Get Outdoors!

It’s officially Summer! Whoo-hoo! The sun is shinning, the weather is actually pretty toasty, and everything is in full bloom. June has been designated as Great Outdoors Month, where we’re urged to explore the gorgeous outdoors and appreciate our great nation’s beautiful lands. To inspire you to participate, I thought I’d share some of my favorite outdoor actives—from leisurely ones to more strenuous endeavors.

Plan A Picnic
Call me a hopeless romantic, but I love a picnic! My husband and I pack up an incredible feast, stash in a bottle of vino and even bring along a speaker for music. It’s always a great afternoon, no matter where we go! For suggestions on the best picnic spots in every state, check out Taste of Home magazine’s latest article.

Take A Hike
I’ll admit it—I’m a bit spoiled living in the Hudson Valley and surrounded by so many incredible hiking opportunities. One of my favorites is the Breakneck Ridge trail located just 10 minutes from downtown Beacon, NY. A strenuous hike that starts with a challenging rock scramble, it offers many very beautiful views of the surrounding valley. If you prefer something less strenuous, then checkout the AllTrails site for easier excursions anywhere in the U.S.

Celebrate Pride With A 5K Race
As June is also National LGBTQ Pride Month, why not celebrate it by running a 5K that will both do your body good and help support local not-for-profit organizations? On Saturday, June 12, there is the Brooklyn Pride 5K Run/Walk in Prospect Park, NY, while closer to my home will be the Poughkeepsie PKGO Pride Parade on June 11.

Visit A Sculpture Garden
Another fun way to enjoy the scenic outdoors is through artistic exploration. Again, I’m real lucky to have the well-known Storm King Art Center nearby, which features 500 manicured acres with large-scale sculptures. For other options across the U.S., check out USA Today’s Top 10 Readers’ Choice for Best Sculpture Parks in 2021.

Practice Yoga In A Park
Monday, June 21 marks International Yoga Day, so why not take your mat outside and add some invigorating fresh air and a bit of nature to your practice? If you’re not sure where to find an outside yoga class near you, check out the MindBody website or app to locate one that will suit your needs. If you are local to Hudson Valley, join Outdoor Yoga at the Weed Orchard Winery Saturdays and Sundays at 9am and Thursdays “Sunset Class” at 6:30pm. Learn more at https://www.weedorchards.com.
As with any outdoor activity, don’t forget your Nourish Lavender and Tea Tree Hand Sanitizer!
Naturally formulated to shield your hands from germs and infection, it’s chocked full of botanically rich and soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Hungarian Lavender essential oil.

Sage xo