Refreshing Summer Foods and Easy Recipes to Beat the Heat

Summer Vegetables to Keep You Healthy and Cool

It never ceases to amaze me on how nature provides us with exactly what we need per season. Summer is the perfect example of this.

The sun is blazing, temperatures are soaring, and you're out there sweating just to water the flowers. As if a drop in hormones isn't enough for the menopausal woman, the summer heat adds fuel to the physiological inferno.

When we look to human behavior, we will see folks firing up the barbeque, splashing in the water, and seeking shade. We will also see laughter, fellowship, and fun!

Summer is a wonderful, celebratory time of year and nature shows up for the party with all the delicious berries, melons, and tomatoes to crunchy fresh cucumbers and beets.

So what are some whole, organic foods that can help keep you cool and hydrated this season?

Cooling Fruits:

Berries (Frozen or Fresh)

According to Chinese Medicine, berries are a cooling, alkaline food, and rich in anti-oxidants. Berries are also low glycemic for those with blood sugar issues.

Melon

What's a 4th of July with out slightly salted watermelon! This is a southern favorite and can be found on almost everyone's picnic table. I love dipping melon in chia seeds and hemp hearts to add fiber and omega fatty acids. This will slow down the fructose spike for those watching their "glucose" intake.

Oranges

An orange is my favorite hydrating snack that I carry with me when I'm riding my bike in summer heat. They are refreshing, rich in vitamin C, and bioflavanoids that keeps your immune system nice and strong. Since the "Covid" years, I've seen spikes after the fourth of July season. So keep your immune system strong with refreshing vitamin C...even in the summer.

Is It a Fruit? A Veggie? A Freggie or Vruit? ; )

Tomatoes

Cucumber

Raw bell peppers

Vegetables

Celery

Raw beets

Carrots

Lettuce

Zucchini

Fresh Herbs

Mint

Spearmint

Fresh Dill

Sage

Chamomile

Aloe

Lavender

Lemongrass

Fresh Rosemary

SUMMERTIME RECIPES

Keeping your salad dressing "cool":

2 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp fresh herb of choice. Pick one. (Dill, parsley, cilantro, rosemary)

1/4 tsp salt

Mexican/Spanish flare to your salad:

1 - 2 limes freshly squeezed 2 - 4 tbsp freshly chopped cilantro 2 tbsp olive oil

Salt, Pepper

1/2 fresh, raw bell pepper (go for orange to add color)

1/2 avocado

Raw corn (Take a knife to your corn on the cob, standing it on its end on the cutting board. Take your knife and cut downwards, toward the cutting board. The corn kernels will fall off). They are so refreshing, sweet, and crunchy this way.

Mediterranean Flare:

1-2 limes freshly squeezed

2 tbsp Olive Oil

2-3 tbsp of Fresh Dill

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

1/4 olives

Wild Caught Smoked Salmon

*You may add garbanzo beans but many people get bloated or gassy with these.

Dr. Lexi's Colorful Raw Bean Salad

1 Can Organic Black Beans

1 Can Organic Kidney Beans

1 Can Organic White bean of choice

Rinse the beans before placing in a large mixing bowl.

2 Corn on the Cobs - shaving off the corn kernels into the bowl.

1 Green Bell Pepper

1 Red Bell Pepper

1-2 avocados

2-3 limes freshly squeezed. (Taste before adding third lime)

Fresh Cilantro (1/2 - 1 cup chopped)

2 tbsp paprika

2 tbsp cumin

1 tbsp chili powder

Salt and pepper to taste.

Mix all together and enjoy!

Add some Siete' Chips and serve over mixed greens.

The beans provide plenty of protein and fiber. The raw veggies add a crisp refreshing taste that you'll love!

*You may add a Jalapeno pepper if you love spicey food AND you don't have acid reflux, which a large portion of the population does. Also --> this is supposed to be a cooling dish for summer. ; )

*You can also add Ro'Tel diced tomatoes, but watch the acid reflux! This contains all things inflammatory to the stomach lining. Just sayin'

Need to avoid anything in the ingredient list? Just don't put it in. Replace it with something else. Its your dish! Have fun with it.

Cool as a Cucumber Side Dish or Snack:

1 whole organic cucumber sliced.

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/4th cup fresh dill

Want to learn more about Whole Foods? I've put together a basic Whole Food course that teaches the basics about what a whole food actually is and why it matters. I go over grains, proteins, fats, and share healthy alternatives.

You can check it out here.

Basics to Whole Foods

Enjoy!

Dr. Lexi