Greetings Friends,

July is here! Happy Independence Day and God bless America. As we celebrate, we're excited to bring you the July issue of Natural Awakenings Gulf Coast, where our theme is all about "Keeping it Cool." As temperatures rise, we’re focusing on ways to stay refreshed, healthy and vibrant all summer long.

In May and June, we honored the Gulf Coast Women and Men in Wellness with an emphasis on women’s wellness and men’s health. If you haven’t already read these issues, I urge you to find one or visit our website: NAGulfCoast.com. I feel confident you will find an article or tidbit of information that will be meaningful to your health or that of your family and friends.

With a cool and collected approach, this issue focuses on your best health including seasonal eating, tapping into Ayurvedic principles and having a "skin-safe" summer. We delve into the delights of local seasonal foods. Eating in harmony with the season not only keeps our bodies nourished but also helps us stay cool from the inside out. You'll learn how to balance your Dosha, foods for healthy skin and much more. The featured recipe offers a delicious ruby red pineapple-hibiscus drink that stimulates digestive enzymes, soothes the digestive tract and delivers the many benefits of pineapple and hibiscus in a delightful way. If you try it, I would love to hear from you about how easy or difficult it was to make and how yummy it was in your tummy.

'WISE WORDS’ gives expert advice on protecting and nurturing skin under the summer sun. From nutritious foods to healthy gut microbiome, to aesthetic procedures, this article highlights ways to ensure your skin stays radiant and healthy.

Aquatic sports can help us stay active, strong and cool during summer months. As a former competitive swimmer, swim instructor and masters swim coach, I am especially excited about water sports and all they have to offer our bodies and minds. Even if you aren't the best swimmer, you can still run, do Zumba, aerobicize, or even cycle in the water. When you get into the pool or open water, "you are wearing a gentle compression sleeve around your whole body," says our ‘FIT BODY’ article. This unique benefit of water exercise not only keeps you cool but provides a low-impact workout that is easy on the joints and highly effective for overall fitness.

As we navigate summer, remember that staying cool isn’t just about temperature—it’s about maintaining a sense of calm and balance. We hope this issue brings you plenty of inspiration to do just that.

Stay cool and enjoy the summer!

 

 Michelle Smith, Publisher