Happy Friday

 Can I come home for the summer? / I could slow down for a little while /
Get back to loving each other / Leave all those long and lonesome miles behind.......
-Ray LaMontagne

from "For the Summer" by Ray LaMontagne 

'Road to Fort Pickens, Pensacola Beach' photo by k. bastow via Flickr

I Am White / An Experts Tips On Sunscreen

I am white. Extraordinarily white - scary white - blindingly white - alien white - glow in the dark white - my family uses my legs to find me on dark nights white. This happens occasionally when Scots, Irish and Welsh genes mix. If I’m out in the sun 12 hours every day for a month, my freckles sometimes connect and make me look like I’m sort of tan, but not. Now you understand why I’m somewhat interested in a good sunscreen. 

Below is a compilation of the latest research and tips I’ve picked up over the years on how to keep those burning rays away.

 There are so many sunscreens available nowadays that it gets a bit confusing, trying to decide which one is best. 

These tips may help:

-The SPF, or sunburn protection factor, measures protection against ultraviolet radiation B, UVB, which causes burning. Once you go over an SPF of 30, the increase in sun protection is incremental. For example, an SPF of 30 filters about 97% of UVB rays, where SPF 50 filters about 98%. But the SPF level doesn't measure protection against ultraviolet radiation A, UVA, which causes aging of the skin, says the American Cancer Society. Both types of UV rays cause cancer. Experts say consumers should look for sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays, they should say "broad spectrum" or “full spectrum” protection on the bottle. 

Coppertone UltraGuard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 90+ covers UVA/UVB, and has non-greasy moisturizers and Vitamin E. $10; drugstore.com

- The SPF testing system may not accurately measure anything above SPF 50, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The Skin Cancer Foundation, which promotes sun protection, says that in most cases, "SPFs beyond 50 are unnecessary."

- The American Academy of Dermatology recommends both adults and children use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. 

- Babies under 6 months shouldn't get any direct sunlight, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

- It may be even more important to use enough sunscreen. Most people get much less sunburn protection than the product is marked simply because they don't use enough. The average person needs about 1 ounce of sunscreen — enough to fill a shot glass — to cover the body.

- Don't be fooled by the product stating it's waterproof. You MUST reapply after water exposure or sweating or every 2 hours while outdoors.  

- Did you know you can actually get a sunburn through fabric?  Oh yes, you too can be a red mess even after wearing a wet, clinging, dripping, really attractive t-shirt on the beach all day.

I’d post a picture but you really don’t want that stuck in your head.

- Wear light colored long sleeves, long pants, a hat with a brim of at least 4” all the way around and sun glasses. Sunscreens can rub off or wash away over time. Most cloth has a SPF of 4 (when wet 0), but clothing labeled UPF 50, or ultraviolet protection factor 50, offers long-lasting protection against UVA and UVB rays.

- Rather than search for and buy special clothing (hard to find and can be expensive) you can have the convenience of washing some SPF 30 protection right into your own clothes. There’s a product called Sun Guard Laundry Treatment UV Protectant. You simply add a single packet of it into your washer along with your regular laundry detergent and the clothing is coated with the SPF 30 that will last through 20 additional washings!

  

- You still need sunscreen and/or protective clothing but seek shade whenever you can under umbrellas or shade trees. Remember, shade protects people only from direct sunlight, not the ultraviolet rays reflected up from the sand or pavement.

- Sunscreens can be an issue in sensitive ecosystems, such as coral reefs. A portion of sales from eco-friendly Reef Safe sunscreens goes to the Ocean Futures Society.

Reef Safe Sunblocks and Sprayables are biodegradeable and nontoxic to sea life. $6-$10; reefsafesuncare.com

- If you have sensitive skin, the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are often less irritating than other blocking ingredients. Also pick a sunscreen without potential irritants like fragrances or oils.

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 Sensitive Skin is fragrance-free, with 100 percent naturally derived ingredients. $14; neutrogena.com and is one good choice.

- For more choices check out http://www.dermadoctor.com/dermawizard.asp, which can help you find the best product for you if you have sensitive skin, allergies, or are taking medications that might make you so.

I wish you a safe, healthy, golden glow and may you not look or feel like a large, overdone lobster when you come home from the beach 

(something else I have vast experience with).

