The Spunky Coconut

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Sun Cover and Vitamin D

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coverswim-1

We began seeing Ashley’s current doctor in about 2008. One of the first things she told me was to make sure that Ashley (and all of us for that matter) get sun every day. She advised 20 minutes of sun a day if we tolerated it without burning. A strange request for a doctor to make? Quite the opposite.

  • SPF 30 reduces your ability to make vitamin D by about 98 percent, according to Dr. Holick, author of The Vitamin D Solution.
  • And vitamin D is crucial for protecting against cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, infections, flu, and cancer.

Whoa. Wearing SPF = lack of vitamin D. Lack of vitamin D = major trouble.

  • The National Cancer Institute states that studies on sunscreen use and cancer rates have provided “inadequate evidence” that sunscreens help prevent skin cancer.

Wait, what?

Okay, so maybe I’m not surprised by that last one.

What exactly is sunblock / sunscreen made of anyway and why could it be dangerous?

  • THIS article explains the difference between chemical sunblocks and natural sun shields like zinc.

Above: Ashley and Ginger in our Stock Tank Pool

What’s a healthy gal to do?

  • Dr. Holick recommends exposing your arms, legs, abdomen, and back rather than your face, which is most likely to experience aging effects from the sun.

When we plan on being in the sun for extended periods which could lead to burning we do two things:

  1. Cover up with hats and rash guards to minimize the amount of zinc we need to apply. I have THIS rash guard and I love it. They run small, so order a size or two up. I wear a regular bra underneath it. I got THIS one for Ashley (pictured above) and Zoe loves it so much that she wants to buy another one for herself! 🙂 It’s one piece, with “boy shorts” length. They wear a women’s medium and the “Med6-8” fits them perfectly.
  2. Use a healthy sunblock like THIS ONE (that I’m holding below), which gets the best EWG Skin Deep safety rating! You can also apply a mixture of zinc and coconut oil to exposed areas (about 80 percent zinc and 20 percent coconut oil), but it doesn’t go on as smoothly, and it can leave your skin a little bit white.

Want to do more? Avoid eating vegetable oils. Vegetable oils increase chances of developing skin cancer and other cancers. I know, I’m preaching to the choir here, but it had to be said. That stuff is all kids of horrible.

Happy Summer my friends!

♥, Kelly

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  2. These are amazing! I was diagnosed with Melanoma in 2010 so proper sun protection is mandatory for our family!

  6. I love the cherries, but I guess I need to go to the Large size 🙂 super cute though – think I may have to order one myself! 🙂

  9. My husband just had 3 cancerous growths removed from his skin, so I’m extra cautious about excess sun. This was a great read, though, because I learned how important the sun can be. Thanks!

  11. so cute and kind of you 🙂 that cherry in small would be so nice for summer. would kove your book too!!

  14. These are the cutest! I really hope
    I wine because otherwise, I may just have to buy one!!

  16. Oops. I messed up my Widget submission and didn’t submit a comment. If I could add it here, I would like the Medium Cherry top (or the Large Gingham). Thanks very much! Love your site!

  24. well they are all very cute. I would take a medium size. The cherries probably are my favorite. Thanks for the chance to win.

  28. These sun shirts are so adorable!.. If I was lucky enough to win, I would take the size large, please 🙂

  33. This sounds like an incredible swim product (and hooray for ice cream). This summer is on of lots of sun and being from a family that is highly succeptable to skin cancer this would be marvellous. Just curious, do The recipes in the book require an ice cream maker, or can they be frozen in a regular freezer?

    Is it important to include preferred size? I’d be a small.

  36. Love the idea of a swimsuit cover and the “ice cream” book!! You have great give aways!!

  40. Love those prints!!! And they actually look cute for a swim shirt. If I win I will need a large 🙂

  42. I’d love the coversuit in a size L. If you’re up for shipping all the way to Denmark Thanks for a great blog.

  47. Love my natural vitamin D! I’ve been using coconut & kukui nut oil in the sun for years! Keeps my skin soft, hydrated & minimal burn—if at all!!

  51. Hi,

    Love your site and your recipes.
    protecting ones skin is so important as we age, and protecting the skin of our loved ones is also vitally important.
    I am a size Small.

    Jennifer

  52. Large….
    if they start to make them in XLg & plus sizes please inform us so we may let friends and family know.
    Thank you for bringing these cute and practical shirts to our attention.

