Summertime is here! Suggestions and tips for a fun, PWS-friendly summer.

Summertime is here! In a PWS household, there may be many conflicting emotions around this. In some places, this means the weather is nicer for fresh air and exercise outside. In hotter places, caregivers now must be vigilant about the stress of heat and sun exposure. Perhaps you are looking forward to a schedule that is more free (if your loved one is of an age ruled by school hours) or you are struggling to organize the day. This Special Edition Pulse, Summertime Edition, offers tips and ideas for navigating the summer months. 

In this week's blog post, we offer suggestions for "Navigating Summer Celebrations." With suggestions and tips on how to make BBQ meals more PWS-friendly, prepare your loved one for social situations, and protection against the summer sun, this blog can help families have safe and enjoyable summer celebrations. Read this blog by clicking the button below. 

Keep scrolling to learn more about keeping schedules during the summer months, a wide range of activities for indoor, outdoor, and adventures away from home, and some PWS-friendly recipes suggested that our staff enjoys.

Our big United in Hope conference is finally here! We hope those at home stay tuned to our social media to see what's going on and to be a part of the conference with us. We will be posting some session videos and podcast recordings at a later date to help spread the information and knowledge shared. If you're inspired, please join us for a PWS United Livestream of a conference session. Learn more below.

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Summer Schedule and Activities

If the summer months disrupt your loved one’s schedule or they need more direction to their day, create a schedule for home with regimented activity times. Make a physical copy of this schedule and hang it up where they can see it. Be sure to include mealtimes. Creating a schedule can help lower your loved one’s anxiety level, provide them with enriching activities, and help you find time to get any necessary chores or work done. Click the button below to download a daily planner template.

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Indoor Activities

Crafts:

Knit, crochet, yarn play (YouTube videos can help teach yarn skills)
Draw, color, paint (pick flowers on a hike and create a still life, look up how-to-draw videos on YouTube or get special drawing books)
Create a collage (gather old magazines and newspapers, help your loved one choose a theme, cut pictures and letters, and paste onto posterboard or other paper)

Movement:

Yoga or workout videos on YouTube
Dance party (let your loved one choose the music that gets them moving)
Animal charades (take turns moving like different animals and guessing what they are)
Obstacle course (use couch cushions, pillows, broom sticks, and other household items to create a safe obstacle course that inspires movement)

Scavenger Hunts:

Scavenger hunts can be a fun way to get our loved ones moving with a purpose, offering them a variety of settings, and practice paying attention to detail. Create a list of animals, insects, and plants you may find before heading out on a nature hike. If it’s too hot outside, create a fun list of things to find or observe at your local mall. Create a reward system for finding a certain number of items on a list. Scavenger hunts can even be done around your house or your yard. This can be a great way to get parents and caregivers some time while your loved one is safely searching through your living space.

“Our grandkids and their cousins planned and put on a "Family Olympics" last summer and plan to do it again this year - they each picked a sport and planned the events and had to make the medals for their events - it was great!”

- Elaine Towle, mom to James (living with PWS)

Adventures Away from Home

Recipies

Classic Hummus

• 1 can (15 oz) of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 tablespoons of tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
• Salt to taste
• 2 to 4 tablespoons of cold water
• Paprika, for garnish (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, and a pinch of salt
2. Process the mixture for about 30 seconds, then scrape down the sides of the processor bowl.
3. Continue processing and slowly add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the hummus reaches your desired consistency. You want it to be creamy and smooth.e
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or lemon juice if needed.l
5. Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and drizzle a little olive oil on top. Garnish with paprika and chopped parsley if using.
6. Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and drizzle a little olive oil on top. Garnish with paprika and chopped parsley if using.

Remember, it's important to balance this carbohydrate-rich food with some protein and a vegetable to ensure a well-rounded and nutritious meal. You can pair hummus with whole-grain pita or bread, but always remember portions should be controlled.

Nicoise Salad

Vinaigrette

• 1/3 cup lemon juice or red wine vinegar
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallote
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh oregano or tarragon
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt to taste
• 2 to 4 tablespoons of cold water
• Paprika, for garnish (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salad

• 2 to 3 (5-ounce) cans tuna, drained, or 2 (8-ounce) grilled or otherwise cooked tuna steaks (see recipe note for cooking instructions)
• 6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and quartered lengthwise
• 1 1/4 pounds small young red potatoes or fingerling potatoes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 medium heads Boston or butter lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces.
• 3 small ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into wedges
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup Niçoise olives
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and/or several anchovies, optional

Making the Vinaigrette:

•  In a jar, place the oil, lemon juice or vinegar, shallots, herbs, and mustard. Cover with a lid and shake until well blended. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Marinate the onion slices in some of the vinaigrette.
• Place onion slices in a small bowl and sprinkle with 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette. (The onions soaking in the vinaigrette will help take some of the bite out of them.)
• Cook the potatoes, cut, and dress with vinaigrette.
• Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with 2 inches of water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Heat on high to bring to a boil. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes or so, until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain.
• While the potatoes are still warm, cut them into halves or quarters, depending on the size of the potatoes.
• Place them in a bowl and dress them with about 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette.
• Boil the green beans.
• While the potatoes are cooking, fill a medium-sized pot halfway with water, and add 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil on high heat. Add the green beans to the boiling water.
• Cook until tender but still firm to the bite, about 3 to 5 minutes (more or less, depending on the toughness of the beans).
• Drain and either rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, or shock for half a minute in ice water.
• Arrange the salad on a bed of lettuce.
• Arrange a bed of lettuce on a serving platter. If using tuna steaks, cut them into 1/2-inch thick slices. Mound tuna in the center of lettuce. Sprinkle the tomatoes and onions around the tuna.
• Arrange the potatoes and green beans in mounds at the edge of the lettuce.
• Arrange hard boiled eggs, olives, and anchovies (if using) in mounds on the lettuce bed.
• Drizzle everything with the remaining vinaigrette.
• Sprinkle with capers if using.
• Serve immediately. Should be served slightly warm or at room temperature.

*This recipe came from Simply Recipes. Visit the site below. 

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PWS-Friendly Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or unsweetened soy milk or 2 % regular milk
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter
• 1/2 small ripe avocado
• A handful of fresh spinach
• 1 cucumber pealed 
• 2 fresh or frozen berries/ strawberries 
• Shea seeds, flax seeds and other seeds (optional)
• A handful of ice cubes (if using fresh berries)

Instructions

1. In a blender, combine the unsweetened milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, almond butter, avocado, veggies and fruits.
2. Add a handful of ice cubes to the blender for a chilled effect (do not add ice if you are using frozen berries and fruits).
3. Blend until smooth and creamy.

This smoothie may not be too sweet, but it's rich and creamy due to the avocado and nut butter. And the fruits gives a balanced sweetness. It's a great way to enjoy a chocolatey flavor without added sugars or sweet substitutes. Remember to enjoy this smoothie in moderation and as part of a controlled portion diet.