So today is a very auspicious, important day of this year. Not only is it Father’s Day (and yay for all our fathers as well as the fatherly aspect of Divine Love!), it is the Summer Solstice, which marks the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.
The solstices mark important times in the year- turning points, phases, energy shifts. I remember being really amazed when I was hiking the Incan trail in Peru a few years ago, and exploring other Peruvian ruins, and discovering that many of their structures were created around stonery that would light up perfectly on the highly worshipped summer and winter solstice days. In fact, their calendars were built around the solstices. So they have indeed been considered very significant time periods by many cultures and throughout the world’s history. I had a very contemplative weekend—just spent time with family members, moved things around in my apartment, did a lot of mediation (but very light asanas). Since this is also marking about halfway through the year, it was a time that I took a really hard look at my goals.
So I think this is a great time to really examine our habits and figure out a few doable goals to stick with this summer! Again, unlike New Year’s, which is a completely manmade holiday based on our Western calendar, the solstices mark actual new energy beginnings, as we begin to shift into a different phase within the sun and nature and our natural environment. So I believe is an even more powerful time to create new “resolutions” or goals or whatever you want. And constantly being conscious of our own habits and creating goals to improve ourselves is the way to sustained long-term improvement- it creates steps that enable us to do so.
And maybe you are in the right mindset for a change? Are you feeling ready to do some kind of detox, cleanse and re-energize yourself for summer? Maybe get out of a little rut or just elevate your energy, skin, balance your weight??
As it applies to food, here are a few suggested Goals You might adopt right now, without having to find the “perfect staring time”!
- Having one coffee or less per day
- Eat a huge salad for lunch at least 3 times a week and/or making your own lunch (so you can use sprouted bread and the best ingredients if you are going to make a sandwich)
- Give up Diet Coke once and for all (and switch to lemon water)
- Have the Green Smoothie at least 3 times per week
- Visit a local farmer’s market at least once a week to stock up on organic, local greens
- Stop microwaving any food- or buying microwaved meals
- Replace packaged protein bars with fresh fruit or some raw nuts
So go for it!! Pick 1-3 Summer Stolstice Goals and start incorporating them this week. Pick doable ones that you know that can accomplish, but still make them challenging, and know that each one is moving you towards your newest, most beautiful and energized self!!! It always helps to write your goals down to make you more serious about htem, so they aren’t just floating around as a possibility. Make them real! And look at them when you need reinforcement or in moments of weakness. And I like to write down why I’ve taken on that particular goal anyway. For instance, “I am giving up Diet Coke, because I want to have more energy and I want more glowing skin.” The universe and nature will be particularly supportive of you right now. ☺ As will I!
I’m excited for you to get excited about your new goals. 
All my very best,
Kimberly
About Kimberly Snyder
Subscribe
Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates.
Kimberly Snyder is a highly sought after nutritionist for many of the entertainment industry's top celebrities and author of the best-selling book, The Beauty Detox Solution. She prepares food for her clients on Hollywood’s biggest film sets and gets them camera-ready for roles and red carpet events... 
Hey Kim,
Funnily enough I am trying to make some goals for myself now. Not because I knew about this summer solstice but because of prodding from those around me asking…what’s the plan etc?
Nature finds a way of speaking to us one way or the other. Thanks for sharing, I always learn something beautiful and new from your posts. Yes! The tree is quite unique and lovely!
Charlene
Thanks Charlene! I just love trees so much, I think they are so cool.
I hope your health goals are going well!
Love, Kim
Many believe that Stonehenge (as well as other stone structures throughout the world) was constructed with some mystical astronomical purpose in mind. Andres Natural
Hey Kim,
As usual you’re right on target! My previous goals have fallen out of practice, and I was looking for something to get me motivated again, and then here you are with these great ideas! I’m looking forward to a summer of big salads and Farmer’s Market shopping…what better time than summer (the only time there’s a market around here) to explore super-fresh foods. I’m looking forward to summer again. Thanks!
Morgan
Hi Morgan,
Great! I hope you’ve made friends with some farmers by now. They really are amazing people, providing an amazing service.
This past weekend I was strawberry picking, and after a little while, being amongst the fields of greens in the quiet and beautiful air, I was so calm and in a meditative state! So I think that farmer’s, when they are working out there, have hard work of course, but many blessings to be in their nature.
Well- the organic farmers! That aren’t using chemicals and can see the truth in the fruition of their produce in accordance to nature!
Yup–the farmers are so great–I can’t believe how willing they are to offer samples and hints! I think about all their hard work and then they’ll just hand a little lettuce over (I got a whole head the size of a softball–perfect!) for free. Also, they’ve got great things like dried herbs for clothes drawers and hand-made soap–so no more mail order for a while.
Am going to talk my boyfriend into a CSA share for next year so that we can get the variety box every week all season long.
Best,
Morgan
Hi Morgan,
yes, CSAs are excellent and really help the precious local, organic farmers out! It is so cool because you own a share of the farm for that season in essence.
I was going to join one here in Manhattan but the dropoff was sort of inconvenient for us, and the Union Square farmer’s market so convenient.
But yes, it is such a great option!!!
xx Kimberly
Cool post. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers to green smoothies,
Kristen
hey kim,
great article. One question though, does lemon lose it alkanity if you add agave nectar to it. I can drink the lemon water, but I would be more happier to drink it if it was a little sweet. Thanks in advance.
Pearl
Hi Pearl,
No it is fine to sweeten the lemon water a bit if you can’t take the sourness! It will not hurt the lemon’s power at all.
You can also use Stevia, which is has 0 effect on our blood glucose levels.
xx Kimberly
Hi Kim,
I’m enjoying your informative posts! I have a funny feeling you may have commented on my blog recently and your comment got spammed. If so, my apologies. I like your appreciation of both inner and outer beauty.
Blessings and Love,
Laura
Hi Laura,
Thanks for visiting! I don’t think I visited your blog as unfortunately I haven’t had any time to read other people’s blogs! But maybe a long while ago???
Anyways, thanks for your kind words. I will have to check it out now!
Lots of love,
Kim
I believe the “tree” in the photo is a yucca plant, part of the agave family and both part of the lily family.