Ahhh… hot, sizzling summer is here! This is our chance to lie on a beach, river, or lake listening to the murmur of water, watching the clouds float across the sky, and communing with nature. Because the kids are off from school, summer vacation is our chance to do all outdoor activities.

Our one major concern is sunscreens or sun protection products. Everyone, including babies, generously slather up with sunscreen (that’s after you checked out the brand that is effective but safest). The skin is our largest organ. Think of it like a giant sponge absorbing any products we apply to it, and delivering them into our bloodstream.

Most conventional sunscreens contain awide variety of carcinogens andneurotoxins that absorb directly throughthe skin each and every time you applythem. Visit the Environmental WorkingGroup’s (EWG) Skin Deep Database, andenter your sunscreen to find out itstoxicity level on a scale of 1 to 10. Forwomen, the more sunscreen ingredientresidues you have in your body the morelikely you are to develop endometriosis, apainful condition is fed by estrogen.

Is your sunscreen green? Ingredients to avoid:

Oxybenzone – This is a synthetic chemical found in 80% of chemical sunscreen products and is also known as a hormone disruptor (causes developmental and reproductive toxicity *Retinyl Palmitate (or Vitamin A) – This form of Vitamin A is supposed to have anti-aging effects…when used AS A NIGHT CREAM. But, when it is exposed to the sun, it may speed up the development of skin tumors and lesions, according to government studies *Spray Sunscreens – They are SO EASY TO APPLY but EWG recommends avoiding them entirely “these ingredients are NOT meant to be inhaled into the lungs.” The US Food and Drug Administration expressed concern in 2011 about the safety and efficacy of spray sunscreens. *Nanoparticles : They more easily because of their incredibly go on more clearly due to their ability to pass through the skin small particle size. There is a concern that nano titanium dioxide/zinc oxide particles have higher photo-reactivity than coarser particles and may generate free radicals that can cause cell damage.

There is only one active ingredient you need to look for: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide– reflects and scatters UV rays rather than absorbing them, therefore, it protects more effectively across a broader spectrum without generating free radicals (causes allergic reactions and photo aging). Of course, let us not forget some of our beneficial “inactive ingredients” such as virgin coconut oil, organic beeswax, essential oils, cocoa butter, etc.

Another major summer concern is hydration. Popular food products & drinks are filled with high fructose corn syrup, caffeine and artificial food coloring. Instead of grabbing a soda or sugary drink, try one of our naturally supper yummy Green Summer Quencher. Totally energizing and summerlicious. Make a big batch, it will go very fast!

• 4 medium cucumber (organic)
• ½ (4lbs) watermelon (seeded)
• 2 lime (peeled & seeded)
• Juice all ingredients. Serve chilled or as desired.

Special treat for the kids … Instant all natural sorbet/ice cream, super nutritious! Freeze your fruits a day before: banana & mango; guyabano; durian & banana. You can add raw cashew or pili nuts. Peel off the fruits, remove the seeds and store in freezer glass container. Run straight through your matstone juicer, Aha! 30 seconds you have a perfect summer treat.

JOIN US in a journey to a healthier, greener summer and keeping it all year round! Stay tuned on the next three articles. You’ll surely look and feel greenest. For questions and more info, please feel free to email me at [email protected].

Christine E.V. Gonzalez is a doctor of naturopathic medicine and holds PhDs
in holistic nutrition and natural medicine. LLM (MS Environmental Laws & Labor)
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