8 Tips to Stay Cool & a Summer Smoothie

I’m in the middle of a very well received late summer cleanse.  Fall is near, but summer is still here. Summer in Ayurveda is classified as the season where Pitta predominantly rules. Pitta governs all things hot, bright, sharp, expansive, active, and intense.  Pitta imbalances can provoke a myriad of less optimal emotions and a sense of discomfort in the body, such as irritation, anger, judgement, and jealousy.  Physical symptoms may include strong body odor, inflammation, itchy eyes or skin, hair loss, or heartburn and loose stools. According to Maharishi Ayurveda, “a Pitta-aggravating lifestyle that revolves around overworking, frequent time-pressure and deadline-oriented activities, and long commutes become twice as stressful in the heat of summer.” So let’s lighten up, move slower, let go, and let ourselves float down that proverbial flowing river a little more.

Here are some ways to stay cool in your heart, body, and head (and great ways to brighten the whites of your eyes as well!) I’m also running a special for my WHOLE FOODS, CUSTOMIZED GUIDED CLEANSES so please contact me at my email below to schedule a free consult if you are interested. I love helping people to nourish themselves.

1. ORGANIC UNREFINED COCONUT OIL:

   Coconut oil is full of healthy fats and for those of you worried about fats, please worry no longer. The fats available in coconut oil are so important and nourishing for your brain, eyes, and bodily tissues. In some parts of the world, coconut is a dietary staple. For example, the population known as the Tokelauans, which live in the South Pacific, derive over 60% of their calories from coconuts. They are reported to be in excellent heath with no evidence of heart disease.

   The Lauric Acid in Coconut Oil Can Kill Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi, Helping to Stave Off Infections.

   Use coconut oil in your smoothies, as a replacement for butter in cooking and baking, and my absolutely favorite, massage your scalp, temples, and the soles of your feet (or better yet your entire body!) with some coconut oil before showering to aid in cooling your body.

2. ROSE WATER:

   Rose water is revered in Ayurveda as a powerful way to cool the mind and heart. It’s anti-inflammatory properties are very effective in calming red, irritated skin. It’s astringent properties make it a great toner. The scent of rose is very calming and is shown to promote emotional well-being, and decrease levels of anxiety. Purchase some rose water spray from the store or purchase rose essential oil and dilute it with filtered water for your own rose spray! Bring some with you throughout your day and spray a mist of 3 whenever you need a cool, refreshing treat.
   
   

3. SHOP LOCALLY:

   Mother Nature is undeniably intelligent. Simply take a look at what is available at your local farmer’s market and, EAT THAT! Let these foods cool you from the INSIDE OUT. Gorgeous, leafy greens, cucumbers, watermelon, fresh herbs mainly CILANTRO AND MINT are highly cooling, fresh green beans, radishes, summer squash, etc.  Do your best to limit consumption of spicy foods, lots of oil, or alcohol as that will only increase the heat in your body. Lean towards lighter meals, and beware of too much red meat or red wine!
   
   

4. COOLING TEAS:
   Steep some cooling herbs such as hibiscus, fresh mint, fennel, lemongrass, spearmint, and raspberry leaf. Add a drop or two of stevia and you will have a delicious, cooling, tea tonic to help stave off the heat and any headaches throughout the day.

   Note: Even though ice cold drinks may be thought to cool us down the most, they actually shock the system and can create unnecessary ama (toxins) in the body. Up your chill a notch and drink your beverages cool, not cold.
   
   

5. WALK BAREFOOT ON THE GRASS OR OCEAN:
   Probably doesn’t take much convincing here that a nice barefoot stroll on the beach or in a lush park will cool your nerves and get you grounded. The energy of the Earth draws the heat downward from the upper body and can then be recycled for a fresh start!
   
   

6. EXERCISE EARLY: 
   Get your circulation flowing and heart pumping earlier in the day before it gets too hot, which prevents you from cooling down appropriately.
   
   

7. ADD LIME TO YOUR WATER:
   Fresh lime will help not only detoxify the channels of the body,  cleanse your liver, and get your digestive fire kindling, it will help keep you cool before you even have a chance to get hot! If you’re up by sunrise, enjoy a warm cup of water with fresh squeezed lime.
   
   

8. FRESH UNPASTEURIZED JUICES AND SMOOTHIES:
   Hit up your local Whole Foods or invest in a juicer so you can provide your body with unpasteurized fresh juices. Freshly juiced fruits and vegetables are highly alkalizing to the pH of your body, and assimilated immediately, offering fantastic cleansing, detoxing, and energizing effects. One of my favorite combos is kale, cucumber, celery, apple, and lemon. Juice some fresh grapefruit and lemon for a medicinal tonic for your liver and gallbladder! Also, smoothies are a great way to eat lightly while getting the nutrition you need. It takes such a load off of your digestive system and allows you to utilize its energy much more quickly and efficiently.
   
   To feel your best, stay away from refined flour, processed foods, fried foods, frozen and canned foods, and sugar other than my select 4 in the form of raw honey, maple syrup, dates, or coconut palm sugar. With that, I leave you with a summer smoothie recipe.

   Enjoy!

Blueberry rose smoothie

Recipe:

• 1/2 C fresh or frozen blueberries

• 1/2 peach or a handful of grapes

• 1/2 banana

• 1 T Chia seeds

• 1-2 dates, pitted

• 1 T Spirulina or other green powder such as Vita Mineral Greens

• A nice shake of cinnamon, cardamom, & rose hip powder (or a splash of food grade rose water)

• 4-5 Sprigs of Mint

• 1 C sparkling or purified water

• Squeeze of fresh lime juice
  

  
  Blend thoroughly. Enjoy!