Like it hot or not you need to keep all systems cool this summer. Remember that digestion (our internal fire) is weaker in the summer so heavy, fatty and rich foods are harder to digest. If your nature is naturally hotter (pitta) then the added seasonal heat and longer days may build up to a problem. Here is the seasonal eating logic: all of those fruits of the summer vine are getting naturally cooked to ripe perfection for us.
Other top signs of over-heating include: heartburn, acid reflux, sensitivity to heat, skin rashes, acne, and difficulty falling asleep. I have even seen a client with thrush (red burning gums.)
Theory:
Remember that digestion (our internal fire) is weaker in the summer so heavy, fatty and rich foods are harder to digest. If your nature is naturally hotter (pitta) then the added seasonal heat and longer days may build up to a problem.
Here is the seasonal eating logic: all of those fruits of the summer vine are getting naturally cooked to ripe perfection for us. Those sweet, juicy cooling fruits are just waiting to be plucked when we need them most.
Tips to stay cool:
•Avoid exercise in heat of the day.
•The Daily Breath exercise: in an out through the left nostril. Block right nostril and Inhale/Exhale for count of 6. This is cooling, soothing, calming. Follow by a few minutes of just sitting ‘watching’ the breath.
•Get 15-20 minutes of direct midday sun so your skin can produce vitamin D3.
•Switch to coconut oil for daily massage (Daily Balm is still good but avoid sesame oil in summer as it is heating oil.)
•Take 1 teaspoon of organic, cold-pressed coconut oil with the morning and/or midday meal to keep gut and digestion happy.
•There is also a probiotic, cultured coconut oil – a kefir product called CocoYo that is fantastic for digestion but as explained below, avoid too much fermented food which can be heating.
As Far As Diet:
•Eat more foods that are Sweet, Bitter, Astringent / Cold, Heavy, Oily: such as salads, smoothies, and fresh fruit.
•Eat less foods that are Pungent (Spicy), Sour, Salty / Hot, Light, Dry: such as spicy foods, hot beverages.
•Go easy on the fermented foods which though good for the gut because they introduce probiotics naturally are heating by nature and so should be moderated in the heat of summer. (ex. olives, Kombucha drinks, pickles, krauts, yogurts and some cheeses.)
•Choose fresh ripe berries, melons (eat alone or leave alone), apples, apricots, grapes, peaches, pears, pomegranates, plums, watermelon.
•Favor asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, celery, cilantro, leafy greens, seaweed, snow peas, and summer squash.
•Sip water with slices of cucumber or try coconut water for added hydration. (An old spa recipe: mint, cucumber, lemon)
Lemon Ginger Tea
Sweet, strong, and hot, this spicy tea is perfect for nursing a cold or to warm up on a chilly day. Remove the yellow lemon peel (leave the white pith) with a vegetable peeler. The ginger slices make a nice, medicinal treat, but you can discard before serving if you prefer.
Ingredients
4 cups water, divided
1/3 cup gave nectar or honey, or more to taste
1/4 cup crystallized ginger, cut into thin strips
2 strips lemon peel, about 3 inches each
11/4 cups fresh lemon juice (about 7-8 lemons) Spirals of lemon peel, or lemon slices, for garnish
Directions
1.In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup water, agave or honey, ginger, and lemon peel to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer briskly for 15 minutes. Add remaining 3 cups water and lemon juice. Heat. Remove and discard lemon peel. Ladle into mugs and garnish with spiral of lemon peel or lemon slices.
PER SERVING: 90 cal, 0g fat (0g mono, 0g poly, 0g sat), 0mg chol, 0g protein, 25g carb, 1g fiber, 0mg sodium
Sweet, strong, and hot, this spicy tea is perfect for nursing a cold or to warm up on a chilly day. Remove the yellow lemon peel (leave the white pith) with a vegetable peeler. The ginger slices make a nice, medicinal treat, but you can discard before serving if you prefer.
Ingredients
4 cups water, divided
1/3 cup gave nectar or honey, or more to taste
1/4 cup crystallized ginger, cut into thin strips
2 strips lemon peel, about 3 inches each
11/4 cups fresh lemon juice (about 7-8 lemons) Spirals of lemon peel, or lemon slices, for garnish
Directions
1.In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup water, agave or honey, ginger, and lemon peel to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer briskly for 15 minutes. Add remaining 3 cups water and lemon juice. Heat. Remove and discard lemon peel. Ladle into mugs and garnish with spiral of lemon peel or lemon slices.
PER SERVING: 90 cal, 0g fat (0g mono, 0g poly, 0g sat), 0mg chol, 0g protein, 25g carb, 1g fiber, 0mg sodium