From bucket trucks to safety demos, Take Our Kids to Work Day gave more than 2,000 children ages 6 to 12 a closer look at how PSEG delivers safe, reliable energy and takes care of communities every day.
Opening doors across New Jersey and Long Island
Teams at 22 locations across PSEG’s service territory opened their doors and shared what they do in ways that made sense for younger visitors. At PSEG Headquarters in Newark, kids learned about electrical safety, explored bucket trucks, stepped into a mock call center exercise to brush up on their customer service skills and even had a chance to visit our friend, Elmo. In the southern division, they moved through an automotive repair maze, learned about “fires and wires” safety and took part in a scavenger hunt focused on personal protective equipment.
At the Springfield location, hands-on experiments and seed planting activities connected to conversations about clean energy, with an electric vehicle for them to explore on site. At the Edison training center, drone demonstrations and safety games gave kids a chance to see how technology supports our work in the field.
Sparking curiosity about the future
“Take Our Kids to Work Day is a great example of how PSEG cares for our people and invests in the future,” said Steve Fleisher, executive director of future of work and employee experience. “Having thousands of kids experience what goes on behind the scenes at PSEG and what their parents do for work is part of efforts to create engagement for employees and their families. We’re also proud to help spark curiosity and inspire the next generation.”
Across all locations, there was a steady sense of curiosity, from kids asking questions to employees sharing more about their day-to-day work. For many, it was a chance to connect the dots between what they hear at home and what it looks like in practice.
Moments like this are part of how PSEG shows up and cares for the people and the communities the company serves. When kids can see and try the work firsthand, it makes it more real and more within reach. It’s one way to help build understanding of what it takes to keep energy safe and reliable, and who makes it happen every day.
To learn more about PSEG’s partnership with Sesame Workshop and check out resources for your little ones, visit sesame.org/emergencies.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey to date.
I’m a Graphic Designer by education and trade, but I’ve been a creative ever since I could hold a pencil. I was born in the Philippines, then lived in Saudi Arabia, and eventually my family migrated to the United states during my teen years, which played a big role in shaping both my personal and professional path. Growing up, my creative interests ranged from wanting to be an animator, illustrator, and designer, which ultimately led me into multimedia design.
I currently work as a Multimedia Designer on the Internal Communications team, and over the years I’ve worked in both creative agencies and in‑house design roles. My path to GoDaddy was unexpected and at times challenging. Within a three‑year span, I navigated two major transitions, the first following a company reorganization and the second during the COVID pandemic. Joining GoDaddy was a dream I didn’t expect would come to fruition, but those experiences gave me the confidence to trust my skills and take that leap. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not the biggest fan of change, but I’ve realized that the drive to keep learning and adapting through hardships can become our biggest strength.
Right now, I’m most excited about growing creatively while working alongside a supportive, inspiring team that’s truly invests in each other’s success. With my five-year work anniversary coming up in June, I’m looking forward to what’s still ahead!
How have you grown as a Designer since working on the Internal Communications team and how has GoDaddy supported your personal growth and learning initiatives?
I have grown so much as a Designer since joining the team. Specifically, I’ve expanded my skill set in creating videos and using AI tools to support my work. I am so lucky to be under such an amazing manager, Nicole Helmke, and to have teammates who provide incredible support on my projects. Nicole has encouraged me to keep developing my creative skills and knowledge, and she’s also provided me with the resources to learn new programs, attend creative conferences, and experiment with design and storytelling. More importantly, she has given me the opportunity to practice these skills on real-life GoDaddy projects, not just exercises.
I also attribute this growth to my team’s and GoDaddy’s commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance for its employees.
Having enough time to rest and travel when needed boosts morale and invigorates me to show up more fully for my work and my partners.
All of these factors combined have given me greater confidence and energy in my day-to-day, as well as the motivation to bring new ideas to the table.
How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work?
