Sweet summer greeting: Sunny compote recipe

Let the sunshine in

Long days and plenty of sun do us good. In Ayurvedic teachings, the sun is associated with the fire element. It is hot, dry, and light.

The sun is a true immune booster for our body. UV rays stimulate the production of vitamin D. We need this to protect our immune system, and it also strengthens the cardiovascular system and bones. However, we only get enough radiation in our latitudes during the summer months. Therefore, use the long days for meditations and yoga sessions outdoors. An idea could be, for example, the sun meditation, which you can do at sunrise or sunset.

Sunbathing can help reduce excess tissue and waste. Especially Vata and Kapha types benefit from a sunbath as their inner fire is not very pronounced. Pitta types, on the other hand, should be careful as they tend to overheat quickly. To avoid sunburn, you should pay attention to good sun protection and not stay directly in the sun for too long.

Ayurvedic diet in summer

Do you notice how your eating habits change in summer? Your appetite is somewhat tamed, and you don't crave hearty dishes. This is because our digestive fire Agni doesn't burn as intensely as it does the rest of the year. Although we are less hungry, unfortunately, the removal of Ama, that is, waste and toxins, is also hampered. Therefore, we need to adjust our diet a bit so as not to overwhelm our digestive system.

Adequate hydration is especially important on hot days. Cool water with lemon or mint added, or lukewarm Pitta tea are healthy and digestible thirst quenchers. Also, support your body with cooling, moisturizing, and light food. Avoid fatty and hearty dishes. Cucumbers, arugula, spinach, endive, bell peppers, and salads are ideal for a delicious summer dish. Fruits like melons, grapes, mangoes, papayas, pomegranates, sweet pineapples, and nectarines balance the lack of moisture with plenty of liquid.

If you feel like having something ice-cold, let the food literally melt on your tongue. This way, the body can warm the food to body temperature for better digestion. Since sweets are a good snack in between especially during the hot season, we have put together a compote recipe for you today. The compote is also suitable for breakfast as it provides a lot of energy and fiber.

You need:

• 400 g chopped fruit according to
  season and region (e.g., apples, pears,
  plums, apricots, cherries, etc.)

• 1 teaspoon ghee or coconut oil

• 1 teaspoon spice (e.g., cinnamon, star anise,
  cardamom, turmeric, ginger)
  turmeric, ginger)

• 1 pinch of salt

Preparation:

Heat the ghee over medium heat in a pan and briefly sauté the spices in it. Now add the chopped fruit. Add a little water if necessary and let it simmer briefly. Then season with a little salt and lemon juice and let it simmer until the fruit becomes soft and falls apart. Turn off the stove and let it sit briefly. This allows the spice aromas to develop better.