Cool the Fires of Summer Heat in the Body!

Lifestyle Tips As We Come To the End of Summer

It’s very common for our bodies to accumulate heat during the summer months, especially if we haven’t taken previous measures to counteract the heat and dryness inherent in our Colorado summers…  

Don’t despair, these tips may help:

·       Hydrate!  And eat cooling, moist foods (cucumbers, watermelon, fennel, yogurt, avocado). This will counteract the heat of summer that has accumulated in our bodies and may be waking you up at 2 am in the morning…

·       Massage your body with oil each day. New research suggests that massaging the body with oils may support the health and diversity of the skins microbes as well as the health and radiance of the skin (from Lifespa.com).  With our cool nights, you may occasionally want to transition from Coconut to Sunflower or Avocado oil now, or even begin add in some sesame oil to your blend.  I custom make calming blends of massage oils tailored just for you. Just ask…

·       Slow, steady efforts combined with conscious breathing are appropriate now – you’re best working at a pace that allows you to breathe smoothly when engaged in activities such as gardening, hiking, bicycling, and even or swimming, as well as when practicing yoga at this time of year.  This will help to keep you from taking on unnecessary heat now.

Would you like a fun way to add more cucumbers to your diet? 
Try this yummy recipe for Cucumber Salad from my friend Ilona Steur-Smith.

Cucumber salad

2 English Cucumbers (without seeds); or if using regular cucumbers, scoop out seeds

Dressing:

4    T   Safflower or Grape Seed Oil (avoid Canola Oil: it is hard to digest, and most are GMO; and Olive Oil is too strong a flavor for this dish)

The juice of 1 lemon

1    T   Apple Cider vinegar

1/2  - 1 t   Salt (to taste, use less with Pitta Provocation)

1/4  t   White Pepper

1    T   Dried Dill Weed

2    T   Agave Syrup

1.  Slice cucumber & place in glass bowl.

2.  Mix all dressing ingredients and whisk for 1 minute. Pour over sliced cucumber.

3.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hr.

4. Enjoy!       Bon appetite!

These tips are offered out of love, to support you in feeling your best as we come to the end of the summer season.  Please contact me with any questions, or share comments here.

Namaste,  Sharon Harvey-Alexander, E-RYT
Yoga Therapist, Wellness Consultant, and Public Speaker

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