"Living Well Newsletter" July 2020

                                   

Brought to you by Kevin Dimmel Realtor® - Associate Broker Cell: 651-260-8597 KevinDimmel.com KDimmel@wradvantage.com KevinDimmel.com "Service with Integrity" Weichert, Realtors® - Advantage 1907 Wayzata Blvd Ste 110 Wayzata, MN 55391 3 Ways to Stop Stress in Its Tracks In light of the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, many of us continue to feel stressed and anxious about the future. However, constant stress can strain your immune system and make you more susceptible to getting sick. Try adopting these simple habits to help you reduce daily anxiety and maintain better health. Breathe. Following a short breathing sequence or a guided meditation session is a great way to slow your heart rate, connect with your body and reduce stress. Just a few minutes of focused breathing per day can have a positive impact on your health. Connect with your stress. Talking with a loved one or journaling about your worries allows you to identify what's troubling you. The simple act of putting your concerns into words can help you release some of your anxiety. Exercise. A brisk walk, a bike ride or a few minutes of yoga can go a long way toward curbing anxious thoughts. When stress overwhelms you, get up and get moving.   Print This Article Also in this issue... Supporting Your Community Is Vital to Its Recovery Tips for Battling Fatigue 5 Ideas for Summertime Cooking Cucumber and Avocado Soup Supporting Your Community Is Vital to Its Recovery Everyone has been affected in one way or another by COVID-19. As cities begin to reopen this summer, it's important to support your community. Consider these three suggestions. If you really stocked up and now find yourself with excess pantry items, contact your local food bank to see what donations they need to continue providing for people who still face economic insecurity. Offer to get groceries or household supplies for your neighbors who are at a higher risk of exposure. When you order takeout, try to support local eateries and don't forget to tip. You can also donate to groups that support service industry professionals, such as your city or state restaurant association.   Print This Article Tips for Battling Fatigue Feeling tired all the time? Struggling to make it through the day without longing for a nap? Boost your energy levels by making these lifestyle changes. Drink more water. Being dehydrated can lead to low energy and decrease your ability to concentrate. Increase your water consumption by keeping a large reusable water bottle handy. Drinking sparkling water or adding fresh fruit to your glass can also motivate you to stay hydrated. Make sleep a priority. With busy family schedules, pressing work demands and plenty of concerns about the future, many of us struggle to get enough uninterrupted sleep. Prioritize sleeping by setting a consistent bedtime and sticking to it. Adjusting the lighting, temperature and noise levels in your room can also help to improve your quality of sleep. Avoid refined carbs. While it's true that carbohydrates provide a quick source of energy, the subsequent spike and drop in your blood sugar levels can leave you feeling even more fatigued. To maintain your energy throughout the day, replace sugar and refined carbs with whole foods that contain fiber, such as apples, avocados, raspberries, carrots, almonds, or pistachios.   Print This Article 5 Ideas for Summertime Cooking As the temperature outside rises, cooking over a hot stove often becomes less appealing. The summer season is an opportunity to try new dishes that both celebrate fresh produce and avoid an overheated kitchen. Here are five suggestions to help you enjoy summer cooking. Cook outside. If you have an outdoor grill, use it in creative new ways. Don't limit yourself to burgers and hot dogs – try grilling fish and shrimp, or go vegetarian with veggies cooked on skewers or in foil packs. Create irresistible summer desserts by grilling fresh peaches or other fruit to serve with ice cream or frozen yogurt. Take advantage of cooler temperatures. If you need to turn on the stove for cooking or the oven for baking, do so first thing in the morning while temperatures are relatively cool outside. By minimizing the number of hours you run the air conditioner in your home, you'll reduce the cost of the most expensive, energy-using appliance you own. Explore cold dishes. Make the most of the season's fresh produce by creating salads, sandwiches and wraps loaded with raw veggies and cold meats. Try your hand at a chilled soup, such as a cucumber soup or melon gazpacho. No-bake dessert recipes allow you to enjoy sweet treats while leaving the oven off. Cook with small appliances. Air fryers, electronic pressure cookers, slow cookers, and microwaves all enable you to cook food thoroughly without heating up the entire kitchen. Prep dinner ingredients in the morning and allow them to simmer all day in a slow cooker. Or, cook meals quickly in a pressure cooker or air fryer. Double up. When you're using the oven, make a double batch of the recipe or cook foods for two meals at one time. You'll save on cooling costs and be able to spend more time outdoors with your friends and family.   Print This Article Cucumber and Avocado Soup Ingredients 1 ripe avocado ½ large fennel bulb 1 large cucumber, diced 2 Tbsp. plain Greek yogurt ¼ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup ice cubes ½ cup cold water ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper For garnish: Heavy whipping cream Parsley, freshly chopped Directions Slice avocado in half, remove pit and scoop flesh into a high-powered blender. Remove outer layer and core from fennel bulb, then chop and add to blender. Add remaining ingredients and blend on high until completely smooth. If soup is too thick, add more water until it reaches desired consistency. Garnish with drizzles of cream and chopped parsley. Serve cold. Serves 4   Print This Article ©2020 The Personal Marketing Company. All rights reserved. Reproductions in any form, in part or in whole, are prohibited without written permission. If your property is currently listed for sale or lease, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing. The material in this publication is for your information only and not intended to be used in lieu of seeking additional consumer or professional advice. All trademarked names or quotations are registered trademarks of their respective owners. If you would like to opt out of any future mailings, please click here. The Personal Marketing Company 11511 W. 83rd Terrace Lenexa, KS 66214