Top Three Cooling Foods
| Dear friends, While summer brings enthusiasm, new adventures, fun, and even romance, along with it come the effects of feeling overheated. “The heart is very sensitive to heat. With every one degree rise in body temperature, the heart beats an extra 10 times per minute. The faster it beats, the more overstimulated (Vata) you might feel. Summer heart heat tempts us to stay out late and enjoy nightlife. You might find it hard to calm yourself down in time for bed, or suffer from insomnia on hot summer nights.” from author John Immel of the Joyful Belly What happens to your Heart in Summer With the go, go, go of Summer I personally find it helpful to simply put up my feet on the couch ( no phone) for just ten minutes, while I enjoy some coconut water or Rose tea. You’d be amazed at how rejuvenating just ten minutes is. These are my top three cooling foods: 1. Coconut water– cooling, hydrating and full of antioxidants, fresh coconut is sold on the streets of India( a memorable image of my trip to India). Here you can drink from a fresh coconut at Whole Foods. But if that’s not an option try simple coconut water. “Coconut water’s natural electrolytes make it a solid match for traditional sports drinks like Gatorade. Made without added sugar, food coloring, or artificial sweeteners, many people reach for coconut water as a more natural performance drink.Studies have shown that coconut water can perform just as well as a traditional sport’s drink to keep you hydrated and help replenish fluids after a run. However, coconut water has less sodium, the main electrolyte you lose with sweat, than most sport’s drinks. It also has fewer carbohydrates than many drinks meant for endurance performance. This means it might not give you enough energy for a long bout of exercise (greater than 90 minutes), but it will help you rehydrate afterward.” Seven health benefits of coconut water https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318394.php 2. Tulsi Rose Tea Tulsi, holy basil, with it’s stress and immune system support, combined with “rose” creates the perfect blend to soothe the heart chakra at this time of the summer season. Simply make the fresh tea and add some ice to cool it off. Roses have been used in skincare and body detox in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Roses have therapeutic benefits that relax the body, reduce stress and promote glowing skin. Rose petals contain natural oils and sugars that will lock moisture into dry skin cells. Steep dried rose petals in hot water for 15 minutes. Another favorite tea ( that I just sent my son) is Ayurveda Pitta Tea Bags. The fragrant rose petals combined with spices help to cool and soothe body, mind, and emotions. 3.Watermelon Watermelon is not only a cooling, pitta-balancing fruit; its mineral-rich, 90% water content makes it a wonderful way to stay hydrated in the summer heat. This sweet fruit’s vitamin and mineral makeup includes potassium, magnesium, copper, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, and the antioxidants Vitamin C and lycopene. A newly researched amino acid called citrulline found in watermelon may help prevent excess fat cell accumulation. Research studies have also shown that watermelon can help reduce high blood pressure and even decrease muscle soreness and speed up recovery after physical activity. Watermelon’s benefits go beyond its delicious fruit. Use the inside of the rind on the skin to help cool a sunburn. You can even add the mineral-rich rind to infusions and juices. Eat the seeds for a protein-packed snack. Watermelons absorb everything in the water in the vicinity of the plant so choose organic. Hope you stay cool ( as a cucumber… that’s another one), with fierce love, The Power of Creativity Podcast Well Being Journal Gedalia |