Seasonal Ayurvedic Wellness: Summer Edition

Eating the Ayurvedic Way

• Melons
• Blueberries
• Stone Fruit (Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Nectarines, Apricots, Mangoes, Raspberries, Blackberries)
• Cucumbers
• Salad Lettuces
• Zucchini
• Corn

We also recommend stocking your kitchen with these seasonal alternatives:

• Substitute mushrooms or tofu in place of meat.
• Opt for fresh herbs instead of chilies.
• For a crunchy snack, replace chips with nuts, avocados, falafel, carrots, snap peas, and celery.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth with fresh dates.
• Drink coconut water and naturally-flavored sparkling water instead of soda and alcohol.

Remember that every day is different and how you relate to your seasonal diet will change day by day. Stay curious about how you feel when you align your food choices with the natural world around you.

Set yourself up for success with the following dietary practices:

• Cook and plan meals in the morning when the kitchen is cool.
• Enjoy food with cooling and hydrating properties. Cool off with these summer smoothies or enjoy the Arugula and Watermelon Salad recipe below.
• Eat frequent meals throughout the day to avoid low blood sugar moments.
• Add cilantro, cucumber, mint, and lime to water for a refreshing beverage that will cool you down. Coconut water and cooling teas like rose, fennel, and hibiscus are also recommended to keep you hydrated and calm.
• Minimize inflammatory foods.
• If possible, eat all your meals outside in the fresh air.

Summer Wellness Practices

• Morning meditation with a loving-kindness theme.
• Napping in the afternoon.
• Misting with rose water in the afternoon while at my desk.
• Exercising in the early morning.
• Spending time outdoors after work. Sit down, breathe, listen, smell, and enjoy connecting with nature.

Integrating small, daily practices like these in your routine can help reduce excess heat in the mind and body and stay cool in the summertime.

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Join Melina in her 5-Day Summer Ayurveda Yoga Challenge.

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Arugula and Watermelon Salad

Salad Ingredients (organic if possible):

• 3 Cups of Arugula
• 2 Cups of Watermelon Chunks
• 2 Tablespoons or Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
• 1/4 Cup of Crumbled Feta Cheese

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Teaspoon of White Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Pinch of Sea Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

• Prepare all salad ingredients and place in a large bowl.
• Stir dressing ingredients together in a separate small container until blended.
• Drizzle dressing onto salad and toss until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.

Enjoy!