A Last Hurrah to Summer: Finding the Sweet Spot

How is it possible that we're already saying goodbye to summer?

Labor Day weekend is almost here, the Minnesota State Fair is in full swing, kids are heading back to school, and we're squeezing in those last trips, dinners outside and summer get-togethers before fall routines officially begin.

And wouldn't you know it, Dr. Jen Ashton's September challenge in The Self-Care Solution is...

Sugar.

The timing makes me laugh a little. If you've ever walked through the Minnesota State Fair, you know a "less sugar" challenge might be arriving at precisely the wrong time!

Or maybe it's arriving at exactly the right time.

Less Sugar Doesn't Have to Mean Less Living

For her September challenge, Jen took a closer look at how much added sugar she was consuming.

What surprised her was that sugar wasn't only showing up in obvious places like cookies, desserts, and ice cream. It was hiding in everyday foods like yogurt, sauces, condiments, and packaged foods, too.

And even Jen found the challenge difficult.

I love that honesty because healthy living isn't about getting everything right every day. It's about awareness and making better choices most of the time.

Read a few more labels. Choose foods with less added sugar when it doesn't really matter to you.

And when something does matter?

Enjoy it.

One day doesn't define our health. Our everyday habits do.

Don't Forget Everything We've Practiced

That's what I've loved about Jen's month-by-month approach to wellness. We aren't supposed to finish one challenge and forget it.

We're building a toolbox.

We've worked on movement and strength. We've practiced meditation. We've focused on hydration and getting more steps. Last month, we even worked on putting down our phones and being more present.

Those habits don't disappear because we're enjoying Labor Day weekend.

Take a morning walk. Do a few planks in your hotel room. Fill your water bottle. Put your phone away during dinner.

And enjoy this last part of summer with your friends and family!

That's balance.

Here's to one last wonderful summer weekend and a healthy, happy September ahead!

x/o

Angela

Live Well with Angela | Clean Beauty Matters