SUMMER RESOURCES
Holistic Health for Summer Balance
A major seasonal change can affect our mind, bodies and spirits into either further balance or imbalance depending on how we respond. How are you feeling with the intense solar heat of summer accumulating for those who live in the northern hemisphere? Are you in seventh heaven, struggling immensely or somewhere in between? Wherever you may fall on this spectrum, this tends to be a reflection of each of our unique constitutions and can vary dramatically from person to person. I acknowledge with humble gratitude how the profundity of holistic tools support staying at each unique person's level best and love to share this knowledge outwardly with others, too. So, what do we do to take care of ourselves to get through the summer months with grace, health, and fulfillment?
Summer is primarily defined by fire and water elements, also called pitta dosha in Ayurvedic medicine, and they are responsible for transformation and metabolism in the body. The healing energy of this season can be balanced with cooling foods, less intense exercise, protection from the heat of the midday sun and softening intense schedules to stay at our level best.
PITTA BALANCING LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR SUMMER
Self massage (Abhyanga) before taking a shower or bath with a cooling oil such as coconut or sunflower to calm the nervous system and cool the body|
On hot days, resting, a short nap and/or yoga nidra can be restorative
Cultivate calm inner awareness
Dress in light, breathable clothing and cooling colors such as blue, green, white and lavender
Ideally, exercise by breathing through your nose and to 50-70% of your capacity
Avoid exercising between 10 am - 2 pm, a high pitta time of day
Favor the essential oils of Lavender, Jasmine, Vetiver and Rose Geranium
Wash, dry and massage feet with a plain or herbal oil at bedtime
Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses outdoors to shelter from the sun
SUMMER RECIPES
Cooling Electrolyte Tea
Makes: 4–5 cups
Begin with adding 2 heaping tsp peppermint into 5–6 C boiling water.
Then add:
Approximately ¼ tsp rock salt
3 tsp unrefined turbinado, sucanat, maple syrup or jaggery sugar (optional: add more for taste)
Boil for 2–3 minutes, water will turn dark.
Turn heat off.
If you use loose herbs, strain. If you use a tea ball, remove.
Squeeze the juice of 1 whole lime and put tea into thermos, or add lime to individual servings.
Do not boil lime juice.
Optional: substitute honey for sugar and add with lime juice after the tea temperature is below 110 degrees. Cooked honey is considered carcinogenic and toxic in Ayurveda.
(Recipe from the Ayurvedic Institute)
Coconut Chia Seed Pudding
Makes: 4 servings
(store in fridge for up to 4 days)
Ingredients:
1 fresh coconut and meat
1 cup almonds
3 medjool dates or sweetener of choice
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp chia seeds
optional: 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut for lots of texture
Directions:
Soak almonds overnight in two cups of pure water.
Soak the chia seeds overnight in a separate pint size jar with a lid.
Fill the jar with water and shake well a few times.
Drain the almonds and blend with 1 cup water and the dates or sweetener of choice.
Add the fresh coconut and the meat of the coconut. Do not put the chia seeds in the blender.
Put the almond and coconut smoothie in a covered bowl with the chia seeds.
Stir well, cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 5-6 hours.
Strawberry Juice
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups organic strawberries, chopped
1 organic cucumber, chopped
½ cup dandelion greens
1 teaspoon raw honey dissolved in a dash of hot water, or 3 drops stevia
optional: dash of cinnamon
Directions:
Blend all fruits and veggies in a juicer. (A blender also works if you don't have a juicer.)
Add any spices to taste like cinnamon to the serving glass and stir well.
Tip: Sip slowly to allow for best assimilation and digestion. Juices are most nutritious when consumed fresh, although leftovers can be stored in a sealed mason jar or container for up to 24 hours.