The 100 degree days here in Texas keep us looking for ways to stay cool. Did you know that all of the foods you eat either have heating or cooling properties? They do! And I am not referring to the temperature you eat them at (cooked or raw) but the effect they have on your body once they have been digested...although typically in the summer our bodies can handle more raw uncooked foods than other times of the year. Fresh is best! When the temperature picks up outside, consider increasing your intake of cooling foods to keep your beautiful body balanced. Today I am going to tell you about three cooling foods and three cooling herbs that might want to make their way into your grocery cart and your belly this summer!
Cucumber
Typically food that has a high water content (like cucumber) will be cooling + hydrating. Duh, right? Cucumbers are also anti-inflammatory, soothe your eyes, cool your liver and rejuvenate your skin. Choose organic or make sure to peel off the skin if you have to go with conventional like I often do around here.
Watermelon
Like cucumber, watermelon has a high water content (92% WOWZA!). It cools down the blood system + has a diuretic effect that flushes inflammation out of the urinary system. It is packed with Vitamin C + beta-carotene, making it marvelous for your sparkling eyes. To avoid bloating, make sure you eat it on its own, at least an hour away from other foods.
Dandelion Greens
Most leafy greens (except spinach and mustard greens) are cooling. Dandelion greens flush heat + toxins out of the system, naturally cleansing our livers and gall bladders. They regulate blood sugar levels and reduce water retention. Too much can dry ya right out, so don’t overdo it!
Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are great to nibble on before + after meals to perk up your taste buds, stimulate your digestive processes and freshen breath. They reduce: gas, bloating, acid reflux, nausea, muscle spasms, pain and congestion. Their cooling nature calms the mind and detoxifies blood.
Mint
All mint is cooling and peppermint is usually the easiest to find. Peppermint is great for any sort of upset stomach as it cools and soothes the muscle tissues around the digestive tract. It is great at clearing all sorts of stagnation in our body, even emotional stagnation!
Cilantro
Cilantro is my favorite cooling herb and luckily it is so easy to grow! I use it as a garnish on almost everything during the summer + toss a handful into my smoothies and juices on the regular. It cools all of our tissues and soothes inflammation throughout the body. It burns toxins (Hello, awesome!) and aids in digestion.
Which will you be adding to your summer diet?
Stay cool, friends + happy summer! xo Lacy
