Revive your body with this refreshing & life restoring smoothie that boasts a zing of lime and summer spices. The heat of summer seems to bake the electrolytes out of your body, making you feel tired and fatigued. Smoothies are a perfect way to rehydrate your body in summer.

Summer is a natural time of year to introduce more simple carbohydrates into your diet, such as the fructose found in fruit. These simple sugars restore blood sugar levels, which can be unstable after sweating in the heat. A pinch of salt can benefit dry Vata types.

Raw apples cool & refresh your body when the heat is strong due to their astringent taste (the rough feeling on your tongue). Lime, cardamom & ginger make this smoothie light and playful. The sour taste of the lime opens your pores helping you keep cool. Ginger & cardamom are a digestive aid.

Exercise moderation with fruit smoothies if you have high blood sugar levels or diabetes.

Ingredients

1 whole APPLE (RAW)

1/2 c WATER

1/4 whole LIME

1/8 inch GINGER (FRESH)

1 pinch CARDAMOM

1 pinch LIME ZEST

Instructions

1. Core & chop the apple. Scrape the zest off of a lime with micro-grater, zester, or sharp knife. Grate the ginger. Grind cardamom in a coffee grinder.
2. Add above ingredients to a blender. Squeeze lime juice over mixture. Add water and puree until smooth.

Serve immediately. Contents may separate quickly. To keep contents from separating, add kiwi.

What is Wild Thing Pose?

Wild thing pose, or camatkarasana in Sanskrit, challenges both strength and balance. A relatively newer pose and commonly practiced in vinyasa classes, the yogi enters wild thing pose from downward dog, lifting one leg up and behind so that the heart opens to the sky.

Instructions

Begin in downward-facing dog pose.

Inhale and lift the right leg and hand off the floor.

Exhale and reach the right leg up and over so that the foot rests on the floor behind the left leg.

Inhale and reach the right hand toward the sky.

Breathe while holding the pose.

What is One-Legged King Pigeon Pose A?

One-legged king pigeon pose A, or eka pada rajakapotasana A in Sanskrit, is a deep and challenging backbend that opens the chest and develops flexibility in the hips. From pigeon pose, the yogi bends the back foot in toward the buttocks, clasping the toes in a deep backbend.

Instructions

Begin in pigeon pose with the right foot back.Exhale and bend the right foot toward the buttocks.Inhale and reach the right arm (and left arm, if possible) up and back. Clasp the right toes with both hands.Breathe while holding the pose.

Surprise! Homemade ice cream can be Ayurvedic! No need to deprive yourself of one of summer’s most special treats. Knowing a few simple tricks about foods and spices is the key to making an ice cream that not only tastes good, but makes you feel good.

Rose Pistachio Saffron Cardamom Ice Cream is sweet and aromatic. Rose, saffron, and cardamom provide elegant, decadent aromas which in turn help you digest heavy, cold ice cream. The crunchy texture of pistachios compliments the sweet and smooth consistency of this creamy dessert. Hearty, rich pistachios also offer a savory balance to sweet ice cream.

Ingredients

3 c HEAVY CREAM

2/3 c RAW SUGAR

1/4 c SKIM MILK POWDER

2 tbsp ROSE WATER

1/4 c PISTACHIO

1 tsp SAFFRON

1 tsp CARDAMOM

1 tsp ROSE PETALS

Instructions

1. Put the pistachios in the freezer.

2. Heat the remaining ingredients over low heat until the sugar is dissolved and it begins to steam. Briskly whisk for one minute.

3. Chill all ingredients in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

4. Use an ice cream maker, or if not available, simply place in the freezer and stir every fifteen minutes until frozen.

5. When the ice cream is almost done, drop in the and/or pistachios, if using. Serve in frozen bowls and garnish with candied rose petals.

Alternatively, freeze 3/4’s of the liquid portion, then place in a vitamix or high end blender with the remaining 1/4. Mix in the solid ingredients.