How about the sun? Again the first strategy is to avoid it first.  Hats and long sleeved clothing are a great start. They even have clothing that contains a high spf, so that you can avoid putting on sunscreen underneath them.  .

Smart camps will schedule activities that keep the kids out of the sun during the 11am -1pm time frame when the suns rays are most harmful.

Just like bug sprays, sunscreens have come under a great deal of scrutiny in the past few years for their chemical content, and the jury is still out on many of the specific ingredients.  We’ll stick to a few guidelines here:

1) You’ll want to avoid parabens, as you would in other skincare

products.

2) Choose something “natural’, without a huge list of chemicals in it.

3) Avoid “nanotechnology”.  We’ll address this later in a separate blog, but essentially it means that the particles are so small that they can be absorbed right into your bloodstream – not a good thing.  Avoid products that say things like “micronized”. (more…)

My favourite thing to do at the cottage can now be done guilt free!

Ever since I was kid I can remember jumping into the lake, lathering up with shampoo and conditioner and watching all the suds float around me. At the time I was completely oblivious about the damage I was doing to my giant swimming pool. As I grew up and cottagers like myself became more aware of the environment, we realized that the baths we were taking in the lake were totally polluting it. So, I was forced to go back to the traditional mode of cleansing in the shower.

But there’s good news for me and the rest of my friends up here this cottage season- we are back to the basics! Green Cricket’s new personal care line offers amazing, sudsy biodegradable shampoo & conditioner.  These products are definitely going to be a staple on my dock, as it should be for everyone that is going to enjoy the water this year.  If you are camping, boating or cottaging this year why wouldn’t you want to keep our lakes and rivers as clean as can be!

I am one of the many women that aren’t afraid to splurge when it comes to great hair. With this GC combo your hair will come out detangled, smooth and with a great glow. Promise!

You can find the shampoo and conditioner at several stores up north including the Chameleon in Bracebridge, Country Charm in Baysville, Pharmasave in Huntsville and a few more gems up here.

I can’t tell you enough about the benefits of using this line.  Give it a go for yourself this summer and dive-in!

Signed,

Your fellow cottager
Jamie Hitchon