4 Tips for An Ayurvedic Picnic
School’s back in session but summer weather is still here. One of my favorite summer activities is having a picnic at a concert in the park. I enjoy the combination of music, friends, laughter, and good food. If you’re incorporating Ayurvedic principles into your meals, you can make easy adjustments to your picnic favorites for a nourishing meal.
According to Ayurveda, we each have a unique ratio of the five elements–earth, air, water, fire, and space–inside our bodies. To live vibrantly, we must bring these elements into balance. Likewise, each season of the year is defined by the elements.
And for summer, fire and water elements take center stage–which means there is an excess of these elements. If you’re feeling irritated, impatient, itchy, or inflamed, you probably have a build-up of the fire element. In this post, I’ll talk about how to counterbalance the heat of summer fire by adjusting your picnic basket.
#1: Pack Cooling Foods
Look for foods with cooling properties, not necessarily “cold” foods. Cooling foods counterbalance the hot, oily, and sharp qualities of summer. Fruits and vegetables with high water content that are ripened by the sun and naturally sweet are great options. Let Mother Nature guide you and buy produce that’s in season and grown locally.
Here are some ideas for your picnic basket:
Melons
Berries
Cucumber
Bell peppers
Tomatoes
Apricots
Cherries
Zucchini
Add your favorite!
I also recommend these Ayurvedic Balance Bowls for a healthy summer dinner. I prep a variety of vegetables beforehand and let each person customize their own bowl!
#2: Decrease the 3 “S” Foods
The “S” foods are sour, salty, and spicy. These qualities correspond with the heat of summer and should be reduced. I know a lot of us grab chips, crackers, and salted nuts for picnic snacks but they don’t help you cool down. Try adding carrots or try jicama sticks to satisfy that desire for crunchiness. Fruits and vegetables also fill you up faster than things like chips because of their water content.
#3” Bring Herbal Tea & Water
Pay attention to what you’re drinking because it’s easy to forget that alcohol is naturally heating. Opt for drinks that have cooling ingredients like mint and cucumber.
Instead of sugary drinks, prepare refreshing herbal-infused water. Add fresh mint leaves, slices of cucumber, and a squeeze of lemon to a jug of water and let it infuse for a few hours. It helps cool down the body.
When I’m feeling hot and dehydrated, I like to make this Ayurvedic Rehydration Drink or this Rose Cooling Tea.
#4: If you’re not hungry, don’t eat!
In the heat of summer, many people experience decreased appetite. Respect your body’s inner intelligence—if you’re not hungry, don’t feel compelled to eat just because the clock is telling you to eat. You might also notice you’re hungrier for those fresh fruits and vegetables.
Challenge yourself to do a day of unscheduled eating. Make that meal plan but only pick up the food when your body lets you know that you need food. Be careful to follow your doctor’s advice about your diet, however.
I hope these 4 tips inspire you to create a nourishing experience your body will love. And remember, you don’t have to pack a whole meal to have a great picnic. As always, customize your picnic to your preferences. If you’re not a fan of concerts, bring a book and your earbuds instead. Just being outside is one of the best ways to heal your spirit.
Be well,
Avanti Kumar-Singh, MD
