Spring is in full bloom in the San Juan Islands. Trees have their leaves again, flowers are in bloom, whales are frolicking in the Salish Sea. Now is the time to remember to take care of your skin in the coming summer months and to relish in the bounty of vegetables for cooling summer salads.
Remember to drink your fluids as you’re enjoying the warm days to come. Whether the fluids are water, coffee, tea or alcohol. I strive for sixty to eighty fluid ounces per day. I have twenty ounces coffee in the mornings, ten ounces tea (right now it’s a Blueberry Tea–love anything Blueberry!), twenty to forty ounces water, alcohol is prohibitively expensive here in Washington State, so that is out. Give your body a good mix of fluids to keep it happy.
Since I have Rosacea, a skin disease, I must avoid the sun. Add to that a generally Northern Europe DNA background, plus the immunosuppressants for the kidney transplant, is a fantastic recipe for a predisposition for skin cancer. In addition, the sun dries out your skin. By all means, slather on ‘plumping lotions’ for your skin. (I wholeheartedly agree on a high SPF sun block). Keep drinking the water, (Caffeine free) tea and coffee, avoid fruit juices because they are mostly sugar.
Summer means enjoying those cooling vegetable salads. I agree–nothing like a savory, sweet or umami salad. If your celery, broccoli, etc vegetables are a bit wilted, cut off the base 1/4 inch, put in some cold water over night or for six to eight hours. They will plump right back up. Avoid any type of mayonnaise or creamy dressing in the summer months. Make best friends with a vinegar and oil (Olive, preferably) light dressing. Incorporate mustards, honey, herbs, spices to change the taste depending on the vegetable. Go light on the cheeses and meats.
Taking the time to take care of yourself will help you in the long run.
Brick ONeil 