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Summer brings with it abundant sunshine, fresh foods and fun activities which is why the season inspires many people to be happy and healthy.

Chelsie Hightower, the Emmy-nominated professional dancer from the hit show “Dancing with the Stars,” has put together some healthy lifestyle tips:

1. Make healthy meal choices. “I personally love sushi. Fish and vegetables are essential for my weekly protein, and it’s even healthier with brown rice,” says Hightower.

2. Hop in a steam bath. After working out, steam helps relax sore muscles and boost your immune system.

3. Use summer as a reason to try new activities. Take hikes, go swimming, or learn yoga.

4. Keep a food journal. Once you see everything you eat written down in front of you, it’s easier to make more realistic goals and changes.

5. Dance to your own beat. Realize that no two body types are the same and what works on others won’t necessary work for you.

6. Make healthy food more interesting with unique and delicious recipes. ”I enjoy finding recipes online and then trying them at home. Old London has some great recipes on their Facebook page,” Hightower says.

And while you’re out enjoying the nice weather, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Realty World Premier Associates if you’d like to do some summer-time home shopping as well.  Many home prices in the Lodi, Stockton and surrounding Central Valley areas are making mortgage payments even lower than what you’re paying for rent right now.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a local farmers market where you work

and/or live, then congrats to you!  Make sure then that you visit it and visit it often.

Well, I’m lucky enough to not only have a local downtown farmer’s market in town, but it’s actually only 4 blocks from my office.  So, I decided to take a quick break earlier this evening and stroll on down there and see what was fresh.  Uh, just about EVERYTHING!  I mean, that IS the whole idea isn’t it?

I tasted a few different products such as black bean spicy hummas, garlic marinated olives, and some fire-roasted corn on the cob.  Before I left I ended up purchasing some freshly picked sweet strawberries, a loaf or

cranberry-pumpkin bread, and some Italian pizza bagels.

While walking back with my bag of tasty goodies, I came upon a squirrel drinking out of a puddle of water that a sprinkler had created.  I watched a few moments and then as I started to walk closer to him, he darted up a nearby tree, but only seemed to go far enough out of reach, but still remained close enough to either head back down to the drinking hole, or perhaps could smell what I had and wanted to wait and see if I’d be leaving any food behind.  Either way, I took out my trusty iPhone 4 once again and snapped a quick photo and I think he knew what I was doing because he just sat there while I snapped a few photos.

I really enjoyed my little trip to our Downtown Lodi Farmers Market this week, and I’m looking forward to visiting it again next week since the weekly event ends this month until next year.  So, check your local events calendar and see if you have a farmers market in your area and go see for yourself what goodies or wildlife you might find.

Also remember that we not only have great deals on homes for sale in the Lodi and Stockton area local real estate market, but we also have great local events as well.  Lodi is a beautiful place to live, work, and shop.

Heritage Oak Winery Tasting Room Bar

Join other birding enthusiasts for the March edition of the Weekend Bird Walks. The tour will be led by David Yee who will guide the group across the vineyards of the Heritage Oak Winery in Lodi, CA.  You’ll be taken along the Mokelumne River and through our riperian woodland.  David is among the leading experts at native bird identification in San Joaquin County.

The walk will start at the winery at 9:30am. Sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended.  Binoculars and field guides are also helpful.  And of course bring your cameras.  Dress appropriately for the weather.  An optional lunch will be served at 11:30am with wine and must be ordered in advance.

The cost is $20 per person for the bird walk.  If lunch is desired afterward, there is an additional $10 charge.  Contact David at (209) 329-5490 to make your reservation, or email to the winery at info@heritageoakwinery.com and include your telephone number.  A credit card will reserve your place and meal.

The weather forecast for this Saturday is a low of 49 and a high of 75 and partly cloudy.  So enjoy!

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How would you like to take a step back in time to see Simon & Garfunkel in concert singing their top hits?  Me too!

Well, how about the next best thing.  Tribute artists Mark W. Curran and Tom Haney are a musical duo that transports audiences on a journey through the history of Simon & Garfunkel with songs from their 50-year career, and even some sing-alongs to popular favorites.

Who doesn’t remember and love “Mrs. Robinson“, “Sounds of Silence“, and “Bridge Over Troubled Water“?

The concert will take place on Sunday, March 28th at 3:00pm in the Charlene Powers Lange Performing Arts Theatre located at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi, CA.  You can even see the office of Realty World-Davis Homes & Properties from there.   For tickets and/or more information call (209) 333-5550.

For directions: http://bit.ly/bBtbq0

The mortgage interest paid on a home loan is tax deductible, as is the local property tax. If you get a fixed-rate home mortgage loan, you also can invest more wisely knowing your monthly mortgage payment, unlike rent, will not change substantially.

With mortgage loan interest rates as low as they are now, and expected to go higher in 2010, it might be a better idea to invest in Lodi real estate and Stockton real estate now more than ever.  Having a low interest assumable mortgage loan may become very attractive in the future.

Make it a great day!