Summer Essentials
Today I am writing about healthier summer cookout options and sun safe skin care internally & externally! Cookouts cannot always be fun for me when I cannot or will not eat anything, I am left feeling hungry and deprived. It is so easy to make your own dishes, you can be nourished, satisfied, and hopefully other people can enjoy your share of the party.
***Please be mindful of the waste produced during cookouts, if you can bring your own cups, straws, container & cutlery to avoid a build up of waste, your planet and I thank you!
Skin Care:
External
I am a mermaid, sunbathing is something I have grown up doing. The media now tells us all to lather in chemically laden sunscreens and hide away from the sun... What I have realized is how important the sun is to our healthy bodies and minds. We all must get some sun without sunscreen! It is imperative at the highest times (10 am-4 pm) of the day to cover up or put some lotion on with SPF, and after sun exposure rehydrate with a moisturizer here are my recipes.
Pre-sun lotion:
https://victoriaxox3.wixsite.com/holisticmermaidlivin/single-post/2018/01/23/Tinted-Mineral-Moisturizer
Post-sun lotion:
Can be used on both skin and hair as a curling mousse :)
2 T Aloe gel
2 T Shea or cocoa butter
1 T Olive or coconut oil
5 drops Essential oils
Heat solids
Add liquids
Place in fridge until solid
Whisk to creamy
Internal
Nutrition is my favorite preventative care & there are foods that help prevent burns! Spirulina powder and eating tons of fruits and vegetables, feeding ourselves antioxidants to fight free radicals increases internal sun protection!
The intake of healthy omega fatty acids (oils, nuts, fish, hemp milk is an easy go to!) not only will help restore your dried and tight beach skin from the inside out but it will decrease the inflammation in your body which also decreases your risk of health related issues (even skin cancer). Now go outside not worrying too much about lathering up, be aware of how hot your skin is feeling and what you are feeding your body to optimize your health inside and out.
Healthier Cook out options:
Now it is time for some wonderful get togethers, family, friends, & lots of food! Unfortunately for me I usually do not want to eat at get togethers, filled with fried or grilled meats, dairy filled desserts, and some sad vegetables in a plastic container... Make your own dishes! I like to bring fresh juice that I made or got at a local juice shop to use as a mixer or delicious water alternative hydrator! For food it could simply be freshly prepared local veggies with some hummus, a fruit platter, salads, or, my favorite, dairy free desserts! They will be a kick ass way to start your partying, preparing for the partying gets me pumped, then sharing my dish with others gives me so much joy, on top of being able to nourish myself and eat with others is such a treat.
Here are some recipes. Enjoy!
Blueberry Cashew Cream Cake:
https://victoriaxox3.wixsite.com/holisticmermaidlivin/single-post/2017/08/06/3-Step-Vegan-Cheesecake
Summer Sharing Salad:
https://victoriaxox3.wixsite.com/holisticmermaidlivin/single-post/2017/08/06/Summer-sharing-salad
Dairy Free Ice cream:
https://www.foodmatters.com/recipe/decadent-dairy-free-ice-cream-free-recipe-video?mp_cid=4414&email=victoriaxox3@gmail.com
I have been dying for creamy chocolate ice cream... Here it is!
2 x 14-ounce cans full fat coconut milk
â…” cup raw chocolate powder or organic cacao
1 cup maple syrup (or substitute honey, pitted dates)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea salt
(Please feel free to get creative if you have a protein powder or powdered spices or herbs you would like to flavor)
Blend all ingredients together in a high-speed blender or whisk by hand.
Pour the contents into a bread baking container and freeze until set.
Serve the ice-cream on its own or with fresh mint, blueberries or coconut chips.
