This weekend marks summer’s last hurrah—when folks all over the U.S. enjoy soaking in the sun over Labor Day Weekend. This Week’s blog post is here to help you celebrate the health conscious way with plant-based picnic dips, sunscreen, and gardening on Labor Day health tips.
Can you make a tasty Labor Day picnic dip—with cashews?
While many people are still fond of picnic dips made from cream cheese, sour cream, or egg-based mayo, these days many folks are jumping on the plant-based diet bandwagon! One of our tastiest Labor Day health tips is trying out a vegan spinach and artichoke dip by blending cauliflower, cashews, and nutritional yeast instead of sour cream, cream cheese, and parmesan. You can even whip up your own vegan mayo using the leftover water from a can of chickpeas—which acts as a great emulsifier. Toss in some garlic, spinach, and artichoke hearts and you’re ready for the picnic to begin! After all, research shows vegans have a 15% reduced risk of all types of cancer and a 19% reduced risk of mortality from heart disease compared to meat eaters.
Heading to the beach? Which sunscreen should you choose?
If your plans take you to the beach, you’ve gotta grab the sunscreen. But many sunscreens are made with ingredients that are linked with hormone disruption and skin allergies, so one of our most important Labor Day health tips is how to choose the safest sunscreen ingredients possible. Opt for sunscreens with mineral filters—such as zinc oxide—rather than chemical filters. If you must go with a chemical filter, avobenzone appears to be the safest of the lot, while oxybenzone is one of the worst offenders. Whatever sunscreen you choose, be sure to use about 1 tsp of sunscreen per body part, and toss out any sunscreens that have been sitting in hot cars for several months, as its effectiveness can break down over time. Sunscreen is best stored in a cool place until its expiration date. Take our daily quiz for more sunscreen tips.
Staying close to home? Enjoy your vacation tending the garden!
If a Labor Day stay-cation is on the agenda, you can still enjoy some fun in the sun right in your own backyard. While most people think of gardening as a spring hobby, many people in the U.S. plant late summer gardens that yield delicious produce throughout fall and winter. Nutrient-rich spinach, chard, and cabbage are great late summer crops and can be part of delicious holidays stews in the coming months. Even lettuce—one of the most cost-effective crops—can be planted in late summer. Gardening is a fun way to burn calories and is linked with promoting community activism—good for both your heart and soul. Take our daily quiz for more gardening tips and benefits.
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