July means lots of sun… and being thirsty! The more we play and work in the summer heat, the more important hydration becomes. There are so many options! Will you grab a sports drink, a lemonade or a bottle of water?

If we’re not careful, our choice of hydration can hide a lot of sugar. The average 20 ounce sports drink contains over 30 grams of sugar, a soda is closer to 40 grams and a sweet tea contains around 45 grams! That’s a lot of sugar!

So when we’re thirsty, let’s reach for water! “Water First for Thirst” helps us remember that when we’re hot, water is the best way to quench our thirst and take care of our bodies.

Not a big fan of plain water? Dress it up! Here’s a recipe for Flavored Water made with fresh fruit and herbs- YUM!
https://celebrateyourplate.org/recipes/flavored-water 

Looking for fun ways to be active during the summer? Check out some ideas below!

1. Garden with your friends or family. You can garden at home in containers, in raised beds, in the ground, or at one of our many community gardens!
   
2. Walk or Bike to a local Farmers Market!
   
3. On super hot days, consider trying fun indoor games like the ones below:
   
4. Try these outside activities below:
   
5. Go on a walk
   
6. Bike to First Fridays where they have a Bike Valet now!
   
7. Check out more ideas here!