Are you ready for some Family Fun this 4th of July?

The Morning Thing is here to help!

Check out these FUN Ideas for some Family Fun this Independence Day!

πŸŽ† Outdoor Activities

  1. Watch a Fireworks Show – Find a local display or do a small, safe one at home.
  2. Backyard BBQ or Picnic – Grill out classic American favorites.
  3. Decorate Bikes for a Parade – Host a mini neighborhood bike parade.
  4. Play Lawn Games – Cornhole, horseshoes, sack races, or a water balloon toss.
  5. Go to a Local Festival – Many towns host 4th of July events with food and games.
  6. Camp Out in the Backyard – Stargaze, tell stories, and enjoy s’mores.
  7. Host a Water Day – Sprinklers, slip n’ slide, kiddie pools, or a water balloon fight.

🎨 Creative Fun

  1. DIY T-Shirts or Tie-Dye – Use red, white, and blue to make festive shirts.
  2. Patriotic Face Painting – Stars, stripes, and sparkles!
  3. Make 4th of July Crafts – Flags, pinwheels, or paper fireworks.
  4. Decorate the Yard or House – Let the kids help with flags and streamers.

πŸ“ Food-Focused Fun

  1. Bake Patriotic Treats – Star-shaped cookies, flag fruit pizza, or red/white/blue Jello cups.
  2. Create a Hot Dog or Ice Cream Bar – Let everyone build their own.
  3. Make Homemade Lemonade or Snow Cones – Perfect for hot weather.

🧠 Quiet or Indoor Options

  1. Watch an Independence Day-Themed Movie – Ideas: National Treasure, The Sandlot, or Liberty’s Kids for younger viewers.
  2. Read Books About America – Great for young kids to learn about history.
  3. Play Patriotic Music and Sing Along – Teach classic American songs.

πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ Get Moving

  1. Do a Family Walk or Bike Ride – Explore a park or trail.
  2. Join a Fun Run or Parade – Many towns host family-friendly events.
  3. Scavenger Hunt with a Red, White & Blue Theme – Use household or nature items.

Want to know WHERE and WHEN to see fireworks this year?
Thanks to Knox Pages for this very informative list of Fireworks Displays and events happening around the Knox County Area! Click HERE to see their list of events for the 4th of July Weekend.

Are you taking care of yourself?

On The Morning Thing today, we highlighted self-care! We shared some great insights from Focus On The Family about what self care actually is. Then we jumped into some tips on how to uphold your self-care from the Positivity Blog! They are both great reads that are sure to help you wind down this summer!

To learn more about self care, click HERE!

If you want to see the tips, click HERE!

National Real Food Day!

Today on The Morning Thing, we celebrated National Real Food Day by sharing many food related topics! Including what National Real Food Day is, Real Food vs Fake Food, and some foods you’ve probably been storing wrong in your house.

What is it?

We talked a little bit about what it is, the history behind it, as well as how to celebrate it!

For more on that, click HERE!

Real Food vs Fake Food

Real Foods (Whole, Natural, Minimally Processed)

Β· Fresh fruits (apples, bananas, berries, oranges)

Β· Fresh vegetables (spinach, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes)

Β· Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats)

Β· Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds)

Β· Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)

Β· Fresh meat, poultry, fish (unprocessed cuts)

Β· Eggs (preferably free-range or organic)

Β· Dairy (plain milk, plain yogurt, cheese with minimal ingredients)

Β· Natural oils (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil)

Β· Fresh herbs and spices

Β· Water

Fake Foods (Highly Processed, Artificial, or Industrial)

Β· Soda and sugary soft drinks

Β· Packaged snacks (chips, cheese puffs, snack cakes)

Β· Instant noodles or ramen with seasoning packets

Β· Processed meats (hot dogs, some deli meats, chicken nuggets)

Β· Artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes

Β· Candy bars and chocolate with added chemicals and fillers

Β· Fast food burgers and fries

Β· Frozen meals with preservatives and additives

Β· Highly refined baked goods (white bread with preservatives, packaged cakes)

Β· Margarine and hydrogenated oils (trans fats)

Β· Artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives

Β· Energy drinks and powdered drink mixes

Foods you’ve been storing wrong!

