It seems like (almost) everyone loves the summer and many of the people I work with tend to feel better when it’s sunny and warm (although it is really hot, right now!).
So you might think – why bother with a Summer Self-care series – everyone already takes it easy in the summer, don’t they?
But – ask yourself these questions:
Do you generally feel rejuvenated, restored and reinvigorated from your summer vacay?
OR
Do you tend to feel more tired, drained and like you’ve gained back the 5-10 lbs you worked so hard to lose for the summer from all of the social get-togethers, extra iced coffees, beer, coolers and wine?
If you’re like most of the amazing, busy women I treat in clinic, you probably picked the second option.
So my goal over the month of July is to share with you some Summer Self-care tips that will help you minimize the negative effects of overindulging – by helping to keep your hormones balanced. That way you can actually get the rejuvenation your summer vacation is intended to give you.
So we’re going to start by balancing out so many people’s favourite way to cool off during the summer: some form of alcoholic beverage or an iced coffee (or cappuccino or americano …you get the picture!).
I’m not saying we need to avoid these completely for Self-care. But I am saying we need to be:
- Responsible when we drink – moderation is key
- Mindful of our individual health needs. Remember, it’s our liver that needs to detoxify our body to keep our natural hormones levels like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol in balance. And it may have more trouble doing that efficiently if we overindulge in alcohol and caffeine.
- Aware that both alcohol and caffeine can make you more dehydrated. With the heat warnings we have been getting in Toronto, you’ll want to make sure you replenish with water.
The general rule of thumb:
For every cup of caffeinated or alcoholic beverage you have – aim for 1 to 1.5 cups of water!
The Problem:
Water is boring. I don’t think it is – because I love water, like literally – I drink it all the time). But I totally get it. When I say drink more water, I’ve been told people don’t like the taste of it. You don’t get excited about it. So let’s make it a bit more exciting, and with more flavour!
Let’s get started!
https://youtu.be/IJ_sUZGbyEI
Here’s how I make these tasty fruit water options:
Cucumber water
- Peel ¾ cucumber. With the peeler, make long strands of cucumber – about 1/4 of the cucumber or enough to give you about 1/4 or 1/2 cup. Place cucumber strands in a large, clean mason jar.
- Fill jar with pure, filtered water. Stick in the fridge for at least an hour – overnight is even better.
- Pour into a glass (or just drink out of the mason jar – so on trend still!).
- Refill that mason jar with cold water as it empties throughout the day (because you’re drinking so much tasty cucumber water!), right over the existing cucumber. Every time you refill it, let it sit for a little bit and it’ll taste just as good as the first time.
- Compost the cucumber at the end of the day. Clean out the jar and add some fresh cucumber to make more for the next day. Or try one of the other fruit waters below!
Strawberry water
- Wash & de-stem 2 organic strawberries. Slice them thinly. Place in a large, clean mason jar.
- Repeat steps #2 – 5 as per cucumber water.
Watermelon water
- Wash and chop watermelon into triangular wedges. Slice ½ of one wedge thinly. If you like, slice thin slices a few more times like I did to increase the watermelon goodness into the water.
- Repeat steps #2 – 5 as per cucumber water.
Who could benefit from this?
Remember the first week of Everyday Detox series, where I discussed the importance of hydration for healthy bowel movements and detoxification? It’s super important for women with:
- Hot flashes/permenopause
- Heavy, painful periods
- Difficulties trying to conceive that are related to excess weight, estrogen dominance or autoimmunity like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
- But really anyone – male or female – who needs to hydrate more (but hates the taste of boring water – just kidding water, you’re not boring, you’re amazing!)
BONUS:
Don’t forget these liver loving vegetables in salads and on the grill to further help your body detoxify effectively.
Let me know which one of these fruit waters you like best. Or if you come up with your own that you wanna share, I’d love to know!
Take good care of your Self until then!
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YES! I’m ready to take care of my Self!