Lifestyle

3 Health Benefits of Cooking Outdoors

Published

1 week ago

January 18, 2023

Do you like cooking outside — perhaps even during the wintertime? It can be a pleasant experience cooking on your patio deck if you prefer to avoid feeling cooped up behind the four walls of your kitchen. But did you know there are also some health benefits of cooking outside?

Continue reading for three reasons why cooking outdoors can be good for your health.

Fresh Air

Your kitchen can get stuffy if you’re cooking up a storm. Are you used to having all four of your stove burners going as you make a multi-course meal for a family gathering? Depending on the menu, your kitchen could be filled with all sorts of aromas. Even the best-smelling cuisine can overwhelm you if the scents are confined to a small area. Opening a window can help, but you might still lack the fresh air you want. That’s why cooking outside makes sense.

Cooking out in the open air means you’ll be able to breathe in fresh air. According to one source, fresh air cleans your lungs, boosts your energy levels, reduces your heart rate, and improves your digestion.

So, the next time you use your flat top grill to cook up a storm on the patio deck, remember that you and yours will be healthier cooking and eating outdoors. It’s the right thing to do, and you and yours will enjoy gathering on the back deck for family time.

Vitamin D

Another reason to cook outside is that you can get exposure to the sun, which will get you some vitamin D. Vitamin D is a nutrient you can get through your diet and a hormone your body manufactures. The benefits of vitamin D are many. For instance, research suggests it can reduce cancer cell growth, lessen inflammation, and help fight infections. Vitamin D is also needed to help your body absorb phosphorus and calcium, which are required for bone building.

While you can get some vitamin D through your food, few foods naturally contain the essential vitamin. That’s why many people rely on supplements to get the vitamin D they want. But another way to get vitamin D is the sunshine. So, cooking outside will allow you to get your daily dose of vitamin D. Of course, too much of a good thing can be bad.

If you don’t have a patio cover providing some covering, you’ll want to wear a hat, use suntan lotion, or limit your direct exposure to the sun.

Mental Health

Spending time outside in green spaces can benefit your mental health. Do you have a garden in your backyard? Have you invested in creating a great outdoor living space? Cooking outside, where you can enjoy relaxing, can bring significant mental health benefits. For instance, it can improve your mood, lessen feelings of stress, and boost your connection to nature.

If you enjoy cooking in a kitchen, you’ll enjoy cooking out on the back deck even more. And knowing that being outside in a green space can help your mental health, you’ll enjoy it all the more. It’s also been shown that families that eat together can improve mental health. So, that’s all the more reason to cook outdoors and enjoy a meal as a family outside.

As you can see, there are various health reasons to cook outdoors rather than indoors. So, while that doesn’t mean you have to cook all your meals outside, doing so occasionally is a good idea. You and your family will be able to enjoy the health benefits of not only cooking outside, but also enjoying meals and family time in the great outdoors.

Lifestyle

Top 6 Investments for Your Child’s Future

Published

1 min ago

January 27, 2023

Michelle Langton

If you’re looking to give your child a head start in life, there’s no better way than investing in their future with some wise choices. From saving for a college education to teaching them the importance of financial literacy, there are plenty of ways to help them gain the skills they need for successful adulthood. Here are six great investments you can make now that will provide dividends in the future:

Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is a critical skill that will remain valuable for life, and you should start teaching your child as early as possible. Not only can this help them understand basic concepts such as budgeting, saving, and responsible spending habits, but it can also increase their confidence when dealing with their finances. Encourage your children to save a portion of the money they receive, and show them how to make smart investments, such as opening up a savings account.

Positive Role Models

The people your kids look up greatly influence their lives, especially during their formative years. That’s why it’s crucial to be a good role model and surround them with positive role models who embody values such as honesty, hard work, and integrity which your children can learn from or aspire to emulate. This includes friends, family members, teachers, and mentors. Exposing your children to such people can help them broaden their horizons and see the world differently.

A Good Education

Investing in your child’s educational journey from elementary school to college will open doors to careers and opportunities they may not have had before. To save your child from the debt that comes with post-secondary education in Canada, start early and put into an RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan). This is a special type of investment account specifically designed to save for college expenses. It is essential to understand the structure and features of the plan and how it works to maximize your savings.

Quality Family Time

Set aside family time and special activities such as cooking, playing board games, or taking nature walks. This allows your children to bond with each other and explore the world around them. Investing in quality family time will provide endless opportunities for growth, learning, and development, setting your children up for a bright future. Spending time with your little ones will also create lasting memories that will stay with them forever. It will also teach them valuable skills such as communication and conflict resolution.

Life Insurance

Investing in life insurance ensures your child’s future financial security. Not only will it protect them in case something unexpected happens, but it can also be used as an investment tool if you opt for the right policy. With the right plan, you can maximize the money your child will receive by providing them with a secure financial future should anything happen to you or your partner.

Mental Health Support

Life isn’t always easy; sometimes, your kids need extra help navigating life’s journey’s ups and downs. Mental health support takes many forms, from therapy sessions with psychologists or psychiatrists to mindfulness techniques like meditation. Supporting children during difficult times allows them to process emotions more effectively so they are better prepared for adulthood when life throws curveballs. With the rise of mental health issues in today’s society, it is vital to invest in your child’s mental health and ensure they have the right support system.

These are just a few top investments you can make for your child’s future. Whatever strategies you choose, remember that each has its benefits, from immediate gratification to long-term financial security. Investing in your child’s future will give them the skills and resources they need to live a successful, fulfilling life.