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With the sun at its zenith, it’s time to take a closer look at its health benefits. For all of you “sweet tooths” out there, here’s a recipe for homemade ice pops and a granola protein bar for a tasty yet healthy snack!
Homemade seasonal fruit and coconut ice pops for 6 people:
For this preparation, you’ll need 40 cl coconut cream, 2 tsp agave syrup, 50 g strawberries, 50 g raspberries, a few mint leaves and 6 ice cream sticks.
Mix the coconut cream and agave syrup in a bowl, then add the fruits and mint. Feel free to throw in a few pieces of melon or watermelon for a blend that packs a fruity punch.
Pour the preparation into ice pop molds, insert the sticks and place in the freezer. These icy treats will bring out the kid in you.
Homemade granola bars:
To make these, you’ll need 140 g peanut butter, 200 g whole almond butter, 450 g oats, 250 ml coconut milk, 3 tbsp agave syrup.
In a large bowl, stir together the coconut milk, agave syrup, whole almond butter and peanut butter. Add the oats, then mix with your hands. You can also add chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts or seeds (dates, dried apricots, goji berries, chia seeds, etc.).
Now, put the mixture into a baking dish and chill in the fridge for 2 hours. Cut into bars and you’re ready for a week of post-workout snacks.
Spotlight on health. The sun:
The sun is extremely important for our physical and mental health. Light rays regulate our internal clock, our sleep and our moods. They activate T-lymphocytes, the main players of our immune defenses. Exposure to UVB rays helps our metabolism synthesize Vitamin D, necessary to absorb calcium for healthy bones. It acts on our morale via serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in the sensation of fulfillment. The medical field is studying this more and more. Doctors even prescribe exposure to UV rays to combat winter depression. But don’t go overboard, because you will lose all of the benefits and notably increase the risk of skin cancer.
Spotlight on relaxation. Music:
For many belief systems, the “om” sound is the original sound of the universe. Indians and Buddhists use this sound and this vibration during relaxation or treatment sessions to balance vital energy. In Western cultures, researchers have demonstrated the action of music on motor cortex areas. Sometimes shivers occur when certain sounds are heard. They are caused by the release of endorphins in the body. Some specialized pain centers even use endorphins, which are powerful anti-pain hormones, as a treatment alongside analgesic medication. Positive music, such as jazz and classical music, is thought to have a better effect on your health than hard rock music, for example. So take the time to relax with soft music that you enjoy. In this way, your entire body will vibrate in harmony and you will be stimulated or relaxed, depending on your rhythmic choices.
Spotlight on sports. The street workout:
The street workout is an urban phenomenon that is gaining ground. A mix between calisthenics and bodybuilding. This sport became more widespread in 2008 with the videos by the young New Yorker, Hannibal for King, who is considered to be the founding father of the discipline, even though Eastern European fans will tell you that this discipline comes from their land. The street workout can be practiced at any age. It features exercises similar to calisthenics in which your deep muscles, strength, suppleness and motivation are put to the test each day as you achieve the expected movements and make progress. Training for this sport mainly involves push-ups, pull-ups, dips, squats, balance exercises, calisthenics exercises, acrobatics and bodybuilding. This sport will cost you zero money. It will help you find and surpass your limits each day. It will forge your motivation. Many teams have been formed since 2011. Find out if there’s one near you!
Spotlight on cosmetics. Minor sunburns:
Did you forget your sunblock and come home from the beach as red as a lobster? Here are a few words of advice! First, to soothe burns, keep these tips in mind. Refreshing and antiseptic lemon juice mixed with cold water and applied as a compress or cataplasms made from plain yogurt and applied to your skin for 15 minutes will help ease the pain. To moisturize your skin and prevent peeling, mix calendula oil with coconut oil and gently apply to target areas.
You can also simply place tomato slices on your skin. They will provide all the elements essential to the skin’s reconstruction thanks to their high content of Vitamin A.
Next time, don’t forget your sunblock! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure…
Kévin Cherpillod, Ostéopathe D.O