Finally we talked about some of the foods we all have and how you may be storing them all wrong! This will help you make your food last longer.

To view that list, click HERE!

Easy vegetable recipes to eat healthier!

Today on The Morning Thing, we honored National Eat Your Vegetables Day! We shared shared a lot of information on the day and how to celebrate it. As well as many fantastic vegetable centric recipes for you to use! These recipes are easy, quick, tasty, and you can customize them any way you like.

Here are our recipes:

Rainbow Veggie Wraps 

  • Ingredients:Β 
  • Whole wheat tortillasΒ 
  • Hummus or cream cheeseΒ 
  • Shredded carrotsΒ 
  • Sliced cucumbersΒ 
  • Baby spinachΒ 
  • Red bell pepper stripsΒ 
  • Purple cabbage, shreddedΒ 
  • Directions:Β 

Spread hummus or cream cheese on a tortilla. Layer the veggies in rainbow order. Roll tightly and slice into pinwheels if desired. 

Cheesy Broccoli Bites 

  • Ingredients:Β 
  • 2 cups steamed, chopped broccoliΒ 
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheeseΒ 
  • Β½ cup breadcrumbsΒ 
  • 1 eggΒ 
  • Salt and pepper to tasteΒ 
  • Directions:Β 

Mix all ingredients and form into small balls or patties. Bake at 375Β°F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. 

Stuffed Bell Peppers 

  • Ingredients:Β 
  • 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removedΒ 
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa or riceΒ 
  • 1 can black beans, rinsedΒ 
  • 1 cup cornΒ 
  • 1 cup diced tomatoesΒ 
  • 1 tsp cuminΒ 
  • Shredded cheese (optional)Β 
  • Directions:Β 

Mix filling ingredients, stuff peppers, and bake at 375Β°F for 30–35 minutes. Top with cheese for the last 5 minutes if desired. 

Crispy Zucchini Fries 

  • Ingredients:Β 
  • 2 zucchinis, cut into friesΒ 
  • 1 egg, beatenΒ 
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)Β 
  • Β½ cup grated Parmesan cheeseΒ 
  • Italian seasoningΒ 
  • Directions:Β 

Dip zucchini in egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Bake at 400Β°F for 20–25 minutes until crispy. 

Summer Corn & Tomato Salad 

  • Ingredients:Β 
  • 2 cups fresh corn (cut from cob or thawed frozen)Β 
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halvedΒ 
  • ΒΌ cup chopped red onionΒ 
  • Fresh basil, choppedΒ 
  • Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt & pepperΒ 
  • Directions:Β 

Toss everything together and chill before serving. 

Ratatouille Skillet 

  • Ingredients:Β 
  • 1 eggplant, dicedΒ 
  • 1 zucchini, slicedΒ 
  • 1 red bell pepper, choppedΒ 
  • 1 yellow squash, slicedΒ 
  • 1 can crushed tomatoesΒ 
  • Garlic and Italian herbsΒ 
  • Directions:Β 

SautΓ© all veggies until soft, then stir in tomatoes and seasonings. Simmer for 10–15 minutes. Serve with crusty bread. 

Garden Veggie Pasta Salad 

  • Ingredients:Β 
  • 2 cups cooked pastaΒ 
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoesΒ 
  • Β½ cup cucumbersΒ 
  • Β½ cup red onionΒ 
  • Β½ cup broccoli floretsΒ 
  • Italian dressingΒ 
  • Directions:Β 

Toss cooked pasta with chopped veggies and dressing. Chill and serve. 

Veggie Tacos 

  • Ingredients:Β 
  • Corn or flour tortillasΒ 
  • SautΓ©ed bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushroomsΒ 
  • Avocado slicesΒ 
  • Salsa or hot sauceΒ 
  • Directions:Β 

Warm tortillas, fill with sautΓ©ed veggies and toppings. Add lime juice or cheese if desired. 

Some fun ways to Celebrate!

πŸ₯¦ National Eat Your Vegetables Day – 20 Fun Ways to Celebrate!