  56. I would LOVE to win the medium cherry coverup AND your cookbook! We use a natural sunscreen when. We know we will be out for a long time but I’d really love to get some sun coverups too. Thanks so much for the opportunity.

  58. I looked these up last night after I saw a different post of yours on Instagram. Boy are they expensive. I was disappointed but I would have liked one. I get rashes when I go into the sun but love the pool and beach. This seemed like a great option for me. Maybe now I can win one!

  64. Hi from friendly and beautiful Prince Edward Island on the east coast of Canada!! I would love to win a size Large sun coverup please and have my fingers and toes crossed for luck . Thank you for the opportunity to win one as well as your book which would make a welcome addition to my cookbook collection! Cheers!

  70. Along with food allergies, our family is also allergic to sunscreen! Thank you for sharing more information about the need for sun and the scary potential effects of sunscreen with your audience.

  71. This is a great give away. We live in South Florida a few miles from the ocean and I am always afraid of getting skin cancer. I also would love your paleo ice cream recipes! I take a large t-shirt.

  73. I love your blog and coconut!!!!!!!!! It has saved my health. I would love to win a swim shirt since skin cancer runs in our family. I have had to have some basal cell removed. Your ice cream book sounds amazing. I wear a size Large.

  74. Thanks for the giveaway! I would love a large! And going to check them out because it need some of these. ☺

  76. I would like to win small!! and the ice cream book is a motivation to get an ice cream maker 🙂

  77. I’m so fair skinned, so this would be awesome to win! I would need a size small, please! 🙂

  79. Thanks for your Awesome recipes and a chance to win a L gingham swim shirt and book:) I really love your site! Sori, Don’t do much blogging ever but I read when I feel led to!

    God Bless You!

    Karen Sue

  81. As a fair skinned gal in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the fierce S shirt would come in super handy! 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity!

  82. Would love to win the size small animal print swim shirt along with your book. That would be ggggrrrreat!

  90. I would love to win one in size small for myself or my teenage daughter (we wear the same size) as we live in Texas and get sun almost all the year, but are of Scandinavian heritage, so very fair. Thank you for promoting safe alternatives for our families!

  91. One large shirt. I love your book and have tried all sorts of flavors. Pretty sure it saved my sanity when I disovered I couldn’t tolerate dairy any longer. If I win, I’ll share this copy with a friend. Thanks!

  92. My dad died from skin cancer and we are super cautious about the sun! I love a good swim shirt I get butterflies too! Size small

  96. I don’t know which I’m more excited about…the suit or the ice cream book! Yay! If I win I’ll need the small, please! 🙂

  98. I am very fair and wold love to win one! I’d like either the cherries or gingham in large please!

  103. I would LOVE to win for the very sunny summers here in Colorado! AND I pretty much want ice cream all.the.time. I’d be a medium 🙂

  104. Large shirt. I am really glad to learn about these, my family has lost enough people to cancer.

  112. My doc actually said I’m low in vita D. I don’t like being out in the sun. Burns my skin quick. But I guess 20 mins isn’t so bad. Size L.

  113. Ooooh what a fantastic giveaway! I’d love the book and the medium cherry shirt.

  116. would love to win a large…as a cancer survivor, I can use all the help I can get!

  118. I live in Phoenix and the sun is so fierce having one of these would be awesome! Size medium would be what I would need. Thanks for the giveaway!

  120. I love your recipes. I learned how to make d/f yogurt from you.Thanks! YUM! I’m a large.

  121. I’d love to win one for any one of my daughters. They are 3 different sizes, so all three sizes would work for us. So cute!

  122. I’m generous in more ways than one….so I’ll have to say the large :O)

  125. I’m a Small and I LOVE the Animal Print! These are too cool!

    I’m loving the idea of your zinc and coconut mixture solution! My mom has been looking for the best sunscreen option and she’s addicted to coconut oil, so I bet she’s going to LOVE that option! Who knew!? Awesome! Thanks for sharing!!!

    <3 <3 <3 <3

  129. I live 10 minutes from the Mexico Gulf but avoid swimming because I burn after 10 minutes in the sun. I would love to see if I could tolerate the beach with a LARGE suit.

  131. I will have to check these out. Of I could be so fortunate to win, a large would work for me (or a small for my daughter).

