Summer Breeze
by Nancylee Bouscher, Wellness Manager
There are moments in mothering that spark deep contemplation on how I was raised—my youngest turning eighteen this summer is one such moment. Being born in 1974, I land solidly in the Gen X Feral camp and am mostly fine with it. The neighbor crab apple wars happened before car alarms, so who is to say who put a dent in that car? Pretty sure it wasn’t me though. And sure, I was catapulted off the handle bars of my brother’s BMX bike countless times as he raced down the curbs, but I never knocked out a tooth, so what’s the harm? I grant grace to my parents because, for the most part, I’m unscathed and happy. However, looking back I am continually shocked by the lack of two basic survival tools for a kid living in the South Bay of California: sun protection and drinking water; hence, I had a sunburn and a headache for most of my childhood. No wonder I complained all the time.
In my parents’ defense, it wasn’t until skin cancer rates started to rise in the 1990s that the use of sunblock became recommended (although a pair of shades would have definitely helped with the glare), and a water bottle? No, there’s the hose. Stop dirtying up cups. And who wants water when there’s Fruit Punch Kool-Aid inside that avocado green Tupperware pitcher with that strange star lid with the push button in the middle that magically seals.
Life has truly come full circle because despite escaping to the PNW, the heat and that glowing orb have continued to intensify, and we are facing another potentially record-breaking summer with a healthy dose of drought. Some of you like the sensation of your skin melting off your bones, and I’m here for you, too. Maybe more so, because you probably actually GO INTO THE SUNSHINE and need all these reminders more than the shade-dwelling creatures like myself.
In the world of mineral sunblock (as opposed to chemical sunblock which we do not carry at the Co-op), zinc oxide acts as a physical barrier that reflects and scatters the full spectrum of UV rays, kind of like those wrist bands Wonder Woman wore, but with more science, less special effects. Some brands, like Badger, now use ZinClear which is “a specialized zinc oxide powder produced using a process that fuses zinc oxide nanoparticles together to create non-nano (>100nm) agglomerates.” While some brands coat their zinc to reduce the white cast and clumping, and to ease application with ingredients such as silicon dioxide, Badger continues to use uncoated zinc oxide, and their sunblocks are considered Reef Safe in case you have travel plans to Reef Land soon. [Either way, safe for reefs means safe for you!]
Our facial sunblock shelf welcomes a new diva to the ball; Trilogy’s Omega Boost Sheer Mineral Sunscreen with an SPF of 60, also with non-nano and uncoated zinc! This can be used daily as a 2-in-1 moisturizer/sun protector and includes their omega-rich organic rosehip oil that is favored by millions, including the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton. If wearing makeup is part of your skincare routine, this works great as a primer, too.
If you aren’t in arm’s reach of a garden hose and are looking for ways to fancy-up your hydration game, give our newest hydration powder KLAR a try. Each packet has a combo of B vitamins, minerals, and a “focus stack” with 150mg of caffeine, Alpha GPC (a form of Choline often used for energy), Panax Ginseng, and aminos including 150mg of L-theanine and 200mg of L-tyrosine. All of this without any sugar and all the flavor. Try all four flavors to find your favorite—mine is Cactus Pear. If you’d like an option with more sodium and no caffeine, check out Trace Mineral’s ZeroLyte powders: sugar-free with 1000mg of sodium, 500mg of potassium, 80mg of magnesium, along with trace minerals and coconut water powder—these have become popular with those folks who like to get all sweaty. Both options mix easily and are a refreshing drink to chug or sip, depending on how your day unfolds.
Because there’s so much DAY now, maybe you’ve put your vitamin D on pause. If you are really good at slathering on sunblock and hiding in the shadows, I’m looking at myself here, then consider if supplementing vitamin D year-round makes sense for you. To me, the only thing that makes the heat worse is a summer head cold, so I’m determined to keep my immune system in fighting form by switching my omega oil to one that has a wee bit of vitamin D. Omega oils are another great way to keep skin feeling hydrated and healthy. Bonus point for the ways omegas can help our bodies reduce inflammation. Flax, algae, and fish are all good sources of omega-3, while borage and evening primrose oils are a source of omega-6 fatty acids and often found in products focused on skin health. We offer options from our own private label, Nordic Naturals, New Chapter, and Natural Factors. Looking for a great combo? I often recommend Natural Factor’s Women Sense RxOmega-3 soft gels and continue to get great reviews about it from customers.
You do all of this and still, chances are high your skin is going to need some extra hydration and maybe even some burn care. Of course, you know my top recommendation for all burns is Arbodoun’s Calendula Cream, but did you know it also makes a great moisture mask for your face? True! Simply apply a generous amount to your clean face, relax, and let it work its magic. All of it will probably be soaked into your happy cheeks, but if not, you can rinse any excess with a damp cloth. If you need a lighter body lotion for daily use, ShiKai’s Borage Therapy dry skin lotion with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) from the borage is delightful and fragrance-free. This comes in several size options, including a great travel size. ShiKai’s Borage Therapy bar soap is also a popular choice for folks with sensitive skin concerns. We have the Borage Therapy hair care too, which is ideal for dry or itchy scalp. ShiKai, founded in 1970, is another great family-owned company we love to support.
In many ways, your food co-op is also a family-owned business, in that we are owned by many thousands of families with a simple desire to give their family good food and healthy products. I know my folks did their best they could with what they had, and even though I was usually burnt-crispy and dehydrated, I was also loved and cherished. Everyone deserves to feel that—and if our food co-op helps you in your quest to be the best version of yourself, so you can fully show up for yourself and your family—well, then our work here is done.