Memorial Day Must-Haves!

It’s finally here! The weekend where we get the opportunity to honor those who have died in service for this country and our freedom. AND it’s the unofficial kick-off to summer!!

There are a few must-haves our family relies on this time of year, and I wanted to share as we head into summer because sun, heat, bugs, and cookouts! 😂

1. Sunscreen, duh! Actually, the sun is so amazing for us and critial for our health. It has been demonized, but natural sun exposure helps our bodies make vitamin D (a hormone) which is the foundation for so many processes in our body, including our immune system. When we are exposed to the sun in moderate amounts, it is completely safe and good for us. To avoid skin cancer, we are better off eating foods high in lycopene and other antioxidants that help modulate free radicals in our bodies. Now, notable exceptions include excessive exposure and if you live at high altitudes—you’ll just need to be a little more careful. Get that initial exposure for 20-30 minutes without sunscreen, then lather up. Using physical blocking sunscreens and those with non-toxic ingredients such as non-nano zinc are key not only for limiting dangerous chemicals entering your skin but also preventing said chemicals from entering our water systems (if you are swimming in the ocean or rivers). It is also true that too much sun exposure causes signs of aging and skin damage. To prevent this, I focus sunscreen use on my face and hands, two of the first places to show the dreaded signs of aging. My favorite for this is Beautycounter’s Daily Sheer Defense, which is also filled with antioxidants—talk about a two-for-one! For the body, I love their Tinted Mineral Sunscreen—it’s not aerosolized so it’s not toxic to breathe and because it’s tinted, there are no white streaks! Win! There are also a ton of different sunscreens available through wellevate, and if you have a safer sunscreen you love, it will be on there! They have rigorous testing processes for all their products, so you can feel really confident shopping with me over there. As always, you get 10% off and free shipping over $49. Get too much sun? See below an easy DIY to give you relief!

2. Water! And lots of it, especially if it’s hot out. Most water sources are tainted with fluoride, a neurotoxin, chlorine, lead, and pesticides. Most filters only filter out the taste of these chemicals. Some actually filter out the others, but not fluoride. That one takes a unique and complicated filter. We’ve started using AquaTru water systems and while it is definitely work and takes effort, it is totally worth it. If you aren’t a water fan, add some frozen fruit as ice cubes or lemon juice for a little flavor kick. There are also some delish electrolyte mixes on wellevate that can help add flavor and a little extra ka-pow to that water!

3. As the temperature rises, so too does the local bug population. Mosquitos, ticks, yuck! Most bug sprays on the market use DEET as their primary way of keeping bugs off of you. Unfortunately, that stuff is not healthy and can be dangerous. With continued use, it has been shown to lead to trouble breathing, tremors, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, weakness, headache, and even memory loss. The worst thing about exposure to DEET is that the symptoms will not be noticeable until after several months or years. The best plan? Stay away from it! There are so many great alternatives, including ours in the shop. Our Bug Spray is made with essential oils that have been studied for preventing bites from mosquitos and ticks. It smells amazing and is safe for you, kids, and pets! And it works. I’m telling you, the mosquitos love me…they can smell me coming a mile away. Without this spray, I’ll end up with 20-30 bites if I go near our pond in the summer for 5 minutes. With this spray applied, I maybe get one, maybe two bites after being out there for hours. I wouldn’t believe it either if I didn’t personally experience it! You won’t be disappointed! (KHH bug spray is available by special order only. Please email us at [email protected] to order)

4. And finally, it wouldn’t be a true American holiday without hot dogs. You heard me. While I try not to eat too much meat, I’m a sucker for a good old-fashioned hot dog. When buying your dogs, be sure to look for organic, 100% beef. The cheap mystery meat dogs have been linked to a host of health issues including increasing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Luckily, Costco typically carries an organic version throughout the summer—so stock up and never be without!

Easy Sun Relief DIY

In a 2oz bottle add:

• 15 drops lavender

• 5 drops peppermint

• 2 tsp pure aloe gel (you can buy this or grow your own!)

• 1 tsp witch hazel

Fill to the top with distilled water (not tap water). Shake well and apply on your skin. Keep in the fridge for an added cooling bonus!

I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend, spending time with family, honoring those who have died for this country, and welcoming in summer!!