Whether you love summer or count down to fall as soon as the temperatures start to rise, the sunny season’s hot ‘n’ humid embrace can leave any one of us feeling overheated and more easily drained.
Today’s blog will dive into the delicious world of cooling foods that nourish you, are easy to enjoy in extreme temperatures and help relieve all of your bodily symptoms – not just your stomach and sweat glands.
Let’s dig in!
Starting with the least surprising selection, the most common way to reduce your pitta dosha – the dosha in Ayurveda that is responsible for your body’s heated temperatures – is by consuming cool, refreshing fruits and veggies.
These include asparagus, berries, cherries, cucumber, grapes, mangos and papaya.
While they may taste cool and refreshing, especially when refrigerated, citrus fruits like lemons, limes and oranges actually have warming effects on your body. They are better reserved for fall, winter or spring.
We know raw salads are often the easiest to make ‘n’ shake or to find and munch during a grocery/restaurant run. However, from an Ayurvedic perspective, raw foods are hard on your digestive system and will have your body working even harder while leaving you feeling bloated.
Something cooked might sound the opposite of cooling but recipes like this Braised Lettuce with Mint & Peas can actually be very internally hydrating while also providing proper nutrients and a satisfying crunch factor.
We know spices sound warm but some summer-friendly options that will excite palates without heating up your inner temperature include cardamom, coriander, fennel, mint and saffron. These refreshing complements also support digestion and soothe your organs.
The foundational ingredients of Khichdi include cooling mung beans, rice, and a blend of spices such as cooling organic turmeric root and green cardamom pods. Plus, the cooking of khichdi is water-based, not oil-based, keeping the cooling properties of ingredients intact while lightly simmering added ingredients that may not be Ayurvedically cooling in nature when raw.
Not to toot our own horn, but hear us out. In summer, the days are longer and you’re likely more active – or the same amount of active but awake and functioning longer. Whether the former or the latter, your body needs more support; not just in cooling but also in collagen intake.
While not categorized as a cooling food in Ayurveda, bone broth supports digestion and gut health, bringing more balance to your body (and its Pitta). This assists in creating a more balanced internal temperature alongside the cooling foods and ingredients you may also be enjoying. Plus, nutritional intake via broth also accounts for electrolytes which are so crucial in the summer heat.
While enjoyable year-round, our Reset Program package is perfect for cooling and calming your body in the summer because you’ll receive 4 or 7 days’ worth of both bone broth and khichdi. You also get a CCF Tea which supports your internal digestive and detoxification properties, making it easier for other foods to balance your day-to-day functions and overall well-being.
