I love summer so berry much. and I’m feelin’ peachy keen!
Summer is here and that’s the best time to eat local and seasonal as there tends to be plenty of food everywhere.
Remember that from an Ayurvedic perspective, we are always somehow striving to be in balance both with ourselves in context of body, mind, and spirit, and within the greater surrounding environment. Each part of the organism interacts and influences the other in both contexts. This is a continuous process, and the goal is to maintain balance.
Our cells contain circadian programming based on the daily fluctuations of light and seasonal distinctions of the weather and what is locally harvested. For example, in the spring, it tends to be wet, damp, and muddy requiring dry and light foods to balance out the heaviness of the saturated ground and the first sprouts and bitter greens are ready to do the job.
As we are moving into summer, things are drying up and the ground is dry. The air is also warm and we are active for many more hours of the day with the sun setting so late and dawn coming so early. Again, nature provides and we will find just what we need at the local farmers’ markets and on the produce shelves ready to nourish our bodies.
The best part about summer is that it is the season to enjoy sweet berries, melon, and stone fruits so support those active days, rehydrate, and even get some electrolyte replenishment in the heat. An example of this is adding salt and/or chili to melon and other tropical fruit and pairing melon or stone fruit with prosciutto or other cured meats. These fruits are also extra special because it’s such a short season you really have to enjoy them in the moment. Look out for recipes and dishes in local restaurants that celebrate the season.
Sticking with the Ayurveda theme to inform best choices, the best foods of summer will be sweet, cooling, oily, and continue with the bitter and astringent from spring to balance it out. On a hot day you may enjoy a smoothie or a cucumber salad or a gazpacho. In mild or cooler weather and on rainy days, you may prefer something warm or spicy. It’s also very individual and not rigid, and also something interesting consider. Meat and eggs are also less predominant in summer as there is so much bounty from the land, so really check in with yourself about what your body best needs for nourishment.
I will be sharing some summer recipes in the coming weeks so keep an eye out for that and if you are in the Facebook Group, go ahead and post something that you find.
If you aren’t in the Facebook Group, Click Here to Join.
Seasonal Fruit for SUMMER (harvest time will vary from early summer to late summer and early fall and you should notice that there is much more variety during summer than there was in spring):
- Apples, Apricots, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Dates, Figs, Grapes,Guavas, Mangoes, Melon (all), Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Persimmons, Pineapples, Plums, Pomegranate, Raspberries, Strawberries
Seasonal Vegetables for SUMMER:
- Alfalfa Sprouts, Arugula (Rocket), Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocados, Basil, Bean Sprouts, Beets, Bell peppers, Bitter Melon, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chicory, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Corn, Dandelion, Eggplant (Aubergine), Endive, Fennel, Green Beans, Jicama, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Parsley, Peas, Radishes, Seaweed, Snow Peas, Spinach, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnip Greens, Watercress, Zucchini (Courgette)
These are the fruits and vegetables of spring and is not an inclusive list as there are plenty of local varieties from place to place. You may find yourself reducing your consumption of heavy meat or dairy dishes in the summer and leaning to lighter chicken and fish or lentils, chick peas, and other legumes.
Be sure to include healthy fats from avocados, olives, coconut, and almonds, macadamia, and other nuts.
Enjoy the sweetness of the summer and take this as an opportunity to choose something fresh over something packaged. That flyby season of cherries really is a treat like no other!