One of the biggest factors that keeps me motivated at work is continuing my own creative projects during my personal time. I create digital illustrations and watercolor paintings inspired by anything and everything I enjoy, and sometimes this can lead to freelance projects. I also experiment with other mediums, like clay and video creation. What I learn from these experiences, I bring back into my work.
Just about any form of creative media inspires me: music, books, movies, travel, packaging, short-form content, etc. I love discovering new art styles and seeing what other creatives are doing with their work. I also make an effort to stay on top of creative trends, especially in the age of social media, where they evolve quickly. I often look through brand social media pages that I enjoy to see how they’re marketing their products. I approach my work with a lot of curiosity and a willingness to keep learning.
What’s one project you’ve worked on that made you think, “This is why I love this job”?
Last year, I had the opportunity to work on a project for Kasturi Mudulodu, President of Commerce. It was a keynote presentation she delivered at the NYC Small Business Expo about leveraging AI to transform small businesses. It was a highly involved project where I was able to leverage a wide range of creative skill sets, including deck design, illustrations, video editing, and AI utilization. With a short turnaround time, it pushed me to work quickly and thoughtfully while bringing multiple creative pieces together.
The presentation received wonderful feedback and appreciation from leadership. Receiving that affirmation and being recognized for the creative work that I do, along with the opportunity to showcase it at that scale and to such a broad audience, was incredibly meaningful. It was a labor of love, and the results were truly rewarding.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
There’s a wide range of things I enjoy doing outside of work, and honestly, there aren’t enough hours in the day!
I love drawing and painting. Throughout my career, I’ve leaned more into digital art, but in the past year, with the resurgence of analog media, I’ve returned to painting traditionally. My go-to mediums right now are watercolor and gouache. I also enjoy reading and listening to music. I’m currently reading The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig, which puts words to the fundamental strangeness of being human. My latest musical find is a band called Sleep Token, which my fiancé introduced me to and is now part of our vinyl collection.
Outdoors, we love exploring new coffee shops and restaurants across the valley, especially Japanese food, visiting art fairs to fill our creative cup, going to farmer’s markets for fresh flowers and new ingredients, and hiking when the Arizona weather is nice.
Beyond art, I have a deep passion for traveling. I love world history and experiencing how people from all walks of life live, and I always come back from a trip feeling inspired and motivated. Some of my favorite places I’ve been include the Hoh Rain Forest in Seattle, the Otagi Nenbutsu‑ji Temple in Kyoto, and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, to name a few. Next up: a European getaway this summer!
Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey to date.
I’m a Graphic Designer by education and trade, but I’ve been a creative ever since I could hold a pencil. I was born in the Philippines, then lived in Saudi Arabia, and eventually my family migrated to the United states during my teen years, which played a big role in shaping both my personal and professional path. Growing up, my creative interests ranged from wanting to be an animator, illustrator, and designer, which ultimately led me into multimedia design.
I currently work as a Multimedia Designer on the Internal Communications team, and over the years I’ve worked in both creative agencies and in‑house design roles. My path to GoDaddy was unexpected and at times challenging. Within a three‑year span, I navigated two major transitions, the first following a company reorganization and the second during the COVID pandemic. Joining GoDaddy was a dream I didn’t expect would come to fruition, but those experiences gave me the confidence to trust my skills and take that leap. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not the biggest fan of change, but I’ve realized that the drive to keep learning and adapting through hardships can become our biggest strength.
Right now, I’m most excited about growing creatively while working alongside a supportive, inspiring team that’s truly invests in each other’s success. With my five-year work anniversary coming up in June, I’m looking forward to what’s still ahead!
How have you grown as a Designer since working on the Internal Communications team and how has GoDaddy supported your personal growth and learning initiatives?
I have grown so much as a Designer since joining the team. Specifically, I’ve expanded my skill set in creating videos and using AI tools to support my work. I am so lucky to be under such an amazing manager, Nicole Helmke, and to have teammates who provide incredible support on my projects. Nicole has encouraged me to keep developing my creative skills and knowledge, and she’s also provided me with the resources to learn new programs, attend creative conferences, and experiment with design and storytelling. More importantly, she has given me the opportunity to practice these skills on real-life GoDaddy projects, not just exercises.