  132. Any size would be great! I’m in between Med and LG and my daughter would fit a small!

  137. Love these and agree with your blog post about Vit. D and some sun exposure! 🙂 If I do win, I’d love the size S or M.

  138. Thank you for your recipes and attention to gluten-free health. Have you ever heard of using raspberry seed oil as a sunscreen? I am trying it out, in addition to covering up. I would take a large shirt if lucky.

  140. Thank you for the giveaway! The suit is super cute, and the book looks lovely- I can’t wait to see it.
    I miss fro yo :-).

  141. interesting read, living in the sun cancer capital of Australia (queensland) covering up is important . I would love the M.

  143. Ohhhh, I love these tops! So cute- and we try to get sun just like you. It is amazing how much better it makes you feel 🙂 I love the shirt you have on in your photo too- very fun! If I could get the SMALL, I would do a happy dance! I have your ice cream book, and I love it :)!! Thanks so much for the chance!

  149. Wow, one of these shirts would be amazing to have! I’m very fair skinned and burn so easily (even using tons of natural sun screen) so I just tend to stay inside and don’t go out much! I would love to be able to spend a day at the beach with my family and not have to be under the pop up shade the entire time LOL! I would need a medium.

    Also I really love all your recipes you share here on your site and to get your diary fee ice cream book would be such a treat too! My entire family is dairy free due to health issues and we are all so much better for it 🙂 It would be fun to have other recipes to turn to for dairy free ice cream besides frozen bananas!

  152. I would love to win the Gingham in a large as well as your book. I need all the Vitamin D I can get! Thanks for the opportunity!

  154. I would love the medium one. Thanks for the great info! I did not know about using zinc!

  155. I have tried using natural sunscreen, so I look forward to trying your suggestions. The sun shirts are a great idea. If I was to win, I am a size small. I appreciate all the wonderful dairy free recipes. I am excited to buy your cookbook and try the recipes. (If I won your book, I would give it to a relative who is also dairy free). Thanks for the informative post!

  157. I think I’d wear a small. I knew sunscreen wasn’t good for me but it’s good to see it again!! I wish other people would believe me….

  158. I love that animal print and I’d need it in a large. I live in Florida so it would get a lot of use! Thank you for the giveaway! Love your recipes!

  160. Oooh! I just saw that the animal is only in small… that would not fit! I’d be very happy with the gingham! Thanks!

  162. This is a simple and really pretty idea! Love all 3 designs and colors–but I choose the L please if i am a lucky ducky!

  167. Kelly, you look so cute in your outfit in the picture above… the information you gave about skin care is very helpful, so happy to have the information about cutting the zinc sunscreen w/coconut oil… that will make is so much easier to apply…isn’t it confusing that the public gets so many mixed messages about our health and our food. I really like your site and your recipes.

    Thank you for your always generous giveaways. ..these sun covers are so cute, and I would take a size small…

  171. How fun! Great information and I always love a good giveaway, even if I never win.

  180. Large top for me 🙂 I’m super fair skinned with red in my hair so I tend to burn easily. I’ve been trying to spend more time in the sun without sunscreen to boost my vitamin D!!

  185. You are GORGEOUS!!! And the colours look great on you!
    I would love a size medium. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  187. Great info about zinc and coconut oil. Love these swim shirts, would love the size s

  188. I would love to win the large! Good luck to everyone! If you win, let us know what you think. 🙂
    It so great to see a coverup that’s actually CUTE!

  193. Hi there, thank you for the informative post. I would love to win the swim shirt in size small. I have 7 children … They all have to cover up as to not get too much sun exposed. We have not tried this cover up shirt .. It looks comfortable and stylish at the same time .

  194. I had read that the sunscreens were more dangerous than the sun. Your information on how much sun a day and the mixture of zinc and coconut oil was interesting. I would love the Medium for my daughter who is a fair redhead who now lives in Florida…thank you…

  212. Size small please. But mostly love to win the free dessert recipies. Love eating. 🙂

  214. Wow, a lot of comments! I’d love to win the medium for my niece, on her swim team in high school. She practices in our pool, and I’d love to limit her use of sunscreen as much as I can. And the paleo I’ve cream book for auntie to make treats for after swimming 🙂

  215. Wow, a lot of comments! I’d love to win the medium for my niece, on her swim team in high school. She practices in our pool, and I’d love to limit her use of sunscreen as much as I can. And the paleo Ice cream book for auntie to make treats for after swimming 🙂

  218. I would love to win the dairy free ice cream book and the swim shirt (size small please)

  221. I LOVE the Medium with the cherries and would love to win your book as well.
    Thank you in advance :))))

  226. Thanks for always providing great info & fantastic recipes! Size large please!

  228. Always love your posts, such great information! Excited about the possibility of winning your cookbook & the cover up, size medium please! Thanks again for all the great info & your generosity. Hope you & your family have a fantastic summer!

