Stay Cool & Healthy This Summer
Cherries are always my signal that spring is over and summer is here. I hope you’re having fun sipping lemonade by the pool or taking gentle strolls by the beach or just being outside with friends and family. That’s the best part of summer!
At the heart of healing and wellness in Ayurveda is understanding the connection between our body and Mother Nature. Do the words burn-out, exhaustion, acne, diarrhea, irritable, rage, anger sound familiar? All of these are imbalances that are caused by excess heat in the body. Ayurveda calls this heat “pitta.” As the heat increases during summer, we begin to dry out and overheat.
Here are five simple tips to stay healthy all summer long.
1) Eat Cool and Water-rich foods
Do your best to get extra veggies this season:
· 50% veggies
· 25% protein
· 25% starch
Eat more salads, as they are cooling, especially when eaten for lunch. Veggies could be eaten as raw, crunchy salads or lightly steamed. Limit the intake of garlic, chili, sour cream and salted cheese, they tend to heat up your body. Eat lots of CHERRIES this summer. They are loaded with powerful antioxidants, have potent anti-inflammatory quality and are best known in Ayurveda as “lymph movers.” And, yes they are delicious! WATERMELONS are the perfect summer food. Watermelons cool your body, reduces inflammation, calms your liver and restores balance to overheated blood. Only 86 calories in one wedge!
Try this deliciously refreshing Watermelon and Mint smoothie:
Ingredients:
4 Cups of Watermelon
¼ cup mint leaves
Puree watermelon and mint leaves in a blender. Enjoy!
2) Drink lots of COCONUT WATER
Coconut water is low in calories and naturally instilled with many important electrolytes and its rich nutrient profile is defined by the presence of more potassium than four bananas, calcium and antioxidants. Beside hydrating the body coconut water can help with a whole host of conditions, from hangovers to cancer and kidney stones.
3) Try "MOON BATHING"
Basking in the moonlight can do wonders for your Mind and Body. Moonlight combines the masculine energy of the sun with the feminine energy of the moon to create something new. Moonlight’s cooling energy can help balance heat, encourages you to relax and trust the universe to take charge. Try getting outside for walks under a moon, you can harness its positive energy full of love.
4) Wear clothes that are made of light cotton and are loose-fitting
The best COLORS TO WEAR in hot summer are whites, greys, blues and greens as they are cooling. Avoid red, dark yellow, orange and black shades as they tend to absorb and retain the heat.
5) Soak yourself in SUN to get Vitamin D3
During summer, UVB rays are strongest between 10am - 2pm. Being out in sun 10-15 minutes daily during this time is enough exposure for all the Vitamin D we need. It will keep your bones strong, maintain healthy immune system and help you in year-round positive mood!
Happy Summer!