Surviving Summer - top tips for staying healthy inside and out during a heatwave!

Here in the UK we are not always blessed with long, hot, sweltering summers but we are becoming more accustomed to heatwaves, high pollen levels, strong sun rays and sweaty sleepless nights.

It's common however to get carried away by the short spells of warm weather and neglect our healthy habits in favour of binging on BBQ's, soaking up the sun, drinking gallons of G&T's and indulging in ice-creams. Of course you have to be able to treat yourself, but it's so important to take care of yourself when your body is vulnerable to the health hazards that summer presents. 

Here are some of our top tips for looking after yourself on the inside and outside during the summer months. 

Bee Pollen

A bi-product of honey, these sweet, flowery tasting pellets are a complete food with a comprehensive nutrient profile including an ideal balance of protein, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, lipids, bioflavonoids and antioxidants. 

Aside from its dense nutrient content, bee pollen is also a powerhouse against allergies and in particular, hay fever. Bee pollen actively reduces the production of histamine, the compound your body releases in reaction to the immune response caused by pollen (which causes itchy eyes, runny nose, etc). Essentially it works as an natural, nutrient rich alternative to over the counter anti-histamines. 

Camu Camu

Camu camu is the worlds richest source of vitamin C, in fact this small Amazonian berry carries up to 60 x more vitamin C that an orange! Available in dried, powder form, this nutritional supplement is a fantastic immune system booster than can help ward off summer colds. 

Camu camu has a tangy, tart taste and is best taken in an organic juice, smoothie or mixed in your breakfast. One teaspoon a day will boost your energy levels, provide a good amount of antioxidants and boost your immune system. 

Stay hydrated

An increase in sunshine and hot weather naturally increases the amount we sweat as our hypothalamus does the incredible work of regulating our body temperatures. But it's important to remember that you need to compensate for this by increasing your water intake. We always recommend drinking 2 litres of water a day to maintain good health, but try to add another 1/2 - 1 litre to this during a heatwave, especially if you are also exercising. 

Nutritious summer foods

Easting seasonally is never easier than in summer, during this time we have an abundance of salad veggies, summer fruits and fresh produce. Our bodies also don't require the warmth of winter foods and slow release carbs to keep our energy levels up in the cold, meaning we can fill our tums with nutritious, raw and vibrant ingredients. 

My favourite salad in summer is made up of organic: lettuce (home-grown by Amida), tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, broccoli sprouts, raw kale, courgette and peppers, some slightly more exotic mango, with lightly cooked green beans or asparagus, and if you're a cheese lover (and not vegan), a smidgen of grilled halloumi or crumbled feta on top. 

Stay smelling sweet with natural deodorant 

It's perhaps not necessary to elaborate too much here, we all know what hot days plus increased sweat means... But perhaps you're not aware that conventional deodorants contain ingredients like aluminium and parabans that can be damaging to our health. 

By swapping to a chemical free deodorant you can be safe in the knowledge that you will not only smell good, but avoid toxins that absorb straight in to your skin. We stock the Clay Cure range of natural, coconut oil based deodorants with aromas including lavender, water lily, white rose, mint and vetiver, lemon and tea tree, and ylang yang. They're so clean you could even eat them :)

 Coconutty after-sun

Coconut oil not only contains its own naturally occurring SPF, it also acts as a wonderfully soothing moisturiser after sun exposure. It helps to hydrate, nourish and replenish damaged skin and contains absolutely no artificial nasties.  

Mix coconut oil with Vitamin E oil for even better results! 

Organic spinach powder is a game changer — and here's why

Even if you have always struggled to eat your greens, there's still a reasonable probability that you have looked favourably upon spinach since a young age. 

Spinach, of course, is the magic green vegetable that Popeye The Sailor Man eats when he's in need of a quick release of superhuman strength. 

The exaggerated impact of spinach on the popular cartoon character was hugely entertaining to kids, and mothers everywhere used the influence of Popeye to encourage their children to eat more vegetables. 

A healthy supplement boasting great versatility

Organic spinach powder won't give you freakish strength, but it will provide you with an extremely healthy supplement that deserves to have pride of place in the kitchen of any health-conscious person. Put simply, it is one of the finest superfoods available in the UK. 

You may have recently bought a blender and are finding yourself experimenting with all kinds of different smoothie recipes. If so, organic spinach powder is the perfect accompaniment. 

Mix it into your drink or sprinkle it in to soups and enjoy the goodness

Perhaps juicing is your thing? Again, organic spinach powder offers untold amounts of goodness while also giving your drink that famous green hue that is the hallmark of all healthy juices. 

The benefits of organic spinach powder are plentiful and wide-ranging. Also, it provides the perfect alternative for those who might struggle to eat this wonderful vegetable in its whole form but still want to get it into their system. 

Bursting with all kinds of health-boosting benefits:

For anyone looking to buy superfood online, this is a great choice. The fact that it is a natural source of antioxidants, rich in vitamins, iron and omega 3 fatty acids barely scratches the surface of its positive capabilities. Any health-food enthusiast should have a plentiful supply of organic spinach powder close to hand. 

You can order it from our website today!