Chinese nutritional therapy suggests tailoring one's diet according to the season as a way to optimize health. To counteract the heat of the summer try incorporating more cooling foods into your diet such as watermelon, yogurt, tomato, spinach, fish, mint, dill and cilantro. Avoid hot, dry and very spicy foods. Try out the recipe below for a cooling summer salad.
Cool-As-A-Cucumber Salad
1 medium-size cucumber
1 clove garlic, crushed
¼ cup white vinegar
2 Tablespoons sesame oil
Salt
Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish
Using a blunt instrument, such as the handle of a knife, pound the cucumber’s surface to soften it slightly and increase its ability to absorb the salt and dressing.
Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon, if desired. Cut the cucumber into thin slices.
Sprinkle and toss with salt, to taste.
Combine the cucumber, garlic, vinegar, and sesame oil in a bowl and mix well before serving. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions!
Recipe from Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing and Long Life by Yuan Wang, Warren Sheir and Mika Ono.