10 Tips for a Healthy Hamptons Summer

The natural beauty of the East End is the perfect starting point for devoting oneself to wellness. This summer, you’ll find a wealth of options for staying fit, eating well, and finding balance in both body and mind.

1) EECO Farmstand: The East End Organic Community Farm has been promoting local, sustainable, and organic farming for the last 10 years. The Farmstand makes their fresh and delicious community grown herbs and produce available for us to take home. They fill in the gaps with still natural fruits and veggies, cheeses and baked goods from not too far-off places like upstate New York or New Jersey so you’ll always have a range of tasty choices for making a healthy meal.  55 Long Lane, East Hampton, 631-329-4694, eecofarm.org

2) Second Nature Markets: Sun protection is a huge part of taking care of one’s health in the Hamptons. Second Nature offers a perfect selection of natural sunscreens, most of which are paraben, fragrance, and chemical free. While you’re in there, they also have natural beauty products, including necessities like shampoo and mosquito repellent, as well as groceries with choices in gluten free, vegan, and more. 41 Newtown Lane, East Hampton, 631-324-5257, 70 Main Street, Southampton, 631-283-8117, secondnaturemarkets.com

3) Malia Mills: Sun protection isn’t just about sunscreen. Studies show staying out of the sun is the most effective; but since you’ll be enjoying the Hamptons outdoors, covering up may be the next best thing. Malia Mills, known for edgy but accessible luxury swimwear, is stocked with hats that are truly fashionable and cover ups that really cover. They carry Helen Kaminsky hats that boast a UPF of 50. Cover ups by Malia Mills and Lemlem have longer sleeves to keep sun damage at bay. 55 Main Street East Hampton, 631-604-1568, 53 Jobs Lane, Southampton, 631-259-3759, maliamills.com

4) Outdoor cycling: Once you’ve got your sun protection, hop on a bike to get a great cardio workout while taking in the beautiful Hamptons landscape. Ride to Accabonac Harbor by way of Old Springs Fireplace Rd and Gerard Drive or cycle out to Montauk to take in fresh ocean air and breathtaking views.

5) Private Pilates sessions at Erika Bloom Pilates:  Erika Bloom method instructors have come out East this year to stretch, tone, and align you with apparatus sessions in a new East Hampton studio. They also bring their personalized approach to you with house calls or sessions on the beach. 66 Newtown Lane, East Hampton, 212-288-3410, erikabloom.com

6) WellNest: This Sag Harbor haven for well-being houses a boutique where you’ll find eco-friendly personal care and lifestyle products, including can’t-live-without creams and serums from Tata Harper. 125 Main Street, Sag Harbor, 631-899-4600, wellnest.us

7) Whole Foods Pop-Up: While you won’t feel like you’re in a NYC Wholefoods, they do have healthy eating staples like Ezekiel bread and organic almond butter, as well as selections of local, organic, or sustainable produce, meat, and fish. 368 Montauk Hwy, Wainscott,  631-527-7120.

8) Jack’s: Even the healthiest among us need a treat once in a while and Jack’s in Amagansett is the place to do it. Cookies by Anke’s Fit Bakery are tasty and good for you, baked with no flour or cane sugar. They also have ice cream made with local, hormone-free milk that pairs perfectly with their fair-trade stir brew coffees. 146 Montauk Hwy, Amagansett, 631-267-5555, jacksstirbrew.com

9) Local Bay Scallops: Scallops have no fat, high protein, and are sustainable and ocean-friendly. A choice spot for these is Montauk’s South Edison, where chef Todd Mitgang pairs them with healthy, delicious sides of radicchio, spring peas, and quinoa. 17 S Edison St. Montauk, 631-668-4200, southedison.com

10) Yoga: Round out the week with Yoga. The Hamptons offers a plethora of quality choices, from classes at Colleen Saidman and Rodney Yee’s Yoga Shanti in Sag Harbor or KamaDeva in East Hampton, to in home or beach private sessions with yogi Aubrey Lampkin of Erika Bloom. yogashanti.com, kamadevayoga.com, erikabloom.com

Erika Bloom is a wellness and fitness guru with more than 20 years in the industry. She is the owner of Erika Bloom Pilates with studios in NYC and East Hampton and has been featured in Vogue, Self, Fitness, Lucky, and Hamptons Magazine.