Summer is around the corner, but the heat is here 🍉. Stay safe with these 5 creative tips on How to Have a Fun & Non-Toxic Summer!

How to Have a Fun & Non-Toxic Summer

The official start date of summer begins with the Summer Solstice on June 20th @ 1:50 pm. Get ready, because just as soon as it comes, before you know it, summer will be over!

5 Non-Toxic Summer Essentials:

1. Stay Hydrated the Right Way

Did you know that most people chug plain water while trying to be healthy and hydrated, but in reality, plain water can be toxic? Metabolically, our cells need vitamins and minerals to absorb H2O. If the water is stripped of minerals and essential vitamins, our cells don’t utilize the water appropriately.

Therefore allowing there to be excess fluid retention in the cell, inflammation, edema, and cell drowning. According to WebMD, “Sodium is a crucial element that helps keep the balance of fluids in and out of cells.” The risks of drinking too much water that does not contain sodium or any trace elements can be fatal.

Lastly, avoid drinking out of plastic at all costs. The plastic will heat up in the sun and release into your water. Essentially you will be drinking micro-plastic water. A simple swap is to drink from glass water bottles with a pinch of salt!

2. Have Fun In the Sun and Ditch the Toxic Sunscreen

Don’t fear the sun! The fear of the sun has prevailed with the increase of skin cancer, sunspots, and aging. However, there have been many studies showing sunscreen and PUFAs may be causing these issues.

Sunscreen is no longer protecting us from the sun but is the culprit for many of these chemicals disrupting our hormones and even causing skin cancer!

Many sunscreens contain fragrances/ phthalates and polyunsaturated fats which are the main culprits. The number one issue with sunscreen is many contain seed oils as well.

When seed oils are consumed, they oxidize at rapid rates inside the body when exposed to the sun causing sunspots externally.

Here is a short list from One Skin of chemicals you can avoid that are found in common sunscreen and bug spray:

Oxybenzone: Found in many chemical sunscreen products, enters the bloodstream and circulates into different organ systems. Linked to hormone and endocrine disruption. Causes allergies and photo-allergies, and can be harmful to environmental systems it is introduced into. ⁶
Octinoxate: An organic UV filter, absorbs into the bloodstream and causes hormonal disruptions to the metabolic and thyroid systems and other endocrine targets when absorbed in high amounts. Can cause allergic reactions, and is harmful when introduced into environments. ³
Homosalate: A common ingredient in SPF that absorbs UV rays. Causes hormonal disruption and breakdown into toxic byproducts in high concentrations. ³
There are still 9 Other Chemicals that harm the body
Inactive ingredients to avoid: Fragrances, Parabens, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Phenoxyethanol, and Seed Oils like sunflower, canola, safflower oil etc.

A safer sunscreen option that is EWG verified is Non-nano Zinc Oxide. Other than that, avoid toxic sunscreen!

A healthy tip is to allow the early morning sun into your skin and eyes so that you can experience the full benefits and healing properties of the sun. ☀️

Natural Tallow Sunscreen Recipe

In my free e-book, I write out the tallow-based sunscreen recipe and instructions with a lovely vanilla aroma. It is very moisturizing; I even use it on my pregnant belly to prevent stretch marks. Get the recipe here.

Tallow is a natural barrier for your skin to protect against the sun. The moisturizing properties go a long way to help your skin from drying and being more exposed to the harsh UV rays of the sun.

3. Ditch the Toxic Bug Spray

Using essential oils is safe and toxin-free. There has been debate on the potency of the oils causing higher levels of estrogen.

If you are concerned about the hormone being elevated, steer clear from lavender and tea tree. Studies have shown that those two raise estrogen.

However, I have found many benefits to using essential oils for a non-toxic life. They smell amazing and are effective at keeping the pests away.

I find that essential oils are much better to use than DEET or any other pesticide that causes neurological damage, long-term.

Natural Bug Spray Recipe

The Bug Spray I make is safe for pets, and kiddos too. It smells more like a summertime perfume than a conventional bug spray would, minus the harsh chemicals.

Essential Oils for a non-toxic bug spray

I used 5 drops of each oil, except for Cedarwood and Citronella, I used 10 drops. Top off the spray bottle with water, and a little FCO and shake to combine!

4. Choose Plastic-Free, Non-Toxic Swimwear

There are many fast-fashion, toxic swimsuits that are made with the lowest quality fabrics.

Admittedly, I have unfortunately bought a couple of these swimsuits even within this past year. After getting rid of all my plastic swimwear, and having the full knowledge of what plastic swimsuits do to the body and environment. They were easily accessible and very affordable when I was in a pinch for a swimsuit.

I write these posts with full transparency to let you know this is an imperfect world we live in, and not to shame anyone who can’t afford high-end cotton, hemp, or wool swimsuits.

But, until the industry changes completely, and we consumers start changing the demand, there will always be plastic-leaching clothes and swimsuits.

That being said I will show you what companies I found for non-toxic swimsuits!

Plastic-Free, Non-Toxic Swimsuit Brands:

INDIEATTIRE is the only brand that I have personally bought from and I enjoy the quality of the hemp bikins. The price is not necessarily affordable but has lasted many years.

HEMP PLANT MATTER has a more affordable bikini set that comes in organic hemp and naturally dyed colors

MUXIMA BEACHWEAR STORE from Portugal makes their bikinis with organic cotton, but I read the reviews saying the bottoms have no coverage. They are semi-affordable.

PURE EARTH COLLECTION sells organic cotton kid’s bathing suits that are just adorable. I will sure be buying these for my little ones.

INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS has some cool board shorts for men made out of organic cotton and naturally dyed with indigo! My husband has a pair and they are wonderful.

If I were to buy another non-toxic swimsuit, I would have to go with the US-based Hemp Plant Matter. I like the design options and natural dyes they use.

5. Eat The Right Non-Toxic Diet

There are many ways How to Have a Fun & Non-Toxic Summer, including what you eat. Our diet makes up how we feel, age, live, and our metabolism.

A summer diet should be rich in sweet, ripe, and juicy fruit. 🍉 🍓 🥭 🍍 🍒 🍇 🍋 🍊 🍑 🍌 Don’t be afraid of eating sugar or drinking fruit juice, because glucose improves the metabolism. Fruit and fruit juice is also very hydrating due to the vitamins and minerals naturally found in fruit, especially oranges.

My favorite go-to snack for summer is vanilla ice cream with a splash of orange juice and salt on it.
Try this recipe out for a delicious watermelon 🍉 jello treat.
My absolute favorite summer pie 🥧 was this cherry 🍒 pie I made last year.

Enjoy a Fun & Non-Toxic Summer!

There are so many ways to enjoy summer, go to the nearby watering hole, lake, beach, or waterfall, and enjoy what nature offers. The best part of summer is being outside, staying cool, and eating watermelon. Enjoy!