Heatwave

As much of the USA is enjoying a heatwave this week, let's talk a bit about keeping cool when it is so hot. A heatwave is the expression of extreme yang force so as we said, we have to apply yin force to the body to balance the yang force from the weather. So, your impulse to grill out your food is not the best way to keep cool. Grilling is an extreme yang style of cooking and the meat that you cook on the grill will simply make you hotter because it is an extreme yang food.

In order to keep cool you need to increase your intake of yin foods which are close to the center. These foods will include raw vegetables such as salads, carrot sticks, celery, cucumber, radishes, and other vegetables. Lightly cooked vegetables are also cooling so Chinese cabbage blanched in boiling water for a minute and then cooled can be refreshing. Steamed kale and collard greens are also great. Fruit is also cooling. The bigger the fruit or vegetable, the more yin it is. Watermelon and other melons are effective in cooling the body. Avoid fried foods and salty foods as they are heat producing. Grains and beans may be taken at room temperature or out of the refrigerator. Nothing like a cold bean sandwich on a hot day.

Here is one thing I like on a hot day. I put about three quarters of a cup of liquid in the blender. I add a small apple, quartered and cored. I add some frozen blueberries and about 3 or 4 leaves of kale which has been steamed for a minute or two. I blend this all together and adjust the liquid to the correct consistency so it is not too thick. This smoothy is great on a hot day and is a great way to eat greens with a little sweetness.

Stay cool.

Thanks for reading.