Ayurveda is the Science of Living Well. Ayurveda is a natural way to prevent (not cure) disease and increase vitality and longevity with methods such as daily routine, food, exercise, yoga, mediation, herbs, etc. To live an Ayurvedic Lifestyle is to live in balance with your nature (Dosha), the seasons, the time of day, and the season of you life right now.

We’re entering into Summer, which is the Pitta time of year. Pitta = Fire! It’s time for more cooling routines, exercises, and foods to help you avoid feeling burnt out.

The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda clearly states that if you do not change your diet, no other intervention you try will be successful. So let’s start there!

Cooling Foods for Summer: Favor the sweet taste and avoid salty, sour, pungent (spicy), sour (including vinegar and fermented foods). Create a peaceful environment for meal-time.

Grains to add: rice, cooked oats, tapioca

Grains to limit or avoid: amaranth, granola, white flour

Fruit to add: avocado, banana, berries, coconut, dates, figs, melons, oranges, mangos, watermelon

Fruit to limit or avoid: sour cherries, sour apples, grapefruit, pineapple, cranberries

Vegetables to add: asparagus, bell peppers, bok choy, kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, green beans, leafy greens, lettuce, mushrooms, zucchini, white or sweet potatoes, cucumber, spaghetti squash

Vegetables to limit or avoid: onions, tomatoes, eggplant, hot peppers, pumpkin

Beans to add: all

Nut & Seeds to add: coconut, sunflower, flax, hemp, pumpkin

Nuts & Seeds to limit or avoid: almonds, macadamia, pecans, pinenuts, peanuts, cashews, sesame, walnuts, poppy seeds

Oil & Fat to add: avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil

Oil & Fat to limit or avoid: peanut oil, sesame seed oil, mustard oil

Herbs/Spices to add: basil, dill, cilantro, coriander, mint, parsley, turmeric

Herbs/Spices to limit or avoid: anything hot/spicy, horseradish, garlic, nutmeg

Limit or avoid: ketchup, pickles, soy sauce, mustard, coffee

Add: mint tea, smoothies

Cooling Exercises and Routines

Yoga: Slow Flow, Yin, Restorative. This is not the season for hot power yoga.

Pranayama: Alternate Nostril Breathing or Left Nostril Breathing.

Meditation: Metta (loving kindness), Nidra, meditate on letting go of control, surrender, forgiveness, or being open and receptive.

Exercise: walking in nature, yoga, swimming, Tai Chi. Whatever you do, don’t over do it and avoid competition.

Other: surround yourself with cool colors (blue, green, white), listen to calming music, rest so you don’t burn out, laugh and smile more, take cool showers, use rosewater spray, and journal and reflect to get in touch with your emotions.

If you want to learn more about Ayurveda, check out the book Eat, Taste, Heal.

Want a printable download of the list of foods to add and avoid this summer? Email me and I’ll send it to you!

 

Related Posts:

Ayurveda: The Science of Living Well

Vata Balancing Foods, Exercises, and Daily Routines

Got Stress? 5 Tips to Reduce it

 

Alicia Cross is a Certified Personal Trainer, Accountability Coach, and Yoga Teacher with more than 18 years’ experience working with clients just like you. If you have questions, email Alicia@AliciaCrossTraining.com.

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