Beating the Heat this Summer: Have a Healthy and Happy Season!

Delicious summer fruit and vegetables are an excellent way to help you stay cool and hydrated. Watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes and other chilled veggies and fruit will keep you calm and cool this summer.

Protect your skin. It is possible for a sunburn to elevate your glucose level and increase your risk of skin cancer as well. HealthCommunities.com recommends wearing "a shot-size dose" of sunscreen, SPF-15 or greater before venturing outside.

Forget about wearing flip-flops. Closed-toe shoes are the best choice for protecting your feet from poison ivy, cuts, bruises, blisters, insects and sunburns.

Check for ticks!  Ticks are spider-like bugs that are renowned for spreading/transmitting inflammatory diseases such as Lyme disease.

Before going indoors check your skin for ticks, paying close attention around the waistband, armpits, and in hairy locations -- such as the scalp and groin areas.

Remove ticks with fine-tipped tweezers and call your doctor if a rash develops around the bite location(s).