Last week I offered a free class on Summer Ayurveda: Wellness for Hot Times, with simple tools to stay cool through Pitta season.
As part of that class I offered a short list of cooling summer foods, plus a unique recipe for a simple summer lunch, which I’d like to share with you here. I hope it brings you soothing, sumptuous ease.
Summer Foods
Summer Squash
Buttery Greens
Cruciferous
Rice, Buckwheat, Millet
Legumes
Pumpkin, Sunflower Seeds
Stone Fruits & Berries
Melons and Tropical Fruits
Coconut Oil, Lime, Lime Zest
Herbs: Mint, Dill, Cilantro
Summer Noodle Bowl
You will notice that for the noodle bowl there are no amounts listed. The idea is to make 2 servings, according to your own taste and needs. I like the Rice Ramen from Lotus Foods, and cooked up just one of the 4 “cakes” from the package, which was more than plenty. Udon noodles or buckwheat noodles would also be good.
Ingredients
Rice Noodles, cooked
Zucchini Noodles
Peas
Cabbage, sliced
Pumpkin or sunflower seeds
Options: Snap peas or Cucumbers julienned; Bok choy, lightly steamed; Celery, minced
Dressing
2 T Almond Butter
1 Lime, zest + juice
2 T Coconut Aminos
2 T Veg Broth
2 t ACV
2 t olive oil
Serve with: Mint, Dill, Herbed Salt, extra lime
Instructions
Whisk together the dressing ingredients, cover and set aside. Toss the rice noodles while still warm with the zucchini noodles, peas, cabbage, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, and any optional add-in. Stir in the dressing to coat. Top with herbs, optionally an extra squeeze of lime, salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Here is the Replay of the Summer Ayurveda Webinar Replay with class slides if you would like more information on keeping cool this season, or any seaosn of you are more of a Pitta Prakriti.
Pollinator Love
Speaking of balance and wellness, I’ve recently learned that monarchs are on the endangered species list, which is sad, but also very worrying. I have monarchs and other butterflies all around my garden because years ago I was given Milkweed seeds to plant (in honor of a dear boy who loved butterflies) and they’ve grown and spread, self-seeding in the most delightful ways. I want everyone to live in a field of magic monarchs, and to help their species flourish again, so I am offering to mail to anyone in the U.S. a small packet of Milkweed seeds, if you promise to plant them. Simply comment below to let me know.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED, BUT PLEASE FOLLOW AS I OFFER GIVEAWAYS MONTHLY.
Thank you and lots of love!
Perfect timing for me to win a milkweed giveaway: I just moved into a new home and have tons of landscaping to do. I’ve been planning to put in milkweed and other pollinators, so this would get me started.
Fantastic Abbe. I am so excited. I will send you extra! Thanks.
Thank you Laura! I would love some milkweed seeds as I now have a new yard with plenty of space for a milkweed patch. Thank you so much for sharing your seeds! FYI I am in the Puget Sound area of Washington state.
A whole milkweed patch, terrific! I will send more then. Please look for an email from me for you mailing address. Thank you.
Wow, that is so generous about the milkweed seeds! I’d happily plant some in my yard in Massachusetts. Do you have any tips for planting them?
Also, love the summer noodle dishes!
Hello! You know, I haven’t seen milkweed back east though I know it grows in the midwest. I guess we will have to google 😉 Thank you!
I just found this online – https://birdwatchinghq.com/milkweed-in-massachusetts/
Hi 👋🏼
I would love a packet of milk weed seeds! I promise to plant them in my flower bed. I live in a 55+ community and I’m sure my nieghbors will all enjoy seeing the beautiful butterflies 🦋 Please send them real soon to:
Thanks 😊
I watched a show last night about butterflies and they suggested we plant milkweed as a way to help the struggling butterfly population. So I just hopped online to read my email and then look for a place to purchase milkweed. What a pleasant surprise to find your generous offer. Talk about perfect timing!! 🙂
Wow, that is great timing! I love that. I am glad the word is getting out. Plus, milkweed is so beautiful. Thanks!
Hi, Laura, what a lovely offer with the milkweed seeds! We just moved to Vista and have lots of gardening! I did buy one milkweed plant but it’s fairly a drop in the bucket. I would love some seeds. Thank you for your kindness!
Thank you Pamela. They are on their way. I hope you are able to get a nice swath of milkweed to gorw. It will be so beautiful, and such a delight for the butterlfies.
I would love to help the Monarchs, thank you so much for this sweet offer. My husband and I have two homes in Colorado. Denver and a mountain home, I will plant them at both.
How brilliant you are Cherie! Thank you.
I just moved to a place that is mostly cut back, trimmed and sprayed. I want to establish wildness here on my little plot of ground. At this time of year I see the trucks spraying roadsides with the poison that kills the milkweed. It used to be so plantiful all along the highways and backroads. Now it is mostly gone. I am heartbroken that the monarchs have no food. What can we do.. Continue to plant the nourishment for the creatures among us. I would love some milkweed seeds. thank you for your offering.
I am sorry to hear this. It hurts the heart to see nature cut and poisoned like that.
Yes, we can continue to nourish, and I’ve seen quite a comeback of the monarchs here, where roundup is now banned and so many in our community have planeted milkweed. Hopefully it will spread and grow, thanks to good poeple like you.
Thank you!
I live in Jacksonville, Florida and I am not sure if we have indigenous milkweed but am sure if we do then it is certainly mowed down by the maintenance practices. I have purchased milkweed seasonally and have seen new monarchs emerging from their crystals, such a joy! I will definitely plant the seeds and will loving tend to their well-being.
I am not sure either but I will look it up and send you something as native as we can get. I love your appreciation for the milkweed and their butterflies! Thank you.
Hi Sandra, I’ve emailed you. Please check your junk folders. Thank you!