Summer, Summer, Summertime.

There is little I enjoy more than summertime eating. Ironically, my disfunctionalities with food decrease as the amount of skin I expose increases.

Is this because summer cuisine is healthier? Certainly not! I can't begin to fathom the amount of butter I consume with my lobsters, clams, crabs and corn on the cob. Who would want to consider the amount of cholesterol packed into that steak sizzling away on the grill, or the cheeseburger and hot dog keeping it company? And never mind the sugar necessary for one of the quintessential summer pies (blueberry, strawberry and cherry, oh my!). Should we talk about summer beverage consumption? Best not...

Is it because I exercise more? Well, I do, but the increase in exercise is marginal, at best. In non-summer months, I am more likely to get to the gym. In summer, I'm more likely to get outside and move around. Maybe I have a bit more time to dedicate to exercise. But that is countered with the additional time I have to socialize. I always loose a few pounds in the summer, but that just balances the hibernation weight I take on in winter. So that's not it...

My disfunctionality with food decreases as I bare more skin, I think, because summer equals leisure. Summer, for me, means a less worrisome existence. Summer brings about a perspective on life that is healthy: Enjoy life, family, friends, nature, opportunities...along with BBQs, fireworks and fireflies. This relaxed -- albeit not lackadaisical -- take on life translates to feelings about and relationships with food and nutrition and diet and body image. The focus, instead of being on consumption, is on appreciation and enjoyment and pleasure, often for pleasure's sake alone.

Imagine if we could take our sun-soaked summer ideals and carry them through the year...