In summer a lighter diet feels better, and it’s the perfect time for cool fresh locally produced food. Our own abundance of British fruits and vegetables are all good choices.
At this time of year , food with cool properties can clear heat, reduce toxins, and generate body fluids. Cooling foods tend to be green and some of the coolest are lettuce, cucumbers and watercress. Fish and seafood are also cooling and are particularly good on the barbecue (most meats are warming), while spicy foods, alcohol, or caffeine that all heat the system so should be reduced. Instead drink lots of clean, pure water or add lemon and cucumber and chill in the fridge. Steer away from dairy, heavy, greasy and fried foods.
Tonight we have liberated some monster courgettes and plum tomatoes from our local Middle Eastern food store in Shepherds Bush and made a garlic and herb infused pasta sauce served with penne and wild rocket and cucumber salad. Not quite as good as cooking up our own veg from the allotment which is currently about two months behind but still it feels like we’re tapping into summer at last here in West London!