Cool Me Down: Watermelon Smoothie

It's getting hot in herre' but your body doesn't have to!

Let's face it, DC's hot and muggy summers can be quite uncomfortable, particularly if you hate the heat, and/or if you are a west-coaster like myself (this AZ girl prefers the dry heat!). While I am grateful this this summer has been more mild and cooler than most summers, it can still get pretty hot at times. During hot months, it's great to eat more cooling and hydrating foods to keep you hydrated and balanced.

This is even more critical for someone like myself, whose body type tends to get overheated very quickly. According to my Ayurvedic Body Type-Pitta, I should avoid spicier (heating) foods and favor more cooling foods to keep me balanced. In my early 20's I never paid attention to how I felt, or how my body reacted when I ate certain foods. The last 6 years or so, I started to be more mindful about what I was putting in my body, as well as paying more attention to how my body felt after I ate certain foods. This has made a word of difference for me-its helped my skin, digestion and my energy significantly.

I created this smoothie in the spirit of those watermelon lovers, 'Pitta Peeps,' and anyone who wants something refreshing to them cool down this summer. The aromatic-spiciness of the fennel compliments the sweetness of the watermelon very well; then its topped with a touch of lime and mint to keep it cool and balanced.

Watermelon, Cucumber, Fennel and Mint Smoothie

• 1 1/2 cups of kale
• 1 1/2 cups of watermelon
• 1/2 cup of honeydew
• 1/4 cup of fennel
• 1 tablespoon of mint (2-4 leaves to taste)
• 1 cucumber
• 1/2 lime, squeezed
• 1 cup of coconut water
• Serving: One 16oz smoothie

For more on Doshas & Ayurvedic medicine, click here.

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