This month we’re enjoying gorgeous long days and plenty of sunshine while we strive to stay healthy together and adapt to a uniquely quiet summer on our beautiful island.
HIT THE BEACH
The mercury has been soaring lately and with less tourists crowding the playas we’re loving our beach time and saltwater dips for some respite from the heat. Of course, protecting your skin from the sun is a must, so make sure you pack your mineral sunscreen. We throw in all our other beach bag essentials- our Cleanwave insulated drink bottle (filled with filtered water and a pinch of Himalayan salt to stay hydrated), our Evening Primrose & Calendula Toning Facial Mist from local organic skincare brand Ecologic Cosmetics, a big fluffy towel, hat, sunnies and a good book and we’re ready to go!
FEELING FIGGY
It’s fig season and as well as being deliciously sweet and tasty, figs also pack a health punch. Rich in minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper, they are also a good source of antioxidant vitamins A, E and K, plus natural sugars and soluble fibre. Figs also contain prebiotics, which helps support the pre-existing good bacteria in the gut.
These jewel-like fruits can be enjoyed in so many different ways. As a breakfast treat, figs can be eaten fresh, peeled or unpeeled, with yoghurt or fruit salad, cooked into oatmeal or baked in muffins. In salads they pair particularly well with cheese, especially goat’s cheese, stilton and mozzarella. A green salad with fig, pecorino, walnut and balsamic vinegar is gorgeous combination, or figs combined with artichoke and jamon is another goodie. As a starter or light meal, you can try stuffing them with goats’ cheese and walnuts with a drizzle of honey and balsamic and cook at 200 degrees for about 10 minutes. Baked in a puff pastry tart, with roquefort and some herbs is another delicious idea.
SURVIVING YOUR SUMMER WORKOUTS
Exercising can be a quite daunting prospect in the summer heat and is possibly the last thing on your agenda. The mental effects of moving your body are even more important than the physical effects so instead of throwing away your workout routine altogether try swapping daytme and evening workouts for the mornings which tend to be cooler and much less humid. If mornings are impossible for you then at least avoid the hours of 12-3 pm when the sun is at its peak, and ensure that you stay well hydrated. If the heat outside is absolutely too much to bear than heading to a nice air-conditioned gym could be the answer! We love SIMPIFYT for their short but intense small group workouts, and The Studio Lifestyle for ballet style barre workouts to lengthen and tone. Both are located in lovely boutique studios allowing you to escape the hecticness and heat for a bit while making some valuable time just for you.
Wishing you a joyful July,
The Nourish Team.x