CHILL TIME N

II prefer not to relax with food at night. Rather, once the heat of the day has passed, I love going for a stroll with my husband, or I aim to try to find my bed earlier now that my teen is away in camp. I can’t say I’m perfect at this, but it’s definitely something I aspire to!

Now during the summertime, my husband and I go for a walk on the boardwalk. It really helps us unwind and connect. We also love to have our treats, such as chocolate (more often) or ice cream (less often).

Dr. Rachael Teichberg

II like to unwind with a bit of chocolate at night. I’m not much of a traditional fudge fan, but I love anything salted chocolate so I gave this recipe a shot. It was incredible at first bite. My Shabbos company was also impressed—so impressed that I heard her tell three different people on three different occasions how great the fudge was. Now she has plans to make her own batch…It’s easy, gluten free, no added sugar, and hits the chocolate-crave spot (even on Pesach!).

Paleo Salted Dark Chocolate Almond/ Peanut Butter Fudge

1 cup almond butter (or peanut)

⅓ cup coconut oil, softened

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

3 Tbsp honey

Toasted almond bits (optional, if you like crunchies)

Flaky or coarse salt, for sprinkling

Mix all ingredients, sprinkle with salt, and freeze.

Defrost ten minutes before serving. I love this next to So Coconut, coconut-flavor pareve ice cream. A scoop or two of that with two squares of fudge on top. Perfection!

II unwind with exercise. I love spinning, kickboxing, and HIIT. Research shows that intense exercise really helps with managing stress. For me, I always feel strong and empowered during and after a class and I also find it fun and exhilarating.

During the summer it’s also fun to go out to a restaurant with friends and sit outside under the stars. A fire pit is also awesome. Summer is just fun!

TTo unwind in the evening, I actually give myself a good workout in the EMSCULPT machine. When I saw the results my clients had with it, I wanted it too! The workout isn’t painful, and it forces me to stay in one place for 30 minutes—without my phone.

How’s that for chill time?

Unwinding after a long summer day means spending more time outdoors. Relaxing on the porch or going out for a walk and enjoying the evening breeze is just the best. In terms of snacking, my nighttime treat is lots and lots of…water!

Leah Wolofsky, RDN

Maybe it’s because I’m a Floridian, or perhaps because I’m an early bird, that I actually go to bed right after my kids do. When there’s no nightlife around you, it’s easier to call it an early night. That’s the best treat I can give myself. I wake up super-early and can get a lot done in the morning. I find that making evenings a cell-phone free zone makes it easier to fall asleep early.

MBashy Halberstam

SSince my mind is stimulated all day, at the end of the day I like to do things that relax my mind, ground me, and don’t require mind work. Here are some of the things I like to do: paint, diamond stud art, shmooze, give myself permission to just relax and do nothing, play games with my kids, just spend time with my kids, and do a meditation. Now, during the blessed weeks of summer, I love swimming. Being that we’re spending the summer in a house with a private pool, we get to do night swimming as well, which is amazing.

MMy way of unwinding on long summer nights is with a tea and/or a sugar-free candy. And, of course, a walk!

Esti Asher, MS, RDN, LD

IIn general, I love to sip and enjoy a tea (my favorite is a vanilla or caramel chai tea with a splash of almond milk) once the day is over and the night is (more or less) quiet. The hot drink requires slow sips, which also helps me slow down and relax. However, when it’s warm outside, hot tea is less appealing. On such days, I sometimes opt for a decaf iced coffee, or skip the drink altogether. I also enjoy unwinding while listening to a shiur. On Thursday nights I usually opt for something on the parshah. Otherwise my go-to's include a series on Mesilas Yesharim, Chovos Halevavos, or anything parenting-related.

II go for a freezing cold brewed iced tea with any flavor of choice. I love Wissotzky’s mango passion fruit or limonana flavor, which I sweeten with honey, stevia, or monkfruit. I add in chunks of frozen fruit or sliced lemon/ginger and it’s delicious.

Sheindy Unger, CDC

WWhat better way to unwind than to spend time with friends and family? Many times we turn to food for company. Food gives us fleeting emotional support, while friends and family give us lasting emotional support. Reframing parties as social events, rather than as foodcentered events, allows us to enjoy ourselves without unnecessary food intake.