Low-Cost Healthy Summer Essentials Guide

There is nothing I love more than summer. The warm days, the energizing sun, slow mornings and afternoons spent at the pool. Today in this post I want to share my favorite summer essentials, from face products, sunscreens and even snacks that my kids {and myself} love. Here are my low-cost, healthy  summer essentials guide

sunscreen

While I believe we all should be getting some sun without sunscreen, there does come a point, when we need to slather up. But not all sunscreen is created equal. Here are a few of my favorite, natural brands that actually work and their rating from the EWG. 

Lotion Sunscreen

• Badger Sunscreen – EWG rating = 1
• All Good Sport Sunscreen Lotion – EWG rating = 1

Spray Sunscreen

• Goodess Garden Spray Sunscreen – EWG rating = 3
• Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion – EWG rating = 3

Face Sunscreen

• Organic Sun Screen Oil – It sounds crazy but this is my absolute favorite
• Badger All Season Face Stick – EWG rating = 1

bug spray

There’s nothing I hate worse than bugs and so a good bug spray is a necessity. The problem is, bug sprays contain so many harsh chemicals, some even listed as carcinogens. That’s why I rely on these bug sprays, some for gnats and mosquitos and others for ticks. 

• Yaya Organics Tick Ban
• Natural Homemade Tick Repellent {with rose geranium oil}
• Bug Soother – For Gnats and Mosquitos

beauty products

Just like I transition my diet seasonally – I often switch up my beauty products to follow. My face doesn’t seem to need quite as much moisturizer and my deodorant needs to be stronger. Here are some of my favorite go-to summer beauty products.

Deodorant

• Primally Pure Deodorant – I use this in the daytime – it lasts all day
• Schmidts Charcoal + Magnesium Deodorant – My nighttime deodorant 

Skincare

• Cocokind All Over Moisture Stick
• Primally Pure Cleansing Oil
• Witch Hazel Facial Mist
• After Sun Spray

Haircare

• Primally Pure Dry Shampoo – They have one for dark hair and one for light hair!
• Auminance Hair Serum

snacks + food

Of course, you can’t enjoy summer without some healthy snacks and foods! Remember, life is to be enjoyed seasonally. This means changing your routine, your beauty products, and even your diet accordingly. Make sure you list to this podcast to learn more about the importance of summer eating. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite foods for summer:

granola bars

• Homemade Granola Bars
• Homemade No-Bake Fat Balls
• Aussie Bites – Homemade or storebought
• Homemade granola
• That’s It Bars
• Perfect Bar
• Kid’s Clif Bars
• Lara Bars

Chips/Crackers

• Simple Mill’s Almond Flour Crackers or Sprouted Seed Crackers
• Schar Brand Saltine Crackers
• Banana Plantain Chips
• Avocado Oil Baked Chips
• Garden Veggie Chips
• Popcorn

Other On-The-Go Snacks

• HoneyMama’s Chocolate
• AlterEco Chocolate
• Fruit Cups
• Justin’s Nut Butter Pouches
• Fresh Seasonal Fruit
• Annie’s Macaroni & Cheese
• Schar Gluten Free Sourdough

Refrigerated Goods

• So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt
• Nick’s Sticks 
• Wallace Summer Sausage
• Hummus
• Guacamole
• Sliced Veggies
• Kite hill Cream Cheese

Condiments & Sauces

• Drew’s Salad Dressing
• Trader Joe’s Pesto Sauce
• Simply Organic Garlic & Herb Seasoning Mix
• Late July Salsa

Drinks

• BODYARMOR LYTE Electrolyte Drink
• Homemade Electrolyte Sports Drink
• Iced Matcha Latte
• Homemade popsicles
• Iced Tea
• Starbucks Iced Green Tea {unsweetened} or passion tea {unsweteened}
• Refreshing Citrus Turmeric Drink
• Honest Kids Organic Juice Boxes

homemade desserts

• Healthy Cherry Peach Crisp
• Tart Cherry Ice Cream with White Chocolate and Macadamia Nuts
• Raspberry Rhubarb Pie
• Rustic Peach Galette
• 10-Minute Healthy Scotcheroo
• Blender Avocado Brownies with Chocolate Frosting

sides

• 10-Minute Cucumber Grape Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
• Warm Potato Salad with Bacon and Butter Sauce
• Buttery Sweet Corn, Tomato and Feta Salad

breakfast

• Easy Breakfast Hash with Plantains + Chimichurri
• The Best Breakfast Hash with Chunky Pesto
• Five-Ingredient Blender Protein Pancakes

Main Dish

• Healthy Crispy Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wraps
• 20-Minute Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Zoodle Rosa
• Sticky Sesame Chicken Salad
• Portobello Sliders 3-Ways

keep it simple

Keep it simple, easy and seasonal. That’s my motto. We don’t need as much change as we think we do. Keep the meal rotation short and enjoy more time doing the things you love. Don’t forget to soak up that summer sun and enjoy the use of these low cost and healthy summer essentials!