In the summer, when it is hot and sticky, if you don't live near the ocean or a clean water source, your options for assisting your children at cooling off are more limited. I have avoided swimming pools for many years, and only a few years ago decided that it was in my daughter's best interest to learn how to swim. She was 6 at that time. I chose a local outdoor pool in the summertime, and I allowed her to take swimming lessons. Aside from that year, my girls are accustomed to cooling off indoors or with water play, when we are unable to travel to a fresh water spot or ocean.
Recently, we were offered the opportunity to use our landlord's swimming pool... just us..... no crowds... no strong smelling commercial sunblocks.... And after much thought, and considering the 90 percent rule (check out the blog post from 2 days ago if the mention of this "rule" does not ring a bell). I accepted the generous offer. It was my first time in a pool in probably 20 + years. So my 8 year old, 3 1/2 year old, and I suited up and ventured in. Being aware of the harmful effects of chlorine, I reminded them to try to keep their mouths shut, but this is challenging at best for happy, frolicking children. I have to admit, it was really fun and relaxing and likely, the easiest spot to help the girls practice what they need to know to learn to swim (Oddly enough, my eldest never did learn to swim, after her summer of swimming lessons....).
So what can we do to mitigate at least some of the damages chlorine can cause? Externally, Aubrey Organics makes a great shampoo and conditioner designed just for swimmers.http://www.aubrey-organics.com/search.aspx?Keyword=swimmers+shampoo+and+condition. These are generally available at local natural markets and on-line stores.
But what about internally? When we came in, I recommended to my eldest to eat some fermented foods. She actually loves the Bubbies pickle; though I find them a bit spicy and prefer them on sandwiches, she likes to eat them straight. Chlorine can be destructive to our good "protective" bacteria in our intestines, but naturally fermented food and probiotics can help them replenish. I will have to get some into the youngest one, in a less direct way....
If you swim in pools, or frequent them, realize that chlorine enters through our pores, lungs, and mouth, so be sure to take probiotics in the summertime or eat a variety of naturally fermented foods. Naturally fermented sauerkraut or pickles (no vinegar in ingredients), raw, unpasteurized vinegars, nama shoyu (naturally fermented soy sauce), kim chi, and miso are some good choices to keep your intake of good bacteria up. Good for so many reasons, eating such foods may also mitigate some of the damaging effects of chlorinated water.
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