I know. I might be ahead of myself. But I am ready. I adore sunshine, I crave the feeling of sunshine on my skin, and really don't like wearing jackets and coats. (yet, I live in Misosula, Mt. A great community with $h*t weather)

This blog is totally just my opinion, based on research and obsession, but still just my opinion. Big sunscreen companies, sorry if I offend you.

I don't buy the whole safe sunscreen thing. Not your general, drug store sunscreen thing anyways. I think it's questionable stuff, and wouldn't be totally susrprised if down the road we realize it is part of the reason for lots of skin issues. According to Dr. Loren Pickart. "...over the past decade, many scientists studying cancer have come to virtually the opposite conclusion; that is, the use of sunscreen chemicals may be increasing the incidence of cancer and that sunlight exposure may actually decrease human cancer rates and improve your health.

It now appears that many heavily-used chemical sunscreens may actually increase cancers by virtue of their free radical generating properties. And more insidiously, many commonly used sunscreen chemicals have strong estrogenic actions that may cause serious problems in sexual development and adult sexual function, and may further increase cancer risks."

Another Quote: "Drs. Cedric and Frank Garland of the University of California have pointed out that while sunscreens do protect against sunburn, there is no scientific proof that they protect against melanoma or basal cell carcinoma in humans (Garland, C.F., et al. "Could sunscreens increase melanoma risk?"

Personally, I don't think we, as mere humans, are intelligent enough to "screen" the sun's rays by using a layer of nasty little molecules. It just seems preposterous. I trust Zinc and Titanium Dioxide, which are technically just crushed up rocks and reflect sun back out (sunblock, vs screen), and when I really want sun protection, like on a full river day, I wear an awesome (aka dorky) hat, a great button up and might add some zinc powder to regular body care. Otherwise, after a few years as a daily sunscreen wearing girl who ended up with a nasty pigment issues, I have some different methods.

I prefer the idea of making the relationship between our cells and the sun a healtheir one, using high-grade, properly formulated antioxidants, increasing the body's natural "spf" from the inside out, and using a little common sense(light layers, stylish hats).

And that's the whole point of this slightly scattered blog. It's time to start amping up our Lycopene! It takes about 12 weeks for carotenoid levels in the body to be at the correct levels to support your skin's natural sun protection. That means 12 weeks of 5 servings of lycopene/carotenoids rich foods a day: Tomato Sauce (in glass jars), carrots, red cabbage, asparagus (odd, I know, but a good one), chili powder, and rosehips (our Beauty Tea!). I aim for 2-3 carrots during the day, and my slightly childish obsession with ketchup and nightly red cabbage salad helps fill in the gaps.

With good lycopene levels, a layer of BijaBody's Daily Body Serum (which utilizes 4 botanical solar protectors and 3 high-potency antioxidants), and the common sense to wear the right outfit for the right time of day, you might get to skip the "Value-Sized Tub of SPF 99 for $4.95" I'll get more into this later in the year. For now, start eating your carrots!

xo, Melissa