I also attribute this growth to my team’s and GoDaddy’s commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance for its employees.
Having enough time to rest and travel when needed boosts morale and invigorates me to show up more fully for my work and my partners.
All of these factors combined have given me greater confidence and energy in my day-to-day, as well as the motivation to bring new ideas to the table.
How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work?
One of the biggest factors that keeps me motivated at work is continuing my own creative projects during my personal time. I create digital illustrations and watercolor paintings inspired by anything and everything I enjoy, and sometimes this can lead to freelance projects. I also experiment with other mediums, like clay and video creation. What I learn from these experiences, I bring back into my work.
Just about any form of creative media inspires me: music, books, movies, travel, packaging, short-form content, etc. I love discovering new art styles and seeing what other creatives are doing with their work. I also make an effort to stay on top of creative trends, especially in the age of social media, where they evolve quickly. I often look through brand social media pages that I enjoy to see how they’re marketing their products. I approach my work with a lot of curiosity and a willingness to keep learning.
What’s one project you’ve worked on that made you think, “This is why I love this job”?
Last year, I had the opportunity to work on a project for Kasturi Mudulodu, President of Commerce. It was a keynote presentation she delivered at the NYC Small Business Expo about leveraging AI to transform small businesses. It was a highly involved project where I was able to leverage a wide range of creative skill sets, including deck design, illustrations, video editing, and AI utilization. With a short turnaround time, it pushed me to work quickly and thoughtfully while bringing multiple creative pieces together.
The presentation received wonderful feedback and appreciation from leadership. Receiving that affirmation and being recognized for the creative work that I do, along with the opportunity to showcase it at that scale and to such a broad audience, was incredibly meaningful. It was a labor of love, and the results were truly rewarding.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
There’s a wide range of things I enjoy doing outside of work, and honestly, there aren’t enough hours in the day!
I love drawing and painting. Throughout my career, I’ve leaned more into digital art, but in the past year, with the resurgence of analog media, I’ve returned to painting traditionally. My go-to mediums right now are watercolor and gouache. I also enjoy reading and listening to music. I’m currently reading The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig, which puts words to the fundamental strangeness of being human. My latest musical find is a band called Sleep Token, which my fiancé introduced me to and is now part of our vinyl collection.
Outdoors, we love exploring new coffee shops and restaurants across the valley, especially Japanese food, visiting art fairs to fill our creative cup, going to farmer’s markets for fresh flowers and new ingredients, and hiking when the Arizona weather is nice.
Beyond art, I have a deep passion for traveling. I love world history and experiencing how people from all walks of life live, and I always come back from a trip feeling inspired and motivated. Some of my favorite places I’ve been include the Hoh Rain Forest in Seattle, the Otagi Nenbutsu‑ji Temple in Kyoto, and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, to name a few. Next up: a European getaway this summer!
Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey to date.
I’m a Graphic Designer by education and trade, but I’ve been a creative ever since I could hold a pencil. I was born in the Philippines, then lived in Saudi Arabia, and eventually my family migrated to the United states during my teen years, which played a big role in shaping both my personal and professional path. Growing up, my creative interests ranged from wanting to be an animator, illustrator, and designer, which ultimately led me into multimedia design.
I currently work as a Multimedia Designer on the Internal Communications team, and over the years I’ve worked in both creative agencies and in‑house design roles. My path to GoDaddy was unexpected and at times challenging. Within a three‑year span, I navigated two major transitions, the first following a company reorganization and the second during the COVID pandemic. Joining GoDaddy was a dream I didn’t expect would come to fruition, but those experiences gave me the confidence to trust my skills and take that leap. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not the biggest fan of change, but I’ve realized that the drive to keep learning and adapting through hardships can become our biggest strength.
Right now, I’m most excited about growing creatively while working alongside a supportive, inspiring team that’s truly invests in each other’s success. With my five-year work anniversary coming up in June, I’m looking forward to what’s still ahead!
