June: Things to Savor this Month

Summer is right around the corner and June is the perfect month to start it off right. Enjoy a variety of flavors, settings, and events with our top 5 things to savor this June.

1.  Outside Yoga: As it gets warmer, outside yoga classes pop up everywhere. Practicing outside can help strengthen your mind and body, clear your head, and recover from a stress-filled day. The sights and sounds of practicing outdoors can also promote peace of mind, improve active meditation, and keep you focusing on the present with less effort. Most outside yoga classes are free or offered at a discounted rate. Check out these outdoor yoga (and other fitness classes) in NYC and Hoboken for a fit, sun-filled summer! One of my favorite options? Mimi Yoga in Hoboken offers 3 separate 5-week sessions of Sunrise Express Yoga for an extremely discounted (and reasonable) rate of only $25! Signing up for a series can help keep you accountable, motivated, and coming back from more! Whether you’re attending a class or practicing on your own, check out these tips for taking your practice outside.    ​
2. Cherries: Not only are cherry blossoms beautiful to look at, but these deliciously tart fruits are juicy, full of flavor, and make for a perfect on-the-go snack. Purchase at a farmer’s market to find local versions at a lower price. For healthy and delicious snacks, salads, and dishes, pair with almonds, apricots, basil, goat cheese, ricotta, cinnamon, coconut, mint, oatmeal, vanilla, or balsamic vinegar!
3. Wine in a Can: This party favor makes for the perfect picnic, camping, or outdoor movie accessory, and is just all around awesome. Forget the wine key at home and grab a blanket, cheese and crackers, grapes, and a can of wine for the perfect June picnic. Union Wine Company’s canned Underwood Pinots are a great place to start and you may even be able to find them at your local Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods! Check out some of these other brands worthy of trying.
4. Mint: Add to salads, drinks, and hot entrees for a fresh and delicious summer taste! In top season in June, this herb can be grown at home for an endless supply. A few of my favorite compliments include: iced green tea, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, grapefruit, lemon, basil, lavender, pinenuts, watermelon, and chocolate. Check out more flavor pairings in The Vegetarian Flavor Bible.

The Farmer’s Market: Who doesn’t love a good summer farmer’s market. Take advantage of these seasonal shopping locations to fill up on fresh and local produce and delicacies. Not sure where your closest farmers market is? Check out JerseyFresh.nj.gov for the closest farmer’s market in your community!