The summer is finally here, and you know what that means… Bikini season but so much more! With everyone rushing to drop those pesky pounds to avoid the battle of the bludge, we tend to overdo it. 

The top four health issues we face during the summer all revolve around the increasing heat! While mother nature is constantly trying to lend us a hand too often, we miss the signs of excess heat.

Danger Heat Overload

This can lead to life-threatening consequences when left on checked. Hydration is one of the single most overlooked ways to improve your health. Most if not all health-related issues can benefit from an increase in hydration. This is since water helps our bodies remove any excess toxins while also aiding in the transportation of key essential nutrients. 

Now, I am by no means telling you not to enjoy your fun in the sun. In fact, I will show you just how easy it is to avoid any danger and make the most out of the season!

While the sun can affect our health in several ways, the following are the top four most common health issues associated with the summer.

If you are experiencing any of them, you will want to quickly remove yourself from the heat and sun. 

Keep Your Cool

The best way to prevent these summer health issues is by taking preventative measures. Ensure you are loading up on hydrating foods, natural sunblock, staying hydrated, and listening to your body. For additional recipes and how to make your own sunblock, sure to check out: https://www.askdrdee.com/

Be on The Look Out!

Heat Rash

The most common and least serious.

Signs: Prickly, itchy bumps that look like blisters. Clustered in damp, warm areas.

Response: Keep the area dry, using powder (cornstarch) to remove moisture. Avoid creams or ointments.

Heat Cramps

Manifests as muscle pains caused by the loss of fluids and salts.

Signs: Pain or spasms, typically in the legs or stomach area, and excessive sweating.

Response: Drink water, or electrolyte heavy sports drink every 15-20 minutes, along with a snack. If pain persists, seek medical help.

Heat Exhaustion

Serious and can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing.

Signs: headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, thirst, excessive sweating, increased body temp, and decreased urine output.

Response: Remove from heat, drink cool water, icepacks on head & neck, if serious seek medical help.

Heat Stroke

Most serious and can have dire consequences such as death.

Signs: Spiking body temp, extreme sweating or dehydrated skin, seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness.

Response: Call 911 immediately. While waiting for help, move to cool area, remove clothes and add icepacks to head neck and crotch.

Rhubarb and Almond Breakfast Cake

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Serves 10

• 10 Tbsp Vegan Butter
• ¾  cup Stevia Monk Fruit Sugar
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1 cup Almond Flour
• ½  cup Coconut Flour
• 1 ½  tsp Baking Powder
• ½  cup Full Fat Coconut Milk
• 1 ½  tsp Almond extract
• 3 Tbsp Coconut Sugar
• 1 ½  cups Rhubarb chopped
• 3 Tbsp Sliced Almonds

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pretreat a 9-inch springform pan with a non-stick option of choice. Cream together butter and stevia with a mixer until fluffy. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating the mixture between each egg until fully incorporated. Next, mix in the flour, baking powder, milk, and extract. Mix until fully combined. Spread the batter into the pan, making sure it is evenly spread out. Scatter the rhubarb and almonds over the batter. Lightly press in the rhubarb and dust with the coconut sugar. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until set in the middle and golden brown on top. Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes prior to releasing it from the pan.

Spring Roll Bowl with Sweet Garlic Lime Sauce

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 3

Sauce:

• 3 cloves Garlic minced
• 2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Agave
• 1/3 cup Lime Juice
• 1/4 cup Vegan Fish Sauce
• 1/3 cup Avocado Oil

For the Bowl:

• Gluten-Free Noodles of Choice (I like Zoodles)
• Basil, Mint, and Cilantro
• Sweat Hot Peppers
• Chopped Walnuts
• Avocado
• Carrots
• Bell Pepper
• Cucumbers
• Mushrooms

Directions:

Combine all the sauce ingredients into a blender until incorporated. Prep noodles as directed on the box or by sauteing if you choose the zoodles. You want to prevent overcooking the noodles. Mince the herbs and slice or chop the vegetables to your preference. Toss the noodles in the sauce and top with your choice of vegetables, herbs, and nuts.

Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 6

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 1/2 cups Sweet Potato cubed
• 1 cup Shallots diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup celery diced
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 cup turnip cubed
• 2 Tbsp turmeric powder
• 1 cup green lentils
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp ginger ground
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup spinach
• 1/2 cup parsley
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cumin powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large soup pot, heat the oil. Once heated, add onions, celery, turnip, potato, and garlic. Saute vegetables for 5 minutes or until they start to soften slightly. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme while cooking for an additional 2 minutes. Add in lentils, turmeric, ginger, and cumin. Saute for 1-2 minutes, then add the broth and water. Bring the soup up to a boil, cover, and reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients.

Raspberry Peach Sherbet

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 4

• 3 cups Peaches Frozen
• 4 cups raspberries frozen
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup condensed coconut milk
• 2 Tbsp agave syrup

Directions:

Into a blender combine all ingredients and transfer the mixture over into a container that can be placed in the refrigerator. Allow the mixture to sit for 2-4 hours and enjoy.

No Time Like The Present

Keeping your body free of toxins and free radicals is necessary to maintain a healthy life and a healthy mind. Add any of these foods to your regular diet to help your body with its critical detoxifying processes. If you are looking for a safe and all-natural way to detox your body at home be sure to check out my Balancing Abundance Program. Because detoxing is so important and realistically everyone should be doing it on at least a seasonal basis I have taken the time to put together a program to help you do just that. Here’s the thing, I know working with me one-on-one can seem difficult to get into (due to limited space) and I wanted to be able to give everyone an additional solution that has no limits. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and successful at everything you do so here are some recipes to help set you up for success!

 Need A Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. We all have to deal with our health daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day, you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help, I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as acting as a sounding board, do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected], or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!