If you’re anything like me, you’ll know that August has a slightly different feel to the rest of the year.
For me, it’s a chance to slow the pace just a little, spend precious time with my family (especially my two young grandchildren), enjoy everything that summer has to offer and take a very small breather before life speeds up again in September.
Running Just For Tummies is wonderfully rewarding, but like many business owners, my days are usually very full! So I always try to remind myself that it’s healthy to occasionally take my foot off the gas. I genuinely believe it’s something we could all benefit from.
Nature allows to do exactly that. Longer daylight hours encourage us to spend more time outdoors, enjoy fresh seasonal foods, move a little differently and reconnect with friends and family. While we often think of winter as the season when our bodies need extra support, summer brings its own changes too.
Hot weather can affect our digestion in surprising ways. We tend to eat lighter meals, drink more cold drinks, barbecue more frequently, travel abroad, indulge in holiday treats and sometimes fall out of our usual routines altogether. Sleep patterns can also change during warmer weather, and because the gut and the nervous system are so closely connected, even small disruptions to our daily rhythm can have an impact on digestive health.
That’s why August can be the perfect time to pause, check in with your body and give your gut a little extra care before the busy back-to-school and back-to-work season begins.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing plenty of practical advice, expert insights and a few exciting surprises to help you do exactly that.
Linda answers your gut health questions
One of my favourite things to do is answer the questions we receive from our customers.
Every week we hear from people of all ages with a huge variety of digestive concerns. Some are looking for help with their own symptoms, while many are searching for advice for their children, partners, parents or other loved ones.
No two conversations are ever the same, but there are often common themes that many people can relate to.
Here is another of my Q&A videos, where I answer some of the most frequently asked questions we receive here at Just For Tummies. If you’ve ever wondered whether someone else has experienced similar symptoms or challenges, there’s a very good chance they have! Hopefully you’ll find reassurance, practical guidance and some helpful tips that you can put into practice yourself.
Looking after your gut during a heatwave
We’ve already experienced some exceptionally warm weather this summer, and if the forecasts are anything to go by, there may well be more hot days ahead.
While many of us enjoy the sunshine, high temperatures can place extra demands on our digestive system.
Throughout August we’ll be sharing some simple ways to support your gut during a heatwave, including:
- Staying well hydrated throughout the day rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.
- Choosing lighter, fibre-rich meals that are easier to digest.
- Including fermented foods where appropriate to support a healthy gut microbiome.
- Being mindful of food hygiene at barbecues, picnics and outdoor gatherings.
- Limiting excess alcohol and very rich foods if your digestion is already feeling sluggish.
- Prioritising good sleep, as warm nights can easily disrupt both rest and digestive balance.
Our Seasonal Cleansing Beetroot Smoothie recipe
August is a wonderful time to make the most of seasonal fruit and vegetables, so we’ll also be sharing one of my favourite nourishing smoothie recipes.
Made with beetroot, berries, coconut milk, collagen powder, maca powder and flaxseed, it’s packed with goodness and makes a refreshing breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up on warmer days. Beetroot helps support healthy circulation, berries provide antioxidants and fibre, while flaxseed is a fantastic way to add extra fibre to your diet and help nourish your gut microbiome.
If you’re looking for more gut-friendly breakfast inspiration, don’t forget to check out our Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl and other nourishing recipes which you will find on our Wellness Hub – they’re all simple, delicious ways to get you through the day while supporting your digestive system.
A summer success story featuring our Charcoal supplement
It’s always very rewarding to hear how our products have helped someone feel better.
This month we’ll be sharing the story of one customer who found our Charcoal supplement made a real difference when she needed digestive support.
Activated charcoal is one of those supplements that many people don’t think about until they need it, but it can be a particularly useful addition to your cupboard during the summer months. Holidays, travel, unfamiliar foods, barbecues and occasional tummy upsets can all become a little more common at this time of year, making it a handy product to have available when required.
We’ll explain more about when activated charcoal may be appropriate, how it works and why it’s become such a popular digestive health supplement for many of our customers.
You can also find out more about just how versatile Charcoal is in our Activated Charcoal Guide which you can download here.
Here’s to a healthier end to summer
Whether August is your month for holidays, family time, catching up with friends or simply taking life at a gentler pace, I hope you’ll find something helpful in everything we’ll be sharing over the coming weeks.
So enjoy the sunshine when it appears, nourish your gut, make time to rest when you can, and we’ll be here throughout the month with expert advice, practical tips, customer stories and a few lovely offers along the way.
From all of us at Just For Tummies, have a wonderful August. If you would like to know more about our range of digestive, gut and women’s health products, please get in touch.
