It is that time of year when the sun is beating down and the humidity is rising. Not that we have to deal with it for very long here in the Northeast. We wait all year for a month or two of nice warm weather and try to soak up as much sun as we can in that limited time. However, when we have these sunny days it's hard to know how to best proctect ourselves from the sun's rays. Not that they are all bad. We absolutely need sun exposure to produce very important substances like vitamin D, but like all things it's best to get your sun exposure in moderation. You have to keep in mind that skin with sunscreen won't make the important vitamin D and most sunscreens are full of toxic substances that can disrupt your endocrine (hormonal) system. There are a few ways to get the maximum benefit from the sun while protecting yourself from sunburns. 1) Limit your unprotected skin exposure to 20-30 minutes per day. 2) Wear a large brimmed hat if you will be outside for long periods of time. 3) Try to work in the garden in the early morning or late afternoon/evening to avoid the harshest rays of the day. 4) Wear a safe sunblock if you are going to be outside for long periods of time. One to try is 3rd Rock Sunblock. Check out www.3rdrocksunblock.com for more information. 5) Most importantly, enjoy these short summer months!