 -Susan

I researched most of the information in this blog post from the web sites and articles below:

        coastalliving.com

http://www.skincancer.org/

http://www.dermadoctor.com/article_Sunburn-Prevention-and-Treatment_157.html

http://www.dermadoctor.com/article_Sunscreen-Savvy_97.html

Happy Independence Day 2011!

Hope you're all having a fun 4th of July weekend!

See you at the beach,

Susan

photo by bunnyfrogs via Flickr 

Last Empty Week of the Summer Season ON SALE!

Your last chance to come to Good Haven House this summer! 

July 16 - 23, 2011 is ON SALE $900 per week

(not including $150 housekeeping, 11 1/2% tax and $100 pet fee if applicable)

See our full ad on Craigslist

See you at the beach,

Susan

A Little Nostalgia - Happy Friday

                   Dear Photograph,

                         Grandma loved this beach.

                         Dan Perry

reblogged from Dear Photograph, 
  

Good Things to do with Watermelon (and Oysters)

My love of oysters has been well documented (the oyster shucker at the Shrimp Basket starts to whimper when he sees me walk through the front door).
Here's a little different preparation for them using some simple, classic southern ingredients.

Oysters on the Half Shell with Watermelon Granita

active time: 20 minutes

total time: 3 hours 20 minutes

makes: 1 dozen 

Mixed with lemon juice and pepper, the frozen watermelon puree is a delicious riff on a classic mignonette.

8   ounces watermelon (about 1/2 small) cut off the rind and into cubes

3   tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)

     course salt and freshly ground pepper

12 fresh oysters

     crushed ice to serve on 

     thin strips of lemon zest for garnish

1. Puree watermelon in a blender until smoth. Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a 5 x 9"             non-reactive loaf pan: discard solids. Stir in lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon salt , and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.   Cover with plastic wrap; freeze until firm, about 3 hours.

2. Scrape granita with a fork until fluffy. Freeze again while shucking the oysters.

3. Shuck oysters and arrange on a bed of crushed ice. Garnish ice with lemon zest. Top each oyster with 1 to 2 teaspoons granita toward the narrow end of the oyster shell. 

4. Serve immediately.

Granita can be made up to 1 week ahead and kept frozen. Rescrape before using.

 __________________________

And something to do with the leftover watermelon.

Haven't tried this yet but it looks delicious and refreshing!

Watermelon Juice with Ginger and Lemongrass

active time: 5 minutes 

total time: 25 minutes

makes: 6 cups

Thanks to watermelons natural sweetness, this drink doesn't call for sugar.

4       pounds watermelon, cut off the rind and into cubes

1       tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemongrass

1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger

        coarse salt

        ice cubes

1. Puree watermelon in a blender until smooth. Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a pitcher. Stir in lemon juice, lemon grass, ginger and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Refrigerate until chilled, about 20 minutes. 

2. Divide juice among 6 ice-filled glasses. Yum!

(I think you could leave out the lemongrass and it would be just as good)

Enjoy!

from Martha Stewart Living July 2011, page 132.

Happy Summer Solstice

Happy summer solstice to all of you pagans and druids out there :) 

For the rest of us it just means a little extra beach time!

Fun Solstice Facts

In the Northern Hemisphere, summer solstice begins on Jun 21 2011 at 1:16 P.M. EDT
 
Specifically, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is the moment when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer. This is the farthest north the sun ever moves in the sky, which is why the days near the solstice have the most daylight of any days of the year.  

The name is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, the apparent movement of the Sun's path north or south comes to a stop before reversing direction. 
 
For the June solstice, Christian cultures celebrate the feast of St. John from June 23 to June 24, while Neopagans observe Midsummer or Litha 
  

Perhaps the most enduring modern ties with Summer Solstice were the Druids' celebration of the day as the "wedding of Heaven and Earth", resulting in the present day belief of a "lucky" wedding in June.
 
Pagans called the Midsummer moon the "Honey Moon" for the mead made from fermented honey that was part of wedding ceremonies performed at the Summer Solstice.

Midsummer was thought to be a time of magic, when evil spirits were said to appear. To thwart them, Pagans often wore protective garlands of herbs and flowers. One of the most powerful of them was a plant called 'chase-devil', which is known today as St. John's Wort and still used by modern herbalists as a mood stabilizer.

Original artwork by Amanda Hildebrand, Kyle Hinners, Tricia Hodge and Patricia Lee 

via Kids for Saving Earth