My Favorite EASY Summer Recipes
SUMMERTIME = LOTS OF EXCITING EVENTS, OUTDOOR FUN, AND SWELTERING HEAT.
June is when the heat climbs quickly and the body tends to get over exhausted as every one-degree rise in body temperature leads to the heart beating an extra 10 beats per minute!
These are a few of my favorite summer jam recipes from my alma mater. Visit Joyful Belly for more summer balancing recipes!
An electrolyte-rich diet and can prevent summer dehydration and exhaustion. Thus, fresh, ripe fruit like bananas and coconut water will keep you cool & replenish your fluids, energizing your entire body!
TUMMY CALMING BANANA-CARDAMOM SMOOTHIE4 cups Banana (Vata & Pitta pacifying)1/2 tsp Cardamom (Vata, Pitta, Kapha pacifying)2 cup Coconut Water (Vata & Pitta pacifying) Option to use water if you do not have coconut water.1 whole Lime (Vata, Pitta, Kapha pacifying)Combine all ingredients in a blender (juice the lime and freeze the rind to use for another recipe like a broth!). Puree until smooth. Serve immediately and enjoy!Serves 2
In July, the humidity of early summer will start to give way to the dryness of late summer & melons can be extremely replenishing.
Pitta type emotions like anger and jealousy might arise so pacify with relaxation, luxury, time out in the fresh air and cooling foods and herbs.
ALOE HONEYDEW SMOOTHIE2 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel (Pitta & Kapha pacifying)2 cup Honey Dew (Vata & Pitta pacifying)2 cup Water (Vata & Pitta pacifying)Puree and enjoy!!!Serves 2
During the height of summer, the body and liver is working really hard to keep the body cool.
Thus, sharp, hot, and pungent foods like ferments (including alcohol) and most spices should be avoided when possible. Yes, it can be tempting to celebrate at social events with alcohol, but this could quickly lead to a taxed liver -> toxic blood -> aggressive emotions.
Instead, try watermelon or pomegranate juice as your celebratory drink in early July!
WATERMELON POMEGRANATE ‘MARG’2 whole limes (VPK Pacifying)1/4 cup pomegranate juice (PK Pacifying)2 tbsp raw sugar (VP Pacifying)2 tbsp water (VP Pacifying)4 cups watermelon (PK Pacifying)Heat sugar and water stirring until sugar has dissolved.
Blend and strain watermelon.
Mix all ingredients and put in the freezer for 1 hour.After 1 hr ice will begin to form - stir every fifteen minutes until frozen.Serves 6
When August arrives we tend to get surprised, wondering "where did summer go?" With the first crisp cool morning of August, you sense a shift is upon us and that cooling sensation can be energizing!
Sourness improves digestion while gently cleansing the liver. Thus, foods like peaches, grapes, and for some, tomatoes can encourage smoother, softer stools and easy elimination.
So as summer winds down, savor warm times with friends and bundling up in the evening to gently ease our way into fall.
RASPBERRY TEA CAKE WITH ORANGE ZEST1 cup Buckwheat (Kapha Pacifying)1/4 cup Coconut oil (VP Pacifying) Option to sub for traditional butter or ghee. 3 whole eggs (Vata Pacifying)1 tsp orange zest (VK Pacifying)1/2 cup Rasberry (VK Pacifying)1/3 cup Raw sugar (VP Pacifying)1 tsp Vanilla Extract (VK Pacifying)1/4 cup Yogurt (Vata Pacifying)Preheat oven to 350F. Use coconut oil or ghee to grease a square 8- or 9-inch baking pan or dish. Set aside. In a separate bowl, melt coconut oil.Whisk the eggs then add sugar slowly, whisking again until the eggs are frothy.Whisk in the yogurt and vanilla. Slowly add a bit of the melted coconut oil to the egg mixture, whisking continuously as you gently add all remaining oil. Whisk in the buckwheat flour until the batter is smooth. Mix in orange zest and raspberries.Pour into prepared pan and bake 30 minutes, until set in the center. Cool at least 30 minutes in the pan before slicing into squares to serve warm, or cool.Add additional toppings if desired like 1/4 cup almond meal or almond slices. Serves 6