How have you grown as a Designer since working on the Internal Communications team and how has GoDaddy supported your personal growth and learning initiatives?
I have grown so much as a Designer since joining the team. Specifically, I’ve expanded my skill set in creating videos and using AI tools to support my work. I am so lucky to be under such an amazing manager, Nicole Helmke, and to have teammates who provide incredible support on my projects. Nicole has encouraged me to keep developing my creative skills and knowledge, and she’s also provided me with the resources to learn new programs, attend creative conferences, and experiment with design and storytelling. More importantly, she has given me the opportunity to practice these skills on real-life GoDaddy projects, not just exercises.
I also attribute this growth to my team’s and GoDaddy’s commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance for its employees.
Having enough time to rest and travel when needed boosts morale and invigorates me to show up more fully for my work and my partners.
All of these factors combined have given me greater confidence and energy in my day-to-day, as well as the motivation to bring new ideas to the table.
How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work?
One of the biggest factors that keeps me motivated at work is continuing my own creative projects during my personal time. I create digital illustrations and watercolor paintings inspired by anything and everything I enjoy, and sometimes this can lead to freelance projects. I also experiment with other mediums, like clay and video creation. What I learn from these experiences, I bring back into my work.
Just about any form of creative media inspires me: music, books, movies, travel, packaging, short-form content, etc. I love discovering new art styles and seeing what other creatives are doing with their work. I also make an effort to stay on top of creative trends, especially in the age of social media, where they evolve quickly. I often look through brand social media pages that I enjoy to see how they’re marketing their products. I approach my work with a lot of curiosity and a willingness to keep learning.
What’s one project you’ve worked on that made you think, “This is why I love this job”?
Last year, I had the opportunity to work on a project for Kasturi Mudulodu, President of Commerce. It was a keynote presentation she delivered at the NYC Small Business Expo about leveraging AI to transform small businesses. It was a highly involved project where I was able to leverage a wide range of creative skill sets, including deck design, illustrations, video editing, and AI utilization. With a short turnaround time, it pushed me to work quickly and thoughtfully while bringing multiple creative pieces together.
The presentation received wonderful feedback and appreciation from leadership. Receiving that affirmation and being recognized for the creative work that I do, along with the opportunity to showcase it at that scale and to such a broad audience, was incredibly meaningful. It was a labor of love, and the results were truly rewarding.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
There’s a wide range of things I enjoy doing outside of work, and honestly, there aren’t enough hours in the day!
I love drawing and painting. Throughout my career, I’ve leaned more into digital art, but in the past year, with the resurgence of analog media, I’ve returned to painting traditionally. My go-to mediums right now are watercolor and gouache. I also enjoy reading and listening to music. I’m currently reading The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig, which puts words to the fundamental strangeness of being human. My latest musical find is a band called Sleep Token, which my fiancé introduced me to and is now part of our vinyl collection.
Outdoors, we love exploring new coffee shops and restaurants across the valley, especially Japanese food, visiting art fairs to fill our creative cup, going to farmer’s markets for fresh flowers and new ingredients, and hiking when the Arizona weather is nice.
Beyond art, I have a deep passion for traveling. I love world history and experiencing how people from all walks of life live, and I always come back from a trip feeling inspired and motivated. Some of my favorite places I’ve been include the Hoh Rain Forest in Seattle, the Otagi Nenbutsu‑ji Temple in Kyoto, and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, to name a few. Next up: a European getaway this summer!
Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s today’s reality, impacting our environment, health, and economy. From extreme weather events and scorching summer temperatures to shrinking polar ice caps and decimated habitats for wildlife, the evidence is all around us. This is an existential threat that isn’t going away. If we don’t change behavior, global temperatures are likely to increase by 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels, which could herald serious consequences.
“To add to the rising challenges of climate change, booming demand for computational capacity is increasing the use of power, water, and space to run the world’s data centers. Simply put, we live in a data-driven age with the growth of digital technologies, such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud, driving the creation of more than 402.74 million terabytes MB of data on a daily basis.”
