Did you know that some of the most ancient and respected healing modalities place an importance on the heating or cooling qualities of certain foods? And it doesn’t relate to the temperature in which you serve it.
In Chinese Medicine, each food is categorised into 5 sensations that relate to the effect it has on your body. For example, tea can be consumed hot – but it is considered a cooling food.
In Ayurvedic Medicine, Avocados are cooling and Apricots are heating foods. In both Chinese and Ayurvedic philosophies, it is about balance and using foods to help you achieve that balance.
In Chinese Medicine cooling foods include:
Apple, Banana, Grapefruit, Watermelon, Strawberries, Pineapple, Pear, Kiwifruit, Lemons, Oranges, Lettuce, Sugar Cane, Star Fruit, Broccoli, Cauliflower & Zucchini to name a few.
3 Cool Recipes for a Hot Day
Fortunately, there are some delicious ways to beat the heat this summer, here are some recipes that taste great, have cooling properties and are pretty enough to serve up to guests for an afternoon soiree…
1. “Sexy” Water
Sexy water is super easy and so much sexier than normal water! Simply take a jug of your finest H2o, and add fine slices of cooling fruits and vegetables. Give them some time to infuse their goodness into the water and voila! Sexy water. Try fresh lime and cucumber. Or melon and mint. Experiment with different flavour combinations – or with whatever you have in the fridge.
Let it infuse for at least 20 minutes and top up with more water when it starts running low.
2. Fresh Juice
One of the easiest ways to get a nutritional burst of cooling foods is with freshly prepared juice. Have fun with combinations like:
Kiwifruit, cucumber & mint
Watermelon & grapefruit
Pineapple, mint and lemon
3. Fruit Crush
If you are feeling tropical, try a fruit crush which is simply fresh fruit blended with ice. Choose sweet fruits such as watermelon or pineapple for extra deliciousness. Simply drop the prepared fruit and ice into a high speed blender. Pour into tall glasses and enjoy!
Tip: If you have access to fresh sugar cane juice add some to your fruit crush blend for an extra sweet delight!
Enjoy the summer!
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