Summer Cool Down: Tips & Recipes to Beat the Heat

We‚re officially entering the dog days of summer ‚ the particularly sultry days from late July to late August. And try as you might to keep your cool, you‚re feeling hot, hot, hot. Today on the Vibrant Health blog, we‚re sharing our top tips & tricks to beat the summer heat ‚ including some of our favorite cooling summer recipes. Tips & Tricks to Beat the Summer Heat

1. Stay Hydrated
2. Opt for Cooling Water-Packed Foods
3. Limit Your Alcoholic Beverages (and Caffeine)
4. Opt for Raw and No-Cook Foods
5. Practice Cooling Breathwork and Gentle Exercise

Stay Hydrated Proper hydration has been associated with skin, joint, heart and brain health ‚ and it can also help to maintain a healthy gut. Different lifestyle factors can play a role in how much water you need as we‚re all different, but aim to stay hydrated throughout the day (don‚t let yourself get too thirsty) and for your urine to be colorless or a pale yellow. Our go-to hydrating summer beverages to quench your thirst: plain ol‚ H2O and coconut water. Invest in a reusable water bottle to remind yourself to keep the hydration flowing throughout the day! Opt for Cooling Water-Packed Foods You all know staying hydrated is super important, but it‚s not just about guzzling the H2O all day long. You can also keep your cool by choosing water-packed fruits and veggies, like watermelon, cucumber, greens, berries, and celery ‚ many of which are in season this summer. Win, win! Limit Your Alcoholic Beverages (and Caffeine) During the dog days of summer, it‚s smart to keep your alcoholic beverages to a minimum. Sorry to break it to you, but that means it‚s probably best to stick to just one round of watermelon margs! Here‚s the thing: if you‚re already feeling the heat, alcohol can actually exacerbate it. According to Flushing Hospital Medical Center, consuming alcohol in warm weather may cause increased sweating and urination, which could lead to dehydration. And while your body temperature may not actually change, drinking alcohol can make your body think it‚s even hotter. The bottom line: if you do choose to have an adult beverage, hydrate in between, dilute your drink with coconut water or seltzer, or stick to a refreshing mocktail. (Side note: You‚ll also want to limit caffeinated beverages, which act as a natural diuretic and can promote dehydration.) Opt for Raw and No-Cook Foods If you can‚t take the heat, get out of the kitchen ‚ or at least back away from the oven! Keep your cool by choosing raw, no-bake recipes like smoothies, cold soups, salads and overnight oats. Prioritize in-season fruits and veggies, and check out some of our favorite cooling summer recipes below! Practice Cooling Breathwork and Gentle Exercise According to The Chopra Center, one Ayurvedic tip you can try this summer to keep your cool: breathwork (or Pranayama). Try this Lunar Pranayama, which alternates breathing through each nostril intended to cool the body down. You can also incorporate mindful meditation exercises and gentle movement like Restorative Yoga into your summer routine. 10 Cooling Summer Recipes You‚ll Love

1. Gazpacho
2. Cucumber Pineapple Flax Smoothie
3. Pineapple Coconut Smoothie
4. Delightful Green Smoothie Bowl
5. Thai Peanut Noodle Salad
6. Watermelon Tomato Salad
7. Simple Blueberry Overnight Oats
8. Blueberry Superfood Ice Pops
9. Matcha Nice Cream
10. Mediterranean Tomato & Feta Dip

1. Gazpacho You‚re likely not craving a hot bowl of soup or stew this time of year, but what about a chilled alternative? That‚s where gazpacho comes into play ‚ a cooling summer favorite blending together seasonal produce items like tomatoes and cucumber. Get the recipe here! 2. Cucumber Pineapple Flax Smoothie This refreshing smoothie is a summer hit! It brings together seasonal produce favorites ‚ pineapple and cucumbers ‚ kicked up a notch with our Digestive Vibrance for a healthy dose of probiotics! Get the recipe here! 3. Pineapple Coconut Smoothie You‚ll feel like you‚re on a tropical island with this green smoothie bringing together flavors of citrus, pineapple and coconut. It‚s made with a scoop of our Green Vibrance superfood powder ‚ packed with probiotics, fiber and micronutrients! Get the recipe here! 4. Delightful Green Smoothie Bowl Shake up your usual smoothie with this delightful green smoothie bowl. You‚ll start your day off on an energizing note with this superfood bowl ‚ packed with fresh fruit, almond milk, vanilla yogurt, chia seeds and a scoop of Green Vibrance. We love topping our bowls with plant-based fixings like granola, shredded coconut, extra chia seeds, sunflower seeds, and berries! Get the recipe here! 5. Thai Peanut Noodle Salad This Thai noodle salad will be a hit on your lunch menu rotation this summer! Served cold, this zesty dish combines crunchy veggies, rice noodles and a refreshing garlicky peanut ginger dressing for a delicious summer meal. Get the recipe here! 6. Watermelon Tomato Salad Spice things up in the kitchen with this zesty take on a summer favorite! The salad brings together colorful seasonal ingredients like heirloom tomatoes, hydrating watermelon and avocado, topped off with a tamari lime dressing. The jalapeos give it just the right amount of kick! Get the recipe here! 7. Simple Blueberry Overnight Oats Switch up your usual bowl of oatmeal for its cooling cousin ‚ overnight oats! You‚ll love this two-minute recipe featuring seasonal blueberries and superfood toppings. Breakfast is served in a pinch! Get the recipe here! 8. Blueberry Superfood Ice Pops Take a walk down memory lane with this healthy take on your favorite childhood summer treat! These blueberry ice pops are absolutely delicious with just the right amount of sweetness from the banana and fresh fruit. Plus they‚ll help you get through those long, hot summer days with an energizing boost from our Green Vibrance powder! Get the recipe here! 9. Matcha Nice Cream This Matcha ‚úNice Cream‚ù is a delicious plant-based alternative to your favorite summer treat! A scoop of our Green Vibrance Matcha Tea gives you that matcha flavor you know and love, with added benefits of probiotics, antioxidants and micronutrients. Get the recipe here! 10. Mediterranean Tomato & Feta Dip No bake, no problem! This no-cook salty and savory dip combines cherry tomatoes, olives, citrus, herbs and feta cheese for a delightful summer party app. Serve it up with fresh veggies, pita wedges or your favorite crackers! Get the recipe here! Let us know how you‚re keeping cool this summer by tagging us @VibrantHealth on social! DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a competent health care professional. You should not use this information in diagnosing or treating a health problem. No claim or opinion in this blog is intended to be, nor should be construed to be, medical advice. If you are now taking any drugs, prescribed or not, or have a medical condition, please consult a competent physician who is aware of herb/drug interactions before taking any herbal supplements. The information presented herein has not been evaluated by the FDA or the Department of Health and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure, mitigate or treat any disease or illness.