I love juice. I love fruit juices, veggie juices, you name it! It's so funny to me, how as the temperature changes and it gets hotter outside, my cravings switch. Our body is so amazing in how it naturally reacts and adjusts with our external environment. 

From an Ayurvedic perspective, summer time is the perfect for raw foods. Hot temperature outside naturally creates an increase in the pitta dosha in the body. And, when pitta increases, the desire for lighter foods increases. 

This makes summer the best time to enjoy the salads and juices. Below, I've listed 3 great juice combinations to enjoy whether at home or at your local juicery.

One thing to note is that if you feel as though your digestion is a little low, it's important to add in a few warming spices to ensure proper digestion. Raw foods (juices included) can be hard for the GI tract to process (contrary to popular belief), leading to indigestion, bloating, and gas. Adding a little ginger or turmeric is a great way to combat those effects.

Juice One:
Celery, Cucumber, Lime, Mint, Fresh Ginger
Benefits: HYDRATION! Cucumber is a GREAT way to stay hydrated all summer long. Heat can be drying to our systems, even if we live in a humid environment. If we don't have proper hydration, then our internal systems don't have what they need to function appropriately. It's easy to say, but hard to remember--our bodies are 70%+ water! It needs water--not sodas or coffee. The other benefit to this one is that it chalk-full of cooling veggies. Ice isn't the answer to cooling our systems down. Using food and drinks that are cooling in nature are. 

Juice Two:
Beets, Carrots, Apples, Turmeric
Benefits: All 4 of these plants work directly on the liver to help cleanse and detox it. In Ayurveda, the liver is the seat of pitta. Remember, pitta is the energy of the summer. We need to help our liver (who, by the way does SO. MUCH. for our bodies), by helping release the heat and get things moving. One really easy rule in Ayurveda to remember, is if the color matches it, more than likely it will help that thing in your body. So, beets=red, blood=red, thus beets=blood. Easy! 

Juice Three:
Papaya, Mango, Carrot, Turmeric, Fresh Ginger
Benefits: papaya is a great fruit known for its digestive enzymes, This juice comes out a little thick, so it can be a little heavier than the other ones. Be aware that it can be slightly on the heating side, but the taste will be second to none. Mango is a great fruit for its mineral content (including zinc, magnesium, and potassium). All of the ingredients are a great source of beta-carotene, which is a great antioxidant for the body. This juice really can be great as a breakfast or dessert replacement! 


A few notes before we leave:

1. Remember, juice is still considered a raw food. Raw foods don't do well for many people, causing bloating and indigestion. Play around with these before committing to a full-on juice diet or raw food diet. 
2. It's best not to have juices with other meals. Have it as an afternoon snack, or by itself all together. This will help in making sure it digests properly. 
3. Have fun! Play around in the kitchen with different ingredients. Let your creative side loose. Don't let rules stress you out. Find what works for you! 

​Happy Summer Juicing Everyone! 

Dates. I'm not talking about the activity you go on Saturday nights with your lover. I'm talking about the sweet, juicy, unctuous little fruits that are to die for. 

Let me keep it real, real quick. I used to not like dates. I thought they were weird and didn't taste so good. Until Ayurveda. I just realized I was eating the wrong kinds! Anyway, let's get back to the dates. 

Dates. They are revered in Ayurveda to be filled with ojas. Ojas? Well, ojas is the subtle essence of kapha. Ojas is what gives us our immunity, and keeps our bodies healthy and vibrant. It gives us suppleness, the ability to be tender and loving. It makes sure that all the moving parts in our body are a well-oiled machine.

It's important to nourish our ojas. There are different ways to do this. Food, being one of them. Dates are a great way to do this, because it has many of the same qualities as ojas--sweet, juicy, etc. Dates are also great for reducing vata and pitta. This shake is my go-to smoothie replacement. It's filling, nutritious, and I promise you a treat everyone will love. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole organic milk
• 6-7 dates (Pitted. I prefer medjool dates)
• 5 figs (I prefer Calimyrna figs)
• 10 almonds, (soaked overnight and the peels taken off)
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• Pinch of saffron
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• Pinch of cinnamon

Directions:
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend on medium speed, until all ingredients have been processed completely, and you are left with a smooth and creamy shake.

Alternatively, you can warm the milk, dates, and figs on the stove to soften them up a little for approximately 7 minutes. Then, combine all ingredients including the warm milk with dates in the blender, and blend until all the ingredients have been well incorporated. 

*Note: If possible, try to use organic, non-homogenized milk for the date shake. Also, you can switch out the dates for dried figs every now and then for some variety. Both are great ojas-promoters. You can also add in ½ -1 tbsp of Spirulina/Blue-Green Algae. The color will change to a pretty green, but you won’t be able to taste it at all.