Building sunlight into the morning routine + a blended liver cleansing drink to try.
Two things can be true - we need to protect ourselves from the sun and we benefit deeply from it.
Harmony and good health are birthed from the balance.
When we aim to adopt a more nuanced approach to health, with less dogma and more flex (which if the amazing chats I’m having with many of you are anything to go by, is most of us here), we all need to find our own sunlight sweet spot.
This will differ depending on our skin colour, genetics and family health history. Sunshine can feel almost controversial sometimes, but healthy sun practices are a must if we wish to keep a happy balanced mood and regular sleep rhythms, among other benefits.
I find the easiest, safest and most beneficial time to clock the sunshine is at first light. There are many other times I lap it up throughout the day, however purposeful morning light is my non-negotiable health resource year round.
In our house we like to let our eyeballs drink in the sunrise and early morning light. About 20-30 min between 6-9am depending on sunrise time, even when cloudy. I usually do this while drinking my coffee, and our kids and dog play outside at the same time. The immediate benefits so far for us are huge. Our nervous systems feel more regulated and less fights happen between our girls. The added bonus of shepherding everyone out of the house into the garden straight after breakfast is the girls don’t dismantle the house too much before we all leave for the day.
From a wider health perspective, when you step outside first thing, natural light signals your brain to release cortisol, the hormone that provides energy and focus to start your day. For women, maintaining a steady cortisol rhythm is essential for stabilising mood and regulating blood sugar. This small window of time also sets the foundation for a healthy sleep-wake cycle. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), sunlight is also thought to stimulate the heart meridian which can reduce feelings of anxiety, nervousness and restlessness.
Alternatives are sitting by a window that has sunlight streaming in or using a light therapy lamp during the darker winter months. Alternatively, commute by bike or on foot if the morning rush threatens to swallow you whole. Some of my more productive, happy mates pick a longer walk to work over a speedy car trip, during which time they take calls and get work done while on the move.
So, drink in the sunshine! In my opinion it’s as vital to our wellbeing as a thoughtful meal.
Dr Linda Lancaster’s liver cleansing drink for the AM
This is a blended morning drink to have after warm water or tea. The combination of flavours is strangely delicious - slightly bitter and zingy, creamy yet fresh. If you experience rosacea, Dr Lancaster recommends leaving this drink until you’ve calmed those symptoms. I like to replace the ½ cup of water she adds for ice cubes when I’m feeling overly hot. Wait an hour or so after drinking it before eating any other food.
1 grapefruit or orange, peeled and chopped⠀
1 lemon, peeled and chopped⠀
1-2 tbsp. cold-pressed olive oil⠀
Small pinch of cayenne pepper⠀
1-2 garlic cloves⠀
1-2 tsp. ground flaxseed⠀
1/2-1 inch slice fresh ginger⠀
Place all ingredients in a blender and add 1/2 cup of water or enough to blend into a thick drink. Don't cover with water or it will be too thin.⠀
Blend on high until garlic, ginger, and ground flaxseed are thoroughly blended.⠀
Drink slowly, mixing the drink with your saliva before swallowing. Drink should be thick enough to chew. Drink fresh each morning. It does not store well for the next day due to oxidation. ⠀
Sophie’s Marketplace
A few bits and pieces I’m loving right now, maybe you will too.
1. Sans Ceuticals Cellx 5 Body + Face Lotion. I was given this guy recently, and am using it a lot as my skin goes through a dry spell after lots of ocean time. Slathered on in the morning after dry brushing, it seems to do the trick! The bottle is small enough to pack for travel without decanting, a huge personal plus. Also, a quick note on scent. There’s something so gentle and feminine about the smell of all Sans products, am I alone in feeling slightly nostalgic for the smell?
2. The North Wind & the Sun. The Aesop’s fable that makes for a great children’s book. Lessons for both children and adults in that kindness and warmth are often more effective than force. From a health perspective, we can be our own wind, or our own sun, the choice is ours to make.