How to cool down this summer!

It is hot everywhere!  It seems that this summer we all need help cooling down.  I have some wonderful healthy tips that will leave you feeling refreshed! They are all natural and in tune will all your healthy lifestyles!

First, I want to tell you about natural peppermint essential oil.  This magical oil has many benefits including its ability to help to cool the skin.  Use this oil in your body wash, with bath salts, or in your shampoo to leave your skin feeling fresh and cool.  Add anywhere from 4 – 8 drops depending on how minty you are feeling.

DAMY Natural Iced Tea is an amazing recipe from DAMY Health that will keep you sane in this heat wave!  Here is the recipe: In a tea pot (mine was a 1.5 Liter) Fill with water and 4 tea bags (favorite is the Tazo “Green Ginger” tea).  Boil for 10 minutes (remove from heat after 10 minutes).  Let the tea cool and add to a pitcher.  Add 1/2 tbsp – 1 tbsp Stevia  (depending on how sweet you like it).  Add one cup of frozen blueberries to the pitcher.  Refrigerate for one hour and enjoy!

Next I want to introduce you to the Greek Yogurt Parfait! This is simple and will keep you from running to ice cream.  Add plain, non-fat Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of Stevia, and cinnamon to taste to a bowl or fancy glass.  Throw in some fresh blueberries and strawberries to make it extra special!  I always put mine in a martini glass to add a little “diva” to my day!

My next tip is to try a Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie.  This recipe is so simple and so good!  Add chocolate protein powder, ice, strawberries and vanilla unsweetened almond milk to a blender, blend, and you are done!  Add a strawberry to the side of the glass as a garnish.  If you don’t have chocolate protein powder use what you have and add half a tbsp of coco powder and a tsp of Stevia!  Make sure to check out our 101 DAMY Smoothie recipes here.

For an amazing treat we all love our chocolate and coffee mixture.  Well, it doesn’t have to be a “treat!”  Take your chilled coffee and add 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder.  Top it with some un-sweetened almond milk and a tsp of Stevia.  You can try it will vanilla protein powder, cinnamon, and almond milk for a nice variation!

Make sure on these hot days to take in a lot of water!  You need to be drinking much more than you would on a normal day.  The more you sweat the more water you need.  Drink up!

Finally, in this weather it is essential to have your fruits and vegetables.  These are loaded with water and essential vitamins and nutrients that will keep you replenished and feeling fresh instead of heavy and weighed down.  No one wants to be in the kitchen cooking hot meals on these days.  Think big salads with all your fruits, veggies, nuts, and good fats (avocado).  For your meats head to the bbq! (check out my DAMY Summer BBQ guide for great recipes and skinny girl drinks).

I hope that these tips will help you stay refreshed, cool and on track this summer.   As always I love hearing from you!  If there is anything you would like me to write or do a video about please let me know!

Amy Layne

amylayne@damyhealth.com