Easy Inside & Out Self Care for Summer

Posted by Deanna Embury · June 24, 2023

Do-It-Yourself Self-Care

Summer is here, which means it's time to show some extra love to your skin & hair. The tips below are all easy and effective ways to reduce impact, and support repair, from Summer sun and water exposure.

1. Antioxidant-Load: antioxidants fight free radicals (chemicals that damage cells), so getting a range of foods that packs them is essential for cellular health. Eating a diet high in antioxidant plant-based foods and getting your daily Blended smoothie, soup or bowl truly supports your inside & out health. See the ‘Free Radical What-Why-How” below for more.

2. Coconut Oil, Avocado, Banana Hair Mask

What you’ll need:

1 ripe avocado, pitted

1 ripe banana

2 TBSP coconut oil

Combine ingredients and blend together until thoroughly mixed. Spread the mixture over your hair and let it set for 20-30 minutes. Thoroughly rinse out & use your regular shampoo and conditioner.

3. Sleep: it's essential for collagen production, skin hydration, skin healing, and more. Having trouble sleeping? Try our Sweet Sleep (let soften & spoon right from the pack 30 to 60 min before bed).

4. The Cucumber Facial: this mask exfoliates gently and leaves the skin noticeably softer.

What you’ll need:

1/2 cucumber, pureed in a food processor

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon honey (liquid/soft for mixing)

1 tablespoon brown sugar

In a bowl, mix all the ingredients together with a fork until thoroughly combined. Using your fingertips, lightly rub into face and neck in circular motions. Rinse off with a warm cloth or make up pads.

The Free Radical What-Why

More on Free Radicals….this part is for our fellow Nutrition Geeks - we totally get if it’s not your thing, that’s what your blend-a-day is all about (skip to the section below).

Free radicals are chemicals that, in high levels, are capable of damaging cells. The body generates free radicals when turning food into energy, exercising, and exposure to things like cigarette smoke, industrial chemicals, air pollution, and sunlight. An excessive chronic amount of free radicals in the body causes a condition called oxidative stress, which can damage cells and lead to chronic diseases.

Studies show that higher intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and legumes, are associated with a lower risk of chronic oxidative stress-related diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and deaths from all causes. A plant-based diet is believed to protect against chronic oxidative stress-related diseases.

Here's how to get them from your foods:

Vitamin C: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, kale, sweet potato, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, leafy greens (turnip, mustard, beet, collards), honeydew, kiwi, lemon, orange, papaya, snow peas, strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and bell peppers (all colors)

Vitamin E: almonds, avocado, Swiss chard, leafy greens, sweet potato, peanuts, red peppers, spinach, and sunflower seeds

Carotenoids (including beta-carotene and lycopene): Apricots, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, bell peppers, kale, mangos, turnip and collard greens, oranges, peaches, pink grapefruit, pumpkin, winter squash, spinach, sweet potato, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon

Selenium: chia seeds, flaxseeds, Brazil nuts, fish, shellfish, beef, poultry, barley, brown rice.

Zinc: poultry, oysters, shrimp, beef, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, lentils, cashews, fortified cereals

Phenolic compounds: Quercetin (apples, red wine, onions), catechins (tea, cocoa, berries), resveratrol (red & white wine, grapes, peanuts, berries), coumaric acid (spices, berries), anthocyanins (blueberries, strawberries)