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SOME FOODS CAN HELP YOU TOLERATE THE SUMMER SUN
 Wearing sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 is the best way to avoid sunburn. Unfortunately, people don't do it when they will be out in the sun for only a short time.
Often, that short period drags on and there they are in the sun without protection. There is a form of sun block that's always on duty, won't wash off when you sweat or swim, and has other healthful benefits. It's created by foods that block the effects of the sun.
Tomatoes. Think lycopene, the same substance that protects against some forms of cancer. Studies reported in the Journal of Nutrition show that when you consume just six ounces of tomato juice or a quarter cup of spaghetti sauce, you get enough lycopene to reduce the risk of sunburn by up to 40 percent.
Sweet potatoes or carrots, baby carrots included. Think beta-carotene, it's what gives these foods their orange color. If you eat a helping every other day, you will collect beta-carotene in your skin. Studies reported in Men's Fitness show that this vitamin can shield your skin from certain UV rays. That means you can stay in the sun longer without burning.
Lemons. Make a pitcher of lemonade and have a glass. Researchers at the University of Arizona report that lemons (also limes and grapefruit) contain d-limonene, an antioxidant known to lower skin-cancer risk. Freshly squeezed juices are the best and contain about 20 times as much d-limonene as commercial varieties. Add some peel or zest to salads. Just one tablespoon of zest a week can reduce the risk of skin cancer by up to 30 percent.
Old fashioned lemonade recipe
Mix the juice of six lemons with a cup of sugar syrup and a quart of water. Substitute part granulated sugar and part artificial sweetener if desired.
WELCOME THE SUMMER SOLSTICE
 Usually when someone complains that it has been a long day, it was a day that felt long.
But on June 21, it's more than a figure of speech. It really is the longest day of the year in terms of daylight. It is the day of the summer solstice.
In Chicago, for example, there are more than 15 hours of daylight. In Alaska, the sun drops down to the horizon for about two hours before it chases away the twilight to start the day again.
Legend says it's the day when the sun stands still. That's actually what the word solstice means. It comes from the Latin words sol meaning sun and sistere, meaning to cause to stand still.
As the solstice approaches, you can see the noonday sun rise higher and higher in the sky each day. On the day of the solstice, however, it rises an imperceptible amount compared to the day before and it seems to stop.
Mystics throughout the centuries believed the solstice was a time of light and fire. Many cultures saw it as a time to reflect upon the growth of the season. It has often been seen as a time for renewal and for love. No wonder people want to get married in June.
The first full moon after the solstice also has been considered special. That moon, this year on June 22, is called the Honey Moon. It got its name from the fermented honey drink offered at marriage ceremonies.
The summer solstice is a time to welcome summer and all that it has to offer for the entire season.
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