dragonpax tips, tricks,
and miscellaneous (but useful) tidbits!
SUMMER 2004
Summer's upon us. It's time for cookouts, swimming, and yard keeping. It's also time for sunburn, bug bites, and heat! We tend to take concern for our health in the colder months, but many of us seem not to bother so much during the warmer weather. Cold and flu viruses aren't immune to heat, it's just that they thrive on the environment that we create for them in the winter; all cooped up inside with stale air and company in close quarters. You don't have to bundle up in July, but don't fall back on your oange juice intake, either. If you've ever had a "summer cold," you already know that the heat makes it worse!
WATER, WATER, WATER!
Stay hydrated! Swimming? Sitting in the
air conditioned living room reading a book? Enjoying the hot tub? Air conditioning
tends to cut back on ambient humidity. Hot tubs, jacuzzis, and the like
pull out the sweat (moisture). Think a cool dip in the pool is refreshing
- it is, but remember, even though you're wet, you still sweat. Keep some
water handy. The sun, the heat, the extra activity, all of these drain our
bodies of moisture. Drink up - replace those fluids that you lose (along
wth some toxins) with fresh, clean water!
DRINK UP!
Having a cold beer after the yard work? It's still important that you stay
hydrated (with water, fellow beer lovers!). Alcoholic beverages really play
havoc with the body's hydration! Have a glass of water for every beer you
drink. It takes some getting used to, but you'll notice the difference (during
AND the next morning if you're drinking heavily).
Scratch the powdered tea, lemonade, and fruit drinks! Squeeze a few lemons into some ice water and sweeten to taste. Brew some herbal tea. Have a blender? Try making a smoothie with fresh fruit and ice. You'll do yourself better without all the caffiene, sugars, and other garbage that powedered beverages are famous (infamous?) for. Still love that iced tea or KoolAde? Mix a glass now and then as a treat rather than pitcher after pitcher as a staple.
If you like a cocktail, here's a favorite summer drink of mine - add a shot of peach schnapps and a shot of cranberry juice to a glass of 1/2 orange juice and 1/2 ginger ale. Stir, add ice, and enjoy.
While they're not great yet, nonalcoholic beers have made some progress. You might be surprised with some of the newer offerings. Consider buying one or two to try the next time you're out shopping.
MOSQUITOS, HORSE FLIES, TICKS!
Bugs. Yep,
they can be unpleasant, but bug sprays and repellents have toxic ingredients
that are much, much worse. Try mixing a few drops of essential lavendar
oil in some water and use a spray bottle to apply to clothing. Or put a
drop of lavendar oil on your pressure points (wrists, back of neck, small
of back). Try burning your favorite incense intead of those "insect coils."
You'll enjoy the aroma and the smoke can deter pests.
TENDING YARD...
Instead of nast chemical
weed killers, use some vinegar - it's less harmful to the environment and
our pets. Or just pull those weeds out the old fashioned way and throw 'em
in your compost heap. You do compost don't you? ;)
Dandelions: love 'em or hate 'em, they're here to stay. Rather than expensive, chemical laden yard treatments, why not leave them? They're a bright addition to a dull, plain yard. If you don't like that idea, the greens make an excellent (albeit bitter) addition to salads and sandwiches, and you can also make your own wine or tea with different parts of the plant. Try searching the internet for some uses for dandelions. Fertilizer - again avoid chemicals and try things like Epsom Salts, compost, expired vitamins, used herbal tea leaves,egg shells, or herbivore excrement (manure). For example, I use a biodegradable litter for my rabbit and dump the litter into the compost heap.
SOLAR MALADIES
Limit your time in direct sunlight and don't forget to wear your sunscreen,
but don't avoid the sun's rays and warmth altogether. Studies have shown
that as well as being one of the best natural sources for Vitamin D, the
sunlight also affects our mood in positive ways.
Stay tuned... next up, summer recipes!