And all this data needs to be stored, accessed, and managed.
Global data storage is projected to exceed 200 zettabytes by 2025, with every person in the developed world having at least one interaction with a data center every 18 seconds of their lifetime. While many assume digital data is carbon neutral, digital technologies actually account for between 8-10% of our energy consumption, and 2-4% of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Data centers are critical for storing and processing the vast amounts of digital information being generated.They also require continual electricity to power and cool servers, provide access to data stored, and maintain backup technologies. In fact, they’re among the highest consumers of electric power, with some estimates suggesting they use approximately 1-3% of global electricity. This percentage is set to rise to 3.2% by 2030.
Within a data center, there are three critical areas of focus as we continue to face the growing challenges of climate change:
Electricity: Data storage could consume as much as 40% of data center power budgets by 2030.
Water/cooling: 50% of power used in a data center is spent on cooling technologies. Three to five million gallons of water per day is used for cooling in a typical data center—as much water as needed for a population of 30,000 to 50,000 people.
Electronic waste (e-waste): A record 62 million tons of e-waste was generated in 2023, up 82% from 2010. This solid waste stream is on track to rise another 32%, to 82 million tons in 2030.
Everyone, including technology vendors, plays an important role in mitigating climate change and boosting sustainability. These resources offer a variety of thought-provoking perspectives and insights from critical thinkers, data scientists, and industry experts with the aim of shedding light on why sustainability must not be just on the corporate radar, but rather a corporate imperative.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s today’s reality, impacting our environment, health, and economy. From extreme weather events and scorching summer temperatures to shrinking polar ice caps and decimated habitats for wildlife, the evidence is all around us. This is an existential threat that isn’t going away. If we don’t change behavior, global temperatures are likely to increase by 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels, which could herald serious consequences.
“To add to the rising challenges of climate change, booming demand for computational capacity is increasing the use of power, water, and space to run the world’s data centers. Simply put, we live in a data-driven age with the growth of digital technologies, such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud, driving the creation of more than 402.74 million terabytes MB of data on a daily basis.”
And all this data needs to be stored, accessed, and managed.
Global data storage is projected to exceed 200 zettabytes by 2025, with every person in the developed world having at least one interaction with a data center every 18 seconds of their lifetime. While many assume digital data is carbon neutral, digital technologies actually account for between 8-10% of our energy consumption, and 2-4% of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Data centers are critical for storing and processing the vast amounts of digital information being generated.They also require continual electricity to power and cool servers, provide access to data stored, and maintain backup technologies. In fact, they’re among the highest consumers of electric power, with some estimates suggesting they use approximately 1-3% of global electricity. This percentage is set to rise to 3.2% by 2030.
Within a data center, there are three critical areas of focus as we continue to face the growing challenges of climate change:
Electricity: Data storage could consume as much as 40% of data center power budgets by 2030.
Water/cooling: 50% of power used in a data center is spent on cooling technologies. Three to five million gallons of water per day is used for cooling in a typical data center—as much water as needed for a population of 30,000 to 50,000 people.
Electronic waste (e-waste): A record 62 million tons of e-waste was generated in 2023, up 82% from 2010. This solid waste stream is on track to rise another 32%, to 82 million tons in 2030.
Everyone, including technology vendors, plays an important role in mitigating climate change and boosting sustainability. These resources offer a variety of thought-provoking perspectives and insights from critical thinkers, data scientists, and industry experts with the aim of shedding light on why sustainability must not be just on the corporate radar, but rather a corporate imperative.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s today’s reality, impacting our environment, health, and economy. From extreme weather events and scorching summer temperatures to shrinking polar ice caps and decimated habitats for wildlife, the evidence is all around us. This is an existential threat that isn’t going away. If we don’t change behavior, global temperatures are likely to increase by 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels, which could herald serious consequences.
