Summer is a season of fun, travel and relaxation with friends and family. We naturally crave sweet fruit and cooling foods in summer. Here are a few simple ways to make this summer a cool, and balancing season.
1. Summer is the season to indulge in sweet, ripe fruit which is naturally cooling. Try fresh coconut water from an actual coconut, instead of the packaged version. The water of the young coconut is nature's best beverage as it contains the perfect balance of electrolytes.
2. Use fresh dill and cucumber in your salads as they offer the body nourishment as well as cooling.
3. Make a lassi (yogurt based drink) with natural sweetener such as agave and a pinch of cardamom powder along with rose water. This drink is delicious and cooling.
4. Indulge in the bounty of summer produce available at the farmer's market. Today, I purchased arugula, heirloom tomatoes, cilantro and amaranth greens. I used the arugula in omelets for breakfast and the amaranth with lentils for soup for dinner.
5. Avoid or reduce caffeine and alcohol as they are depleting and dehydrating. Stick to fresh vegetable and fruit juices, coconut water and the best beverage of all, pure water.
Aparna Khanolkar is a caterer and personal chef in Santa Barbara. She teaches at the Ojai Culinary School and in SB. Her focus is on preparing foods for her clients using the most fresh foods and that means, no cans, no microwave and no pre-packaged foods. Her experience includes cooking at the Chopra Center for Well-Being in San Diego and is a published author of 2 cookbooks. Aparna blogs at: www.themistressofspice.com/blog 805-617-3384
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