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! 

Bees do it! Why we should do it too.

If you want to add the world’s most nutritious natural item to your diet, then follow the bees.

No, not honey (delicious though that is) but something much earlier in the process - bee pollen.

It’s a powerful superfood that sometimes gets overlooked thanks to an emphasis on the sweet sticky end result. But bee pollen is used in holistic remedies all over the globe, and its value has been understood for centuries, for very good reasons.

What is bee pollen?

The title actually pretty well sums it up. It’s the pollen that younger honey bees gather as part of their busy lives.

It packs such a punch because the adolescent bees compress around a million male flower pollen specks into each one of the bee pollen granules you can buy from Detox Trading.

It is remarkable to think that these little creatures know exactly what to look for when gathering 'the good stuff'. Bee pollen is approximately 40% protein. Compare that to other animal by-products and you can see it flies high. This is a rich source of amino acids, including the variety that is ready for your body to use immediately.

Why else should you eat it?

As mentioned previously, this natural substance is incredibly complex despite the fact it is also compact. It offers an unrivalled range of minerals, 18 different vitamins (including B complex and folic acid), amino acids and other nutrients.

It really is the ultimate complete food.

On top of all that, it also contains enzymes that can give your body a boost to strip nutrients out of the other food stuffs you eat too! What a hero.

So, with so much goodness in each granule, what are the other health and well-being benefits of adding bee pollen to your diet?

Great energy source – Bee pollen packs an energy punch well above its weight. The slow-release kind can keep you going for hours. It can also help muscle recovery after exercise too. Some top athletes have already made it a staple in their healthy diet.



Metabolism stimulant – This and its ability to help control cravings makes bee pollen helpful for weight management.

Cardiovascular support – As it contains substances that help to strengthen blood vessels, bee pollen is a handy aid for circulatory problems. It helps you to regulate cholesterol too and has anti-clotting potential to help fend off strokes.

Skin boost – Bee pollen helps skin cells to regenerate. (Also, its usefulness as a natural anti-inflammatory means it can help soothe skin conditions if applied as an ointment.)

Allergy relief – Just like locally sourced honey, bee pollen offers natural abilities to suppress the production of allergy-causing histamines.

Immune system support – Bee pollen supports natural processes, and some nutritionists believe it has antibiotic properties to help combat illnesses. It’s a rich source of antioxidants that protect cells from attack too.

Best way to add it to your diet

This all-round, versatile superfood is an anytime snack as it is sweet to taste and so easy to digest.

However, to optimise its potential, it is a great idea to eat it at mealtimes with fruit (which helps to get it working its magic quicker).

Sprinkled onto a smoothie is one of our favourite ways to enjoy what nature and our furry little friends have provided by their hard work. It goes well in milkshakes too.

By the way, this amazing superfood is another reason why you should join the campaigns and efforts to protect and grow bee populations in the UK.

And when you order your bee pollen from Detox Trading, you can get your hands on our “hive” of other wonderful foods too!