“To add to the rising challenges of climate change, booming demand for computational capacity is increasing the use of power, water, and space to run the world’s data centers. Simply put, we live in a data-driven age with the growth of digital technologies, such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud, driving the creation of more than 402.74 million terabytes MB of data on a daily basis.”
And all this data needs to be stored, accessed, and managed.
Global data storage is projected to exceed 200 zettabytes by 2025, with every person in the developed world having at least one interaction with a data center every 18 seconds of their lifetime. While many assume digital data is carbon neutral, digital technologies actually account for between 8-10% of our energy consumption, and 2-4% of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Data centers are critical for storing and processing the vast amounts of digital information being generated.They also require continual electricity to power and cool servers, provide access to data stored, and maintain backup technologies. In fact, they’re among the highest consumers of electric power, with some estimates suggesting they use approximately 1-3% of global electricity. This percentage is set to rise to 3.2% by 2030.
Within a data center, there are three critical areas of focus as we continue to face the growing challenges of climate change:
Electricity: Data storage could consume as much as 40% of data center power budgets by 2030.
Water/cooling: 50% of power used in a data center is spent on cooling technologies. Three to five million gallons of water per day is used for cooling in a typical data center—as much water as needed for a population of 30,000 to 50,000 people.
Electronic waste (e-waste): A record 62 million tons of e-waste was generated in 2023, up 82% from 2010. This solid waste stream is on track to rise another 32%, to 82 million tons in 2030.
Everyone, including technology vendors, plays an important role in mitigating climate change and boosting sustainability. These resources offer a variety of thought-provoking perspectives and insights from critical thinkers, data scientists, and industry experts with the aim of shedding light on why sustainability must not be just on the corporate radar, but rather a corporate imperative.
It might seem like eating seasonally is all about sustainability and prioritizing local foods. But people have been eating what’s in season since the beginning of time because they didn’t have any other options. Of course now we can get all kinds of foods from around the world pretty much any time of year. Even so, many of us still shift our eating patterns according to the calendar.
Spring Eating Changes That Come Naturally
Sometimes a change of season brings alterations in what and how much we eat—without any real thought on our parts. And that’s not surprising, given that humans and many animal species show physiological changes in response to the seasons. Some studies show that, for humans, caloric intake and body weight are highest in the winter (and physical activity may be lowest), while the opposite is true in the summer. In the winter, extra fat on our bodies helps keep us warm. But as soon as things start warming up, our food intake (and weight) can start tapering off. Spring months prompt a transition for our bodies as well as the weather, it seems. What’s behind some of these changes? Here are a couple of possible reasons:
Longer daylight hours. More sunshine impacts serotonin release, which influences satiety and energy intake. Sunlight exposure can also boost mood and provide more opportunities for physical activity.
More fresh produce options. Spring brings more crops and therefore more choices, just when winter produce has worn out its welcome. Humans like variety and novel flavors. “Storage crops” like potatoes, beets, turnips, and carrots can feel (and taste) boring compared to fresher fare like lettuces, asparagus, peas, and radishes. In general, spring produce also tends to be lower in calories than winter produce.
Making Intentional Eating Changes This Spring
Making intentional food choices based on the season isn’t exactly a new wellness idea. For example, eating lighter, easy-to-digest evening meals in springtime is a central principle of the ancient practice of Ayurveda. There are lots of ways to change up your diet as you ease into a new season, so choose the ones that feel best to you.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to do everything at once. You also don’t have to force yourself to make changes that don’t “fit”—that’s a recipe for frustration. In fact, when your eating habits align with your life—your needs, schedule, health priorities, season of life, likes, and dislikes—you don’t need to rely on motivation or willpower to make changes stick. If you’re looking for a few ideas of habits to refresh this spring, consider these:
Breakfast: Move from nothing to something. Launching yourself into your day with just coffee or tea for fuel usually backfires in some way. (This often includes carb cravings you can’t refuse by 10:30 am.) Don’t complicate things—find a couple of easy options that you can rotate through—or eat leftovers from dinner. (And if you want some recipe ideas, check out these economical, Guiding Star-earning options.) Then thank yourself later for the improved energy, focus, and ability to get through until lunch with no vending machine snack run!
