This summer is the perfect time to go back to our nation's ways - maybe that's a stretch, but it's time to put down the cell phones, iPads, and walk away from the television sets. It's summertime and we should start acting like it.

-Sit on your porch or deck. Simply sit there. Turn on a radio and drink a glass of lemonade, iced tea, a beer, I'm not sure what you drink but to each their own. But, simply enjoy another's company and the outside air.

-Go for a walk around the block. Yes, gyms are great because of the air conditioning and tv screens all over the walls, but nothing is the same as a the fresh air and natural inclines of sidewalks. Talk to your neighbors. Take your dog with you.

-Buy a bike. Buy a bike and instead of driving all over town, bike there. The weather is gorgeous in summer - embrace it the most that you can. (my mom and i are bike shopping that's the main reason this is on this list haha.)

-Take a country drive. Midwest drives in the summer and fall are the best. Crops are growing and run on for miles. Sunsets over the fields are hard to beat.

-Take time to focus on eating healthier. Don't take the easy route and zip-through the fast food chains. Cook and grill out. Buy watermelon and cantaloupe from the farmer's stand in the random parking lots around town. Buy sweet corn... buy a lot of sweet corn. Yummmmmmmy.

-Visit your old friends and family you don't see everyday. Catch up and reminisce on old stories.

-Plan a few projects for yourself. Whether it's to read so many books, or sew some new pillow cases, or create a new rap. Just keep yourself busy doing something you wouldn't do during the school year.

-Go for a day trip adventure. Whether that's just heading to a shopping mall in a different town or laying out at a little lake, get out of your town and normal grind. Explore.

This summer don't stick to your normal routine, get out there, put your phone down and try something new. Embrace the outdoors this summer. #blessed