Summer is finally here and with it comes the heat. While the heat can be a refreshing break for most of us, too much heat can be a bad thing for all of us. Now, I know we all want to have fun in the sun and make the most out of our summers. With that in mind it is imperative that we take care of ourselves while we are enjoying our summer time fun. The heat can turn into a scary situation quickly. Some of the most harmful side effects that are attributed to prolonged heat exposure are: heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat hives. 

Feeling The Heat?

Heat can affect our bodies in a number of ways. Have you ever noticed how irritable people tend to get when it starts to get hot? This is due to the environmental temperature affecting our internal processing. Basically, when the heat goes up our bodies have to work even harder to perform reminial tasks. Heat also affects our cognitive abilities, making it more difficult to perform our daily tasks.

Watch Out For

There are several warning signs to lookout for that tell us we need to take a little extra time to cool off. Some of the warning signs include: nausea, irritability, dizziness, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, feeling faint, headache, fatigue, thirst, heavy sweating, and high body temperature to name a few. One of the best things we can do to avoid overheating is to stay hydrated. I cannot say it enough, hydration is one of the most important things we can do for our overall health. Our body’s natural way of cooling down is through sweating. What is the main ingredient in sweat you ask? Be sure to replenish regularly. If you happen to be enjoying an adult beverage by the pool, make sure to switch off with a refreshing non alcoholic beverage to avoid a hangover and any of the issues that pop up with prolonged heat exposure. 

Stay Cool

One of my favorite ways to keep cool is with fresh fruit and something frozen. What better way to get the most out of the summer then by combining both? Smoothies are a great way to keep cool when things get hot this summer. The best part is that they are good for us too. If you have never had a smoothie before, let me tell you, not all smoothies are created equally. Over the years I have had a lot of trial and error that has produced some of the best smoothies I have ever had. Being the kind hearted doctor that I am, I have decided to blog about some of my favorite smoothies to make. For those of us that have crazy busy lives and are looking for ways to streamline our daily routines, I like to put all my fruit into freezer bags based on each smoothie. 

Keep It Simple

For example, the smoothie recipe you are going to get through this blog I put all the fruit into a freezer bag and pop it out in the morning. Just like that breakfast is ready in under a minute and it’s healthy too! In the summer I try to keep it fresh, light, and of course seasonal. That is why when the summer rolls around I make my Peach Pie smoothie. It reminds me of summer barbeques. Not to mention peaches come with so many amazing benefits, such as: high in antioxidants, improve digestion, high in fiber, aid in heart health, improve skin texture, helps skin retain moisture,  low in calories, high in vitamin A and C, improve immune system, promote eye health, restore electrolyte imbalance, and reduce the oxidation of bad cholesterol which can help lower blood pressure. 

Peach Pie Smoothie 

Gluten Free Vegan Serves 1

• 1 Ripe Peach Cut and Frozen
• 2 Tbsp Gluten Free Oats
• ½ C Unsweetened Coconut Milk (I like Silk if you are watching your calories)
• ¼ C Coconut Yogurt 
• 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
• ⅛ tsp Cinnamon
• 5 Pecan halves
• ½ tsp Pure Vanilla
• Dash of Nutmeg

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into blender. Blend until desired texture is reached. I like a thicker Smoothie so I blend mine for a shorter time. If you want a creamier smoothie try adding half a banana. The best part about this smoothie is that it is designed to help keep you hydrated and it tastes amazing. Enjoy!

Need a Helping Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. Our health is something that we all have to deal with daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day then 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 just 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!