  229. Thanks so much for this helpful information on suntanning. Sounds like the public is misinformed. I would like to win the Small for my daughter, who has very fair skin and our family would much enjoy the dairy-free ice cream recipe book. 🙂

  231. These are so cute. I don’t use sunscreen. Try to gather as much natural Vitamin D as possible. I would love the Large.

  235. I’m a 2 time skin cancer survivor & am allergic to most commercial sunblocks so winning a Large would be awesome. Winning the cookbook would be lovely as my family is sensitive to dairy & we are big fans of the sweet confection. Thanks for the opportunity.

  238. Hi Kelly, wow I do take Vitamin D3 but was unaware of the sunscreen blocking it. Mom and dad have both had skin cancer and other kinds throughout the family, so we are very careful… Love the sun but wear long sleeves, hat and sunglasses while working outside. Also am dairy free here and love ice cream, so… I would love a copy of your book. If I was drawn I’d pick Lg for size, But I think I will have to have the book no matter what…
    XOXO Nana
    Give the girls a love.

  239. Just recently starting learning about the dangers of sunscreen. Would love to win a size medium sun cover to wear while eating some paleo chocolate snacks on the beach!

  240. I love the outside but my skin is very pale and I burn easy.Have had a lot of skin cancer burn off me and could really use the shirt med please

  241. Since my skin is an eternal testing ground for all things cosmetic (including soaps and, you guessed, sunscreen), my previous general practitioner suggested I should take in high amounts of calcium and beta carotene. Calcium supplements increase my migraines, but dairy works like a charm, and in combination with carrot juice has helped me avoid getting burned in the last three years without applying sunscreen.

    (In case I develop what is commonly known as sun allergy, those big fuild-filled blisters, I apply a mix of buttermilk, olive oil and honey to the area.)

  243. I love your chocolate cookbook and I’d love your ice cream one….and the large shirt!

  244. i live in the netherlands so i thought i would not be able to enter and win,
    but yeahhhhh you made me so happy to say that you can live anywhere in the world to win.

    i would love to win the medium shirt for my friend who had skincancer and the cookbook for me!!

    love from holland, janine

  245. Wonderful to have an international Como. Large in cherries or gingham please! Tx

  246. SMALL please, how perfect for SUP this summer!!! & I’ve been eyeing dairy free ice cream, I think I need to start enjoying much more, more more often 🙂 Thank u!

  247. I don’t own a rash guard and plan on going to the beach this summer, so your timing with this post is perfect. I would love to own one of those cute styles in a size M.

  249. These shirts are so cute – I would love one – size small – I have been saying for years that I think there is a relationship between overuse of sunscreen and the amount of broken bones in kids recently. Numbers have skyrocketed…. My dermatologist looked at me like I was an alien when she asked me if I used sunscreen daily & I said ‘NO’ 🙂

  250. This post was a good one! very informative. Thank you!!
    Would love to win the cute small coverup… And the yummy ice cream book

  252. I would love to win the this for my daughter, size Large and I would love to have your diary free ice cream cookbook, so I can make treats for her, who is both gluten and diary free. 🙂

  253. These look so much more comfortable than ones we’ve found in the stores and fun too! I’d love a small please and thank you for the opportunity!

  254. I often feel in the minority for not putting sunscreen on my kids, but I do so for good reasons (as you listed!). I won’t get into all of the other things we do/don’t do that are socially acceptable/expected, but let’s just say I prefer not to follow the crowd! Large shirt!

  258. What a cool giveaway! My 9 year old loves her rash guard and I’ve been thinking about getting one for myself, but haven’t been impressed with how they look. These are cute!

