Welcome, Summer
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) summer is broken up into two season, Summer and Late summer. This is because of the TCM Five Element Theory, one element per season (Spring, Summer, Late Summer, Autumn, and Winter.) While both seasons happen in the Western summer, they are very different. Summer is a fire season and is associated with the heart. Late Summer is an earth season that is associated with the stomach/spleen.
Summer is all about growth, the days are growing longer, Yang is growing, and it is the time personal growth. In TCM the heart represents happiness, excitement, passion, and movement. Summer is the time to go on adventures (like a vacation), beginning new projects, and to be active. The longer days mean you should be waking early and staying up later (you will have plenty of time to rest during the long winter nights.)
To help beat the summer heat it is best to eat raw or lightly cooked cooling foods and to drink plenty of water. Luckily, most of what grows in the summer has cooling qualities. It is best to avoid spicy food and red meats during the summer as they have warming qualities. Below is a Baby Kale and Salmon Salad with a Cilantro Lime Dressing recipe that is full of cooling ingredients that makes for a great summer lunch or dinner.
Baby Kale and Salmon Salad
with Cilantro Lime Dressing