Written by John Immel, Asheville, NCJuly is prime summertime. School's out, vacation is on the horizon, the workload lightens - so many reasons to celebrate the freedom that summer invites! You will likely find yourself at more social gatherings this time of year. What better way to come together then to share food? This month we've put together a list of 10 recipes that are cooling, easy to make and perfect for pleasing a crowd.

Do you live in the Southern Hemisphere? You may need the 15 Ayurvedic Recipes for January instead.

Less Cooking, More Playing

No one wants to be in the kitchen long on a gorgeous summer's day. Our 10 recipes for July are quick to prepare, refreshing and easy to digest. Start your day by eating light - fresh fruit smoothies such as Watermelon Basil Smoothie or Banana Smoothie with Lime with Cardamom nourish your body without overwhelming digestion and only take a few minutes to prepare. Any extra smoothie can be made into ice pops for an afternoon treat.

As long as the heat ensues, digestion is weak. The body pushes blood to the extremities to keep you cool diverting it away from digestion. This leads to both a decrease in appetite and digestive capacity. It's ideal to listen to your gut and eat only when you are hungry. However, just being out in the heat depletes your body. Make a pitcher of Ginger Basil Limeade to sip on poolside. This revitalizing drink will replenish your stores of electrolytes which are easily depleted while sweating under the scorching summer sun. Pack along some sweet pea guacamole with baked chips, crackers or fresh veggies. Sweet peas balance the natural oiliness of avocado, while pungent raw onions and drying cumin create a kapha-friendly guacamole that is much lighter and easy to digest.

Save your heavier meals for the evening when the heat subsides. Eat an early dinner around 4 or 5 to ensure a good night's sleep. Raw zucchini noodles with basil avocado sauce are a great finish to a fun day. Summer is the best time of year to enjoy raw foods. Raw food offers nutritional benefits but is more difficult to digest, often causing gas and bloating. Among raw foods, zucchini and avocado are relatively easy to digest. Adding zesty lime and fragrant parsley to these raw foods further boosts your body's ability to digest and assimilate this uncooked dish. Raw food is also cooling, making it a great choice for July's intense heat.

Pitta Peaks

Being that July is the hottest month of the year, it is the most challenging time of year to keep Pitta in check. As the heat rises, so do tempers and inflammation. These recipes ensure you will keep your cool while feeling as imbued with life as the landscape. Fresh and crunchy summer squash arugula salad celebrates all that your farmer's market has to offer. In the hot dog days of summer, crunchy greens and veggies seem to wake you while tomato's juiciness revive you. The bitter orange zest in this light dressing adds a vivacious flare to the mix.

Ever notice how tropical countries have a plethora of spicy cuisine? That's because spices like cayenne, jalapeno and red pepper can actually cool you down. Initially, they warm the internal organs and stimulate blood flow. Blood carries heat. As it circulates to the periphery of the body, heat can be released through the sweat glands which ultimately cools you down. Hence, vegan cauliflower hot wings are on the menu for July. They make a great addition to any barbecue and are devoured by vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

A Month of Transition

Early July is damp and the hottest of hots. As the month progresses, you'll notice the humidity subsides. It's important that your diet reflect the seasonal changes happening around you. As July comes to a close, moistening and slightly heavier foods are in order. Grace your grill with salmon quinoa burgers come late July. Salmon, rich in proteins and healthy fats, blends with quinoa for a strengthening, protein filled meal. Quinoa is rich in iron and magnesium - both of which are easily depleted in the heat of summer - and therefore restores strength to deficient blood. Juicy Omega 3's makes these ideal for the impending dry weather.

Cooling and demulcent lemon saffron tapioca pudding makes a perfect evening snack in late July. The heat of summer and sweating seems to sap your strength, tax your blood sugar, and deplete vital electrolytes. Late summer and early fall tend to be astringent and dry. The richness of tapioca and coconut milk restores sweetness and oileyness to your blood, bringing your energy levels back. Lemon's sourness restores juiciness to a dried out system. This dish takes a bit more time to prepare, but is well worth the effort!

Drink:
	Ginger Basil Limeade
Breakfast:
	Watermelon & Basil Smoothie
	Banana Smoothie with Lime and Cardamom
Sides:
	Sweet Pea Guacamole
	Summer Squash Arugula Salad
Lunch/ Dinner:
	Vegan Cauliflower Hot Wings
	Salmon Quinoa Burger
	Raw Zucchini Noodles with Basil & Avocado Sauce
	Avocado Vegetable Sushi Roll
Dessert:
	Lemon & Saffron Tapioca Pudding

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