Synergy in Summer: A Bountiful Berry Bowl

With so much information about healthy living coming at us from all directions, we can get overwhelmed. Our health professionals, the internet, friends, and family all have their own opinions. So, to whom should we listen?

Looking back, way back—as in thousands of years ago—we found that the Ayurvedic texts offered great guidance for maintaining wellness. A very prominent tenet of Ayurveda is that all beings are comprised of the same elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth) as nature, and therefore, would do well to stay in sync with nature.

One of the simplest yet most profound tips for staying in sync with nature is to eat seasonally. Yet, how do we know what is in season when grocery stores carry everything all year around?

While there are lists for seasonal foods that can be procured from the internet, you can also let common sense be your guide. For example, we know that strawberries don’t grow in the dead of winter, so eating them in December or January won’t bode well for our health. That’s because our bodies produce certain enzymes for digestion at certain times of the year, and in winter, we are not producing the enzymes necessary to digest strawberries.

Additionally, eating seasonally provides us with the foods that possess properties needed to maintain wellness. For instance, berries boast big benefits in summer! They are rich in antioxidants, cooling, nourishing for the brain, anti-inflammatory, and fortifying for the liver. This makes berries the perfect antidote for overheating in summer.

The season for foods can vary slightly from place to place so, if you are not sure about your summer selection you can google a seasonal eating guide for help.

Here is a berry delicious breakfast recipe!

Bountiful Berry Bowl

Serves 2–4.

Ingredients
1/2 cup blackberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1–2 tsp minced mint
1/4–1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1 cup strawberries, puréed in a blender
1 tbsp grated coconut
1 tbsp hemp seeds
Non-dairy yogurt, such as coconut milk, almond milk, cashew milk, etc.

Directions

1. Combine blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cardamom, and mint in a bowl, and mix gently.
2. Spoon some of the berry combo over plain, unsweetened coconut milk, almond milk, or other non-dairy yogurt.
3. Drizzle with strawberry purée and sprinkle with coconut and hemp.

*Eat your fruit and yogurt at room temperature for optimal digestion!