I am not a food writer. I am also not a food blogger. I am a “Mother” of two children and a lot of plants, so I better be knowing what will keep all of them cool and rejuvenated in scorching summer.
My plants are the happiest when I water them, that’s the only thing they need everyday. Some organic manure fortnightly or so makes them delightful and bloom with joy. They are the least demanding beings in my home, truly.
When it comes to choosing foods or fruits for my children, I keep only one thing in mind – this should not result in loosies, mouth ulcers or any sort of breakout on their body. This is a wisdom passed on to me by my mother, grandmother and mother-in-law. I trust them with their choices because there is definitely science behind it backed by years of experience.
Remember as kids, our grannies told us not to eat something in winter saying that this is thandi taseer, this food is meant for the summer. And when the mercury dips, you need garam taseer to warm the body, the elderlies would tell us.
There are two types of foods –
foods with “garam taseer”; i.e. foods that keep our bodies warm from within
foods with “thandi taseer”; i.e. foods that keep our bodies cool from within
Most of the raw fruits or vegetables that are produced during summer have “thandi taseer”; i.e. they keep our body cool from inside so the effect of heat outside has a lesser impact within. Not only kids but we must consume more of such foods as well.
Curd
Curd, as we know, is a good example of thandi taseer. It can be consumed in the form of buttermilk (chhachh in Hindi) and lassi. Lassi is a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit. Traditional Lassi is savoury. However, sweet lassi contains sugar or fruits, instead of spices. In summer, a lot of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are prepared using the base of curd for curry. Curd is also a natural probiotic that will also ease the digestion of heavier food.
Cucumber and Melons
Cucumbers and melons are natural coolers. They contain 90% water which keeps the body hydertated and cool. It’s best to have them everyday. Mommies looking to flatten their tummy, these are a must have for you. Cucumber especially is known to melt belly fat.
Gourd Family
Gourd family vegetables are cooling, calming, a good diuretic and anti-bilious. As much as they are boring, they are highly beneficial in summers. Bottle gourd, bitter gourd and ridge gourd have great benefits. Indian Round Gourd or Tinda is equally good.
Chillies and Spices
Surprised? Chillies and spices induce sweating. It’s the evaporation of sweat that removes heat from your body. So as long as you stay hydrated while eating spicy food, the perspiration that comes from enjoying the spicy food will force your body to cool itself quickly and more efficiently.
So our elders definitely knew what they were talking about. Eat “thandi taseer ka khana”, they rightly told what the season demands. Isn’t that cool?
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