Be Natural - Man vs. Nature

I'm a Manhattanite now and can't imagine a more dynamic place to live, but I grew up in Florida and will always be a gulf beach girl at heart. I waited all winter long for my most recent trip to the Sunshine State and have been refueling my tank with some much needed sand, sun and surf. When it came time to suit up with my sisters and soak up some afternoon rays (and essential vitamin D) the debate began. Beach or pool?

For me there is no comparison between the two nor would I ever consider them interchangeable. How did a concrete hole, requiring massive excavation, filled with chemicalized, chlorinated water be the substitute for the most amazing element of our earth: the ocean?

Our water sources today are so overly treated; stripping it of anything beneficial and adding in a slew of bacteria killing compounds. Good in theory, but when you start to think that this is the stuff you bathe, cook, and brush your teeth with, it makes you wonder. If you ever have access to any clean, natural body of water, getting in it is the best thing you can possibly do for yourself.

Salt water is especially good for you because the skin is able to absorb all of the naturally occurring minerals your body needs and the sand and salt act as gentle exfoliants which have healing properties as well. I'm seriously surprised someone hasn't bottled this stuff up and put it on skincare shelves everywhere so it can be accessible all the time. It's that good. Even better is the total experience of being out on the beach. It's more rejuvenating than any treatment available at the spa and in this case, man-made just can't compete with mother nature.