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Hello my friends,
Happy Summer Solstice today and welcome to the Summer season!
It looks like Summer is arriving with a fiery start. If you have a predominance of the pitta dosha within you (qualities of hot, fiery, oily, sharp and liquid like spreading) then certainly you are feeling the effects of these similar qualities as the Summer season arrives. Just like Spring time, Summer is a tricky time not only for our Digestive System but also for our Mental Health. Emotions can "run hot" in the Summer from overscheduling ourselves, vacation traveling and eating picnic foods and barbequing.
I recently spent a Sunday afternoon at my Mother's side of the family annual reunion (50 years and going strong!) and eating all the delicious dishes from various relatives. It was a pleasure seeing everyone and complimenting their offerings...until my stomach stopped trying to process the cold foods with the hot foods, the (oily) mayonnaise laden side dishes (think: Central PA/Amish country :) and the spicy grilled meats (hot).
Our digestive ability (agni) wanes during the hotter months as we are trying to liberate heat from the body, not direct it inwards to help the GI tract process foods. Are you now craving cooler, lighter foods that are easier to digest? One word of caution regarding eating raw veggies/salads in the Summer months. I know, we all love them because they are cold and light but unfortunately raw anything is super hard on the belly to digest especially in Summer when your digestive fire is at its lowest burn.
What to eat in Summer to stay hydrated and is easily digested? Cooked zucchini/yellow squash is possibly the easiest and most perfect hydrating Summer food that is just starting to come into the local farmers markets. One of my favorite ways to eat it is by making Zucchini Zoodles, spiralized "noodles" lightly cooked in water or broth then topped with your favorite sauce or just some butter/ghee. Other perfect Summer foods for hydration are aloe juice, mint infused water, sweet fruits like watermelon and watery veggies like cucumber (yes, I realize they are eaten raw but are still really good for you in Summer :)
What else keeps us cool in the Summer?
- A nice spritz of Rose Water on the face and neck (not in the eyes). I keep a bottle on my desk and in the bathroom for a refresh multiple times a day.
- Daily cool showers, especially end your shower with some cool water on the crown of the head and body parts that trap heat like armpits and the groin.
- A quick wash of the feet in cool water before bedtime.
- Avoid mid-day exercising and in general hide from the hottest part of the day (1oam-4pm, or later :)
- Enjoy gentle walks in the morning's "coolness", swimming and a gentle yoga practice.
- Watch caffeine and alcohol intake as both are sharp and heating to the body.
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Wear light, well-ventilated clothing especially for the armpits and groin area. (I just bought this style of flowy yoga pant and LOVE practicing in them... no more tight, black yoga pants for me this Summer :).
Our Summer skin can also get easily dehydrated. Eating watery fruits & veggies plus increasing your fluid intake can help but did you know you can seal in moisture from the outside to keep the skin from drying out by using natural, organic oils on the whole body!
If you are interested in learning more about your skin, caring for it this Summer and infusing it with natural oils...then come join me for a POP Up Class.
Whole Body Oil Massage Class
Saturday, June 29, 10am-11:30am
at Newtown's NEWEST SHOP-
Oil Divine*
*Free 30ml Sample included
(located between Harvest Seasonal Grill and Turning Point)
This class will help you understand more about how to nourish and care for your Summer skin plus you'll receive a Free 30ml sample of either their Rose Body Oil, Jasmine Oil, or Fragrance Free Body Oil. Limited to 10 attendees so please register today and I'll see you soon!
Stay Cool this Summer, and Love to all, Ginger
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