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There's lots to do in the summer. Longer days invite us to socialize more and we often get into the spirit of things with "crazy", rich, and snacky foods and alcoholic drink.
But here's the rub? Do you think your metabolism increases in the summer with all the heat? Actually the opposite is true. The human physiology is built on the principle of homeostasis. One of the highest orders of human homeostasis is body temperature. So when the internal temperature rises, the body needs to cool immediately. Slowing metabolism is one of the first strategies the body uses to adapt to heat.
Not only does our metabolism slow, but our digestive process is even less effective because our stomach acid reduces to avoid risk of overheating. This can all add up to unwanted, and sometimes surprising, weight gain.
If you can keep the your body internally cooler, your metabolism won't slow as much and your stomach acid will be sufficient. So here are some cool tips for you to keep the heat of summer at bay so our Pitta stays balanced and our metabolism stays strong.
Live with radiant intention and be well. Rhonda
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ΩSummer Tips to Maintain Metabolism
Keep yourself cool inside so that your metabolism does not need to slow down. 
- If you are going to eat hard to digest foods like burgers, pizza, french fries, and nachos, eat them at midday and eat less. At any rate, your largest meal should be midday to allow a slower metabolism the time it needs.
- Alcohol increases heat, so easy does it.
- Eat less meat and more fruits and vegetables. Small amounts of raw food [i.e. lettuce, not raw carrots] are okay, but lightly cooked is more digestible.
 - Coconut oil and coconut water are cooling. Ghee [clarified butter] is also cooling.
- Throughout the day sip the Ayurveda digestive tea made from 1/2 tsp fennel, 1/4 tsp cumin, and 1/4 tsp coriander seeds, but let it cool to room temperature first. Or drink cool, not ice cold mint tea.
- Eat fully ripe sweet, juicy fruits like melons, grapes, pears, mangoes, and cherries.
- Favor cooling vegetables such as cucumber, asparagus, broccoli, peas, greens, and zucchini.
- Cook with cooling spices like fennel, mint, and coriander. Avoid heating spices like cayenne, radishes, and garlic.
- Favor foods that are liquidy and cool or lukewarm, rather than dry, hot foods.
- Irritability can increase in the summer and fiery emotions can disrupt digestion, so b..r..e..a..t..h..e. See another point of view.
- Toxins create heat and inflammation, so choose organic when you can.
I think you get the idea...keep it cool. Enjoy your summer but keep these tips in mind.
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Keep your Cool!
Summer is the Pitta season in Ayurveda. Pitta is the dosha of fire so we want to keep our Pitta pacified by being cool. Here are some tips for pacifying Pitta:
- Spend time in nature
- Meditate daily
- Surround yourself with cooling colors like blue, green, and white
- Use cilantro and mint in your meals...very cooling herbs.
- Learn to appreciate others
 - Use cooling,calming aromatherapy oils like rose and sandalwood
- Take time to rest
- Laugh and smile more often.
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is the tendency of biological systems to maintain relatively constant conditions in the internal environment while continuously interacting with and adjusting to changes originating within or outside the system.
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Rhonda Egidio Ph.D., R.A.P., [Registered Ayurveda Professional] provides Ayurvedic assessments of primary health, diet, sleep, and lifestyle concerns and offers Ayurvedic recommendations. It's a wise idea to obtain a baseline assessment to help you customize Ayurveda knowledge to your particular needs. Check out assessment and session options.
Dr. Rhonda Egidio, 269-345-2991
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Classes offered by Dr. Rhonda Egidio will resume in the fall. Stay tuned.
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Ayurveda information shared here is for general educational purposes and is not intended to substitute for medical or psychological advice. Please consult with a qualified medical professional in these matters.
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Watermelon Mint Smoothie
2-3 cups diced seeded watermelon
4-5 fresh mint leaves, washed
1 sprig of fresh mint for garnish
Blend the watermelon and mint leaves to a smooth purée and serve cool, garnished with the sprig of fresh mint. from MAPI
Note: Watermelon is cooling but is not hydrating. It is a diuretic that flushes the kidneys. So also drink water 30 minutes before or after.
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Stand By Me
by Tracy Chapman
With recent shocking events here and abroad, Tracy Chapman's singing of Stand by Me is soul touching. Let's stand together. Listen here
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More Free Guides
from Banyan Botanicals
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Mint Coconut Sauce
Grilling some veggies? Put them on top of some rice and add this sauce.
2 Tbsp ghee (or butter)
1Tbsp chickpea flour
2 Tbsp mild curry
1+1/2 C organic coconut milk
3 Tbsp plain yogurt
salt and pepper to taste.
Heat the ghee in a saucepan over medium low heat. Add flour and stir whisk to make a paste. Cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Add the curry powder and strir2 minutes more.
Whisking continuously slowly pour in the coconut milk. Continue whisking until creamy. Remove from heat. Whisk in yogurt and mint leaves. Salt and pepper.
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Coconut Oil
for Skin and Hair.
It's easy. Just use
organic coconut oil
daily on your skin to moisturize and nourish.
Coconut oil cools excess body heat and soothes dry skin from eczema, psoriasis, and sunburn.
Some say that just plain coconut oil is a good sunscreen.
Put a little bit of coconut oil on your hair before you wash it to protect your hair.
Cooking with coconut oil is great...especially in the summer.
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