Healthy Tips for the Summer Months

During the hot months of the summer many of us spend our time outdoors being more active and enjoying water sports as well as the beach and pool.  It is important to protect our skin with sunscreen and to keep hydrated while the temperatures soar in California.  Many of the typical sunscreens that are available today have an array of harmful chemicals and ingredients. I have included a list from the Environmental Working Groups with the 15 Best Natural Sunscreens to use.

Happy applying!

Environmental Working Groups with the 15 Best Natural Sunscreens

1. Tropical Sands All Natural Biodegradable Sunscreen, Coconut Scent, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $18.99 for 8 oz.)

2. Loving Naturals Clear Body Sunscreen, SPF 30+ (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $14.99 for 2.5 oz.)

3. Goddess Garden Everyday Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30, (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.90 for 6 oz.)

4. All Terrain TerraSport Lotion, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.90 for 6 oz.)

5. Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $14.39 for 4 oz.)

6. Badger Sunscreen Cream, Unscented, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $13.43 for 2.9 oz.)

7. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30+ (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.69 for 5 oz.)

8. BurnOut Ocean Tested Physical Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $15.50 for 3.4 oz.)

9. TruBaby Everyday Play Sunscreen, SPF 30+ (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $13.99 for 2 oz.)

10. Butterbean Original Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $12 for 3 oz.)

11. Derma e Antioxidant Natural Sunscreen, Body, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $15.26 for 4 oz.)

12. Raw Elements USA Eco Formula, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.25 for 3 oz.)

13. Juice Beauty Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16 for 3.75 oz.)

14. The Honest Company Honest Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $15.45 for 3 oz.)

15. Block Island Organics Natural Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.99 for 3.4 oz.)

One of America’s favorite summer pastimes are pool parties and BBQ’s.  Some of my fondest memories of summer include steaks on the grill and corn on the cobb, with that being said there are a few precautions that I’d like to address before you start up the grill for your next pool party.  Grilling meats can lead to the production of carcinogenic (potentially cancer-causing) chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HAs) as well as unhealthy PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). The good news is it simple to reduce these risks by following these healthy Grilling tips will make the food you BBQ healthier and just as delicious for you and your guests.

 A Guide to Healthy Grilling

-Pre-cook your foods in the oven or on the stovetop and finish them off outdoors - less grill time means fewer carcinogens.

-Marinate your meats. Marinade may help reduce HA formation, especially if it's made with spices such as ginger, rosemary and turmeric.

-Avoid charcoal lighter fluid or self-starting packages of briquettes in a charcoal grill - they will leave residues of toxic chemicals in your food. A healthy alternative is an inexpensive chimney lighter      that uses a small amount of newspaper to ignite a mass of charcoal in a large metal cylinder. Gas grills are good alternatives to those that use charcoal.

-Limit the quantity of meat you grill, and make grilled vegetables the main course.

Healthy Vegetarian BBQ Side Dish

Super Simple Salad Recipe: Tomato + Avocado Caprese

Summer is the season of overflowing bushels of tomatoes and avocado trees. But what do we do with an abundance of these great ingredients? Make Tomato Avocado Caprese Salad, of course.

This caprese is perfect for any dairy-free foodie. The avocado takes a bold stand as a substitute for mozzarella, and still satisfies with it’s creamy and “buttery” taste. Serve this at your next picnic or barbecue.

Tomato + Avocado Caprese

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 large avocado
• 1 large (or 2 small) tomatoes
• 8-12 large basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• sea salt + fresh ground pepper

Preparation

1. Slice avocado and tomato thinly.

2. On a large plate, begin to layer your ingredients: avocado, basil, tomato. Repeat until all avocado, tomato, and basil are used.

3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Enjoy immediately.

References

http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ALB00038/A-Guide-to-Healthy-Grilling.html

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-20783/super-simple-salad-recipe-tomato-avocado-caprese.html?utm_source=mbg&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=150722-how-to-grow-as-a-person-no-matter-what-youre-going-through