I love summer. When it comes, my brother Emanuele, Dante and I often head to the sea for unforgettable days together: beautiful walks on the beach, games of tennis, sunbathing and, of course, a refreshing swim.
Iodine — the sea salt in the air — brings real benefits to the body, especially the thyroid, but we're always careful with our own bodies.
Sun care
Protecting from the sun
To protect ourselves from the sun we always use sunscreen (the one mom buys), applying it half an hour before heading to the beach, in generous amounts — even in spots we'd never think of, like the top of the foot or the ears — and topping it up several times during the day. We use sunscreen even when the sky is cloudy, because the sun's rays still work through bad weather. We're careful to tan only outside the hottest hours, between 12 and 16, to avoid burning, and we always follow up with an after-sun to keep protecting the skin.
Hair care
Protecting our hair with argan oil
Our hair needs protection during sun hours too. Argan oil, extracted from the seeds of Argania spinosa, is an excellent natural remedy for the whole body, but especially for hair: in its pure form it moisturizes and nourishes deeply, leaving hair soft and shiny. It suits dry hair best, but works on every hair type, even sensitive scalps. It's excellent for hydrating hair after sun exposure and protecting it from other stress like hairdryers or straighteners, helps prevent hair loss, and works well as a detangler. I always apply it after washing my hair, though the most effective protection comes from applying it to dry hair and massaging it into the scalp.
Our four-legged friend
And what about Dante?
Bringing our dog Dante with us makes me happy, but taking him to the sea takes a few precautions, since an animal's experience is obviously different from a person's. To make sure he's comfortable on the beach, we're always organized: we make sure he has a shaded spot, bring a bowl of fresh water so he doesn't suffer from thirst, check ahead whether the beach is pet friendly (not all of them are), pack a few light snacks in case he gets hungry, keep him under watch at all times, and always carry a scoop and a bag for his needs, out of respect for the environment and other swimmers.
If you want to know more about my adventures, about the Mediterranean Cusine and how to cook it, visit www.torciano.com or www.bottegatorciano.com. SFollow me on Facebook and Instagram, or take a look at my Pinterest board. Bye! See you soon!
