In Ayurveda, warm weather calls for cooling foods. What are foods that most of us crave in summer? Ice cream, popsicles, and frozen beverages are among the most popular. Although it is totally okay to indulge in these sometimes, finding better alternatives will allow you to go about your day with less bloating, inflammation, and overall better digestion. In Ayurveda, there are a bunch of treats that you can make yourself that are delicious and satisfying, but also provide benefits to your gut. Always keep in mind that moderation is key, but satisfying a sweet craving is okay sometimes.
A few delicious recipes we recommend that you try are
Snickers Date Bites
Banana with Ghee and Cinnamon
Rice Pudding (warm or cold)
Baked peaches with vanilla, nutmeg and cloves
Coconut, almond butter, date, and vanilla smoothie
Spiced milk and honey
Banana Ice cream
Chilled watermelon with lime
Peach Lassi with cardamom (spiced yogurt)
Banana Smoothie with Lime and Cardamom
Baked Bananas
1. Snickers Date Bites:
(great for vata, pitta, aggravates kapha)
Ingredients:
10-15 dates
3-4 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter
¾ cup dark chocolate
1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions:
Cut a decent sized slit in the dates and remove the pits. Fill each date with nut butter and place onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. In a double boiler using low heat, melt the chocolate and coconut oil until completely melted and combined. Remember to turn off the heat! Next, using a fork, place each date in the melted chocolate and completely coat it. Place it back onto the cookie sheet, and once all the dates are coated, place in the freezer for 30-45 minutes. Enjoy!
2 Bananas with Ghee and Cinnamon: Via Joyful Belly
(great for vata and kapha, aggravates pitta)
Ingredients:
1cup Banana
1 tsp ghee
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of ginger (dried)
Instructions:
Slice the bananas into coins or lengthwise and sauté in ghee. Mix gently to avoid mushing the banana. You will know the banana is done frying when it starts to develop a brown color. Sprinkle with cinnamon and ginger. Garnish with cardamom if desired.
3. Rice Pudding: hot or chilled: Via Joyful Belly
(great for vata and pitta, aggravates kapha)
Ingredients:
1 tbsp Roasted Almonds
1/2c Basmati Rice
1/4tsp Cardamom
1/2c Ghee
8c milk
1c raw sugar
pinch of saffron
Instructions:
Pour all ingredients, except almonds, into a single pot. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent the rice and milk from sticking to the bottom. Lower heat to a simmer. Continue stirring occasionally until rice softens and thickens, about 12-15 minutes. Turn off heat and keep covered for an additional 5-10 minutes. Garnish with almonds and serve hot, or place in the refrigerator for 2 hours and serve cold.
4. Baked peaches with vanilla, nutmeg and cloves: Via Joyful Belly
(great for vata and kapha, aggravates pitta)
Ingredients:
1/4tsp Cloves
1/4tsp Nutmeg
4 whole peaches
1 tsp raw sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1c water
Instructions:
Slice peaches in half and remove pit. Place into an 8x8 oven safe dish. In a medium sized bowl, combine spices, sugar, and vanilla extract with 1 cup of water. Pour over peaches. Cover and bake on 325 for one hour or until peaches are soft.
5. Coconut, almond butter, date, and vanilla smoothie: Via Joyful Belly
(great for vata and pitta, aggravates kapha)
Ingredients:
2 tbsp Almond Butter
¼ tsp Cardamom
2c Coconut Milk
5 pitted dates (soaked in warm water for 5 minutes)
1 vanilla bean
Instructions:
Slice vanilla pod down the middle to cut in half. Scrape seeds from pod into blender. Coarsely chop the dates. Add all ingredients to a blender and blender until smooth and creamy. Can also be frozen into molds for a delicious popsicle!
6. Spiced Milk and Honey: hot or chilled Via Joyful Belly
(great for vata and kapha, aggravates pitta)
Ingredients:
1 small bay leaf
¾ tsp black pepper
¾ tsp cardamom
1 pinch of cinnamon
¾ tsp dried ginger
1 tsp honey
1c milk
1 pinch star anise
Instructions:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat up milk, but avoid bringing it to a boil. Lower heat to a gentle simmer and add spices. Simmer for 5 minutes stirring frequently. If milk becomes foamy, immediately remove from heat. Pour into a mug and add honey to taste. Or, place in a heat resistant container and chill for 2 hours and serve iced.
7. Banana Ice Cream: Via Joyful Belly
(great for vata and pitta, aggravates kapha)
Ingredients:
1 tbsp Almond Butter
1 c Almond Milk
1 cup frozen banana
¼ tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a blender. Starting on low speed, puree the mixture until smooth and creamy. You may have to stop and scrape the sides of the blender a few times in between. Once it is blended smooth, but still thick, serve and top with roasted almonds if desired. This recipe is also delicious with unfrozen bananas as a smoothie!
8. Chilled Watermelon with Lime
(great for vata and pitta, aggravates kapha)
Ingredients:
¼ of a watermelon, cubed and chilled
Half of a lime
Instructions:
Simply squeeze fresh juice of half a lime over chilled watermelon! Sprinkle with a bit of coriander or cayenne for added zestiness and flavor!
9. Peach Lassi with Cardamom Via Joyful Belly
(great for vata, pitta and kapha)
Ingredients:
2 pinches of Cardamom
1 tsp honey
½ of a peach
1/3c rosewater (optional)
1/3c water
1/3c yogurt
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree on low speed. Serve and garnish with Roasted almonds or pistachios if desired. Can be frozen into molds to make a delicious popsicle!
10. Banana Smootie with Lime and Cardamom Via Joyful Belly
(great for vata and pitta, aggravates kapha)
Ingredients:
2 c bananas
¼ tsp cardamom
1 c coconut water
Juice of 1/2 of a lime
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth. These are also delicious if you freeze into popsicle molds and serve frozen!
11. Baked Bananas:
(great for vata)
Ingredients:
2 Bananas sliced in half lengthwise
Juice of 1 orange
¼ c coconut milk
1 tbsp maple syrup
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp cardamom
¼ c raisins
¼ c sliced almonds
Optional: 1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place bananas in a baking dish. Stir together orange juice & coconut milk then pour over bananas. Sprinkle with maple syrup, cinnamon, and cardamom. Scatter raisins, almonds, and oil (if applicable) on top. Bake for 15-20 minutes & serve with sauce from the baking dish