August Wellness Map
Swan Song of Summer
How’s everyone holding up during this record heat wave summer? Here are some signs that your Pitta (hot, oily) may be exacerbated from the summer heat:
skin issues - do you have spots of eczema, rashes or some acne popping up? (I do.)
temper flareups?
feeling drained, tired, and heavy?
sweet cravings? (Yup, me.)
loose stools?
When we don’t clear the heat from our bodies, these are some signs that it’s time to do more of the following:
Rest. Brief naps are perfectly ok in the summer.
Rehydrate. Be sure to add some cucumber and mint to your water, and even a pinch of pink salt and/or a dash of maple syrup.
Eat a peach. I’m serious. Grab nature’s bounty of fruit and slurp all that sweetness in. Your body needs it. My sweet cravings are through the roof right now and this is most certainly because my body is dehydrated. Add a sprinkle of summer spice blend and, omgoodness, sooooo goooood.
Jump in a lake. It’s so refreshing, I can’t even. A pool is ok, but with all the drying chemicals, its far less ideal. So, grab that sunscreen and a paddleboard and get out there to enjoy the final days of this glorious season.
Moongaze. Evenings are beginning to cool a bit, so head outside and gaze at the peaceful, watery moon and feel her coolness wash over you.
So why is this so important right now when the weather is just about to start cooling down anyway? Because the coming season is marked by abundant dryness. Our bodies have spent the last few months expelling all our built up Spring/Kapha congestion, bile and moisture. As we move into the dry fall, the blood thins even further making us feel like dried up prunes (only not as delicious). The more you expel the remaining heat now and replenish your electrolytes, the easier your transition through the Fall will be.
Nourish
Who has zucchini coming out of their ears? I only planted one zucchini plant this year, but holy moly I still have at least two zucchini per week! And I love them so! BUT, I don’t love to turn on the oven when it’s hot out, so this Zucchini Lime Rice Bowl is the perfect summer pick-me-up for lunch. The citrus softens the raw zucchini to make it easier to digest and the taste is out of this world. The saltiness of the feta (vegan or dairy) is a great way to try to retain some of that moisture that the hot summer days are continually pulling out of us, too.
I know the season is full of cookouts, but did you know that meat heats the body? Even though it is in the sweet food group, which is usually cooling, meat heats. So, if you’re feeling overheated, perhaps skip the ribs and focus on some easier to digest foods, like fruits, and grill up some zucchini and mushrooms instead (peaches are amazing grilled, too, of course and you could make this yummy salsa with said grilled peaches).
Spicing your food is the best way to help with digestion. As I made my last batch of my Summer Salt and Spice blends, I inhaled their gorgeous scents and couldn’t wait to get them on something immediately (it ended up being my easy cottage cheese breakfast).
As always, every meal should have all six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent, but the first two below should be the stars of your plate this month (we are easing up on astringent as we prepare for the dryness of Autumn):
Sweet foods: Berries, bananas, dates, figs, mangos, melons, beets, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, rice, wheat, tofu, red lentils, almonds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, coconut, aloe, avocado, lime, cilantro, mint, vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel. These foods are cooling and strengthening.
Bitter foods: leafy greens like kale and swiss chard, eggplant, sesame seeds, chocolate, coffee, brussel sprouts, tea, zucchini, citrus zest, cumin, dill, turmeric. These foods stimulate the healthy flow of bile. Bitter foods are the best for PItta (hot) to keep cool. So if you are feeling overheated, grab something here, or something from the sweet category (above).
Astringent foods: In August, we start phasing these out a bit due to their drying nature. September begins Vata (dry, airy) season so we want to make sure we are not losing too much moisture in preparation. Eat these in moderation: apples, pomegranate, avocado, sprouts, most raw vegetables, beans, popcorn, coriander, fennel, and parsley.
In September (my favorite month!) we will start to emphasize sweet, sour and salty tastes on our plates. If you are feeling dehydrated, feel free to add an extra pinch of mineral salt to your food.
As I always mention, in Ayurveda there are some foods NOT to combine. Here’s a quick list.
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💛, Stephanie
Important note: The information provided is general guidance in accordance with Ayurvedic seasonal living. Every human is different; yoga and Ayurveda treat the individual and work best when tailored to your unique constitution. Contact me to learn more.