Summer is fast approaching, and that means hot days ahead for many. If you are cringing at the idea of getting outside in the heat among the bugs and creatures of the earth, I implore you to remember your youthful days. It seems that with the advancement of technology, we have grown more used to indoor life, and it gets harder and harder for each generation to be outside and explore God's amazing creation. Letting go of our indoor comforts can take more effort these days as we have grown accustomed to television, video games, computers, cell phones, and laptops, but the reward is so worth it. When we swap out technology for camping, fishing, canoes on the lake, and exploring the great outdoors, we take one step closer to the life God intended for us. We were created in a garden, and our livelihood depends on interacting with the healing frequencies and vibrations that nature provides. Don’t let the comforts of technology compromise your health, and make this summer one to remember. God’s garden is waiting for you outside!

Although I promote embracing all of God's creation, sometimes we can encounter the not-so-pleasant aspects of nature. Poison ivy, mosquitoes, wasps, ticks, annoying gnats, spiders, thorns, locust trees, and stinging nettle are just a few of the many things we can come across that can complicate a beautiful summer day. My wife jokes about asking God about His intention behind creating chiggers, a well known native to the Missouri grasslands that can leave you itching for days.

Thankfully there are natural tools that we can use to help us embrace God’s nature, even the parts we may not love or fully understand their purpose on this earth yet. I would encourage you to take a look over your outdoor gear and choose to eliminate and avoid any products containing synthetic chemical ingredients. You may be unknowingly applying toxic chemicals by simply using the family bug spray or sunscreen that has been in your cabinet for years. Although these products may achieve a desired end result, they are compromising your health in the process. Unfortunately, most standard outdoor products contain chemicals that cause a lot of damage to the environment and people because they are poisonous. If they kill plants and bugs, they can't be good for us either. Thousands of people have been injured, and children have been born with deformities because of these chemicals (such as DDT in the 1950s). Chemical laden products are still sold in stores today with known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), despite the knowledge of their harmful effects.

We can make a difference in our health and our family’s health by changing out the products in our cabinets to natural alternatives that help us embrace the outside and enjoy God’s beautiful creation. Here are a few options we offer at Spirit of Health.

1. Bug Sprays:

Bug sprays have a lot of dangerous chemicals. Citronella essential oil and candles are known to help. Essential oils are strong insect deterrents. There are many good natural insect repellents at health food stores. Here are some natural alternatives that really work.

• Squito Ban by YAYA Organics: Contains citronella, castor, clove, cedarwood, peppermint, and rosemary oils

• Baby Bug Ban by YAYA Organics: Contains soybean oil, castor oil, geranium oil, and purified water

2. Tick Repellent:

I gave this a special category because the concern over Lyme disease is very real. We want to do anything we can to keep ticks away. I would encourage wearing socks and shoes in the woods, removing all clothing after being in the woods, having someone check you over after being outside, and repelling them with natural herbs and oils. We love this product, specifically designed to work against ticks.

• Tick Ban All-Natural Tick Repellent by YAYA Organics: Contains castor, cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary, geranium, lemongrass, and thyme oils

   

3. Sunscreens:

The sun is good for us. God designed us to absorb light, and getting a tan is extremely healthy. However, burning is bad! Ideally, we slowly increase sun exposure with no need for sunscreens. Again, any health food store will have many natural sunscreen options.

• Sunscreen by Stream2Sea: Contains titanium dioxide, green tea leaf, tulsi leaf, wake seaweed, olive leaf, aloe leaf juice, coconut oil, and more

• Hydrating Facial SPF 25+ UVA/UVB by Mad Hippie: Contains zinc oxide, red raspberry seed oil, avocado oil, carrot seed oil, vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, shea butter, jasmine oil, sodium hyaluronate, and more

4. Long Clothing:

Wearing lightweight cotton clothing can protect you from insects, plants, and the sun. I don't think it will help against the thorns, however! Long-sleeved shirts and pants can be comfortable in the summer if they are lightweight.

5. Good Nutrition:

The healthier you are, the less bugs like you, specifically related to your blood. If you seem to be a mosquito magnet, you might want to consider working on your health. The more acidic your bloodstream, the more mosquitoes come looking for you.

• Eat greens, veggies, and B-vitamins

• Alkalize your blood with lemon, Apple Cider Vinegar, and food-grade baking soda for good health and to make yourself less desirable to bugs.

God truly has given us all we need to enjoy the great outdoors. Enjoy your summer! We pray it is filled with God and nature yet free of toxic chemicals.