Summer (July/August) 2017 Simple Pure Whole Favorites: Vog Mask, Vitamin D, Lemon Cucumbers
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Although the remaining days of Summer 2017 may be numbered, you can carry forward some of the inspiration and lessons you have gleaned during this season of travel, adventure and relaxation!
For example, the tips in my travel survival guide are also valuable for helping you explore your own town year-round. You can also use some of my carry-on travel essentials to stay healthy and balanced in everyday life. I use my blue-blocking prescription eyeglasses daily to help protect my hormones and eyes from the blue light given off by technology screens and wear my Vog Mask (affiliate link) frequently around my neighborhood to cope with poor air quality (read on for more details on why I choose this organic cotton mask!).
I also make sure to always have healthy snacks on hand like my Natural Nut-Free, Vegan, Gluten-Free Energy Bars! I have been packing these easy-to-bake bars in my lunchbox and workout bag to have on hand for a midday energy boost or post-workout recovery snack.
I hope your summer has been filled with inspiration, relaxation and adventure too!
Simple Pure Whole Opportunities!
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In the meantime, check out my favorite healthy recipes/foods/products/links/exercises/inspiration from the past month. My Favorites feature is a regular part of the Simple | Pure | WholeTMBlog allowing me to share some great healthy solutions with you each month!
I only share resources that I have personal experience with and can therefore recommend without reservation. Remember that each person is unique so check with your health care provider before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle. This is not intended as medical advice. This post may contain affiliate links. Prices are the same for you and affiliate commission helps to support the maintenance of my blog so I can continue to bring you free, value-filled resources. Thank you for your support!
Here are some of my Simple | Pure | WholeTM Healthy Favorites for July/August!
Favorite Product: Organic Cotton VogMask (affiliate link)
When I shared one of the travel essentials that I always include in my carry-on bag earlier this summer, I got a lot of questions about my Organic Cotton VogMask (affiliate link). I have also been using this mask on a daily basis when heading outdoors this summer to avoid asthma and adverse reactions from poor air quality and elevated ozone levels as well.
For those with multiple chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, immune system imbalances, migraines, mast cell issues or other sensitivities, the world can be full of potential triggers. A trip to the grocery store, a long flight or even a walk through city streets threatens to result in allergic or mast cell reactions, migraines, asthma attacks or other health issues.
This reusable organic cotton mask (affiliate link) features organic cotton outer and inner layers enclosing N99 and carbon filters derived from coconut shell. This model also includes two exhalation valves to make breathing more comfortable especially in hotter weather. While it does not block out all fragrances and odors, it does a good job blocking airborne particles and air pollution, which I find makes a big difference during times of high pollen or when walking near freshly cut lawns. It is also eco-friendly since it is reusable for 80 to 240 hours depending on the air quality of where you live.
Simple Pure Whole Solutions
- Check out the air quality forecast for your area and considering using a mask when outdoors or days when ozone, particulate matter and other pollutants are elevated in your area.
- Pay attention to the guidelines for fit to ensure the best protection from your mask. Since the tightness of the ear loops is not really adjustable, it is important to get the right size to ensure the best fit. An enclosed adjustable metal band helps to keep the mask contoured against the bridge of your nose. You can also order a separate adjustable band to help with fit.
- Be sure to store your clean, dry mask in a glass mason jar when not using it to preserve the life of the carbon filters.
Favorite Inspirational Article: Daily supplementation with 15 mg vitamin D2 compared with vitamin D3 to increase wintertime 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in healthy South Asian and white European women: a 12-wk randomized, placebo-controlled food-fortification trial.
In a recent article exploring the Dos and Don’ts of Healthy Sun Exposure, I highlighted sunlight’s ability to boost natural vitamin D production in the body. Vitamin D is a critical steroid hormone which acts on receptors throughout the body to influence bone health, heart function and inflammation levels. Inadequate levels of vitamin D are common, affecting almost 50% of the population worldwide and have been associated with a range of health issues, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Emerging evidence shows that not all vitamin D types of equal
There are two main types of vitamin D, D2 and D3, which are similar in structure but differentiated by their side-chains. Vitamin D2 is derived from plant-sources like fungi while D3 comes from animal sources.
Until recently, the two forms of vitamin D have been regarded as equivalent but this recent study suggests that vitamin D3 may be more effective in raising vitamin D levels in the body compared to supplementing with vitamin D2. Researchers measured vitamin D levels in 335 South Asian and white European women over two winter periods when reduced exposure to sunlight generally results in lower vitamin D levels.
-Dr. Laura Tripkovic
They found that vitamin D-3 was twice as effective at raising vitamin D levels in the body as vitamin D-2. The authors conclude that food manufacturers may need to consider switching to supplementing foods with D3 instead of D2 based on these findings.
Simple Pure Whole Solutions:
- Even better than supplementation is boosting the body’s ability to produce vitamin D through spending short amounts of time (10-20 minutes) exposing unprotected skin to the sun at times of the year and day when UVB rays are optimal for vitamin D production. Natural sun exposure regulates vitamin D in a way that supplements cannot mimic with vitamin D produced in the skin lasting at least twice as long in the blood compared with ingested vitamin D.
- Be aware that more vitamin D is not necessarily better, so don’t supplement blindly. Too high vitamin D levels can have a toxic effect, as this vitamin also acts as a hormone in the body which can influence the expression of over 200 genes.
- Have your doctor check your vitamin D levels especially if you live in a more northern location and during the winter when not enough UVB rays reach you to produce adequate vitamin D from the sun.
- Discuss with your provider the benefits of checking your 1,25-vitamin D level and parathyroid hormone (PTH) level in addition to the more commonly measured 25-OH vitamin D. 25-OH vitamin D circulates in blood and then undergoes secondary hydroxylation into 1,25-OH vitamin D, the active form, a process which is stimulated by PTH. Optimal ranges of these hormones may vary depending on many factors.
Favorite Farmer’s Market Find: Lemon Cucumbers
One of my absolute favorite Farmer’s Maret finds that I look forward to every year is the lemon cucumber! These little orbs of flavor have a unique look and taste.
They are perfect for snacking straight like an apple or slicing into a fresh salad. With a nice crunch and sweeter taste compared to the average cucumber, they make the perfect refreshing treat on a hot summer’s day!
Simple Pure Whole Solutions
- Slice up a fresh lemon cucumber and toss with some fresh mint leaves for a cooling salad.
- Pack a whole lemon cucumber in your lunchbox and enjoy like an apple!
This Summer’s Favorite Quote:
July’s & August’s Features from The Simple | Pure | WholeTM Blog:
Have you checked your vitamin D levels?
Have you found lemon cucumbers at your farmer’s market?
Please let me know in the comments below or on Facebook or Instagram if you have tried any of these or if you find something new you love so I can check it out!
If you enjoyed these healthy tips, I welcome you to join my free Insider’s Community for special offers, members-only opportunities, wellness news, recipes and more!
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Comments
Chloe
I recently purchased a VogMask after seeing them in your carry-on bag video and have been using it when I work in the garden. It has really helped my allergies and migraines that I get from pollen and molds outside. And I love lemon cucumbers too! Thank you!
Dr. Jennifer L. Weinberg, MD, MPH, MBE
Thank you Chloe! I am glad the VogMask has been helpful for you.