Ahhh, sweet summer…my favorite season!

I decided to create a summer bucket list. Not just a list filled with fun activities, although I do have some of those, but one that would benefit my overall wellbeing. I already live an active and healthy lifestyle, but I’ve inadvertently let some things slip, so, I’m hitting the restart button in a few areas, and I’m throwing in a couple of other items for my own good.

Here are the 10 things that make up my healthy, summer bucket list. Want to join me?

 

1. Purge and organize my pantry.

I know this isn’t a fun summer activity, but I have to do it for my physical wellbeing. You’ll see why, specifically, in my third list item.

At the same time, I’m going to organize it better. I found this short video from Brittany Vasseur with some helpful organizing tips, and I just bought these stackable storage containers and this lazy suzan to hold oils, vinegars, and tall bottles. I’m tackling my first list item this weekend!

 

 

2. Get outside more.

This one’s a no brainer. Summer is the time to get in as much patio dining and as many outdoor activities as possible because we all know how fast summer goes by. I need my Vitamin D after a loooong, cold winter and spring.

3. Eat clean.

I have a lot of food sensitivities. Just last week, I had a scare with anaphylaxis and had to go to Urgent Care for an EpiPen injection after my entire face swelled up and my throat started to tingle and tighten.

Since then, I’ve cut out gluten, dairy, processed foods, refined sugar, and all meat except fish. I hope I can keep this up because I feel a difference in just a week.

 

Dijon baked salmon

I’ve already made this Dijon Baked Salmon from Downshiftology twice. Trust me on this one!!! I’ll share more clean eating favorites in a future post.

4. Spend a weekend in the mountains.

We live at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado but haven’t been up there in quite a while, so in July I’m going to recharge my battery by heading up to Beaver Creek, a breathtaking, alpine village just west of Vail. Look for a future travel post on this one!

5. Read five books.

Reading is something I’ve inadvertently let slip over the past six months, so this summer I’m going to start up again by reading five books. That will have me reading at least 30 minutes a day, and if I surpass my goal, hooray!

6. Start cycling again.

Where I live in Colorado is consistently ranked among the top three bike-friendly cities in America. We have over 300 miles of bike lanes and 30+ miles of wide-lane, paved, dedicated bicycle trails. I love cycling, but last summer, I didn’t ride at all. I’m going to pump up my tires and hit the trails this year.

7. Shop at Farmer’s Markets.

This one goes hand in hand with my 2nd and 3rd list items, getting outside more and eating clean. I also think this will make grocery shopping feel like less of a chore to me. Bonus!

Farmer's market shopping and healthy summer bucket list from Lisa at Midlifeinbloom.com

I’m linking my outfit items here. The skirt and top are on clearance for $26 and $16.
denim skirt (white here, knee-length here) // top // sandals
similar market tote // similar belt // earrings // sunglasses

8. Cut back on screen time.

I know people who do full-on social media or screen detoxes. A more realistic and attainable goal for me is to cut back on my screen time. I don’t watch much TV as it is, but I do spend a lot of time on my phone.

This might be my toughest list item because I just got Apple’s new iPhone Xs Max, and oh my goodness, I love it!

9. Attend outdoor concerts.

Last summer, I attended one outdoor concert. Just one! It was a good one though…Third Day’s final concert at Red Rocks!

Last weekend I saw Rick Springfield perform at a local festival, and on July 8th, my sister and I will see Mercy Me, also at Red Rocks. In addition, I want to go to free concerts in local parks. Music is good for the soul.

10. Be more intentional with friends.

It’s easy to say “let’s get together soon” and then time passes, we do our daily routines, and before you know it, the next month is here.

I don’t want the summer to be over and all of a sudden realize I didn’t spend much time with friends. I’m already making plans to do some of these activities with my gal pals, although none of them have volunteered to help me clean out my pantry! 😆

 

What do you think about making a healthy, summer bucket list? Let me know in the comments below, or share your ideas for keeping healthy this summer. And as always, thanks so much for reading.

xx, Lisa

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