Celebrate June 17th with healthy, tasty fun!

πŸ₯• Fun & Tasty Celebrations

Β· β€’ Veggie Taste Test Challenge – Try a new vegetable or compare raw vs. cooked.

Β· β€’ Build-Your-Own Salad Bar – Offer a variety of greens, toppings, and dressings.

Β· β€’ Make Veggie-Based Snacks – Try carrot fries, cucumber boats, or zucchini chips.

Β· β€’ Go Meatless for a Meal – Choose one meal to go fully plant-based.

Β· β€’ Juice or Smoothie Station – Blend up colorful veggie smoothies.

Β· β€’ Cook a Rainbow – Make a dish using veggies of every color.

Β· β€’ Veggie Potluck – Invite friends or coworkers to share veggie dishes.

🎨 Creative & Educational Activities

Β· β€’ Veggie Art or Carving – Make funny faces or sculptures using vegetables.

Β· β€’ β€œName That Veggie” Game – Blindfold taste tests or silhouette guessing.

Β· β€’ Visit or Plant a Garden – Explore where veggies come from or plant seeds together.

Β· β€’ Veggie Storytime – Read books like ‘Eating the Alphabet’ or ‘Rah, Rah, Radishes!’

Β· β€’ Veggie Bingo – Create a card with different veggies to encourage variety.

πŸ“± Social & Community Engagement

Β· β€’ Share a Veggie Recipe Online – Post your favorite veggie dish on social media.

Β· β€’ Host a Cooking Demo – Teach others how to cook a veggie meal (live or virtual).

Β· β€’ Visit a Farmer’s Market – Buy and try local, seasonal vegetables.

Β· β€’ Volunteer – Help at a food pantry or community garden.

πŸ† Healthy Competitions & Challenges

Β· β€’ β€œMost Veggies in a Day” Contest – Track how many servings you eat.

Β· β€’ Veggie Selfie Challenge – Snap a pic with your veggie plate and tag friends.

Β· β€’ Veggie Tracker – Compete to try the most different veggies during the week.

Β· β€’ Prizes & Stickers – Reward yourself or kids with veggie-themed goodies.

Eat smart. Have fun. Share the love of veggies!

Want to take more action in your own life?

Today, our host shared some great tips on how to take action in your life every single day! Taking action can be struggle but staying consistent is the key. These suggestions are things you can implement today that will make it easier to meet you goals going forward!

Click HERE to check out these great tips!

Great ways to fight burnout!

Today, The Morning Thing hosts shared some fantastic tips to fight burnout! There is no rules when it comes to defeating this beast but these just some suggestions that may help in that fight! They break it down into an acronym of “FIGHT”.

To see the acronym and the tips click HERE!

What is on Your June Bucket List?

On the Morning Thing Wednesday, Eric shared some fun activities that you should have on your bucket list for the month of June (which starts this Sunday).

Some of the items include:

  • Go on a walking tour of your town or a nearby community.
  • Try a new flavor of ice cream
  • Have an outdoor movie night
  • Go on a fishing trip.

Click HERE to see the June Bucket List from Ordinary and Happy.com

Get healthier as a family!

Today, The Morning Thing hosts shared some information on Family Wellness Month!

It is so important to be healthy and what better way than to do it as a family! We encourage you to get outside and get active so you and your family can lead a happier healthier life. General, physical, and mental health are each important in their own way and this month is a way to help you get on top and stay on top of all of it!

If you want to know more about Family Wellness Month, click HERE!

If you want fun facts and ways to live out this month, click HERE!

DIY Spa Gift Basket Ideas For Your Mom!

It is mom’s week on WNZR, and today The Morning Thing show hosts shared some great ideas for Mother’s Day gift baskets! The list is filled with great ideas that are sure to make it a great Mother’s Day for your lovely mom!

They split the list into three categories: Essentials, Nice To Have, and Luxury.

Some of our favorites on The Morning Thing:

  • Neck Massager
  • Nail Polish Set
  • Feet Bath Spa
  • Spa Slippers

There is many many more, so go check out the full list by clicking HERE!

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