Summer temperatures heat up and that means we don’t want to be weighted down by hearty foods that are steaming with heat and calories. Lighten up your meals and slim your waistline with these healthy Summer salad recipes. Watermelon in particular burns fat, which is why do many people call it a weight lost snack. Incorporating this into your salads accompanied by some good fats like almonds and avocado is a great way to make your body happy.

Spinach, Avocado and Kiwi Salad

Ingredients

• 1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
• 1 -2 kiwi fruit, peeled,  and cut into cubes
• 2 ounces baby spinach
• raisins

Grapefruit and Jicama Salad by the Red Shallot Kitchen 

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cup shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup shredded jicama
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 3 tablespoons chopped mint leaves
• Segments from 2 large grapefruits
• 1/4 cup candied walnuts, chopped

Skip’s a huge fan of the Marvel blockbuster hits, so this time I wanted to give it a shot and see how amazing they were. Turns out, they are! I didn’t realize how much I loved comic films and this one was one of the biggest Avengers films to tie it all together.

Ultron is the biggest and baddest villain that the team would face out of their many fights. This new nemesis was one that was created in part by Iron Man himself. Ultron was supposed to the peaceful crime fighter that would help to save the world, but instead he chose to rid the world of the thing that he thought would destroy the earth most…humans. So to fight off this villain the Avengers would be joined by a new savior, the antithesis of Ultron (Vision). This is a pretty awesome film that tests new limits of each character and brings out more of a human side to some relationships they cultivate as well. The best part of the film would be the new love bubble between the Black Widow and The Hulk. This is a must see Marvel film!

Skip’s on hiatus this month on The Shift With Skip Radio, but he’s cooking up some big things coming up for himself that he will be sharing with you on the show for the month of July and on. We are putting together a drop dead list of amazing guests and topics that you have been waiting for. Check out this months’ replays for the month and pick up tips for anything in the wellness category on our blog here.

Replays:

June 3rd at 10 am PT: Chef Phillip Dell from Chopped!

June 10th at 10 am PT: Yoga with Stephen Ewashiw

June 17th at 10 am PT: Shifting the mind and body with Margaret Marshall

June 24th at 10 am PT: Shifting Confidence and Optimism with Kelly Johnson

If you’re living in Los Angeles, you know there are plenty of wonderful Summer activities that you can walk or drive to. We would love to share our hot list activities with you to keep your summer the best you’ve had yet.

The first activity on our list is Hot Air Balloon Rides!

Have you ever wanted to know what it was like to look down from the clouds on the world you live in and see how big it really is? Then you have got to try a hot air balloon ride. There are even some great packages you can get, with a champagne breakfast for two or a family package and bring everyone! Check out the website here.

Outdoor Films, Vintage and New

We love this place! This is one of the most historical spots for celebrity resting places. Not to get all morbid on you or anything, but you can feel the sweet vibes of people coming together and remembering the beauty of those who have come and gone in film. The beauty of this is that all those souls who passed on, that were once in these films shown at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, can still watch the films they loved or were in every week during the summer months.

Hiking and Camping

The Santa Monica mountains have everyone from beach, waterfalls and green lush trees to desert like brush trails, caves and more. Don’t let your physical activity be restricted to a gym space because that can get boring. Check out all the amazing trail and skill levels here.

Visit Historical Missions

We’re sure you have heard about all of the wonderful missions in California when you were a kid. How about getting a jump on your child’s upcoming projects by taking a drive down to your local mission and checking out some wonderful and interesting California history.

Summer Outdoor Performances 

If you love art, performance and theater, you are going to love this amazing program sponsored by some local companies hoping to bring art back to the beach cities. Try out some Shakespeare by the Sea this summer and spend a free night with friends, family and have a few laughs. The shows are free, but donations are welcome or you can purchase seating and dinner for a fee.

Shift With Skip Guest: Shola Richards

• As Faux Meat Has Goes Mass Market,is it Actually Good For You?
• Great How-to from WorldYogi, ‪#‎StephenEwashkiw‬ on How Not To Hyperextend In Yoga
• The Shift With Skip Radio Producer Marie’s Book Recommendation – Thich Nhat Hanh’s “Silence” 
• Just in case you managed to miss this week’s The ShiftWithSkip on “Positivity” with the terrific Shola Richards be sure to catch up NOW!
• This week’s recipe from my upcoming book, The Lotus Kitchen; Garlic Minty Roasted Potatoes
• The Shift Video Prayer and Meditation
• This week’s affirmation

Welcome to this week’s blog recap.

• Meditation and Affirmation on Yoga To Love
• The 3 Steps To Turn “I Want” Into “I Will”
• We dive int lasting relationships with Dr. Susan Allison on TheShiftWithSkip
• We whip up a delicious Quinoa Burger
• How being mindful affects the body’s stress response

A recap of the past week’s highlights:

• This week’s video “Giving Back” 
• Harvard Hoopes and Phillipe Wamba Prize winner Kristina Tester drops in on The Shift With Skip Radio
• Elevating Love in meditation and affirmation
• Making a terrific Quinoa Tabouli and yoga pose from my upcoming book, The Lotus Kitchen
• Movie Review of the Kingsman, The Secret Service
• How Mindfulness Meditation Can Help You Fall (And Stay) Asleep