DIET & LIFESTYLE
DISCOVER HOW TO HEAL
While you enjoy summertime laziness, on the inside your body may be working hard to adapt to the heat. The hot dog days of summer pull your blood into your skin. Your cheeks get red and flushed and your heart beats faster. Just beneath the skin your capillaries are dilated and filled with blood so they can release heat and sweat through your pores. Your blood supply for other activities may be limited.
In summer keeping your body cool takes priority over eating & digestion. When the summertime heat is high, appetites are low. On a hot summer day you might not feel as hungry for lunch as in other seasons. Don't be alarmed. This is your body's natural, seasonal rhythm and can even help you lose weight. It takes a lot of blood, energy and fluids to digest a meal. When you eat in the summertime, you may not have enough blood to process your food. Summer may make your digestion as lazy as you feel.
Ice cream appears like the perfect refreshment on a hot summer day. However, the symptoms of summer blood deficiency are more apparent when your meal happens to be heavy and cold. On a hot day you simply may not have enough blood in your gut to digest ice-cream. If heavy food has depressed your digestion, you may experience mild nausea and soft stools or diarrhea soon after, often containing visibly undigested food. Summer Midday AppetiteListen to your body and choose lighter, easier to digest fare, with fewer heavy proteins and grains, favoring vegetables and fruit. Instead, move heavier and protein rich foods to the cool mornings. A light lunch in the summer can save you from a gauntlet of digestive problem such as bloating, gas, and loose stools. Be especially cautious if you have been sweating: you may be too dehydrated to produce enough stomach acid for a big meal.Favor cooling ingredients like cilantro & dark leafy greens. Fruits are a fun and healthy choice for snacks. Pomegranate juice with lime and salt is an excellent way to quench thirst in the afternoons. Avoid fatty meals in general, which can congest your blood.
About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language. STUDY AYURVEDA
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