Whether you choose to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, and/or REPURPOSE today, it's a great day to take a step back and enjoy Mother Earth in all Her glory. I'm looking out a big picture window right now watching the cold rain come down in New York, despite earlier reports of today being the dry & sunny part of the weekend. Luckily, we had no specific outdoor plans and I can just enjoy the coziness and warm-fuzzies that I get on days like this. Side note: I also LOVE to tell my toddler that it's good sleeping whether in hopes of a successful nap-time. I'm still testing this theory out with her. ;-)
Anyway, as the weather allows, I've been making more and more time to get outside with the kiddos. We ALL need the fresh air, sunshine, and adventure that only The Great Outdoors can provide. You know what I mean, right? Of course there's the all-important Vitamin D that our body needs from direct sunlight on our skin, but it's more than that. We now know that just getting the passing light of the sun in our eyes for a bit everyday actually helps us produce more melatonin at night (HELLO better sleep quality!), increases energy and productivity during the day, and helps to fight overall dis-ease. Score!
Here's how we (myself + 1 year old + 3 year old) spent our outside time this week so far:
- Pretty intense hike on the North Shore of Long Island. Magnolia held her own, impressively. Jagger enjoyed the babywearing vantage point.
- A few walks in the neighborhood and to the park.
- We stalked the ride-on cars and carousel at an outdoor "mall" when we had some errands to run.
- Backyard bubbles. Duh! ;-)
- Puddle-splashing happened. And then, so did laundry.
- We discovered a partially wanted and partially unwelcomed snail that seems to have made our driveway a nice home. So of course my neighbors must not think I'm crazy for taking 3 minutes to find said snail before I move my car each time. Hey, a pet is a pet!
That's it. Nothing too crazy and we had a few rainy days that we did pick indoor activities. Oh, and planted some herbs that we're (im)patiently waiting to sprout. What can I say, eating from the Earth with the fam makes me happy!
How are you spending your Earth Day? Any Spring cleaning or festivals or charity walks on the calendar?
In good health,
Tara