Summer is in full swing and what a great Summer it is! Most of us are spending as much time outside as possible to enjoy the sun which always feels amazing after a long Winter and chilly Spring as it gives you the vitamine D boost your body longs for. But as we all know, too much sun can also be damaging, so if we want to avoid a sunburn, skin damage or irritation, we need to add a little mindfulness to our adoration of the big ball of fire.
Irina Verwer is one of our favourite yoga and Ayurveda teachers, and a great life coach. Her broad knowledge of yoga, food and creating a balanced lifestyle guarantees that she always has the perfect tips to live in alignment with your surrounding and thrive no matter the season we are in. So to make sure you get to enjoy all the goodness the sun has to offer Irina shares some of het favourite tips and tricks. They are guaranteed to get you through this amazing Summer we are having with a glowing, healthy skin and a fully recharged body!
Want to learn more and practice with Irina? You can join her 31 Aug - 2 Sept for the 'Sand, Sea, Self-Care' weekend retreat at the beach in Zandvoort, The Netherlands.
Using sunscreen is one of the first steps to take when we want to be able to stay out in the sun for a longer period of time. When choosing your sunscreen, it's important that you choose an all-natural and organic option. To read more about the risks of sunscreen with synthetic ingredients, you can check out Irina's blog on this topic.
Irina's Tips: Irina: "Besides being mindful when it comes to how much time you spend in the sun and which sunscreen products you use, there are other ways to protect your skin. Letting food be your medicine is one of them. Eating more of these yummy ingredients will help you to keep your skin healthy this summer!
* Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which is a powerful skin-protective antioxidant that reduces sun damage.
* Carrots are high in beta-carotene, an anti-oxidant that can protect skin cells from UV damage. Sweet potatoes and mango are other good sources.
* Eggplant contains anthocyanidins, which are potent antioxidants that inhibit skin cancer and damage caused by UV exposure.
* Avocados are rich in healthy fats that protect the skin cells from UV damage and inflammation, repair DNA, and enhance the availability of sun-protective nutrients from other fruits and vegetables.
* Tempeh contains isoflavones that can reduce inflammation, help inhibit skin cancer and reduce sun damage.
* Raw cacao is exceptionally rich in flavanols - which are antioxidants that protect the skin from sun damage, increase blood circulation to the skin, improve hydration and reduce signs of ageing. Needless to say, I'm very excited about this one.
* Olive oil contains oleuropein, which protects against UV-induced wrinkling, skin damage, cancer and tumor growth.
* Green tea (matcha included) contains catechins, which help prevent and repair skin damage.
How about combining all of these ingredients? You could easily make a healthy, tasty meal with them!
Summer Skin Salad Cut carrots, eggplant and tempeh in cubes. Toss with some olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and thyme. Grill or roast until the veggies are tender and the tempeh has a golden glow. Mix with a few handfuls of leafy greens. Slice avocado and strawberries and toss those together with some raw cacao nibs in your Summer Skin Salad. Finish with some freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh basil. Enjoy with a cup of green (ice)tea. Mmm!" We hope you're having a delicious summer!
Want to learn more and practice with Irina? You can join her 31 Aug - 2 Sept for the 'Sand, Sea, Self-Care' weekend retreat at the beach in Zandvoort, The Netherlands.
About Irina
Irina’s journey into yoga began on a grey and cloudy day in an even greyer city, many years ago. As she stepped on the mat that first time, she knew she had found her path. She fell in love with the practice and it quickly became a way of life. That’s when she knew she wanted to share this love for yoga with others. She traveled the world to study with amazing teachers and completed several in-depth teacher trainings in hatha, vinyasa, Anusara, restorative and yin yoga.
Through the years, she created a unique style of teaching that’s diverse, intense yet gentle at the same time. Most importantly: her love for yoga and life is tangible in each class she teaches.
Besides being an inspiring yoga teacher, Irina is a gifted holistic coach as well. She incorporates her knowledge of Ayurveda, Tantra, myths, and philosophy in her classes and coaching sessions - and by doing so, she always manages to inspire those around her to take better care of themselves.
Irina teaches online at Ekhart Yoga and writes for several yoga magazines, such as the Dutch and French ‘Yoga Magazine’. She has written two well-received yogic cookbooks: ‘Kopstand in de Keuken’ (Headstand in the Kitchen, only available in Dutch) and ‘With a Pinch of Yoga’.
