June is National Iced Tea Month. Unsweetened or lightly sweetened tea can have unexpected health benefits. According to prevention.com, most types of iced tea contain beneficial antioxidants. As long as the sugar content is not too high, iced tea is a great drink option for the summertime. For more information on the antioxidant content of tea, visit
Prevention.com. The following are some ice tea recipes that are perfect for cooling down during a hot southern summer!
Blueberry Mint and Lime Iced Tea (recipe
here from betterwithcake.com)
Makes 1 large or 2 small glasses of iced tea. 
- 1 True Blueberry tea bag (e.g. Celestial Seasonings) - 1-2 cups of boiling water - Juice of 1/2 a lime - 1-2 sprigs of mint - 1 cup of ice
1. Boil the water.
2. Place tea bag in large mug or heat proof jar.
3. Pour boiling water into the mug/jar. Let steep until cool.
4. Remove tea bag and pour brewed tea into a cup with ice.
5. Squeeze lime juice over the top and add mint sprigs.
Peach Basil Iced Tea (recipe
here from delishknowledge.com)
Makes 8 servings.
- 2 ripe peaches, sliced - 8 cups of water, divided into 1 and 7 - 2 tbsp. sugar - 2 large tea bags - 1 cup of torn basil leaves
1. Combine sliced peaches, I cup of water and sugar into a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and let cook for 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. Once it has cooled, blend the mixture into a puree.
5. Bring the remaining 7 cups of water to a boil.
6. Place the tea bags and basil leaves into a large, heat-proof pitcher.
7. Steep for 5 minutes.
8. Remove tea bags and basil leaves.
9. Still in peach puree and serve!
June 14th is National Fresh Veggies Day. On this day, people are encouraged to incorporate vegetables into every meal and snack. Head out to your local farm stand or fresh produce provider and stock up on delicious vegetables. You can make a salad, enjoy a veggie plate, add vegetables to a smoothie, or get creative with a new vegetable recipe (e.g. cauliflower crust pizza or zucchini noodles).
June 18th is International Picnic Day. Pack a picnic and head out on an adventure! Going to a park with a picnic lunch is a great way to get exercise and explore nature. Be sure to bring some books, games, and outdoor activities. Picnics have been around for a long time, but gained popularity during the Victorian area when there was a believed correlation between fresh air and good health (
source- Mahalo). Today, International Picnic day is celebrated around the world- let's just hope it doesn't rain!
June 27th is National Sunglasses Day.
 According to the American Vision Council, only 75% of Americans are worried about UV Eye Exposure and only 31% wear sunglasses every time they go outside. "A full day outside without protection can cause immediate, temporary issues such as swollen or red eyes and hypersensitivity to light. Years of cumulative exposure can cause cancer of the eye or eyelid, accelerate conditions like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration" (
American Vision Council). National Sunglasses Day serves as a reminder to protect our eyes while looking stylish at the same time!
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June 3rd and 4th is the Sparkle City Rhythm and Ribs Festival at Barnet Park (248 E. St. John Street). The event includes live music, BBQ tasting, vendors, and a kid's zone with rock climbing, games, rides and more! Proceeds from the event will go towards community service projects that benefit various organizations including Miracle Hill Ministries, St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic, and Upstate Stand Down for Veterans. General admission is $5 (children under 12 and active military members with ID get in free).For more information, visit: 
June 18th is also Slide the City. This one day event provides people the opportunity to slide down a 1,000 foot long slip and slide through downtown Spartanburg. The start of the slip and slide is located at E. Daniel Morgan Ave and N. Church Street and the event runs from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm. To buy slide tickets, visit : 
