The Fresh Perspective...

If you are into music, I’m sure you have your own collection of summer tunes. Whether it’s just the songs that are playing on the radio all summer or some nostalgic playlist from summers past, summer music is all about making you feel as good as the sun does!

Summer is supposed to be a happy time when we all get to indulge in the fun activities that we’re deprived of all winter. Naturally, this must come with a soundtrack. I definitely believe that many artists strategically release certain tracks for that exact purpose. I remember “I’ve Got a Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas coming out June 2009 and was easily the song of the summer. This can set a tone for good vibes every time it comes on, for the entire summer.

When it comes to music, nostalgia has a strong pull on how it makes us feel. It can be music your parents played on that summer road trip as a kid or the playlist you curated for all your friends when you graduated high school. Anytime those songs come on, you’re instantly brought back to that moment. When that memory comes with a blazing sun and happy feelings, that song can bring you summer vibes in the middle of January!

Whatever your motivation for summer tunes is, now’s the time to set the tone! The weather’s warmer and we’re spending more time outdoors. Start building that playlist now!

-that’s the fresh perspective…

Wordless Wednesday

Picnic season is here & we LOVE it.

The Fresh Perspective

CAMPING! ‘TIS THE SEASON!

I know there are some people that absolutely dread a camping trip, but if you have yet to at least give it a try - please do! I am a huge fan of camping and look forward to it every summer. It started out when I was young with family canoe and camping trips, and continued as a grew older with friends and loved ones.

Depending on the time of year and the level of camping you’re into, your needs with vary drastically. I always enjoy being comfortable, of course, however I like to make the trip as simple as possible by packing only necessities - not so extreme, but not like a glam camper, ya know?

Slightly less glam than this… ;)

My most recent camping trip was in Tulabi Falls. It was INCREDIBLE. Myself and a group of friends booked the back country camp site and trecked on in on a Friday afternoon. Let me tell you, if you book those back country sites, be prepared to walk about 2 km’s to your site. We didn’t plan for this and packed quite heavy so the struggle was real. But, the reward was totally worth it. These back country sites are right on the water. You can slip on in and cool off at any time, take a tube ride down to the falls and spend the day jumping off of the cliffs and hanging out by the rapids. If you’re not ready to brave the back country, book yourself a yurt. They are absolutely beautiful and are next on my list.

Some of the top places to check out would be Tulabi Falls, Spruce Woods, random islands on West Hawk Lake, or one very random spot a friend brought a group of us to off HWY 1.

My biggest advice for camping trips consist of the following list;

• be open-minded

• bring the strongest bug spray you can find

• rubber boots are a great way to avoid poison ivy

• practice your around the fire jam suggestions prior so you sound like a professional

• don’t be afraid to get messy

• leave your phone in the car

• soak in and appreciate the nature

That sums up my camping blog! I could talk about it a lot so if you have questions or need suggestions, comment below!

-that’s the fresh perspective…

The Fresh Perspective...

Race season is upon us. If you are a runner, you may be thinking of doing a race. Whether you’re a seasoned vet or a beginner, it can be very intimidating to get started. One thing you can always remind yourself is that running is a solo sport. You get to set your own pace, goals and you don’t have to worry about anyone else. There’s no outside pressure so don’t be hard on yourself and enjoy the process.

If you’ve never run a day in your life, my advice is download the “Couch to 5k” app. It’s a perfectly paced 9 week program to ease you into running at a very realistic, comfortable pace. You’ll be so proud when you get to that 30 minute run at the end that you may even want to move on to the 5k-10k program. But one thing at a time. ;)

If you’re already a runner but are looking to try out a race you’ve never done before, good for you! It’s great to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Here are my top tips for race training:

-Talk to other runners who’ve run the race you’re looking to do. Ask what they struggled with during training and during the race. What helped them? You’ll save yourself a lot of grief and googling.

-Get good runners! I cannot stress this enough. It is not worth running long distances in uncomfortable shoes that lack support. Go to a running store, not the mall. Talk to the people who work there and try on 20 pairs. Don’t skimp on price if the fit is right. This is so important.

-Listen to your body. Trust your body. Honor your body. Every body is different and we all run differently. If something doesn’t feel right, give yourself a break. Don’t push yourself too hard. Don’t compare yourself to others. Practice gratitude with every run. You are very privileged to have a healthy body, don’t take that for granted.

Good luck and have fun!

-the fresh perspective…