  259. You look great in your swim shirt!! I love them all but tbh I’m very keen to the leopard!

  260. I’m medium size. with 24hrs of daylight here in interior Alaska, I would make great use of this type of clothing! thank you for offering this. best wishes to all who enter

  261. I’d preach sun protection to all 4 of my children, still, and they are 36,34, 18 and 17! I’m choosing a large shirt for my #1 swimmer, Kate, daughter #2. I’d choose a size for me, but alas, you don’t offer my size 🙁

  263. I Love your recipes and your blog Kelly 🙂 This girl from Montreal would be needing a size small. Would love to make all those delicious ice cream recipes <3

  267. Love hearing people talk about vitamin D actually coming from the sun 🙂 My size is M.

  268. I’ve been reading so much about the need for sun exposure for vitamin d production lately. Luckily my daughter with autism doesn’t burn much so I’ve been laying off the sun block on her when we play outside. I would love to win the suit for myself for my upcoming cruise. I’m a large.
    Love this blog!

  269. Hello Kelly,
    I love your blog and cookbooks. Thank you for sharing about how important vitamin D is. I am lacking in it my Dr. Says so I will make sure I get 20 min of sun a day. I would like to win the small for my very fair Irish 17 year old daughter, who also cooks from your cookbooks and enjoys your blog. Thanks again for inspiring us all!

  270. Great article on Vitamin D and the sun. I’d love a medium shirt and the book!

  271. Oooh!! The medium (cherry print) would be fabulous for me, and the small (animal print) would be fabulous on my teenager! LOL I’d be thrilled either way! 🙂 Good luck everyone…..

  272. I’m a small, and while this is a great and generous prize, I think I’d be more excited I won the book than the swim shirt

  273. I have been inspired by so many of your posts.
    I love your blog. Thank you for offering a giveaway.
    I would love a Large in Leopard or Cherries if I win.

  274. I love the animal print or cherries. I wear a small. Super excited about finding your blog and cook books. Finally found someone who loves ice cream and chocolate as much as I do!

  275. The cherries in size medium are SUPER CUTE! I already have a copy of your fabulous DAIRY FREE ICE CREAM book, so if I win, I will pass it on to one of my dairy-free friends. Thank you for all you do all the time! 🙂 We love you, Kelly!

  276. Awesome post and so paramount for those of us living in North America. I am thrilled about your giveaway. Ice Cream is huge favourite over here. Size S

  277. I’d love the medium cherries shirt! This is an awesome giveaway, thanks! 🙂

  278. I do swim lessons 6 hours a day. My current swim shirt is just so…blah. the medium cherry one would fit and be oh so adorable!

  279. What a great article. So glad to read about the positive sides of sun exposure. And what cute cover-ups. I love all the styles but would have to go with the Cherry option.

  284. I would like the cherries or the red gingham in size small. =)

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

  287. Love,love your cookbook. Just previously decided with my whole family to go gluten free and dairy free What a tremendous help your book was. My granddaughter cried when we told her no more cookies, pasta, etc. but with your cookbook we were able to eat everything she was used to. Even homemade donuts. So I’d really love your ice cream book and large size shirt. Thanks, Sally. And I really love your blog also❤️❤️❤️❤️

  288. You are always so generous and kind, and thoughtful! What great information to share. I personally have so many issues with the sun. I burn in about 15-20 min, I go in back inside and I’m already red and tender… just the nature of my pale Norwegian descent I suppose. I will be checking out these useful pieces. We have used long sleeved cotton shirts and all sorts of cover ups… Thanks for sharing!

  289. i’d love the leopard print one. in a med. please. Thank you for the giveaway. Love!!

  292. These swim shirt patterns look really great! I am also very interested in your book. I like the idea of dairy free and would love to see your recipes

  295. Thanks for hosting this giveaway and sharing about your life. I have been wantin your cookbook for a while and I love new ways to safely get some natural vitamin D since I am fair-skinned but love being in the sunshine 🙂 I think I would fit a size medium. Thanks again!

  298. I am a total believer in the sun for natural vitamin D. Keep up the good reads!
    I’m a size small, and would wear it while hiking in Estes. The sun is really strong up there!!

  304. Would love to be one of your lucky ducks! A large swim shirt for the Arkansas sun, and what a treat your dairy free ice cream book would be!!

    Thanks for this give-away.

  309. Interesting post, I’ve been wondering if I can use coconut oil before going in the sun as I use it daily for my skin moisturiser. I thought it would make my skin burn though, being an oil?