Water: Recommit to drinking more H2O. Sometimes we slow down on our water drinking during the cooler months. It can happen without you even noticing. Plain water is always going to be your body’s beverage of choice. And now with warmer temps and more activity, it’s a good time to get back to your water habit. Here are some ways to help you enjoy water again.
Veggies: Get more greens onto your plate. Have you noticed that common winter veggies often lack the color green (lookin’ at you, potatoes and winter squash)? Thankfully, fresh greens are more widely available now (and more economical too). So make it a habit to eat something green once a day—or more! Fresh greens like spinach, tender herbs, arugula, watercress, bok choy, and lettuces are very versatile. They also provide a refreshing contrast in taste and texture to many seasonal dishes. Add them into skillet dinners and stir-fries near the end of cooking so they’re just lightly wilted. You can also chop and sprinkle them on as edible garnishes, or stir them into springtime vegetable soups. Here are some recipe ideas combining greens and grains for you to try.
It might seem like eating seasonally is all about sustainability and prioritizing local foods. But people have been eating what’s in season since the beginning of time because they didn’t have any other options. Of course now we can get all kinds of foods from around the world pretty much any time of year. Even so, many of us still shift our eating patterns according to the calendar.
Spring Eating Changes That Come Naturally
Sometimes a change of season brings alterations in what and how much we eat—without any real thought on our parts. And that’s not surprising, given that humans and many animal species show physiological changes in response to the seasons. Some studies show that, for humans, caloric intake and body weight are highest in the winter (and physical activity may be lowest), while the opposite is true in the summer. In the winter, extra fat on our bodies helps keep us warm. But as soon as things start warming up, our food intake (and weight) can start tapering off. Spring months prompt a transition for our bodies as well as the weather, it seems. What’s behind some of these changes? Here are a couple of possible reasons:
Longer daylight hours. More sunshine impacts serotonin release, which influences satiety and energy intake. Sunlight exposure can also boost mood and provide more opportunities for physical activity.
More fresh produce options. Spring brings more crops and therefore more choices, just when winter produce has worn out its welcome. Humans like variety and novel flavors. “Storage crops” like potatoes, beets, turnips, and carrots can feel (and taste) boring compared to fresher fare like lettuces, asparagus, peas, and radishes. In general, spring produce also tends to be lower in calories than winter produce.
Making Intentional Eating Changes This Spring
Making intentional food choices based on the season isn’t exactly a new wellness idea. For example, eating lighter, easy-to-digest evening meals in springtime is a central principle of the ancient practice of Ayurveda. There are lots of ways to change up your diet as you ease into a new season, so choose the ones that feel best to you.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to do everything at once. You also don’t have to force yourself to make changes that don’t “fit”—that’s a recipe for frustration. In fact, when your eating habits align with your life—your needs, schedule, health priorities, season of life, likes, and dislikes—you don’t need to rely on motivation or willpower to make changes stick. If you’re looking for a few ideas of habits to refresh this spring, consider these:
Breakfast: Move from nothing to something. Launching yourself into your day with just coffee or tea for fuel usually backfires in some way. (This often includes carb cravings you can’t refuse by 10:30 am.) Don’t complicate things—find a couple of easy options that you can rotate through—or eat leftovers from dinner. (And if you want some recipe ideas, check out these economical, Guiding Star-earning options.) Then thank yourself later for the improved energy, focus, and ability to get through until lunch with no vending machine snack run!
Water: Recommit to drinking more H2O. Sometimes we slow down on our water drinking during the cooler months. It can happen without you even noticing. Plain water is always going to be your body’s beverage of choice. And now with warmer temps and more activity, it’s a good time to get back to your water habit. Here are some ways to help you enjoy water again.
