Healthy Living

With a little imagination and a couple of  picnic benches , your backyard can be the main venue for your some of your summertime activities. Being home with family can turn out to be one of the best things to come out of the pandemic, so much so that you found you really like spending time together. Here are some ideas for outdoor dining in your very own backyard. 1. Throwing Shade Can Be a Good Thing With summertime around the corner, the sun will be shining its toasty rays down upon you very soon. Fun in the sun is good, but alternate time soaking up that vitamin D with some relaxing and rehydrating in the shade.  Shelter from the heat  can include an oversized umbrella, a gazebo, or an awning over your patio. 2. Time to Refill the Propane When you make the list for your outdoor dining necessities, put a  propane tank or cylinder  near the top. It is one of the most cost effective and clean ways to cook. Propane comes in handy not only for grilling but for fir...

As you head outdoors, don’t forget the sunscreen and bug spray, clinicians urge RACHEL COPPOLA  |  COVERAGE , NEWS SERVICE OF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MASSACHUSETTS As summer vacation season kicks off, taking commonsense precautions to avoid sun, heat and insect-borne illnesses can help ensure a fun and safe season. Follow these summer safety tips: Stay sun safe Apply  sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30  and broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection on all exposed skin, and reapply it every two hours regardless of SPF rating or more if you are swimming or sweating. “Consider a mineral-based sunscreen instead of a chemical-based one because it reflects UV rays away from the skin, and make putting it on part of your everyday routine like eating breakfast and brushing your teeth,” says Dr. Ashley Yeats, a family physician and VP of medical operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Wear sunglasses, a broadbrimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt or clothing with bu...