It’s summer in our part of the world, where we were recently hit with MAJOR heat waves, and before you go all global warming, do remember that it’s summer. It’s meant to be hot.

The week of July 4^th  is the biggest vacation week of the year, and just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, Jaws is making a big-screen comeback in honor of the movie’s 50th anniversary! Since its release, we have a lot more to fear from the water than just sharks:

Many of you are or will be taking vacations right about now, hitting the beaches or points unknown, and considering the heat, let’s get into the water: you’ll no doubt be carrying a bottle of the stuff – staying hydrated is important – and may even pick up one or several more along the way.

Avoid buying water in plastic bottles! Microplastics are forever, baby, meaning forever in your system, and while they’re seemingly inescapable in our modern world – think all the plastic that grocery store bought food is wrapped in, as well as ready-made sandwiches you might pick up for lunch, and hopefully that will be addressed soon – but in the meantime, bring along a stainless-steel water bottle – or several – and they do keep the water cool for quite a while. If you’re on the beach or hiking all day, try freezing one or two of them and do remember to turn them upside down when freezing them. Water freezes from the top down, just like it does on lakes and ponds.

This just in: Glass bottles found to contain more microplastics than plastic bottles, Phy.org reported. “The researchers found an average of around 100 microplastic particles per liter in glass bottles of soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea and beer. That was five to 50 times higher than the rate detected in plastic bottles or metal cans. For water, both flat and sparkling, the amount of microplastic was relatively low, ranging from 4.5 particles per liter in glass bottles to 1.6 particles in plastic. Wine also contained few microplastics—even glass bottles with caps. Soft drinks however contained around 30 microplastics per liter, lemonade 40 and beer around 60.” Drink manufacturers could easily reduce the amount of microplastics shed by (plastic) bottle caps, it added.

 ‘Forever Chemical’ Found in Breads and Cereals — Even in Organic Products. Baked goods, whole grains, pasta, flours and breakfast products — including those grown on land that had never been touched by pesticides — contained high levels of the “forever chemical” trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), according to a report released this month by Global 2000, CHD reported. So, is all that bread really all that good for you? Consider salads instead – tuna, chicken, egg, or green salads, of course, but ever consider chopping up the ingredients found in your favorite sub, and consuming them from a container? Glass, of course, although even the lids are always plastic, so consider putting parchment paper between the ingredients and the lid.

Wear natural fibers Think cotton, linen, silk. Polyesters and the like don’t breathe, so they’re not going to keep you cool anyway, and do make sure to wash synthetics prior to wearing them to cut down on the microplastics.

Camping or picnicking?  Forget the plastic utensils and the Styrofoam plates and cups, which are plastic by any other name. “It is probably leaching toxins into your food or drink. It’s so bad that it’s been banned in many places all over the world,” said Going Green Services. Bamboo is a great alternative. But make sure the products are 100% natural. “Bamboo has natural antimicrobial properties that help to inhibit the growth of bacteria, making it a hygienic choice for serving food. However, it is still important to practice good hygiene and clean the plates thoroughly after each use to prevent the buildup of bacteria,” Shuncy advises.

Sunscreen 101: How Much SPF Do You Really Need? Here’s a good basic primer and note to self: no matter what number you’re coloring by, chances are you’re applying it wrong:

• Use at least one ounce (a shot glass worth) for full-body coverage.
• Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure to allow absorption.
• Reapply every 2 hours, and immediately after swimming or sweating.
• Cover commonly missed areas, like ears, neck, hands, and scalp.

“Shockingly, studies show that most people only apply 25-50% of the recommended amount, drastically reducing the effectiveness of their sunscreen (National Library of Medicine). While SPF selection is important, consistent application and reapplication are the real game-changers.”

Summertime and the living is easy, according to the old song and if only in this day and age. But it is a great time to  get out there and enjoy the sun and fresh air. Take a few precautions and jump in – the water’s fine! But it’s not always advisable to keep your head buried in the sand. Onward and forward.