Simple Ideas To Beat The Heat This Summer

With the dog days of summer upon us, here are a few tips to stay comfortable in the summer heat & humidity.

1) According to Traditional Chinese Medicine nutrition, apple juice cools “summer heat”.  A refreshing glass of 50/50 unsweetened apple juice and sparkling water will go a long way to cooling you down in the summer heat.  For a different twist, float some of your favorite frozen fruits in the spritzer.  My favorites are: frozen whole grapes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries ,sliced peaches, nectarines, kiwi or balls of melons and papaya.

2) Adding sliced cucumbers & steamed corn kernels cut off the cob to your salads is another TCM tip to cool “summer heat”.

3) Leftover chilled pasta or red potatoes can also be added to your salads for a lighter change from the usual lunch sandwich.

4) Make a frozen fruit smoothie for breakfast instead of cereal on those really warm days.  I like to blend a medley of frozen fruits with either plain unsweetened yogurt or unsweetened coconut milk.  If you prefer a more intense sweet taste, use a bit of stevia powder when you blend.

5) Frozen “fruitsicles” are quick and easy to make.  Simply start with the above smoothie recipe & pour into popsicle molds or small paper cups with a stick inserted..then freeze for later.  I make a double recipe in the morning so I can make a batch of “fruitsicles” for later.

6) Have aloe gel or juice on hand in your frig to help sooth sunburns or take the itch out of insect bites.

7) Remember to keep your water intake up, especially when drinking alcohol to prevent dehydration.  Adding a slice of lemon or lime will make it easier to keep your target amount high.

8) Increasing your salad & raw veggies  will help keep you in tune during the heat of summer.

9) On those really warm nights, make yourself an omelette filled with leftover steamed or grilled veggies like asparagus, summer squashes,  zucchini, mushrooms and or green beans with maybe a side of  grilled sourdough bread.

A VOTRE SANTE….

Kaaren

Gluten & Dairy Free Substitutes…Summer Holiday Favorites

With Memorial Day weekend almost upon us, closely followed by July Fourth celebrations, here are some healthy substitutes for summer time favorites to help keep you on track.

Everyone loves to indulge in ice cream and & fruit shortcakes at summer bar-b-ques, but if you are gluten & dairy intolerant, the summer celebrations can be a challenge.

If you have been invited to a party, bringing your own special contribution to the meal is usually welcomed by your hosts.  When throwing your own celebration, you can always have the traditional fare and offer some alternative dishes for both you & your guests.

Both “Soo Delicious” & “Pure Decadence”  offer a variety of  wonderful coconut milk/agave sweetened ice cream substitutes.  My husband, who is an ice cream connisseur, actually prefers “Pure Decadence” to ice cream.  If you can handle rice based products, “Rice Dream” makes a killer mint chocolate chip ice cream along with carob/chocolate coated “rice cream” bars.  I really like these!!

You can easily make your own shortcakes in less than 30 minutes by substituting any gluten-free baking/biscuit mix for the flour in a traditional shortcakes recipe.  Just top the short cakes with your favorite sliced fruit marinated in frozen unsweetened orange or apple juice concentrate.  Fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches  nectarines are great toppers.  We like to do combinations of fresh seasonal fruits.  Gild the lily with a scoop of any of the above ice cream substitutes.

To kick grilled chicken or fish up a notch, simply marinate for a few hours in “Sis Meliss”  gluten, soy & sweetner free Balsamic Vinaigrette.

For amazing grilled veggies, marinate in the same “Sis Meliss” vinaigrette.  Some super veggies to grill are any of the summer squashes, asparagus, artichoke hearts, zucchini & mushrooms.  Be sure to make a lot because guests usually go back for seconds & thirds.  If there are any leftovers, just toss into some cooked pasta for a tasty pasta salad.

Red potatoes halved & tossed in olive oil with some Spice Hunter or Frontier Pizza blend are a nice side dish.

For a refreshing spritzer, mix your favorite unsweetened fruit juice with sparkling water.  Float a few sliced strawberries with a slice of lemon or lime in each glass for some flair.  If you freeze the fruit slices it will keep a large punch bowl of this spritzer cool for hours without the diluting factor of ice cubes.

Some simple treats to beat the heat around the pool are a selection of sliced frozen & cubed fresh fruits.  Whole grapes, sliced oranges, pineapple, mango, nectarines, kiwi, strawberries, & peaches work well, along with cubed melons.

Remember to keep your water intake up during the summer months especially if you have imbibed in alcoholic beverages..as well as your low starch veggies.

A Votre Sante……

Kaaren

Spring Cleaning Part II

With the Spring equinox just past & warmer weather approaching, it’s a good time to start “spring cleaning” for your body.

This does not have to be in the form of a strict extended water or juice fast, but instead a more gentle, supportive approach to rid your body of winter accumulations.

1) Start by taking a day or 2…or 3 off your usual routine to begin a short Bieler’s Soup fast. Every hour or so, have a cup of Bieler’s Soup either hot or cold. You may add a squeeze of lemon or lime using any of your favorite herbs/spices for flavoring. Just avoid adding salt.

2) Make sure to drink at least 6-8, 8 oz. glasses of pure water (not tap) throughout the day to assist in cleansing.

3) For additional benefits, Art of Health’s “Deep Nourishment” or “Soothing Comfort” teas are not only delicious, but restorative. I like mine with a bit of stevia added either hot or cold.

4) A daily bath with 8 oz. of Epsom salts & a few drops of lavendar or chammomile essential oils will help you to relax, restore balance to the cental nervous system & assist the detox through the skin.

5) Some form of mild excercise such as restorative yoga,lwalking, or swimming is best during the fast so as not to tax your body.

6) Go onto my website & use some of the Natural Self Care Healing tools for a few minutes a day. Jin Shin Jyutsu self care is an amazingly simple, but powerful natural healing tool.

After the fast, go back to a health supportive eating plan as outlined in “Eat Your Way To Health”.

If you find yourself experiencing “build up” symptoms during the short fast such as mild headaches, body aches, low energy, or skin erruptions during the “spring cleaning”, this will usually pass in 2-3 days. Using the Jin Shin Jyutsu & daily baths will help to alleviate cleansing symptoms.

Of course, if these symptoms persist or worsen in the days following the fast, you may need to enlist the help of a holistic health care or medical practitioner to sort things out.

Stay tuned for more tips to create optimal health next month.

Kaaren