FOODS THAT COOL YOUR BODY: watermelon, banana, pear, apple, tomato, persimmon, cantaloupe, all citrus, lettuce, radish, cucumber, celery, button mushroom, asparagus, Swiss chard, eggplant, spinach, summer squash, cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, zucchini, peppermint, dandelion greens and root, honeysuckle flowers, nettles, lemon balm, cilantro, marjoram, yogurt, kelp, seaweed, crab, clam, soy sprouts, tofu, millet, barley, and sprouts.
—from Paul Pitchford: Healing with Whole Foods, 2002, North Atlantic Books, page 62.
Summer, Sun, Vacation time . . .
Ahhh! Summer is upon us, and the pressures of the past school year have taken their toll. Nutrition has been on default mode, including fast, convenient, and easy-to-make foods. These old habits that we fall into when we are under stress promise “full-belly” and “comfort,” but really set us up to feel bad. I want to remind you that nutrition is the stepping-stone to feeling good. Research published recently claims that lower amounts of food lead to longer lives. Honestly, I love food, and I eat a lot of it. I just pick and choose carefully. I am so looking forward to watermelon season! Now that all the loquats are gone, the next wave of delicious fresh fruit is coming with peaches, nectarines, and watermelon. I usually wait for fruits produced in the United States, since our bodies are more likely to digest with ease what is in season near to where we live. Now that all the fresh veggies are going to drop in price, it is a great time to make big salads with vegetables in them, which gives them more “lasting time” before everyone gets hungry again.
Let’s commit to integrating REST into the summer schedule for ourselves, our kids, and our grandkids. In Mediterranean countries, it is classic to rest for an hour or two after lunch under an umbrella in the breeze by the ocean. Here, we can lounge on our back porches or balconies, or even in our beds. Listen to your body, when it says “HALT”: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. Take care of those immediate needs, and teach your children to do the same. Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you.
Check out the plethora (I just love this word, it means multitude) of free or low price exercise possibilities in this town. Go by your fantastic library, where they may offer great Yoga, Tai Chi, or Qi gong. Going for walks in the early morning before the heat sets in will keep the family dog and the whole family less frustrated and sedentary.
Know that if you have any questions that may be of interest to others, too, I would love to hear them; e-mail me at DrKate@MyVeroQuest.com.
