Haskill Lately: Iced Matcha Season, Vitamin D in the Summer, Weekend Playlists & More

Summer in Whitefish has officially arrived, or at least we are ready for it whenever the sunshine decides to fully commit. This week, we have been thinking about a few things that feel especially timely right now: whether summer sun is enough to maintain healthy vitamin D levels, how different forms of protein fit into a wellness routine, the return of iced matcha season, and the playlists carrying us into the Fourth of July weekend and festival season.

Vitamin D has earned its reputation as the “sunshine vitamin,” so it is easy to assume that longer days automatically mean we are getting enough. In reality, vitamin D production depends on much more than simply stepping outside. Time spent indoors, sunscreen use, skin tone, age, geography, and even the time of day you are outdoors can all influence how much vitamin D your body produces. Here in Whitefish, our northern latitude adds another consideration, especially after such a cloudy start to summer.

In our latest Haskill Education post, we take a closer look at why low vitamin D levels can still happen during the sunnier months, what factors may affect your body’s ability to produce it, and when it may be worth asking a healthcare provider about testing. We also explore sensible sun exposure and other ways people may choose to support their vitamin D intake throughout the year.

Read Can You Be Vitamin D Deficient in the Summer?

We have also been thinking about protein, mostly because the conversation around it can get confusing quickly. There are whole-food sources, whey and plant-based powders, collagen supplements, and essential amino acid products, and they are often talked about as though they all do the same thing.

Whole foods provide protein alongside a broader mix of nutrients and remain an important part of a balanced diet. Protein powders can be a convenient way to add more protein to a meal or snack. Collagen has its own amino acid profile and is commonly used with skin, hair, nails, and connective tissue in mind. Essential amino acid products, like PerfectAmino, provide the specific amino acids the body cannot make on its own.

PerfectAmino is not a traditional protein powder. It is a blend of essential amino acids intended to provide the building blocks the body uses to make new proteins. BodyHealth’s user guide explains the brand’s recommendations for serving size, timing, taking it away from food, and incorporating it around workouts or into an everyday routine. It is a helpful resource whether you are new to PerfectAmino or already have it at home and want a better understanding of how to use it.

Explore the PerfectAmino User Guide

Of course, summer at Haskill also means matcha over ice. You can keep it classic with an Iced Matcha, add a soft floral note with our Lavender Honey Matcha, or order the Beauty Matcha for a little something extra. We are also now serving an Iced Strawberry Matcha, made with layers of strawberry, milk, and vibrant green matcha. It began as a seasonal feature, but we loved it enough to give it a permanent place on the menu.

We use Rishi Teahouse Matcha throughout the matcha menu at the Wellness Bar. Unlike traditionally steeped green tea, matcha is made by whisking finely milled tea leaves directly into water, creating its distinctive flavor, color, and texture. Rishi’s attention to sourcing, origin, harvest, and preparation is one of the reasons it became our choice for the café.

Our matcha guide takes a closer look at how matcha is grown and prepared, what gives it its characteristic calm, steady energy, and why quality matters when choosing one.

Read Rishi Tea Matcha: Calm Energy at Our Wellness Bar

No summer drive, lake afternoon, backyard dinner, or holiday weekend feels complete without the right soundtrack, so we currently have two playlists on repeat.

The first is pure summer energy. It is upbeat, easygoing, and made for sunny drives, backyard hangs, lake days, and fireworks season. It mixes feel-good pop, indie favorites, and dancey tracks that keep the mood bright without trying too hard. Put it on while packing the cooler, driving toward the lake, or stretching a summer evening just a little longer.

Our second playlist is a warm-up for Under the Big Sky. With festival season right around the corner, this one captures open-air Montana, boots in the grass, and the feeling of waiting for music to take over Big Mountain Ranch. It brings together a mix of artists to get you excited before the weekend begins, whether you have festival passes or simply love the sound of summer in Montana.

We are heading into July hoping for more sunshine, plenty of time outside, good music, and more than a few iced matchas. Stop by the Wellness Bar to try the Strawberry Matcha, browse our vitamin D and protein-support options in the shop, or simply come say hello before your next summer adventure.