Veggies: Get more greens onto your plate. Have you noticed that common winter veggies often lack the color green (lookin’ at you, potatoes and winter squash)? Thankfully, fresh greens are more widely available now (and more economical too). So make it a habit to eat something green once a day—or more! Fresh greens like spinach, tender herbs, arugula, watercress, bok choy, and lettuces are very versatile. They also provide a refreshing contrast in taste and texture to many seasonal dishes. Add them into skillet dinners and stir-fries near the end of cooking so they’re just lightly wilted. You can also chop and sprinkle them on as edible garnishes, or stir them into springtime vegetable soups. Here are some recipe ideas combining greens and grains for you to try.
It might seem like eating seasonally is all about sustainability and prioritizing local foods. But people have been eating what’s in season since the beginning of time because they didn’t have any other options. Of course now we can get all kinds of foods from around the world pretty much any time of year. Even so, many of us still shift our eating patterns according to the calendar.
Spring Eating Changes That Come Naturally
Sometimes a change of season brings alterations in what and how much we eat—without any real thought on our parts. And that’s not surprising, given that humans and many animal species show physiological changes in response to the seasons. Some studies show that, for humans, caloric intake and body weight are highest in the winter (and physical activity may be lowest), while the opposite is true in the summer. In the winter, extra fat on our bodies helps keep us warm. But as soon as things start warming up, our food intake (and weight) can start tapering off. Spring months prompt a transition for our bodies as well as the weather, it seems. What’s behind some of these changes? Here are a couple of possible reasons:
Longer daylight hours. More sunshine impacts serotonin release, which influences satiety and energy intake. Sunlight exposure can also boost mood and provide more opportunities for physical activity.
More fresh produce options. Spring brings more crops and therefore more choices, just when winter produce has worn out its welcome. Humans like variety and novel flavors. “Storage crops” like potatoes, beets, turnips, and carrots can feel (and taste) boring compared to fresher fare like lettuces, asparagus, peas, and radishes. In general, spring produce also tends to be lower in calories than winter produce.
Making Intentional Eating Changes This Spring
Making intentional food choices based on the season isn’t exactly a new wellness idea. For example, eating lighter, easy-to-digest evening meals in springtime is a central principle of the ancient practice of Ayurveda. There are lots of ways to change up your diet as you ease into a new season, so choose the ones that feel best to you.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to do everything at once. You also don’t have to force yourself to make changes that don’t “fit”—that’s a recipe for frustration. In fact, when your eating habits align with your life—your needs, schedule, health priorities, season of life, likes, and dislikes—you don’t need to rely on motivation or willpower to make changes stick. If you’re looking for a few ideas of habits to refresh this spring, consider these:
Breakfast: Move from nothing to something. Launching yourself into your day with just coffee or tea for fuel usually backfires in some way. (This often includes carb cravings you can’t refuse by 10:30 am.) Don’t complicate things—find a couple of easy options that you can rotate through—or eat leftovers from dinner. (And if you want some recipe ideas, check out these economical, Guiding Star-earning options.) Then thank yourself later for the improved energy, focus, and ability to get through until lunch with no vending machine snack run!
Water: Recommit to drinking more H2O. Sometimes we slow down on our water drinking during the cooler months. It can happen without you even noticing. Plain water is always going to be your body’s beverage of choice. And now with warmer temps and more activity, it’s a good time to get back to your water habit. Here are some ways to help you enjoy water again.
Veggies: Get more greens onto your plate. Have you noticed that common winter veggies often lack the color green (lookin’ at you, potatoes and winter squash)? Thankfully, fresh greens are more widely available now (and more economical too). So make it a habit to eat something green once a day—or more! Fresh greens like spinach, tender herbs, arugula, watercress, bok choy, and lettuces are very versatile. They also provide a refreshing contrast in taste and texture to many seasonal dishes. Add them into skillet dinners and stir-fries near the end of cooking so they’re just lightly wilted. You can also chop and sprinkle them on as edible garnishes, or stir them into springtime vegetable soups. Here are some recipe ideas combining greens and grains for you to try.
