Memorial Day is almost here, and that means the days are getting hotter and more humid by the hour. It also means that our bodies have to work extra hard to cool down when dealing with the outdoor heat.
I am a big believer in seasonal eating because when we eat local, seasonal produce, we can take advantage of nature’s wisdom and generosity of providing us with the best foods for each time of the year.
It’s no coincidence that during the summer we get an abundance of juicy, cooling fruits that help our systems find their balance. To help you enjoy the parties, stay hydrated and save time in the kitchen, here are two simple cooling recipes, as well as list of top 10 cooling foods.
COOLING GUANABANA SMOOTHIE
- 1.5 ripe frozen bananas
- ½ cup frozen guanabana (soursop)
- ½-1 cup almond milk (Depending on how thick you want it. If you use less milk, it will be more like an ice cream consistency.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Blend all ingredients in a blender and enjoy! (video instructions)
MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP SHAKE
- 1 ripe, frozen banana
- ¼ cup, frozen, previously soaked cashews
- ½ cup coconut water
- a handful of sweet cacao nibs
- a few mint leaves
Blend everything except cacao nibs in Vitamix until smooth. Add the nibs, and blend for two seconds. Serve and enjoy! (video instructions)
TOP 10 COOLING FOODS
Savory:
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Bell Peppers
- Jicama
- Celery
Sweet:
- Watermelons, Honeydew and Cantaloupe
- Grapes
- Oranges
- Mangoes
- Coconut Water
