4th of July in 2020

Glistening fireworks, stars and stripes, skewers on the grill, and fresh Florida rain. Yup! It wouldn't be July 4th in Florida without some rain.

It's Independence Day for the USA and Americans are finally full of patriotic pride again after months of isolation and riots.

For 2020, the 4th of July might be celebrated a little differently than in prior years given that there is a life-threatening virus going around and the BLM movement is sweeping the nation. Though we are all facing challenging times, it's a time of change. Let's make it a positive change! I've made a handy-dandy list of ways we can celebrate and be proud of our country on this historical day without losing sight of the current events.

First off, let's think of our pets. Our poor fur babies hate fireworks. We need to take their feelings into consideration when all that boom, boom, boom starts going off. They probably think something seriously alarming is happening since there are bright lights in the sky and really loud noises. Make sure they have somewhere nice, cozy, and quite to snuggle. Play some relaxing music to try and mask the outside noise for them. While your outside watching the display, remember to come inside every so often to give your fur baby some TLC.

The 4th of July is very popular with the ladies when it comes to outdoor BBQ, bikinis, and hanging out with friends and sparklers.

When it comes to the food we eat on holidays, many of us tend to overindulge. Before you do so mindlessly eat until your heart's content, please stop to consider all the families that have no money and little food due to the epidemic. Be especially thankful this holiday for everything good in your life. Your food, freedom, family, home, health, etc.

With that train of thought aside, overeating is just so uncomfortable afterward aka bloating. After taking a nutrition course in college, I learned a lot about how to portion the food on your plate. A meal should consist of 3 items: protein, starch, veggies. Keep the starch at a fist-size. The protein should be no bigger than the size of your palm. The rest of the plate should be filled with greens/veggies. Try to stay with just one sweetener. By that I mean don't go sugar crazy. Last but not least, stay hydrated. Hotter temperatures call for extra water. The required daily amount of water is 8 cups, but after spending X amount of time outside and eating fatty foods you'll need an extra few cups of H2O. Water can be a little bland if you're craving some flavor, which is why I recommend fizzy flavored water. My favorite is Lemon/Lime because it tastes like Sprite.

Since you'll probably be spending more time outside, it is super important that you apply sunscreen. It is really strange how some people think they are immune to sun damage just because they don't burn easily. That is a huge misconception. Sun damage is something that shows up on your skin many years after the damage is done. Excessive sun exposure causes premature skin aging, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, skin cancer, and worsens acne. When shopping for sunscreen, look for one that is non-toxic for you and the environment. Always remember that there is sunscreen specifically made for our delicate faces. The brand I would recommend is BABO Botanicals. This brand is non-toxic, cruelty-free, and has a wide range of products. It would also help if you wear a sun hat.

During this time of Covid19, it is mandatory to stay isolated. While staying home, one can still keep in touch with friends and family virtually. It's better to be safe and keep others safe so that we can all celebrate this holiday again next year together.

Finally, let's remember what this holiday is really about. It's not about fireworks, cooking on the grill, or going to the beach. The fourth of July is about celebrating our hard-fought Independence from Great Britain in 1776; 244 years ago. Many of us have to thank our parents and grandparents for having this liberty. If it wasn't for our parents/grandparents leaving everything behind to migrate to the US, some of us may have been stuck in a less than desirable communist country.

This holiday is also very much about equality. The Black Lives Matter movement has opened our eyes to many injustices that have been happening in our country and it is heart breaking. The movement has touched other parts of world who are speaking up for the same cause. My dear audience, equality has no race or ethnicity or religion. It is simply equal. The United States in particular has amazing women representing our nation. Yes their skin is dark and it is beautiful; they are beautiful and powerful. We need to stop seeing the world as Black & White. It is many colors! We should be thankful to have so many differences between us so that we can learn from each other. The 3 women posted below are American Icons. Cheslie Kryst as Miss USA 2019 (R.I.P), Simone Biles as USA Olympic Gold Medalist gymnast, Misty Copeland as prima ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre. #amazingblackwomen

So this 4th of July, reflect on what you have and what you should be celebrating. Have fun and enjoy the evening, but keep in mind everything I have mentioned here. Let me know how you will/have celebrated this holiday and what information you will take with you from this post. Please share this post so that more people are informed.

Thank you for passing by & Happy 4th of July!

XoXo, Mrs. Ladybug