy treats.

Either way, the typical store bought iced teas, coffee mixes and juice powders are not the best option – go in for summers coolers that are healthy and delicious, so you can enjoy them absolutely guilt-free.

Here are some recipes you could try:

  1. Strawberry Lemonade – Take 3-4 strawberries and chop off their leaf-bearing end. Squeeze the juice of one whole lemon and put in the blender with the chopped strawberries. Add a couple of mint leaves (or more if you like the flavour), a cup of water and 3-4 ice cubes. Blend till a beverage of even consistency is produced. Pour into a glass and add a slice of lemon. Voila! You have a tangy, refreshing drink which only contains about 40 calories.
  2. Sweet Honey Tea – Boil a cup of water and add a tea bag of regular or green tea, but only once water is off the stove or the tea shall be bitter. Let the tea bag infuse for about 1-2 minutes, depending on how intense you want the tea flavour to be. Add a tablespoon of honey and some crushed mint leaves, and mix will. Pour the hot drink into a tall glass and top with chilled water and ice. A nutrient-rich cooler carrying only around 60 calories is not yours to enjoy!
  3. Watermelon-Basil Juice – This recipe serves 4, so adjust proportions according to your needs. Take about 4 cups of watermelon chunks (seeds included if you like the crunch) and place over a thin-mesh sieve, sitting in a large bowl. Add 10-16 basil leaves and use a metal ladle to press the watermelon so the juice collects in the bowl below. Extract as much juice as possible and add a pinch of black salt and ¼ teaspoon white vinegar to it. Now mix in 4 cups of chilled water, stir well and serve this lovely under-50-calories drink.
  4. Fruity Green Tea – Prepare some green tea and chill in the refrigerator. Combine ½ cup of orange and ½ cup of pomegranate juice with 1/3rd cup of this chilled green tea. Freshly squeezed juices are preferred though packaged ones will do as well (go for the ones with low sugar and no added preservatives in the latter case). Add one teaspoon of lemon juice to the above and mix well. Your approximately 110-calorie summer cooler is ready!
  5. Homemade Ginger Ale – Add a cup of water, 1 tablespoon sugar and two small pieces (1.5 cm diameter, 0.5 cm thickness each, roughly) of ginger to a sauce pan. Bring water to a boil over medium heat and then let it simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Strain the water and let it cool; there would be only about ½ a cup or lesser amount left. Pour chilled water into a class and top with soda. Add a slice of lime and sip on this yummy home-brew which has less than 80 calories!

These summer coolers are absolutely yummy. You can adjust the proportion of ingredients to suit your palette wherever necessary. Beat the heat with these and it’ll be a summer you’ll remember fondly!