Right now I’m in Greece, and the temperatures are rising and everyone is already swimming and getting their tan on. I’m quite surprised how many tourists are flooding the country already and it’s only June 5th!
Pitta Season is here!
Pitta is also the energy of digestion and transformation, not only in the physical body, but includes emotions and thoughts. Being aware of how easily we can overheat our mind and emotions in the summer months is important so that we keep our ‘cool’ literally and metaphorically!
Cooling down the mind and body now, at the beginning of summer is critical to prevent Pitta aggravation later on in the season, which can manifest into:
- Indigestion
- diarrhea
- hot flashes
- skin rashes
- anger
- headaches
- irritability
- blood shot eyes
- inability to sleep through the night (waking up at 2 or 3am)
None of these symptoms are fun, and they are all related to the body and mind being overheated.
So what can you do, especially if you already know you are someone who runs hot?
Here are some suggestions, including 2 delicious recipes from my Age Defying Summer Cleanse that begins July 12th. First and foremost, maintain a routine – in other words, try eating and sleeping at the same time everyday.
Avoid spicy food, excess alcohol, red meat, and too many fermented drinks or food.
Add a meditation practice to your daily routine
Commit to a summer detox to cool and prepare the body for summer
Add sweetness to your life in the form of fresh fruits and fun activities (pitta individuals tend to forget how to have fun).
Use cooling oils on the body such as coconut oil
Avoid activities outdoors during hottest time of the day, which is usually between 12-3.
Exercise early in the morning when it’s cooler for the body
Avoid competitive activities, and avoid being sucked into dramas
Wear cool material such as cotton and linen and cooling colors such as green and white.
And finally –
Check out these recipes that will not only cool your your beautiful body, but taste delicious as well. Peaches and Cantaloupe are chock full of minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, zinc, and copper which are all important for keeping the skin looking young and healthy.
Peach Smoothie
1 ½ cups dairy free milk (or filtered water if your digestion is weak)
1 cucumber
4 kales leaves
2 peaches, without pit
½ avocado
dash of ginger powder
Pour all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Spiced Cantaloupe Soup
1 cantaloupe, peeled and chopped
1 carrot, roughly chopped
½ cup sunflower seeds
1-inch piece of fresh ginger
handful mint leaves
Juice of 1 lemon
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately (serves 2).
I also want to share some of the best seeds and herbs for making teas for the heat (or the Pitta constitution):
licorice root, fennel seed, coriander seed, mint leaf, cardamom seed, alfalfa leaf, chamomile flowers, jasmine flowers, lavender flowers, rose buds, rose hips
Remember to make memories this summer!
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