What’s not to love about apricots? They’re sweet, they’re juicy, and they look and smell great. Like peaches, their pretty orange-yellow color provides a clue as to their nutrient content. They’re a good source of beta-carotene, potassium, vitamin C and more. And while they’re on the sweet side, they’re a far cry from sugary breakfast cereals. From sweet to savory dishes, check them out in these apricot bars, apricot and basil pesto chicken, and apricot chicken tajine.

Learn more here.

They’re more than just a snack!

It’s time to forget your notion of what a cleanse is. Cleansing can be as easy as eating foods that help filter gunk out of your gut and drinking enough water to keep digestion in check so it releases unwanted toxins from your system. Here’s how.

• Eat anti-inflammatory food, like whole foods packed with nutrients
• Drink more of the right things, like water with lemon or green tea
• Get moving, get out there and exercise
• Eat smaller portions – and slowly
• Get a good night’s sleep

Happy cleansing!

The perfect healthy breakfast or quick and easy afternoon snack, this smoothie bowl is packed with nutrients that will keep you energized all day long. Enjoy!

Acai Bowl with Berries and Banana

Serves: 2

1 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 frozen banana (peel before you freeze it)

1/2 an avocado

1 tbsp. unsweetened acai powder

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/4 cup chia seeds

1 tbsp of walnuts crumbled on top

Fresh strawberries, for topping, optional

Granola, for topping, optional

Pop the berries, banana, avocado, acai powder, almond milk and chia seeds into the blender and mix everything up. You might need to give it a few pulses to get the right consistency. Then pour into two bowls and top walnuts. Add the strawberries and granola, if desired.

While it’s always sunny in San Diego, it’s important to be mindful of skin safety this Summer. Check out these tips for protecting your skin all year-round:

• Most sunscreen SPF ratings are done with application of the cream twice as thick as most people put it on.  Go for at least SPF 30 to 50 to be on the safe side. By the time you rub it all the way in, the SPF will be half as much as the bottle says.
• For the amount of sunscreen to use, think as much as a shot glass to cover the body.  And don’t forget sunscreen ratings assume you will re-apply every two hours and every hour if in the water or sweating.
• The broadest UVA protection is offered by zinc oxide.  And NO, this is NOT the zinc oxide your dad used to wear on his nose making it white when you all went to the beach as kids.  Today’s zinc oxide, in the right product, is micronized or ultra-micronized such that it rubs in and you don’t see it at all.

Keep this in mind next time you’re having fun in the sun!

Not all fluids are created equal. It’s important to think about this when workouts leave you drenched or when it’s so hot outside your clothes cling to your body. If you don’t hydrate, your body and brain can suffer. During exercise, the average person should drink about two cups of water every 30 minutes to replace the fluids you’re losing. Research shows that milk is also an ideal recovery beverage, packed with protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Drink up (if you’re not intolerant of dairy)!