Healthy Summer 2020 Essentials

There is nothing I love more than summer. When I say summer I mean maximum 27 Celcius degrees, the energizing sun, slow mornings, warm weather, and afternoons spent in the garden. Curating the healthy stuff to stash in your tote for a day by the pool, picnic in the park or a day trip to the beach isn’t as easy as one may think. Is it possible to transport a chia pudding? Which sunscreen works? What snacks can withstand the heat? Is my drink going to stay cold? Can you see it? The struggle is real.

Today I would like to share my favorite summer essentials, starting from effective skincare and hair products, and finishing on healthy snacks.

Also, I'd like to mention the blog post is NOT sponsored.

Skincare

When you dream about your skin in summer, you should remember it starts in the winter. However, everybody envisions it being smooth, tanned, and glowing, but the reality can be somewhat different as you tackle the risk of sunburn, sweat, and premature aging. I always keep it simple - must-have products are sunscreen, aloe vera, and a solid vitamin C serum. However, there are other natural products which I totally fall in love with!

Mario Badescu, Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater - £6.75 to £11.00
Biolaven, Face Cleansing Gel - £7.99
Sylveco, Chamomile Face Wash - £10.39
Resibo, Toner. Moisturizing essence - £10.39
Nourish, Balance Nutritious Peptide Serum - £23.99
Aloe Pura, Aloe Vera Gel - £4.19
Urtekram No Perfume Hand Cream - £4.79
Dr. Organic - Organic guava body wash - £6.99
SOME BY MI - Truecica Mineral 100 Calming Suncream - £16.00
Sylveco, Birch Rescue Lip Balm with Betulin - £4.20

Deodorant and Antiperspirant

They are one of those cosmetics that we use every day. When buying this product, we usually judge it by its effectiveness. We want it to stop sweating and keep the underarms fresh as long as possible. What is also important for us is a nice smell and whether it does not leave stains on clothes. Have you ever wondered what is in your deodorant? It turns out that this ordinary cosmetic can harm your health. Most of them contain aluminum salts that have recently been linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. It's crazy we are exposed to chemical ingredients literally everywhere. Hence, choose wisely!

Natural organic non-toxic deodorants and antiperspirants

Weleda Pomegranate Roll On Deodorant - £7.95
Kutis, Natural deodorant, Lavender & Bergamot - £6.50
Mayka, Natural Deodorant Lemongrass & Peppermint and Cypres & Eucalyptus - £10.00
Lush The Greeench Deodorant Powder - £6.95
Dr Hauschka, Sage Deodorant - £13.00
Biotherm, DEO PURE NATURAL PROTECT 24 HR DEODORANT CARE - £10.92
Schmidt's, Rose and Vanilla Natural Deodorant Stick - £12.00
Jasons, Natural Tea Tree Oil Deodorant Stick - £5.99
Equilibra, Deodorant Stick Aloe - £4.79

Haircare

The summer season, which we look forward to every year, is a difficult test for our hair. Sun, seawater, sand, dirt, and wind seriously worsen their condition. Hairstyle protection against harmful needs to be implemented by proper summer hair care. The main goal is to protect our hair from the sun as it can lead to discoloration and weakening of their structure. UV radiation destroys keratin fibers, which are responsible for maintaining the shine and elasticity of the strands. In turn, they become dry and start to resemble hay. During the summer I use more natural products than in the winter. We don't wear puffer jackets, scarves, and hats so our hair doesn't need so many SLS to protect them from damage.

Petal Fresh Pure Softening (Rose & Honeysuckle) Shampoo - £7.62
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Extra-Moisture Retention Shampoo - £10.99
Garnier, Ultimate Blends Hair Food Banana Conditioner - £5.99
Ecolab, Calming Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp by Ecolab - £4.95
Yes to Carrots, Nourishing Shampoo - £5.95
Sylveco, Hair Wash Balm With Betulin - £8.99
Alterra, Conditioner Organic Pomegranate & Aloe Vera - £3.97
VIANEK, Strengthening mask for weakened and damaged hair - £6.08
VIANEK, A soothing scrub for the scalp - £5.66
Dr. Santé, Combing Hair Spray Light Weight with Argan 150ml - £5.47
Aveda, Sun care protective hair veil - £22.50

Snacks

During summertime, it is difficult to ensure appropriate nutrition intake. Travels, frequent trips, or seasonal work are big obstacles to eating regularly. Also, the heat discourages us from eating at all. In this situation, it is worth reaching for snacks that you can not only prepare quickly or buy in the local shops but also take almost everywhere. A few years ago, during trips or weekend getaways, I used to buy whatever I have spotted first on the shelf in the store. Nowadays, I always put some healthy snacks inside my bag in case I get hungry.

Nakd Cocoa Orange Fruit & Nut Bar - £0.75
Graze Lemon Drizzle Flapjack - £1.20
Hummus and veggies
Energy balls
Watermelon
Kale chips
Arla Skyr Yoghurt - £0.85
My protein flapjack - £1.49
Carrot batons - £0.99
Itsu Crispy Seaweed Thins - £2.4
Banana bites
Sainsbury's Sea Salt & Black Pepper Cashews - £2.20

Drinks

We usually quench our thirst with water. However, sometimes we crave something fruity, bubbly, and refreshing. Here are my favorite, healthy drinks which you can prepare easily or buy in the grocery for those in the rush. These drinks are a great alternative to carbonated, full of dyes and artificial preservatives shop products like coke or fruit juices. I don't know if it's just me or cold drinks taste much much better, so don't forget to leave it in the fridge for some time before you pack it into your bag!

Captain kombucha - £2.99
Vita Coco, coconut water - £3.49
Remedy, coconut water kefir - £1.99
Lemonade
Minor Figures Cold Brew Coffee Latte - £1.49
Green smoothie
iced water
Bumblezest Chamomile, Lavender and Spirulina Drink - £2.59

Books

While traveling, the Internet is often missing or you just want to take a break from the screen and read something on the beach, in the mountains, or on the airplane. And here comes the return to traditional paper, a book that you can take with you everywhere, which does not require access to wi-fi, which won't be battery dependant and you will take it with you to the swimming pool without fear. During our travels, we always try to find time for chillout. We absorb books like a pilgrim after a 40-day fast. This is one of the moments when we feel that we are 100% relaxed because each book allows us to turn off thoughts about everyday plans and escape into a completely different world.

Alex Michaelides - The Silent Patient
Lisa Jewell - The family upstairs
Louise Candlish - Our house
Chanel Miller - Know my name
Bernardine Evaristo - Girl, Woman, Other
Anthony Robbins - Aweken the giant within
Heather Morris - The Tattoist of Auschwitz
Thich Nhat Hanh - The Miracle of Mindfulness
Sarah Knight - The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k

Others

I always have these items with me because who knows what might happen. It's better to be overprepared than underprepared, isn't it? Picnic bag is such an amazing thing to pack your food in for a picnic with your family and friends! You can fit literally everything over there, starting from the cutlery and plates finishing on the food. Also, scrunchies are having a big comeback! Our nostalgia for the ’90s is in full swing and we can thank these girly colored scrunchies that are doubling as fashion statements. Also, I can't imagine a pool day or beach day without the smoothie jar. Is there something better than a refreshing cold smoothie made by yourself during a sunny day? Unless it's made by someone else, definitely not!