The Anticancer Lifestyle Team Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries….these times of celebration enrich our present and connect us to our past. They help us mark the passage of time, and give us a chance to reflect on what has changed, and what has remained the same.
This year, the July 4 holiday–like everything else in our lives—will feel markedly different. While we may not be enjoying the usual parades, fireworks, and trips to the beach, we can savor time with friends and family outdoors (yes, at a distance and with masks securely on), and get some exercise and fresh air.
But since we are already required to rethink everything we do, we may as well rethink some of our holiday patterns, too. If your July 4 normally features macaroni salad, hamburgers, hot dogs, and cherry pie, this might be a good time to try other, healthier foods instead—veggie burgers, salmon patties, kale quinoa salad, three-bean salad, and watermelon for dessert. Heading out for a picnic, pack your goodies in glass containers and grab some paper straws, instead of plastic.
These are just some of the many simple ways to enjoy a healthier holiday. So, while this holiday may not look like any other July 4 weekend you’ve celebrated, consider using it as an opportunity to re-frame what it means to have a good time. Declare your own independence from unhealthy foods and habits. Enjoy!
