Who doesn't love summer? Here in my hometown of Portland, Oregon we see little of the Sun as a gray backdrop paints the sky most of the year in Puddletown. I wait for that one fine day where I might get a glimpse of bright blue sky and warm sun kisses. The benefit of all of the rain and grey is crystal clean drinking water and the greenest of emerald forests so it not all that bad.

Vitamin D

I am a Sun worshipper though w/ genes rooted to the Mediterranean.  Sunshine makes me smile and fills my soul w/ golden goodness. It is also the only reliable way to create vitamin D in your own skin. This vitamin is stored in fat cells, and when released, circulates through the body in the blood. Fear of UV exposure has led to increasing vitamin D deficiencies, leading to or associated with:

• Osteoporosis, fractures (vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium in bones).
• Rickets (staging a comeback) which is insufficient bone formation characterized by twisted limbs.
• Diabetes.
• Impaired insulin production in the pancreas.
• Schizophrenia.
• Melatonin imbalance resulting in depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
• Reduction in muscle strength in the elderly.
• Auto-immune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis (more prevalent in countries such as UK and Scotland compared to other European countries).
• Cancers of the colon, breast and prostate.
• Allergies.
• Adrenal insufficiency.
• Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
• Infertility and PMS.
• Learning and behavior disorders.
• Cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

So the key is to get out there and absorb some Sun in small doses while protecting the skin from burning.  Today it is barely May and we had a fine 80 degree day. I was inspired to do some gardening and yard work while increasing my vitamin d production. Before I knew it though I was feeling zapped, overheated and parched pretty quickly.

Fresh Coconut Water

Drinking water was not doing enough so I happened to crack open a coconut to harvest the water inside. Young coconuts versus the brown hairy one are preferred as they have more nutrients and better flavor.

Coconut water is a superfood filled with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, and growth factors. It is low in fat and has only a fifth of the sugar found in most fresh fruit juices.

Coconut water has a normalizing effect and gives the body a boost of energy so that it can overcome a number of health-related conditions. It is effective in relieving dehydration, fatigue, constipation, and other digestive disturbances, kidney and bladder disorders, and vision problems such as glaucoma and cataract. It is reported to turn back time, so to speak, by reversing or slowing down the aging process. Coconut water also has an alkalizing effect on the body, helping to counteract or balance the effects of acidifying foods which are so common in our diets.

Lime Essential Oil

I also added a couple drops of pure, therapeutic Lime essential oil to revive and cleanse!

Lime essential oil contains powerful antioxidants that ward off free radicals and enhance immunity. Due to its high limonene content, Lime provides internal cleaning benefits and can be diffused to help purify the air. It’s also an effective and natural surface cleaner. Lime is known for its ability to uplift mood, and balance and energize the mind and body. 

This was such a simple, healthy and cost effective DIY remedy to bring me back after my "meltdown". I instantly felt hydrated, refreshed, and energized. I highly recommend "you put da lime in da cococut" and enjoy a similar delight this summer.